Saying goodbye to your clothes
July 7th 2009 04:57
Although the late, great Michael Jackson may have preached to keep it in the closet, when it comes to many of our wardrobes, that’s not necessarily the best advice. It’s oh-so-easy to accumulate new clothes, shoes and accessories, but the same can’t be said for parting with them. Currently very high on my list of things to do when I’m not shopping, writing, working, bar hopping or attending a cook-off dinner (I am locked in one with a good friend of mine, it is highly competitive and I am currently winning!) is sort out my clothes. The trouble is, it’s not really as easy as it sounds, is it?
I know that there are many an item in my closet that I try and return to after we all know it’s time has probably passed, and upon donning said item, I look at myself in the mirror and think “who were you when you wore this?” but what do I do? I put in back in the closet! I convince myself it was the pairing of it with the wrong shoes, wrong top, wrong something and that if I try it again at a later time it will be worthy of a new lease of life. Trouble is, it’s never going to be.
Saying a final farewell to any piece of clothing when you love fashion as much as I do is a very difficult thing to do. Now and again you come across something that you instantly know has to go, but to be honest those items are few and far between, and have usually been demoted to “painting the house only” outfits or another such desirable title before the actual throw out phase takes place.
Many people say if you haven’t worn something in the last year it is worthy of a wardrobe break-up. I disagree. What if you had an unseasonably warm winter last year? Does that warrant throwing all your coats out? I think not! I say give it two years minimum. And even then, be flexible with your timeframes. The last thing you want is to be too hasty and give all your cast-offs to your best friend only to be filled with clothing envy every time you see her in the dress that used to be yours. On that note, when you have decided to take the plunge, it’s best to sell your clothes to strangers, or give them to charity to avoid such heart-wrenching situations all together.
Allow yourself nostalgia keepsakes too. Lord knows I would never don the scandalous attire I wore clubbing when I was 18 again, but I can’t bring myself to throw it out either. But once you’ve dug deep in your true wardrobe break-up heart and decided that an item has to go, stick with your decision. Don’t let it creep back into your closet. Leave that coat hanger empty for your next fabulous fashion purchase. One that hopefully doesn't end up with the same fate as your shoulder padded stone washed denim jacket.
I know that there are many an item in my closet that I try and return to after we all know it’s time has probably passed, and upon donning said item, I look at myself in the mirror and think “who were you when you wore this?” but what do I do? I put in back in the closet! I convince myself it was the pairing of it with the wrong shoes, wrong top, wrong something and that if I try it again at a later time it will be worthy of a new lease of life. Trouble is, it’s never going to be.
Saying a final farewell to any piece of clothing when you love fashion as much as I do is a very difficult thing to do. Now and again you come across something that you instantly know has to go, but to be honest those items are few and far between, and have usually been demoted to “painting the house only” outfits or another such desirable title before the actual throw out phase takes place.
Many people say if you haven’t worn something in the last year it is worthy of a wardrobe break-up. I disagree. What if you had an unseasonably warm winter last year? Does that warrant throwing all your coats out? I think not! I say give it two years minimum. And even then, be flexible with your timeframes. The last thing you want is to be too hasty and give all your cast-offs to your best friend only to be filled with clothing envy every time you see her in the dress that used to be yours. On that note, when you have decided to take the plunge, it’s best to sell your clothes to strangers, or give them to charity to avoid such heart-wrenching situations all together.
Allow yourself nostalgia keepsakes too. Lord knows I would never don the scandalous attire I wore clubbing when I was 18 again, but I can’t bring myself to throw it out either. But once you’ve dug deep in your true wardrobe break-up heart and decided that an item has to go, stick with your decision. Don’t let it creep back into your closet. Leave that coat hanger empty for your next fabulous fashion purchase. One that hopefully doesn't end up with the same fate as your shoulder padded stone washed denim jacket.
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