https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:48:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732806 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:57:08 +0000 texstyle 1732806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think when we hang onto something *trying* to make it work, it's an indication that we may want to find a better replacement that has some of the same design but that actually works. Houndstooth is a great pattern so I can see wanting to have a skirt in that pattern in the wardrobe. </p> <p>I have a high quality dark denim jacket that is in perfect condition, fits fine, but only worn a handful of times because it's just stiff feeling and a little rough. I keep it and still wear it just once in a while because I like having the option of a denim jacket. If I came across a much better replacement I'd let it go - for me that would be something more comfortable and soft. If I didn't have enough closet space, I'd probably go ahead and pass it on.</p> <p>I have a few other things that I only wear once in a while for various reasons - sometimes it's just that they are too heavy to wear in our mostly warm climate but we get that occasional cold spell so I want to keep some options for that weather - or for when I travel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732786 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:37:19 +0000 Windchime 1732786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SHEVIA--Exactly! There's a reason we once loved them, right?</p> <p>STYLE FAN--You have acquired some fabulous wardrobe items over the years. Of course you want to keep them!</p> <p>STERLING--Thinking of them as "a piece of cloth" does put it into perspective! That skirt "piece of cloth" I wrote about is now in the consignment store bag, and I'm relieved.</p> <p>TRACI--I've had exactly the same experience, after some time passes. I can quickly make the decision to get rid of something that I previously thought I should hold on to. My holding area is a section of the upstairs closet where I also keep off-season clothing, and I do occasionally "shop" it, as you are envisioning. Knowing I sometimes rescue things from there is another reason I hesitate to cull too quickly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732297 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:11:27 +0000 Traci 1732297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I purge the closet I have 4 piles: &nbsp;keep, discard, mend, and not ready to let go yet.</p> <p>The ones I'm not ready to let go of yet tend to be things I either paid quite a bit for, or feel really emotionally invested in, or still really like but I'm just not wearing them but don't know why, or I've just worn tired of wearing it. &nbsp;All those issues tend to fall away with time. &nbsp;I'm too haphazard to go into the rubbermaid bucket for one thing. &nbsp;About twice a year I'll turn over the whole bucket as part of my next closet org...usually after my purge, while I'm trying to figure out what I need to restock.</p> <p>When I look at this bucket of clothes with fresh eyes it is so funny to see my own reactions. &nbsp;LOTS of things were clearly favorites but are laughably worn and immediately go past the donate pile into the trash pile. &nbsp;Tags on stuff is usually my sign that I couldn't get past what I paid for it to pass it along, but by the time I'm going through the bucket I've either forgotten what I paid or the sting is gone.</p> <p>This most recent trip through the bucket brought about a few laughs because I found an item or two that the forum had gently told me was not my best, but I had argued back and insisted on holding...but here they were, two years later, unworn, and still not my best. &nbsp;ha!</p> <p>I have a current fantasy, due to some extra basement space and a spare clothing rack, that I will stop using a rubbermaid bucket and start actually curating my holding pile in a way that is more accessible. &nbsp;I envision that this will allow me to keep my working closet tighter, and allow me to "shop" my holding pile more sporadically.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732278 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:34:19 +0000 Anonymous 1732278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really struggle with these decisions, especially if the tops are in good condition. &nbsp;Someone on the Forum said "it is only a piece of cloth, why let a piece of cloth cause you distress?" &nbsp;[paraphrased quote]. &nbsp;That single line really helped me a lot. &nbsp;I started asking myself why I was agonizing over a piece of cloth? &nbsp;I have much more important things to deal with in life. &nbsp;Now when I fall out of love, I tend to donate it almost immediately. &nbsp;Hope this helps. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732276 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:23:21 +0000 Style Fan 1732276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will hold on to things that I love for decades.&nbsp; I have my fringe jacket from the early 70s, Pucci shirt, another shirt from the early 70s as extreme examples of this.&nbsp; I only keep really good things.&nbsp; Usually.<br />I struggle to get rid of things that I have bought, I love but I don't wear.&nbsp; I have a gorgeous top that I bought in 2007 that I don't wear.&nbsp; I consider it a decoration for my wardrobe.&nbsp; Shows too much skin for me these days.&nbsp; </p> <p>I think if something is not flattering then I would say good bye to it.&nbsp; I don't want to work really hard to make something work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732191 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 01:59:03 +0000 Jaime 1732191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to hold on to things I once loved, if they are still in good condition. Exactly as Robin said, wait until the newness wears off the new stuff and then see what you want to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732177 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:58:42 +0000 Windchime 1732177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ROBINF--That's perceptive; while some things are in the holding zone, the newness wears off the newer things, leveling the playing field! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732174 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:54:32 +0000 Windchime 1732174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SUZ--I remember you writing about being drawn to new things--maybe a year or so ago--and actually thought about that while I wrote this thread! Prior to three years ago, I let myself purchase just a few truly new things a year; everything else was thrifted. You can imagine how I cherished and valued those new things. I think--no, I know--some of that mentality persists for me in regards to letting go of wardrobe items that were bought quite recently. </p> <p>Thank you for affirming that there's no shame in often preferring the new! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732169 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:37:27 +0000 RobinF 1732169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree with the comments above, let the skirt go, put the tops in a holding zone. You may like them next year when the newness wears off of the new items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732168 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:34:45 +0000 Windchime 1732168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DEBORAH--You dress so well; if a system is working for you, I'll definitely pay attention! I certainly am more in tune now with what works in my wardrobe than I was three years ago. I think now it's a matter of listening to that little internal sense that something isn't as good as it could be. </p> <p>I've been doing the same thing as you with my holding zone--with just a couple exceptions, if I haven't gone to fetch something from there by the end of the season, it's off to the consignment or thrift store! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732164 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:29:48 +0000 Suz 1732164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adding my voice to the chorus. The skirt definitely needs to go. If you don't feel fab wearing it, it's not the right skirt for you.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the tops, if you have space you might consider a holding zone. On the other hand, you might also consider that you are one of those people who prefers your newer things over your older things. There's no shame in that. Or at least, I don't think we need to feel shame about it. I also prefer my newer things, almost always, to older things, unless the older things are true HEWIs or beautifully made designer pieces that truly don't date. Perhaps it's better to have 5 fantastic tops each year that are this year's or last year's -- maybe 3 years is the outer limit for certain tops. For me, this is often because I will tire even of patterns that I like a lot.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732158 Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:10:46 +0000 Deborah 1732158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Windchime, I am a big wardrobe purger lol. &nbsp;Over my time with YLF I feel I have come to understand what I like, what I don't , what works and what doesn't so I just have no space (practical or emotional) for items that don't pull their weight. &nbsp; I have definitely had experiences where I have like something and really try to make it work but for one reason or another it never feels like me.... out it goes. &nbsp;And now days it does't take me long to make the decision. &nbsp;It sounds like the skirt needs to find a new home. &nbsp;I do have a holding zone, which in reality is my resale zone, and if I haven't gone to get an item from their during it's season, I move it on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732150 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:53:39 +0000 Windchime 1732150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, CHRIS987--yeah, that skirt has got to go! I don't know why I've put so much effort into it... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732138 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:41:56 +0000 Chris987 1732138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like that skirt might be one of those "trying too hard to find a&nbsp;way to&nbsp;wear it" items....I try to get rid of those things once I figure out that's what's going on. Plus you already answered your own question..."things I don't feel good wearing"...I say pass them on unless you need them as loungewear or something. </p> <p>On the tops I agree with others...put them in a holding zone and see how you feel about them next spring.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732132 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:35:53 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1732132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of us have been there! And yes, it feels so much better to replace a problem piece with one that <i>works.</i></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732130 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:34:10 +0000 Windchime 1732130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, SUZANNE--I'm ready to put that skirt into the Goodwill bag! It's houndstooth, and I really WANT to like it, but I think I need to find a different houndstooth skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732127 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:28:14 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1732127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, the answers to the questions would be: holding zone for the nice summer tops, pass on the skirt. </p> <p>Logic: if something makes you feel not fab, let it go. If you like it/feel fab in something but are just a little bored with it now, you might be more interested if you put it out of sight for a bit. That has worked for me.</p> <p>That said, I am not a big wardrobe purger. Some things I've kept for many years if I like them enough, feeling no particular pressure to get rid of them even if I set them aside for quite long stretches. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-thread-about-wardrobe-culling#post-1732124 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:26:17 +0000 Windchime 1732124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know we've had several good threads on this topic, and I hope everyone doesn't mind my doing my own processing of the topic.</p> <p>I have turned over almost my whole wardrobe in the three years since I started following YLF. That means almost everything I have is no more than three years old and many things a lot less than that.</p> <p>Other than the obvious candidates for culling--things which have shrunk in the laundry or pilled or frayed, etc.--I'm having a hard time setting a standard to determine when to let things go. At first it was easy to follow a "one in/one out" practice. But now I find myself adding new items to stay (at least somewhat) on trend, but I don't necessarily want to part with other items. But I also don't want to end up with so many things that items aren't being worn much.</p> <p>I have a couple summer tops, for example, that are in perfect condition. I used to really love them; this summer I was more lukewarm about them. I don't dislike them, and I've even received compliments on them recently; I just have other things I like more at this time. Should I let them go? Put them in a holding zone?</p> <p>As I write this, I've been thinking about a couple items which I've had for a while but don't feel good when wearing. One is a skirt that always makes me think my hips look too big. Yet I keep it and keep trying different tops, hoping to "solve" it. I guess, even though there's nothing wrong with it, it's okay to pass it on, yes? (Such a first world problem, I know, and that's part of my struggle.)</p> <p>How do other Fabbers make these decisions? </p>