Here’s how the above question usually gets asked:
Girl 1: Oooh! I looove this!
Girl 2: Don’t you have something just like that?
Girl 1: No… wait… do I?
Girl 2: That blue top you wear 24/7 is, like, almost identical to that.
Girl 1: You’re right. I so don’t need this.
WRONG. So effing wrong. To examine why, we’re gonna get down with some Elementary Logic. Just pretend you’re an undergrad studying Conjunctions for a hot sec.
The Conjunction Rule states P^Q is true if and only if both P and Q are true. (If, back in college, I’d known how to interpret variables in the context of Shopping, I probs wouldn’t have been such a shitty logic student).
Let P = Girl 1′s Blue Top
Let Q = Something Girl 1 Wears 24/7
In the world of Sartorial Conjunctions, this means:
If it’s Girl 1′s Blue Top, it’s something Girl 1 wears 24/7.
If it’s something Girl 1 wears 24/7, it’s Girl 1′s Blue Top.
Based on the evidence in Girl 1 and Girl 2′s exchange, P^Q is TRUE. Let’s break some rules and examine P and Q in the hypothetical context.
If it’s similar to Girl 1′s Blue Top, it’s something Girl 1 will wear 24/7.
If it’s something Girl 1 will wear 24/7, it’s similar to Girl 1′s Blue Top.
The assumption that a top similar to one already worn 24/7 will be worn with similar frequency is the basis for why editrixes tell us to buy our fave $50 t-shirt in twelve different colors. So, for our purposes here, P^Q hypothetical is also TRUE. Now, let’s examine what happens when Don’t You Have Something Just Like That? becomes part of the equation.
If it’s not similar to Girl 1′s Blue Top, it’s something Girl 1 will wear 24/7.
If it’s something Girl 1 will wear 24/7, it’s not similar to Girl 1′s Blue Top.
Exsqueeze me? Baking powder? If it’s not similar to something Girl 1 already owns and wears, how can we possibly conclude that she’ll wear it 24/7? How do we know she’ll even wear it at all? Here’s my prediction: Girl 1 will feel pressured to deviate from what she already wears 24/7 and instead buy a top entirely unlike any she already owns; said top will end up sitting in her closet unworn, a guilt-riddled reminder of money and material wasted. Sad.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t occasionally take chances on styles, cuts and materials unlike those you wear most. I just see those things you wear most – go-to items that make you feel fab every time you put them on, your YAYs, if you will – as the barometer for what you should almost-always buy.
In this way, Don’t You Have Something Just Like That? isn’t just faulty logic. It’s a question that undermines the entire purpose of Shopping and as such, it’s a stupid one.
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SO true. My mom used to get annoyed at me when I’d buy that perfect white tee since I “already had like, three, at home.” But white tees get dingy, and white tees need to be impeccable to pull off that white tee/dark rinse jeans/leather jacket/James Dean thing. So after years of feeling guilty about even looking towards a new white tee, I now buy them when I want–if they’re perfect.
1) I agree.
2) CNN? FTW?! Nice.
HAHAHAHA- Amazing
hey!! I just read an article that mentioned you on the CNN website. I think the article was supposed to be about Rumi… but I don’t even remember anymore because I immediately recognized “sinderbrand” and that matt calls you “A.” I also remember hearing him mention that you worked in the fashion industry….but mostly I just remember that he loves and adores you. so obviously I had to check out your blog. Good stuff. As an overspending snotty college kid I appreciate what you’re doing. Reality looms.
congrats on the article! The highlight of my day was calling matt to tell him about it…then hearing him practically manic with pride over the phone!!!!!
and I agree with this post. The character Margot from the Royal Tenenbaums? case in point. Having variations of the same item not only creates “a look” but also ensures that you’re wearing what you’re buying.
I could wear knee high boots into my grave.
ahah funny… but i guess i would have agreed with you also without the complete logical scheme! =)
http://thefashionsetter.blogspot.com
i will buy a million white tees. nice ones. from james perse. over and over. bite me. lol… congrats on cnn…sweet blog.