Own Fewer, Better Things & Object Love
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Hi all,
I’m Avi, and I’m relatively new to the IH forums. I’m not sure if there’s a thread out there about this already, but I thought I’d kick one off regardless.I, like many of us, love beautiful things. Well made Japanese denim that fades uniquely with time, beautiful leather goods, jackets and boots that form to the body with each wear.
In the decade or so that I’ve collected the objects that I love, I’ve refined my tastes, though the feeling that I’m missing something or that my next purchase with finally be the thing that completes me has persisted. I’m appropriating Standard and Strange’s motto for the title of this thread, “Own Fewer, Better Things.” It’s quite funny, as if everyone that shopped at the store followed this model, they’d likely not see much business.
Which leads me to why I’m writing this. While I love beautiful things, I’m tired of falling victim to purchasing things I don’t need, or not appreciating the things that I have already. I truly believe in S&S’s motto, and I’d like to think that I don’t really need more than the lovely things I already have. I’ve wondered if anyone else has felt similarly to me, and what approaches they’ve taken to truly appreciate and feel satisfied with the things that they already have. If you’re on the IH forums, I anticipate you’re someone that has an appreciation for quality products, and I’m wondering if you might relate to the dissatisfaction I feel. Perhaps we can use this thread to share the “better things” that we love so much.
Thanks for reading,
AviHere’s a picture of the IH Horsehide Jacket I’ve loved and have been breaking in for a year or so:
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Thanks for sharing this! I've recently been on a quest to pare down my closet, and really trying to stick to the mantra of owning fewer, better things. I realized that I've been holding onto ill-fitting shirts that I picked up second-hand along the way, or shirts that I wore for a while, and realized that I just don't love them. In the early days of getting into Iron Heart, oftentimes I'd find myself longing for a particular piece, and find one in the second-hand market. The fit wasn't always right, but I compromised and wore the pieces anyway because I was trying to convince myself that they worked for me, when in my heart of hearts, I knew that wasn't the case. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I actually reach for in my closet, and I've worked really hard at getting rid of the things that I don't reach for. It's a process, and it's really helping with my mental health. It's stressful to open a closet and have to cram things in, or fight to pull things out. I've gotten rid of so many items in my closet that there's actually breathing room now, and it's a joy to open the doors and to be greeted by the shirts or jackets that I actually love to wear. To be honest, none of this is as easy as it sounds. Figuring out what you really like can take some time and a lot of trial and error.
And since you mentioned your leather jacket, I'll share a pic of my new leather jacket below. I've tried various leather jackets over the years, and even went as far as ordering made to measure jackets from Aero, but in the end, they were never the right fit or function, and I had to let them go. I was frustrated with my Aero jackets because they looked beautiful, but they had tiny little zippers that I was always afraid of breaking, and despite having them made to measure, they never fit quite right (too tight across the chest, or too long, or boxy in the wrong areas). What I love about my Iron Heart jacket is that it checks the boxes for form and function for me, and the fit is so damn perfect.
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I can't remember who said it, and I am probably paraphrasing, but I always liked the saying "to be rich is to be free from wants". Buying better things works nicely with that. Once you've taken the time to research, select, and saved up to buy the 'best' whatever, why would you want another example of the same thing?
Where I struggle is with something like IH where it's all so good and works so well together. So I find myself looking at cargo pants - I haven't had a pair of cargos in years! - or a leather shirt, or whatever, stuff that I don't need but would be 'nice to have'. That's when I go to my other favourite phrase: "a need is just a want with a reason".
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I'm on a similar journey. One idea I'm coming to terms with recently is that although "fewer and better" is the long run goal, the way to get there in the short run is through experimentation. No matter how much I read online about a product, there is no substitute for buying it and owning it. This realization leads me to tactical shifts in product acquisition strategy, e.g., I'm now trying to avoid buying multiple colors / sizes of the same item (or type of item) just because I think it is "the one" in its category. My views about "the one" continue to evolve as I gather more data so no point in wasting precious closet space and wear time on the same items at this stage in my journey.
This of course may prove to be a fool's errand. I may in fact be addicted to the perpetual experimentation. But I'm holding out hope that giving myself the freedom to try lots of products in the near term will lay the foundation for fewer and better down the road.
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Amen to all of this. Frankly, I feel like we don't stand a chance as people living in late capitalism, inundated with targeted marketing in all its insidious forms. Of course we get FOMO and keep hitting the button.
At risk of sounding ass-kissy, I do feel plenty of exception from all that here in IH land. There is, of course, the problem of just not being able to stop buying all the cool shit and then you end up not being able to fade anything
️. But the community is great, and the company seems more interested in making ridiculously high quality things and running an honest, successful business than flooding the market with cheap crap in an effort to achieve global domination. In short, as somebody who buys too much stuff and completely identifies with this problem, I do find some degree of relief keeping it in the IH universe.But I still buy too much stuff. And paring down is difficult, but like others here I'm trying to do the same, and it's felt good.
I'll always be sweating knowing that SS or FW is coming, though. Sigh.
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@popvulture It is often the inevitable and natural cycle for more seasoned IH customers. The first few years when you learn about the product you can go a bit crazy with purchases.
I am definitely more picky with what I buy these days and my purchase profile has become more targeted and slower. I am now looking to fill in gaps in the collection without any overlap, colours styles etc.
It does not stop me checking in often and obsessing over certain releases but unless it is 100% right for me then I hold off as there is always something else good round the corner.
It keeps the sales thread busy at least.
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@ddtrash said in Own Fewer, Better Things & Object Love:
@popvulture It is often the inevitable and natural cycle for more seasoned IH customers. The first few years when you learn about the product you can go a bit crazy with purchases.
I am definitely more picky with what I buy these days and my purchase profile has become more targeted and slower. I am now looking to fill in gaps in the collection without any overlap, colours styles etc.
It does not stop me checking in often and obsessing over certain releases but unless it is 100% right for me then I hold off as there is always something else good round the corner.
It keeps the sales thread busy at least.
Wise words from an old timer!
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@amagaram what a great topic. It’s nice to hear others’ take on a feeling we all must have felt off and on…well, mostly on, let’s be honest…over the years.
For me it really started with records. I love the rare and elusive nature of finding a true collectible. Very easy to go down that rabbit hole and feel like each new record is a “gotta have” and “don’t let it slip away” opportunity. Think that’s when the delivery drivers probably really started to get to know me…and me them!!
Boots have always been a love. Course it took me some time to go from Timberlands to Lofgrens or the like. But, boots have always held my curiosity. Then nicer things like well made woolen jackets (which I also seemed to have a deep love of)
Then onwards and upwards in the workwear/ denim game. It was like all the stuff I’ve always worn since being a skate punk kid…just styled and made to absolute perfection. Why not have the best! I’ve worked hard in life to be able to enjoy some top tier gear. And breaking it in and watching it get better and better and better!! Whoo wee!! Who else is having close to this much fun wearing their clothes!!?? It can’t even be explained unless you “Get It!!” Which is what makes this forum so damn rad!! Even if we do enable each other…just a little bit.
What Ive noticed, is it’s so much easier to spend a larger chunk of cash without feeling that deeper sense of reward that comes with saving and waiting and being patient. I absolutely adore the jeans, shirts, jackets and boots I have in my closet. But the frequency with which I have made these purchases has made the excitement of getting them subdued a bit. And that is not as fun. I think I’m missing playing the long game lately. Like, the socking away some dollars here and there until I get to something I am beside my self about. Because, like it’s been said in this thread, there is always something badass around the corner…or in my current desire, a larger ticket item that I will love and cherish all the more if I deny myself the other smaller things along the way, and maintain a focus on the bigger item that will require me to make some sacrifice and longer savings strategy!
Of course, in the end, I’m still fixating on the new, larger ticket item…so I’m probably just sort of fucked!
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like you, I'm on a similar path. In the last "Ironcast" episode, @Blowoutthecobwebs spoke about a Netflix series called 'the minimalists' that I actually watched a couple years ago when it just came out and while the guys voice is quite annoying
what he said still sticks with me to this day.My wife left me in the beginning of last year and despite it being an emotional shitstorm, it also gave me the opportunity to start fresh. Half my house was empty and I could chose if I wanted to replace something or not. Instead of just going to Ikea and getting the same items, I'm taking my time living with less stuff and found out I rarely miss anything. If I do have to buy something, I'm going for the best item to serve my purpose.
As for clothes, the biggest thing that got me to reduce my wardrobe is to only buy black clothes. (with the exception of my 21/23OZ because IH doesn't make that in black YET)
Going into the city center, I see so many people aimlessly shopping around trying to fill some sort of void that it's really making me sad sometimes. Or going into stores like H&M or Zara and seeing all that crap clothing just waiting to be worn once and thrown out, all the labor and effort for people who don't need it... We give cars such a bad rep for ruining the planet, and nobody bats an eye about people throwing out 81 pounds of clothing each year, it blows my mind.Anyway, I always have an eye open for interesting stuff, but rarely do I buy something now because I 'need it' and that helps keep my focus on what's most important: my kids.
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Just got rid of 7kg worth of clothes that have been taking up space without ever being worn. Somehow I feel good when I open my closet and only see stuff I want to wear :). A few more pieces left that need to find a better home and I'm done with my minimalist wardrobe.
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@cityofdelusion
something like that!
