Making a wtb list:
One of the fun parts of egl fashion is that it can be both a fashion and a collection. Old pieces are traded and sold, and finding a garment you've been looking for is so exciting. I recently got one of my dream dresses after almost 10 years of searching. I think it's really special to both build a collection and have an actual practical use for it. It's one of my favorite things about the fashion.
However, I try not to make too much of a WTB (want to buy)/dream dress list. If I've been waiting for it for a long time, I'm more likely to spend way more than my average budget. There's a lot of pressure to get it before it disappears forever. It's also very easy to get into hoarding tendencies, because sometimes the point of a collection is to gotta catch 'em all. When you treat your closet as a collection, it's easy to want to hang on to pieces that you don't wear, just because they are rare or were difficult to find.
It saves a lot of money to just treat egl as a fashion, where you buy wardrobe pieces that function as wardrobe pieces. For example, "I need a black jsk, and I need red striped socks," and then you can fill the space with items that come at a good price. You don't need to spend $400 on a black jsk by a major brand when your wardrobe can also get the same flexibility with a $30 secondhand Bodyline jsk. Btssb striped socks are $45 but generic socks are $11. However, even though it saves money, it can feel disappointing to not get to participate in the collector side of the fashion, if you want to participate in it.
I want to be a collector, but I also don't have the finances to buy everything I want at any price. So, when I know I need to watch money, I set up two rules. Rule number 1 is that i can't buy a new piece unless I sell one of my current pieces for at least 80% of the cost of the new piece. This addresses the hoarding issue and also makes things much more financially viable. The second is that I get to make a list of exception items, things that I'm allowed to buy without selling something else. The list must be made in advance and during a time where I'm not pressured to get anything, and it is law. No matter how long I've been waiting for another item, if it wasn't on the list, something of mine has to sell before I can get it. If I didn't want it badly enough to remember that I wanted it when I made my list under no pressure, I don't want it badly enough to buy it in the moment.
The third rule in my list of two rules is "bills before frills," or that it doesn't matter what list it's on, if there's no money for it, I wait until it comes around again.
Anyway, I spent this morning updating my list, so if anyone is selling anything on this list, let me know.
Typewriting Squirrels Shirring Op in any color
Typewriting Squirrels Skirt (not lucky pack) in any color
Typewriting Squirrels headbow or socks or both in any color
Typewriting Squirrels anything except the lucky pack/frill skirt in white
Typewriting Squirrels frill skirt in white, purple, and pink
Basically I need every cut and every colorway at least once, and then I also need the frill skirt in all colors. If the print pops up but it's not on this list, please still let me know.
If you have Typewriting Squirrels anything in a "this is so fucked up that I can't ever tell someone that I owned this" state, I can assure you that I want it, will maintain your privacy, and will not judge you for it. Botched alterations, smell adhesion, cat piss, mold, cursed, if it's got the Typewriting Squirrels fabric then I am still interested. Sell me your socks; I have a box of gloves and a respirator and a ton of confidence in my laundry abilities.
For everyone who noticed Closet Child (RIP red Closet Child, it doesn't feel the same to shop on pale background Closet Child) having the a-line jsk, don't worry, I also noticed it and it is en route.
