No 10. The "buy one & be done" manifesto
A story, an item, and a manifesto. It's a sprinkle of "buy it for life" mixed with lazy genius's concept of "decide once" but let's leave room for expression & style.
This week I felt a bit like a branding genius when I felt like the entire ethos of my reason for making content on the internet was summed up with a simple turn of phrase. I’m sure not just one person but many people have said this phrase but..
I’m team “buy one and be done.”
On Monday, I threw on a striped heavy-weight cotton Saint James long sleeve t-shirt that I bought in 2015 when Saint James opened a boutique in New York (which to my internet research seems to be gone now).
I love this shirt for so many reasons. I had been wanting one for a long time as my French grandmother has had hers for about 30 years now. It’s soft and worn-in in all the best ways. It feels like a shirt that’s lived adventures - the same energy as Bill Cunningham’s blue chore coat. It feels effortless and I love how it falls on her shoulders in a slightly oversized way - like a t-shirt had a baby with a sweatshirt, but then gave birth to a sailor who’s thrown it around a salty boat.
It’s been in a category of its own for me.
I remember buying it in the store right after I graduated college. My husband who was my then boyfriend and I were walking down Bleecker St. in New York after buying some overpriced hard cheeses and I saw the shirt in a window. Not knowing it was the brand, I knew the fabric instantly and hadn’t seen it in the US until that moment. I walked in and had to get one even though my unemployed recent graduate budget was screaming at its $135 price tag when there were other shirts out there that were striped I could have gotten from Target. But they weren’t this one.
Everytime I put it on, I feel like I’m adding to its patina (even though I’m kind of religious about its care: cold, lay flat, spot clean and no pasta ever).
This week I put it on and thought “this is really just like a buy one and be done kind of shirt.”
*BINGO*
I felt like the person who was in the Payless marketing team and one day in the shower shouted “OH MY GOD BOGO! Buy One Get One!”
So I made a tiktok and again found our people who have so many good one & done recommendations that I am adding into this notion document as the comments roll in (will finish up by the end of the week so make sure to bookmark it!)
Since I’ve bought the shirt I have only added another to my closet after visiting the factory myself in Brittany, France (I got a mens in a lighter blue to use as a sort of in between summer sweatshirt). But it’s a brand that I can not only get behind, but want to sing their praises - and I hope it never changes. It’s an employee owned heritage company that’s been around since 1889 that is very transparent about their fabrication and values. - which are really important values that I if I can find a brand that has that in the market with great quality - I’ll definitely support!
I wish my whole life were surrounded by things that were made like this (especially when everything feels like it's filled with pfas or some other toxin but *sigh* we try our best with what we’re given).
But for me this little phrase clicked on a few things that cause it articulated a few things that I’ve been talking about on the internet for the past year with my Holy Grail’s series.
a desire to have a life curated with things that are made well from brands I can respect that last (purchasing second hand or new depending)
a desire to bring more intention to my life
a desire to “be done” with the exhaustion from the options
and a desire to “be done” with a final decision in my adhd research spiral
The whole principle is about more than just simplifying purchases; it's really about amplifying life and creativity by making intentional space. By choosing quality essentials, I want to create space for the things that truly matter and creative expression - pieces that feel like epitome of my personal style, kitchen with some pieces that transport me with memories, and little things that connect me with joyful people, places, and moments.
Many of us are in the “buy it for life” reddit threads, which is really a treasure trove of great recommendations. But this week I was introduced to the concept of “decide once” one of the 13 principles introduced in the Lazy Genius book by Kendra Adachi. It’s a simple idea that you simply choose a pattern or a thing in your life and whenever the feeling comes up of what to get, or what to do - you remember you already have chosen.
We all know about Steve Job’s uniform dressing to all the articles about “successful people” dressing in uniforms.
It’s also helpful for us neurodivergent folks who love patterns.
So much of the conversation around “daily uniforms” or and buy it for life subreddit can be linked to reducing decision fatigue - but there are at least three elements that are crucial.
Comfort
Just like your favorite coffee cup you always reach for or those pair of loafers that are broken in so perfectly they might as well be sneakers - buy one and be done is comfort first. Different from BIFL, sometimes there are things that might not last for life, but you’d replace them with the same.
Some examples from the comments were a favorite pair of hiking boots, a coffee tumbler that comes on vacation,
Memory
A buy one and be done purchase could be something you bought special. When I went for a trip to Greece with my best friend right after college graduation I bought a pair of handmade sandals that I love to wear because they take me right back to making a makeshift sangria with her on our balcony in the hotel’s coffee pot. They are a buy one and done purchase.
Creativity (clothing oriented)
I’m a big consumer of loving to watch people’s personal style and how they choose to express themselves visually in this world. Creativity certainly is not just limited to personal style, but I find that even a buy one and be done philosophy in clothing lends itself to articulating your style. It’s imbued with intention and recycling looks. It allows us to choose what we add with the intention of “one.” Our “uniforms” aren’t limited to hoodies, grey suits, or white-tees, but there is something really charming about loving one piece so much you’re recognizable for it. For example, I can’t see bag charms or a Balenziaga city purse without thinking about one of our favorite style creators
of Pigmami! Being a buy one and be done lets us choose and maximize what we have for more creativity - like how Tibi founder embodies with her entire brand! Buy one and be done can push us to explore what we have.The only tough part with buy one and be done: clothing edition
The only tough part about “buy one and be done” is when a brand decides to fold, or never offer the product again (just like my case for my favorite t-shirt so I am on a new journey for a holy grail white tee).
Or if you’r like me and your weight fluctuates - with clothes it can be really hard. Recently, I lost quite a bit of weight but because I know a few of my one & done’s I decided to repurchase them in my new size (see!? comfort!). But I was introduced to Universal Standard this week that has a concept called Fit Liberty where you can change the size of your item for free for up to 1 year (so cool!) so definitely gonna give them a try.
Some of my other buy one and be done items
I’ll do a post on each of these more because they deserve their backstory but here are 3.
My finish kuksa
My arcteryx packable down jacket
Recent purchase: I have been waiting to buy a pair of black loafers for a long time and decided on these from Tory Burch. Didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg and wanted them soft with a slight penny loafer and gold detail and these fit the bill. I’m now breaking them in but they’re just what I wanted and I don’t need to look anywhere else. Buy one & done - done!
THE MANIFESTO
I decided this needed a little bit more than just a phrase we all get. This idea is about the essentials to leave space for personal style and creativity. But even when it comes to personal style we don’t need to over consume on bomber jackets just cause we know it works for us - we can still choose & curate.
BUY ONE & BE DONE MANIFESTO
Intention & curation is the fun part.
Choose for your sensitivities and your comfort.
One is enough. One is special.
Design balanced with function.
Infuse the one with memories or let it inhabit a good memory.
Connect with how and where and by whom its made.
Take care - of it & of you.
Aim for sustainability & values, but if it’s not possible - then love that one lots!
If it’s discontinued, its okay - an opportunity to find something new to make memories in.
10. Move on to the creative.
This was a fun week to hear about other people’s favorites in life. It might not be considered a “holy grail” cause like glasses or sheets, you need usually more than one (haha!). But, I love the story of people and their “things.” As my grandmother get’s older, her things take her and us on journeys to memories that transport us both - one of her buy one and be done for summer are these GH Bass sandals that they don’t make anymore but have been her staple for years. (Thank goodness she’s a sneaker kind of gal now.”
What are some of your buy one and be done kind of things?
My buy one & be done is this specific pair of hiking/outdoor pants from Fjallraven AND the matching pair of shorts. I love how they fit, the weight, color and that they have a lifetime warranty ✅
https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/women/trousers/outdoor-trousers/high-coast-lite-trousers-w/?v=F89430::7323450700331