Stockpiling: When running out is not an option
Do you have a piece of clothing, accessory or cosmetic that you stockpile because What if they stop making it?
The New York Times recently ran a piece by John Ortved on guys' squirrelling away of identical items, e.g., boxers, the perfect gray sweatshirt, beloved sneakers. Steve Jobs' sister, Mona Simpson, said in her eulogy, "In the Palo Alto house, there are probably enough black cotton turtlenecks for everyone in this church."
Some men profiled stockpile because they hate to shop, but most are like designer Billy Reid, who said, "My reasons usually have to do with availability, especially if I know it won't be produced further..."
Ortved says, "Women see shopping as an opportunity, a social or even therapeutic activity", but I have stockpiled, too. Stockpiling is the well-behaved cousin of hoarding; the purpose isn't possession for possession's sake; you actually use the product.
Nor is it merely stocking up because there's a sale, like you might with toilet paper. You will buy the item at full price (but are happy about finding it discounted). You just need it. There is no magic number for quantity, but you will know it by your drawer corners.
Nor is it merely stocking up because there's a sale, like you might with toilet paper. You will buy the item at full price (but are happy about finding it discounted). You just need it. There is no magic number for quantity, but you will know it by your drawer corners.
Over the years, I'll admit to stockpiling:- Lancome Brun Sepia lipstick (When it was discontinued, I bought a dozen tubes on eBay; I'm over it now.)
- A specific Olga bra
- Black trouser jeans (Black washes out from one day to the next.)
- Lindt fleur de sel cocolate bars, hard to find, at least that's my story.
- Lindt fleur de sel cocolate bars, hard to find, at least that's my story.
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| Will they ever come back? |
Often, the item is already discontinued when the stockpiling begins: Iris has a long row of shoes by now-defunct designer whom she does not want mentioned. Le Duc hoards bottles of Eau Cendrée cologne, Jacquie rations her bundle of Wolford diamond-patterned tights, last issued circa 1992.
And dadgummit, wish I'd stockpiled a few bottles of L'Artisan Parfumeur's L'Eau du Navagateur.
But stockpiling ties up cash, and will that loved item still be essential years from now? When I moved, I unearthed a trove of '80s shoulderpad camis. Remember those? You can still buy them, but evidently I thought they might vanish, leaving me devastated and slope-shouldered.
Comments
Thank God for on line shopping...
Have never been sorry that I have bright, white, extra tees in my cupboard.
Got a good laugh remembering the shoulder pad camisoles, and yes, at the time, I thought I'd wear them forever!
Schramsberg Cremant Champagne, I have to have a bottle in the fridge just in case.
Boleslawiec pottery in certain patterns when I find it on sale, but I think this is more hoarding than stockpiling.
By the way, I went into the EF shop yesterday and didn't see any spring items I couldn't live without.
I wish I had stockpiled my favorite black v-neck Merino wool sweater from Ann Taylor. It's been discontinued. (I hate it when they discontinue such a basic item!) That sweater went with everything. Alas, the moths got to it. So I am now without one of my wardrobe staples.
Aside from lightbulbs!
I like Kathy's white Tee shirt idea though as whites never stay that way for long.
They appear to have changed their mind, for now. I'm still going through the boxful of solutions I stockpiled by going to every Shoppers in town and buying them out that day.
But I'd totally do that again. The idea of giving up my contact lenses, now, after 25 years, is hideous!
kathy peck: Used to do that but fund they yellowed in the drawer, over the years :). Guess the trick is to only pile up enough for a season or two.
pseu: Read on Basenotes that Chanel started reformulating No. 19 in late 2005 but some say they have continued to tinker with their frags. The oakmoss ban is a big reason (that and margins.) Those boatneck tees *were* great. Moved to LL Bean pima tees, v. happy with them.
Blue Jeans Girl: I like your choices and view champagne as a fridge staple.
Susan: That's a good point; stockpiling is costly so I tended to do it for less pricey things. EF is still a brand I like better on others (and am influenced by Le Duc who really dislikes it.)
Ms M. Moths! Battled for years, most recently successfully (knock on wood). When you depend on a basic, so disappointing to have it discontinued.
Tabitha: Would those be incandescents?
hostess: I do, though, observe you showing us a rather constant stream of thrifted or otherwise found delightful objects, so, you're making space somewhere!
LPC: Thanks to our well-supplied North American marketplace, one can always find something similar somewhere- but the pessimist wants that extra security.
P: Too funny! Reminds me of the New Yorker cartoon in which one woman says to another, "He's interesting, but he's not Brazilian wax interesting."
CompassRose: That's a compelling reason for stockpiling and they still might do it, so why not?
Like Kathy, I stockpile white tees, 4-5 at a time. I wish I had stockpiled some of my pants, though, in retrospect, since well-fitting pants are so hard to find.
I bought two identical black v-neck merino pullovers at The Bay in the Boxing Day sales and will gladly buy two more if they go on sale half-price again. But I like uniform.
I wonder what became of Steve Jobs' black cotton turtles? Were they auctioned off for charity, or just given to family, friends and colleagues?
C.
Haven't worn them since '84 or so but have definite shoulders and that super-padded look has passed or if in again, I missed the memo.
Oh that No. 19, you two are lucky! Making do with the new juice.
Kai Jones: Actually, stockpiling a few select things frees me from running back again and again, and since I'm am at the high end of the standard size range, seeing things like "my" jeans out of stock. I also like paying half price. And I agree it can get out of hand quite insidiously. As for the chocolate, I have no excuse.
C.: Oh, stockpiling lite! I've bought twos, as well, but true stockpiling is rare given our smaller apartment. Re your mother, we had a friend who wore navy knit shifts and when my mother suggested she try another dress, she said, "But I have six of them!"
Re sliding bra straps: wearing bras with elastic straps which attach at an angle (closer to centre back) helps. Shoulder exercises also help; my six years of Curves workouts has made my shoulders less sloping.
I wish I had stockpiled The Body Shop's Sage & Comfrey open pore cream (miracle blemish cure) before it was discontinued.
Anonymous @12:15: There is something about bras; this is not the first story like this I've heard! Can see how that bra style (or racerback) would help sliding. For me, yoga keeps shoulders stronger. And any cosmetic that is one's "miracle cure" is a good candidate for the stockpile, provided it doesn't spoil.
Susan Tiner: Ah, but the stockpiler is in loooove; she has found the perfect (fill in the blank). Otherwise it's just hoarding, which would certainly depress me.
Now I tend to stockpile my favorite bra and I keep several pairs of my favorite tights on hand, whereas I could probably manage with one spare pare and order more when I opened it. Since neither item is carried at local department stores, I manage to rationalize the excess away.
That's great lipstick, one of the few I've found that does not melt (in the tube) in hot climates.