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Hated but useful items? ETA: Pics, dainty jewelry bonus

rachylou

Veteran

Annagybe's thread, which features Taylor Swift looking cute in a not-cute (to me) sweater, dovetails with my bugaboo for the day:

I have this trench coat which I hate. It's very stylish IMO, but it's a very classic thing and sticks in my craw when I look at it. I want to give it away. However, several times a year it's what I need to finish my look-for-the-day. (Today is one of those days.)

Is this an example of the importance of classics? Does anyone else have things they hate but which look good and are useful?

And on a sidenote: I wonder if I should buy more things that I think are awful and ugly...

ETA: Ok, I've added pics of the hated jacket. "Bonus" of dainty jewelry + Country Punk Goes To The Office.

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42 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Nonesense! There is always a way to find something that is functional AND which you do not find repulsive. OK, maybe I'm a bit Pollyanna...these types of items are usually make-due-till-I-find-the-perfect-piece things. If I hate something, it's time in my life is very, very short.

I mean, at least you could try Etsy, right? Have something made...has anyone done this successfully?

Aida

Veteran

What about finding a classic trench that has a few non-classic details? Like an asymmetrical closure or something. I'm with Jenava, I don't think that something you actively hate should be there. I'd say the power of classics for you should be more of a "this item may not necessarily be interesting but fits very well" and those items are the ones that you pair with crazier pieces to ground them. But you shouldn't hate them, in my opinion. You pin a lot of very interesting items, buy more things like those

rachylou

Veteran

I lack imagination re. a replacement. The jacket really does work, I just... hate it. Lol.

Also, I might mention it's not the classic trench - it's not beige. It's sorta overcooked green (practically yellow) with contrast stitching.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I mean, hate is a strong word. Are we truly talking about hate here? Or more like, "meh"?

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

RL, maybe you need to go look in Talbots...LOL.

rachylou

Veteran

A hateful meh? Lol. Yes, perhaps a trip to Talbots is in order.

rachylou

Veteran

When I'm wearing it, it's not so bad, because I can't see it, yet I know it's doing its thing to help me.

...But when it's hanging there on its hook and I can see it... I hate it.

carter

Veteran

Ummm...Spanx

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm reserving my thoughts until I see the trench coat.

K. Period.

Veteran

I keep envisioning it as some kind of Dr. Who like semi-malevolent alien, vaguely pulsating somewhere in your closet, sending out evil brain influences. I'm with Jenava. You've got to come clean on this one, Rachylou. Post a picture and lets see whether there is a non-malevolent version for you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I want to see this trench too!

If I hate it, it's not useful.

cciele

Veteran

I kind of hate traditional Crocs but find that they can be useful. And bras. Hate wearing those things very much.

Diana

Veteran

Mine is tights. Uncomfortable and fussy but have to live with them if I want to wear skirts and dresses in winter. Although I do try to go for leggings or footless tights whenever possible, which are much less hateful.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, Rachy I think we need a picture to understand exactly what you are talking about. It sounds like love/hate to me.

abc

Veteran

Could it be RL that you don't really hate the coat itself (greenish yellow! Contrast stitching!) but what a classic trench could signify?

Ok that was my Jack Handy deep thought of the day (heck the year)

If I am off base please feel free to set me straight! No hurt feelings.

Debora

Veteran

What Angie said!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I'm in traffic, but I have to pop in and say that's deep, abc. Deep.

Helena

Veteran

I'm planning on torching my perfectly fine winter jacket and boots in a week or two, possibly dancing around them as they burn ... is that sort of what you mean???

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Life's too short to have things you hate. Now that Spring is winding down, wouldn't it be a good time to find a trench (on sale) that you love? I know, I am a terrible enabler.

Cathy you made me laugh… bras, Crocs. I actually love *some* bras. As for Crocs, I have a reluctant admiration for them too. They are the perfect shoe to sort the recycling in. I steal my Mom's all the time.

Joy

Veteran

Not really hated, but I am not a fan of cardigans, yet feel I need them for summer air conditioning because they are easier to tuck into a tote or satchel than a jacket...a necessity whether I like them or not. I need more structure.

Echo

Veteran

I agree that if I hate it, it doesn't matter how great it looks on me, how classic it is or how well it finishes an outfit. It isn't for me in that case because there will be a similar item that I WILL love; it's just a matter of finding it.

And what abc says might very well be the case, but even then, if you hate what it represents you shouldn't be wearing it, either, IMO. Whenever I wear something I dislike, I feel like I am playing dress-up or wearing a costume. That isn't a good feeling, and it can't possibly look that great, either, no matter how flattering the piece might be. Without the attitude that you love it, it's going to LOOK "meh", too.

Susie

Veteran

Ok you gotta show us the hated trench!

abc

Veteran

I will add more to what I mentioned above. I get the idea or vibe that RL likes to march to her own beat. Go against the grain sometimes. Be proudly individual. I think maybe it's the idea of a trench and what it can signify (at least in her mind - I'm sure others would disagree but we all have our own opinions) is what's causing the angst. Not the actual item itself, per se. RL, drive safely and check back with your thoughts, I'm dying to hear what you think of my theory

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I dislike some of my gear items, from a looks point of view. I try to get the least objectionable versions and occasionally even get lucky and LIKE the item (for what it is). But you have to deal with what is out there.

I am curious about this coat of yours. How bad IS it?

Marmee

Veteran

I would like to see this trench! I have to say that I am tired of outerwear in general, especially raincoats. I have a classic black trench that I'm totally avoiding and haven't put on in weeks and weeks. Instead I've been wearing a slightly bearish raincoat (Elizabeth Roberts) that isn't that flattering, but is at least not black and wintery. I don't really like it, but what's a girl to do in the rain (day after day this week)?

Gigi

Veteran

Hmmm, interesting reactions. I for one can say that I have had the same experience. I have a couple of cardigans that I bought that fit me so-so upon purchase, but after a few washes, they fit poorly and are stretched out and are pilling and are fading. So I hate them too. But just like your trench, sometimes they are needed to finish an outfit, if I don't have a cardi in another color that goes with what I'm wearing. Sigh.

rachylou

Veteran

Added pics of the trench. Y'all have to forgive the crumpled look (and the dire lighting situation) - you wouldn't believe how long it took me to get home.

I noticed some things, as I was taking the pics and paying closer attention: 1) I've lost weight since I bought the jacket (years ago); it doesn't fit as well. 2) It's a little worse for wear. It's got some spots, like acid was thrown on it. 3) I like this jacket not because it sharpens outfits, but because it takes some of the sting out.

Re. the last point - I've been working on Country Punk Goes To The Office. I'm wearing faux leather trousers today. They need both dressing up and dressing down, if you know what I mean.

abc - I do think you have diagnosed the problem correctly. When I look at it, I style it in my imagination most unimaginatively. Sort of Santa Barbara Stepford Wife... I.e., Stepford Wife without the florals. It's impossible for me to wear it that way, but that's what I see when I look at it on a hanger.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have had many items that I hated that I kept because 3x a year they seemed to be what I needed for an outfit. When I moved and had to downsize I think I got rid of all of them as undeserving of LA real estate! However I'm sure my tendency will be to create more items like that if I'm not careful. Or if I don't have a quick recovery from the inevitable lapses. I'm trying to remember to have a closet of FEW but HIGH QUALITY items that I LIKE and that I USE. Much much much harder than it sounds.

A couple of times you've talked about needing to cull items but finding it difficult. May I say (may I?) that getting rid of items you hate would be a terrific place to start

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, Adelfa. So logical...

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