Covetworthy

I just stayed at a five-star resort for a couple of days by myself last week, just a little recharge. (Because everyone knows that when Mama’s happy, everybody’s happy.) And while it was luxurious to be sure, the things I enjoyed the most were all things I could replicate at home.

It was billowing white sheets, lovingly turned down. Each pillow, doughy and fluffed to within an inch of its life. Seventy perfect degrees. A wooden desk, beckoning me to sit down and get down to the business of writing. A nightstand with a glass and bottled water (also in a GLASS, mind you – no screw top, no ribbed plasticana.) Everything in its place, thoughtfully arranged just so. So why do I not seek out this respite en mi casa, when, everything I just described, I have at home?

Because, like most other consumers, I need to put out an APB for my definition of luxury. It’s been seized, hijacked by high end retailers and brands alike. In fact, when I think the word luxury, the images that pop into my head are grand opulent estates, acres of perfectly-manicured green, the swish of women sauntering around in designer gowns, champagne glasses clinking. (Damn, sounds like my luxury is the set of Dynasty…)

But my idea with swagger today is: Luxury Need Not Be Glamorous. I may not have everything I want and how I want it. But when I recognize I have all I need and it’s all in order, that’s when I feel the most luxurious.

Look, I’m no frugalista; I hate this damn recession as much as the next chick and I fall prey to occasional label lust. No, I’m advocating a “pause before purchase” program for another reason. We all need to mind our motivation here. Overdoing anything in the cause of style is the antithesis of luxurious. All this “more” has brought us less. Less creativity. Less individuality. Excess does not equal success.

Having a closet full of “nothing to wear” is so much less luxurious than having a tight mix of all the right pieces. Now that’s a complete closet. Besides, “she who looks good all the time” beats the Chanel out of “she who dies with the most shoes.”

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 11:37 am and is filed under Uncategorized, swagger. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.