Dear reader, you must excuse me, but I admit that when Crunchy Chicken announced her Buy Nothing Challenge, I felt a small sense of smug superiority. A month of non-consumerism? Hah! I've been doing THAT for EIGHT months. Been there, not bought that.
Well, they say pride comes before fall, and while I haven't fallen (yet), the next four months are starting to loom very, very large. Especially as it concerns erm... my undergarmentry.
See, you know how your mom always told you to be sure to be wearing presentable underwear lest you get in a traffic accident and someone see it? I mean, my mom never said that because my mom was too busy telling me to put my damn sweater on because it was COLD. But anyway, I guess someone's mom says something to that effect, though you would think if you were in a traffic accident you'd have more to worry about than if the paramedics were laughing at the state of your underwear.
Anyhow, the point is, yesterday I was doing my laundry and I realized that a good third to half of my underwear is really unpresentable. Like, if I got in a traffic accident, the paramedics might wonder if I was an itinerant ne'er-do-well who had stolen some nice girl's outerwear. And while I think I can last until August at which point I will be sorely tempted to do a ritual bonfire of sorts and burn all my old underwear, I really, really want new underwear now.
Now, according to the rules, I am not allowed to buy new stuff. Nor am I allowed to buy any clothes, period. BUT, could I, dare I work around the rules? Can I ask for underwear as a gift from my mom? Can I buy underwear using a gift certificate I have to the mall? If I do buy underwear at the mall, does anyone know of any mainstream store that sells organic cotton underwear? Should I just suck it up and wait until August? And what the eff do you do with old underwear? No, I do not need any more rags!! Do I just landfill it? And do I have no sense of propriety because I am discussing my underwear with the entire world?
In other consumeristic news, my iBook went pffft over the weekend. I am desperately hoping that this is a fixable problem because, damnit, forget my non-consumerist challenge, I flat out can't afford a new computer. I have an appointment at the Genius Bar at lunch time so keep your fingers crossed for me.
2 years ago
19 comments:
recycle your underwear.
And I'll be buying a laptop later this year as well...
Unfortunately my underwear doesn't come from Patagonia and it looks like that's all they accept at this time. :(
Turn your underwear into rags or something and buy some new ones. I think even the Compact allows new underwear, doesn't it? If not, it should.
The Compact does allow for new socks and underwear but if you really don't want to do it and your birthday is coming up then I think it's okay to ask for some. After all they may be more useful then what you would have gotten otherwise. As for organic underwear I don't know of any brick and mortar stores that sell them but I know you can find them on Amazon and Victorias Secret is starting to sell organic stuff so maybe they have it.
N.
http://badhuman.wordpress.com
Would you ask for underwear as a gift instead of some other item? If not, it doesn't really matter if someone else pulls the trigger, you did the crime. But if you get undies instead of something else, it sounds pefectly non-consumerist.
Ultimately, though, I think it's okay to buy undies if the ones you have are truly worn out. I know your commitment was to buy nothing, but the point really is to distinguish wants from needs and only buy things you need, right? At some point, your undies don't work anymore and you go from wanting new to needing new.
The Compact does allow for new socks and underwear. My own personal non-consumer rules for the year are slightly more stringent in the clothing area than The Compact, mostly because I feel like I probably eat out more often than most Compacters so I was trying to balance it out. I know, I know, the logic isn't completely solid.
Underwear is definitely an exception to the no-buying rule in my book. I agree with EcoGeoFemme - there is a difference between needs and wants. Another new swear is a want and your basic underwear is a need, unless of course you were referring to a pair of $8,000 diamond studded Victoria Secret underwear - that would've crossed the need boundary in a nano second.
Hey, if it makes you feel better, the Compact actually DOES allow for purchases of new underwear. Trust me -- I checked the loopholes!
As for the organi-panties? Hmmmm.... check etsy.com yet?
So...pulling a Britney is out of the question? :-) I think if the Compact allows it, go for the new underwear.
Good lord, woman, buy yerself some new underwear.
I didn't exactly specify it in the rules, but I don't expect you to go out and buy some used, crusty ole' undies.
I'm sure there are some nice cleanish ones at the thrift store, but just do what you're comfortable with. But I also don't necessarily recommend hanging out in the "foundations" section sniffing your way to a clean pair.
I don't even want to tell you what lurks in the hidden folds of "pre-owned" underwear. JK!
Who knows, but I think this is one of those things where you just have to buy some new ones. I like the organic cotton replacement idea. That way you're supporting the production of sustainable underwear.
I'm not sure what to do about the old ones, but I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm all about reuse, but you don't want to be wiping down the kitchen counter with said reincarnation rag underwear and have one of your friends ask "Why does that 'dishtowel' rag say Hanes?" Awkward.
Maybe the other question is just how crusty are these undies? Is the elastic actually disintegrating? Did the crotch just disappear into cloud of dust or can these tighty whites we revived with a lil Shout and Bleach? Yes, I said bleach.
I'm in the "none of the above" and buy them camp, too...
And, i would buy the responsibly produced variety.
Personally.
I don't know if that helps?
Anyway, socks, underwear, and shoes (I have BAD feet that can't handle being in other peoples' broken in shoes) are the only new clothing items I will buy...
I agree. Buy some new underwear (they sell new ones at Goodwill if you don't want to darken the doors of the mall). I use old underwear as bathroom rags. Seems appropriate to me :/
I'll agree with everyone that you should buy new underwear, the organic kind. And how many would get you into August, maybe you only need a few, i.e. just because we all said go buy underwear don't go crazy. As for what to do with the old ones. . . I always toss mine. If they get to the point they need replacement then they are pretty gross and should never be looked at again.
It strikes me that this would be a non-issue for most males. Some comedian once pointed out that men will wear their underwear until you can hold them up and a slight breeze just blows the fragments away like a dandelion flower.
Buy organic ones...then you can knock my challenge off of your list too. :) blue canoe has organic undies.
gaiam
ia also a good source for some underpants that are green in a good way...not in the second hand grundies way.
Oooh, Blue Canoe's are actually cute too. Unlike some of the other organic underwear I've seen.
Yes I'm commenting on a really old post, but I just discovered your blog and really like it. If you wear cotton underwear (or other natural fiber), you can compost your old underwear.
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