Quality or quantity? Check your wardrobe

One day last year, I rummaged through my wardrobe and was surprised at how much clothes I had. The wardrobe was really stuffed with quantities and not quality.

I decided to dispose of them by taking them to a charity. This week, my son saw me wearing my favourite jean I have had for over five years. He asked me when I would be disposing it or at least buy another so I can be changing. Of course, I told him jeans don’t lose their power. One jean is fine so long it is of top quality—no need to have so many of them.

But this sent me thinking about writing on the need to check our wardrobes. What defines your wardrobe, if I may ask? Quality or quantity?

While I do agree that sometimes it is all a question of choice—others are just not good at knowing what kind of material lasts and, in addition to that, what would fit them best. Yes, wear what makes you feel comfortable, but your image is equally important. The clothes you wear talk volumes about who you are and what you desire to be. Interacting with my late father in-law, I learnt an important underlying principle—go for quality and not quantity. I would rather have a few durable and good-looking clothes than have a whole pile of clothes that just take up space in my wardrobe.

Of course, good-looking and durable clothes come at a price, but the opportunity cost over cheap clothes is justifiable. Cheap things usually do not last and they do not take long to lose their colour (kusuluka). For the same amount of money, you are better off having two expensive top-market suits than five suits that make you look like a master pimp every time you look at yourself in the mirror. If you are observant, the one person you admire for their good clothing, they have a few, but durable clothes.

This does not only apply to clothes, but even household merchandise such as furniture, electronics and even going further to the kind of building materials you use when constructing a house.

Do not allow your house to look like a pimp—staffed with a lot of katundu. Useless katundu that just takes up space and adds neither ambience nor lasting personal satisfaction. Go for quality and not quantity.

Go for a few possessions but of top quality—these will last and save you money in the long run. Besides, your image will be propelled. It will give you confidence and you will deliver the best of yourself when you talk or do your job.

Have a blessed weekend as you take another look at your wardrobe today!