Closet Remix: Sharing Is (Usually) Caring

I’ll never forget my Armani Exchange graphic tee. I bought it on a trip to New York during my sophomore year of high school. It was my first—and only—designer item of clothing. I cherished that basic black tee. One fateful day in the locker room, I let my friend Debbie borrow my Armani love-muffin. She wore it that day, and a few other days too. Junior year came, senior year too. I never got my shirt back. Today, ten years later, I still feel a pang of anger as I relive the tragic breakup of favorite tee and me.

Borrowing from buds is tricky business. Personally, I steer clear of borrowing outside of my close intimate friends and family and when I do, I proceed with caution. If you choose to share, take into account a few simple rules:

Treat others, as you want to be treated. The golden rule of life, also applies to clothes borrowing.

Always ask before you take. I once had a roommate who stole my clothes. I would go out of town for the weekend and come home and find pictures of her out parting in my clothes (and coincidentally with my boy-toy … ). Needless to say, that was the last time I ever had a roommate.

Borrow and let borrow. If you borrow somebody’s clothes, let them borrow yours.

Know your victim. I asked my buddy Leah if she’s a sharer she vehemently stated, “Absolutely not. I won’t borrow, I won’t lend.” A lesson easily learned, don’t borrow clothes from Leah.

If you’re a mess, take a second guess. For some reason every time I borrow clothes from my sister I spill something. I’m not that messy of a person yet somehow a dot of ketchup or a splatter of soy sauce always lands up on her pristine white blouse. It doesn’t take a genius to know, I am no longer allowed to borrow from sissy.

Timing is everything. Be sure to return your borrowed goods in a timely manner, a few days are best. However, it’s better to return something late and clean then quick and reeking of body odor and shrimp tempura.

Avoid the piece du jour. If you adore your bff’s fave DVF dress that her dying Great Aunt gave her for her graduation, adore it from a far. Friends, not fashion, come first so steer clear of borrowing a deal-breaker piece.

One size does not fit all. No matter how much you love your cousin’s new high-waisted jeans, if she is a size 26 and you are a size 30, it just won’t work. (Trust me, I’ve tried.)

My friend Amanda, the conscious fashionista, trades keys with her pals and gives them free reign on her closet. I’m just not that generous. However, a healthy, balanced approach to clothes-swapping can multiply your wardrobe and your wallet.