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One last wear before the purge?

Astrid

Veteran

I plan to slowly keep on purging on the go... And this black layering turtleneck definitely has to go. Black is just not a flattering color on me and it's worse because it's a turtleneck. The only way I could see it being useful was for layering under my old black vest, but it's just not a look that I truly want to wear right now. So out it goes. (I didn't wear this a whole day btw, I was so sick of the black after a few hours.)

Does anyone else do this? Wear a piece one last time to decide what to do with it?

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Tania

Veteran

Yes, I have done it. I'm really want a minimal closet where most of my daily wear stuff works with each other. I try to wear an item one-more-time since I have a different vision now and maybe I'll see some use with different eyes, but it hasn't worked that way. In my case, the last wear confirms that it needs to go!

sophiespal

yes, I do this sometimes. I find it really tells you the truth about how you feel about an item.

Gaylene

Veteran

Actually this is exactly how I ended up reducing my wardrobe once I had purged the obvious stuff. I'd deliberately force myself to wear a shoe or garment for half a day. If I was eager to change into something else after a few hours or had second thoughts about leaving the house, the offending items went into the donate pile without any reprieve. In the final cull, what I was wearing had to make me FEEL great as well as look OK. I tried not to overthink my reactions; I just went with my instincts.

Astrid

Veteran

Seems like this is a common tactic. I guess for me it's useful because then I can let go without regrets and without wondering how it might become useful one day. I second Gaylene, I'm at a point where I want to wear only clothes that I truly enjoy wearing. I don't want to put an effort into making pieces work that I don't really love.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Yes! Move on, don't look back. It's good to have one last go with an item just to be sure, but once I cement how I am feeling, I purge easily. There will always be a replacement.

Sara L.

Veteran

I do this with items I'm on the fence about. I usually end up purging them but I can't let go without one final test.

I think the turtleneck looks OK on you but I'm not good at colors from a photograph.

KikiG

Veteran

Like a last meal for someone about to be executed. One very, very last outing before being donated . . .voted off the island . . .goodbye, unworthy soul-sucking black layering turtleneck. Goodbye.

bj1111

Veteran

yup...this is part of the reason for the old/new wiw project.

Astrid

Veteran

LOL, Kiki... It already has found its place in the bag next to a pair of worn out too big jeans and my old out of shape cotton cardigans. I wonder what else I will add to it?

I have no idea why I didn't think of this before, seems like it's a tried and true method with Fabbers.

amiable

Veteran

I do exactly this. Wore my camo jeans last Saturday - hated them the whole day. Out they go. I actually have a whole pile of clothes right now that I'm not entirely sure that I love, but I need to give them a chance before I can ditch them. Glad I'm in good company there

Aida

Veteran

Honestly, sometimes I need to do a few wears just like this to remind myself of why something must go; I try not to be hasty because sometimes it's my mood, sometimes it's the styling, and sometimes the piece really is wrong for me. And I don't always remember the actual feeling an item gives, particularly if there's fussiness. It's a good tactic. I could see you replacing this with a soft turtleneck in a rich navy or forest green! Quite like the neckline on you with the shorter hair.

crutcher

Veteran

All of this last wear, voted out of the closet...put on the curb for pick-up is just way too sad for me...smile...
(I do understand that you need to be sure the piece is ready to be purged...This is why my closet runneth over...I am such a bad purger...smile...)

Astrid

Veteran

Amy, I'm also glad I'm in good company!

Aida, you're right that being to hasty isn't always a good idea. I guess you have to try some pieces a few times to make sure. And yes, I definitely see a thin turtleneck in a different color in my future, maybe merino wool? It would definitely be useful if the color is right.

Crutcher, I guess it's easy for me because I have little space for clothes and I hate to have my closet stuffed so full that I can't put things away correctly. So I can't hold on to things just in case.

carter

Veteran

I don't do this, but i think I should! In fact, I have several items in the holding zone that should probably be held to this test right away.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Yes, because if I don't I sometimes drive myself crazy second guessing my decision... so I give it one more sayonara wear just to be sure!

jenanded

Veteran

Sure do!

Aubergine

Veteran

I do that too sometimes!

The neckline does really look good with your new haircut.

Anonymous

Out it goes then, and good riddance!

Yes, I do the same thing. I try not to edit out of season because it's hard to get a feel for if something will work or not when you can't actually wear it. I just this weekend retired my well loved black blazer for much the same reason as you. It used to be really useful in my wardrobe, so I was willing to put up with the black color, but now I prefer wearing a trench over my sweaters (more room) and I'm just not using like I had in the past. Off it went to the consignment store, where it can start doing someone else some good.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Yes I do this too - if something doesn't feel right I'm not going to wear it but the only way to tell is by wearing it

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That's a great idea. It does bring home the point, if you put on a piece of clothing and want to take it off before the day is over. I do like this look on you, though--turtleneck, vest, plaid skirt and short boots. Do you have a burgundy sweater that would go with the vest and skirt? I could see a chambray shirt with it, too (maybe layered over a tee, if you need extra warmth).

Astrid

Veteran

Thimblenina, Jenanded and Caro - welcome to the club.

Carter, I think it's a good test. Just make sure it's really the piece that's bugging you when you test it in an outfit, not something else!

Aubergine, thanks. I do like a turtleneck in general.

Claire, that's true - definitely better to do it in season!

Sharan, I don't think I have anything left I can layer under the vest besides T-shirts. The piece needs to be quite thin for layering, since the vest is so form fitting. The vest is really old, I bought it maybe when I was 15? Nothing special, just H&M (although back then H&M still had way better quality). I do think I might get rid of the vest too sometime soon - I'd love to replace it with a more substantial tweed (?) vest. Something along the vibe of the picture below.

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Marlene

Veteran

Yes, I do this. Sometimes its just the push I need to move it to the purge pile. I have several items that I am keeping "just in case" but I really don't like them and need a reality check.

chadya

Veteran

Nope, if you do that you might waver, then the garment could creep back in

Irene

Veteran

Sometimes I do it to convince myself that I definitely should purge.
By the way, black is not my best colour either, but I find a little bit of make up (blush, or lip colour) or even earrings (golden toned in my case) help wonders. I have several black tops (and turtle-necks) for winter because they are very easy to match with patterned skirts.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Aha, Astrid. In that case, I think you could use a replacement menswear-style vest!

unfrumped

Veteran

Absolutely!
I love chadya's caution, though, so I try to be as decisive as I can.
But, if I'm truly on the fence it's the best way for me to make decision. It's great for things you keep passing over but can't pinpoint why.
Or, since I need to do 1- in/1- out, it's good for picking who to vote off the island!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Yep. I do this, and I've got a pretty big holding zone, because I've changed my my and started rewearing a piece more often than I'd like to admit!

I love you in deep colors, but it does seem like navy, deep green, etc. are more harmonious with your coloring.

Anonymous

No. If something is going to be purged, there is a reason why I don't want it anymore. I have no reason to wear it one last time. I don't have to convince myself of anything. I dump it in the bag without a second thought.

Astrid

Veteran

It's interesting that for some this method might actually be tempting them into keeping things. For me this makes sure that I'm not tempted to pull it out of the bag again. I guess we're all different!

@Sterling

I love your ruthlessness.