Blinders when it comes to items I love...

bella

Today, I was looking down at my boots and realized that they are really worn out! This happens to me quite often with items I really love. I keep wearing and loving them and don't realize that they are literally worn-out and need to be replaced. I think my love for the item combined with the comfort of having successfully fulfilled a wardrobe hole and not having to think about it prevents me from seeing the wear and tear on the said item. Then I find myself scrambling to find a replacement relatively in a hurry since the item is on its last leg, which turns out to be very hard because I haven't been actively searching or shopping for this item.
Does this happen to anyone else?

ETA: Btw, the said boots were the Madden Girl Zaney boots that I got from April at a YLF exchange some time ago. A shout out to April!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/91127592429697149/

10 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

ramya

Veteran

Oh yes!!!
I have a severe ankle pain right now and while we were investigating what caused it, my hubby picked up my favourite winter boots to see the sole is totally worn off.
Ooops never noticed it

10 years ago

April

Veteran

Bella! You don't know how thrilled I am that those boots ended up with a long history of being loved members of your wardrobe. (They were the grey version of the black ones on the Pinterest board, right?) Wow, that YLF swap was, what, three years ago? SO glad you've gotten use from the boots, even if they're now at the end of their lifespan.

Yes, my favorites get little holes and worn spots long before I notice. And even after I notice, there's a brief period of denial.

10 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Ramya = oh, that's terrible about your ankle pain.

April- yay! I loved these boots so much! They are the same dark gray as in the pinterest photo. In fact I was closely paying attention to them to decide if I should get the soles fixed when I realized that the leather had started to crack in some places in a way that cannot be repaired.:(
Lol - totally agree about the denial part!

10 years ago

Emily

Veteran

Oh gosh yes. When I really love an item it remains brand new to my eye until it's really shabby looking. I'm trying to get better at noticing wear!

10 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

Yes, it's very hard to purge items I love, and I've often had your problem in the past. What I do to prevent it is to do a thorough wardrobe check at the beginning of every season. I look closely at each item and actually make myself try everything on. While I'm doing this, I make a list of everything that needs to be replenished. This is very helpful and even though it's a lot of work, I enjoy doing it.

10 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I'm honestly only now starting to wear my clothing enough to actually wear it out. Before, I would just add to the mass and continue to wear things only a handful of times a year before the became dated or I tired of them. I think maybe sweaters and knits are the very few things I have tossed due to wear. I suppose shoes would get a fair bit beat up, but beyond work sneakers, none so bad as to have holes in them or no soles left.
Now that I'm trying to have less that I wear more, I'll have to be mindful of this. I do see a tee or two being a little less vibrant and vaguely starting to pill in spots

10 years ago

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Bella,

Yes I do this and yes I am trying to stop. For me It's hard to give up shoes I have loved into the ground. This year it was Report black suede smoking slippers with very subtle black studs. They are not worth a new sole and the style is probably on its way out. It took my 10 year old DD to tell me that they were worn out and looked old. I bought the Sam Edelman Circus ones but they are not the same.

I was very proud of myself for including them in the massive cull and purge this weekend.

Now how they got out of the bag and onto my feet for the school drop off run this a.m., i can't recall.

10 years ago

April

Veteran

The last thing this happened to me with was my black Miz Mooz "Bardot" booties. By the time I realized how much I'd worn them out, the outermost layer of the heel was flapping. I made myself toss them because honestly, I'd already glued that heel together twice. (See what I mean about denial?)

But I will admit that I have them in grey too and those are in fine shape. Part of my NYC capsule.

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10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

This totally happens to me, especially with jeans and shoes. I wear them until they literally sprout holes. Lately I've tried to be proactive about it and start searching for the replacement before the item actually falls apart.

By the way, ebay is amazing for replacing old favorites. I have managed to find the exact same item a couple of times even though it is >5 years old. It's amazing how much deadstock pops up on ebay. Much of it is brand new with tags too.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. This has definitely happened to me more than once, especially with footwear. I guess the combination of comfort plus perfect fit for our style is not so easy to give up.

I hope you can find some great replacements, Bella!

10 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Oh, yes. Nodding along to the responses.

10 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oh yes, particularly with footwear and outerwear! And then, of course, the wardrobe hole is never filled quickly enough or to my satisfaction. I'm learning to let the wardrobe holes sit for awhile, until the right replacement comes along.

10 years ago

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