Permission requested - YouLookFab Forum

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Permission requested

BrieN

Veteran

I am feeling the need to ask permission to purge an old dress of my mothers -- black, strapless, boning, yards and yards of silk chiffon. It however has many holes in the chiffon in the top layer and the waist is teensy tiny. Can you "enable" this dress purge?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Windchime

Veteran

It sounds like the sentimental value of the dress is what's keeping you from easily letting go of itl Take a picture of it. Keep the picture and let the dress go.

Or, if you sew, keep some of the dress's fabric to use in a quilt or other project.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

It sounds like a lovely fancy dress -- perhaps something that would appeal to a lover of vintage fashion, even?

I find that if I am having trouble letting go for sentimental reasons, it can be very satisfying to find a new owner who will appreciate the item (as opposed to throwing it in the Goodwill bag and hoping for the best). If you don't know anyone personally, perhaps listing on Etsy or Ebay (or even here at YLF?) could help turn up someone who has the skills and/or interest to refurbish the dress to its former glory?

K. Period.

Veteran

I agree with Runs with Scissors! I think selling it on Etsy or Ebay is ideal. I've been really happy "rehoming" items that I love but that aren't for me anymore. I regret the items that I casually discarded. Your mom's dress sounds like a dream come true to some willowy vintage fashion lover.

Liz

Veteran

Yes, permission granted. You don't even need to feel "required" to find a good home for it. It's just fabric; your mother is what made it special. Letting go of the fabric isn't letting go of your mother or the memories.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Yes, I'm with Liz. Put it in the "free" box for someone else to enjoy. Let it go.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Take a photo and let it go. Bon voyage, beautiful dress!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Permission granted several times over.

Helena

Veteran

Granted

Style Fan

Veteran

Permission granted. Been there.

Vix

Veteran

Permission granted.

However, would LOVE to see a photo of this dress and I'm sure I'm not alone. There are lots of vintage fans on YLF!

rachylou

Veteran

Do take a photo and let it go. It will be sad, but...I miss my mom's old clothes, but the last time I could fit them was when I was 12. And my mom is very much alive, lol.

Summer

Veteran

I agree with those suggesting taking a photo before sending it on its way. Also, I like Windchime's idea of recycling some of the fabric into a sewing project.

Anonymous

I don't necessarily object to quiet disintegration but it sounds like it's not making you feel great when you come across it so I would give it a chance to have a new experience with someone who's thrilled to have it right now.
You probably have other things from your mom that you love more and that are more part of the life you actually lead and those things are a joy.

Anonymous

If it feels like it's weighing you down, rehome it. Set it free!

RobinF

Veteran

It's hard isn't it? Time to let it go.

Jules

Veteran

Finding a new home is always nice, but perhaps not practical, or becomes another chore that never gets done. In those cases, I like to imagine someone's delight and surprise in finding the item at Goodwill.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Yep, I agree with Jules. Imagine the joy some finder will have on their face when they pick the dress up.

Tanya

Veteran

Totally granted:) I have been in the se place any times and only regretted getting rid of something once.

Colette

Veteran

The dress sounds lovely, but permission to let it go is given. I have several things I'm holding on to that I need to do the same. I like the idea of taking a picture before sending it to its new home.

BrieN

Veteran

Sorry to pull up an older thread but wanted to post photos of this before it goes.
DD is modeling it. Waist while small isn't the 18" I remembered it to be.

I don't have good associations with this dress, actually. I think it hung in my moms closet for decades, don't think she wore it. I have seen a photo of my grandmother in it, though, and I guess I kept it thinking there had to be a good reason to keep it.....crazy, I know.

My closet is getting happier by the week.

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Anonymous

What would your mother say ? That's what I ask myself in these situations . My mother would say : "pitch it ". Disabusing me of any sentimental notions I cooked up on my own .

ma

Veteran

That is a beautiful dress!! I am sure someone into vintage clothes would love to have it.

BrieN

Veteran

Fear not, it's definitely on Its way out of here, despite what my mom might have said.

Vix

Veteran

Beautiful dress! Thanks for posting it and thanks to your daughter for modeling it.

If you're not sure how to move it along -- Does your HS have a theater club? Maybe they'd want it for costumes. It'd make a great prom dress, too -- some communities take donations, then let the attendees in need shop the dresses.

JAileen

Veteran

We had some old men's suits and donated them to our local community theater. I had seen the director out thrifting for costumes before, and she was grateful for the donation.