YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How to know when to keep

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How to know when to keep https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:14:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Mander on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033842 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:20:58 +0000 Mander 1033842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Goodness, Von! I kinda wish you happened to have a video of that -- a very dramatic example of when it's time for something to go! My default mode is "keep", even if that means cramming things into suitcases under the bed. I have things there that in my heart of hearts I know I will never wear again but I haven't been able to admit to myself that I will probably never be that size again. Now that I have everything out of the closet and strewn around the room I think I will try harder to put back only the things that are truly worth the closet space. It needs more thought but I might actually try to come up with some formal criteria for deciding what to keep and post it on the wall of my newly remodelled space. Perhaps in a frame. froggiebecky on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033528 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 23:31:03 +0000 froggiebecky 1033528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, what insightful answers! I'll have to go back and read everything more thoroughly. This is a topic that I've been pondering, as it's moving time again (sometime in the next 6-9 weeks). My wardrobe is being split into 3 parts: Take to Scotland (where it's winter), Keep/Store in Australia and retrieve next March, and Deposit for Storage in the US. Here's my approach (for now):  1. Do I love it?  2. Did I wear it frequently over its last appropriate season? If not, why not? (i.e., the winter was too warm for heavy coats, but I will need them) 3. Does it fit? If not, is it likely to fit soon? Or would getting rid of it leave a major wardrobe hole? I might keep an item, but flag it for replacement and purge once I've found something that suits better.  4. Is this item helping to throw off the balance of my wardrobe? Because I'm forced into being a minimalist, I don't have room for 20 toppers and 15 pairs of winter shoes (even though I want them). I have room for 4-5. That puts the entire group of items up for review for purging.  5. Is this item similar to other things in my wardrobe? If yes, it may not earn a way into the keep pile. (right now I have 6 skirts. 3 are black, one is gray. This balance irritates me.)   6. Is this item sentimental/valuable/unusual colour and I'm just tired of it? Ship to store in the US. (Navy blue Fluevogs, I'm looking at you) 7. How would getting rid of it throw off the balance of other things in my wardrobe? Is it needed to make something else work? (for capsules, it can stay. otherwise, maybe not.) Depending on the answers to these questions, things are being sorted into their appropriate piles. And I think I'm actually leaving Aus. with fewer clothes than I arrived. The balance has certainly shifted.  shedev on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033436 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 21:14:42 +0000 shedev 1033436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've always been a slow purger. 1 for 1, 2 for 1, and then I got bit by the small closet bug. I used the criteria of would I buy it now? to decide what to keep. It was really helpful. Von on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033384 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:42:39 +0000 Von 1033384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great hearing everyone's responses.  I actually just did a purge yesterday.  I too have a tiny walk in closet...even tinier because I get half and share with the hubs.  I hate being *forced* to purge because he thinks I have too many things/the closet is small.  So I think by nature, I have held onto things just to have...well THINGS. Since being more active here, I am starting to realize that some things are in the closet simply as space fillers, things I liked at one point or another, yet havent worn for years.  Yesterday, while trying to cram yet one more thing into the closet that I've reconfigured and smushed up a hundred times...I got fed up.  I went to the "Save zone" and started bagging things I knew deep down I'd never wear again.  It was hard, but necessary.  I filled two bags for donations.  I  streamlined my skirts and blazers, and tonight I go in for the shirts.  I'm only keeping what looks great and fits well.  No room in my closet for ill fits. And here's a funny thing that happened, I discovered my *favorite* pair of faux leather pants from at least 15 years ago.  I had turned them inside out and put them on the hanger, vowing to one day fit into them again (you know...the games we play with ourselves!).  So, I pulled them out and checked the size, I should finally fit!  I put them on and they fit with room. Then I noticed a weird wear spot on the front, and before my eyes, the pants started to shred ALL OVER. It was as if I was in the MJ Thriller video!!!  They were obviously not meant to hold onto more than a year or two!  So I'll say this...no more keeping things that might not make the long haul!! Lisa on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033324 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:06:01 +0000 Lisa 1033324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such an interesting thread!  I am another slow closet purger and it took me years to purge my wardrobe from over 300 items to around 150 right now.  And I am a 4 season climate.  I think deciding what stays and goes depends on how much variety you like in your wardrobe, how often you personally are comfortable sporting an item (or not) in a given season, and how much home space you wish to dedicate to your wardrobe. For myself, my goals are, to wear the bulk (>90%) of my wardrobe that fits that season during that season and to always keep my wardrobe small enough to fit all 4 seasons in my walk in closet.  When I overhauled my fall/winter wardrobe during NAS, every single new item, meant I had to purge an older item.  I ended up returning a few pieces because I ran out of items that I wanted to purge, despite how much I loved the new pieces.  Eventually I had items next to each other and had to ask myself "do I really like this new piece MORE than this older one?"  Surprisingly the answer wasn't always yes.  I do have some items that are rarely worn, these pieces have sentimental value (especially from trips) that I cannot purchase again.  Others were workhorse items for me in the past, and are the usual (fit well, nice condition, ideal color for me) keep reasons, so they sit on the sidelines, but I keep that overall amount small.  I cannot have a lot of holiding zone items and keep a smaller sized wardrobe.  And I do think it is easiest to know what to keep and how long to keep when you limit your closet space.  Sooner or later you run out of storage room and have to start making decisions. I don't generally regret a purge, because the items I've kept I am really happy with.  Angie on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033123 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:27:13 +0000 Angie 1033123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shannon, this post will answer those question: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/08/11/the-one-in-one-out-wardrobe-principle/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2011/08/.....principle/</a>\ Furthermore, I don't necessarily replace an item with the same wardrobe item. It all depends on my style preferences for that season - and which looks I am going for. My only restriction is the  space in my wardrobe. I never, ever overfill it and store items elsewhere. I am only allowed to have that much closet space to work with at once. Keeps things simple and makes me WEAR THE HECK OUT OF MY CLOTHES. So I spend more on an item, which means fewer pieces to I stay within my budget. That works  ideally for me. And, I can have frivolous fashion fun at Zara too. I love having hi-low style for this reason. Traci, you are astute. I do have a heightened emotional awareness for my possessions. I think this comes with practice. That's all. Shevia, you are truly one of a kind. Elly on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1033007 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:56:13 +0000 Elly 1033007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Keeping is easy. I think about the reason I bought the items (their intended purpose) and if they still fufill that purpose-- i.e. are in still good enough shape, have partners, ect. If they aren't in good shape, they go. If they don't have partners but they are something I use or WANT to wear, I give them one year to find a partner. I ask if they fell down on the job, or performed brilliantly, how they fit, ect. I also ask if my life is the same as when I bought and if I still need them. Things I am excited to wear next year, things that feel like old friends, and things that are workhorses stay. Anything that doesn't work for my body, life, or comfort goes. Anything that failed me goes. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032965 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:23:11 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1032965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I keep the things: That I love... .        and that give me great happiness...                 and that I feel beautiful in...                            and that fit my lifestyle... and sometimes my fantasy life. ... and are in good shape.    And then I try and make sure I get around to wearing them! Anonymous on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032921 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:50:10 +0000 Anonymous 1032921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this thread. Thank you for the great topic Shannon! So many insightful comments. <div> </div><div>I have been thinking more about it and have a few thoughts to add. First, I am a very emotional dresser and love statement pieces. Most of my clothing is bright and patterned or has unusual details. Since I will probably never find a duplicate of the items I have, I generally hang on to my statement pieces forever. Even if I am not feeling them right now, I know I won't find them again and should tuck them away. I think I would purge more if I preferred solid colors because it would be possible to find similar, updated items.</div><div> </div><div>Second, I realized I have a few "holding zones" for when I am not totally sure I want to get rid of an item or when I still love it but it no longer fits. When I know I am totally over something and don't have anyone in mind to pass it along, I take it to Goodwill immediately. But if I am on the fence about something, it usually sits in the trunk of my car for ages and never actually makes it to Goodwill. There's a few items I actually pulled out of the "donate" bags in my trunk and started wearing again - the other week I grabbed some brown suede mary jane heels because no other shoes matched my outfit. They were stuck in the donate bag because I'm not wearing heels as often, I don't love brown, and I'm moving away from wearing leather/suede. But I still think it is better to use up/recycle old leather and suede shoes than to buy new vegan shoes for the sake of buying them, so I rescued the heels. It pays to be indecisive sometimes!</div><div> </div><div>When I love something but it just doesn't fit anymore it goes to my smaller younger cousins. The 20yo is curvier than I am but very petite so any too short dresses fit her; the 17yo is stick thin like I was in high school. As I'm coming up on 25 I'm giving them more and more that just feels too young for me. I will always have a whimsical style (and still wear big kids' clothes!), but I am not feeling some of the flippy miniskirts and cheap bodycon dresses I wore as a teen. Finally I have a few irreplaceable but too small items saved in case I ever have a daughter. I love my cousins, but they tend to cut up, dye, or alter anything I give them. Some stuff is being preserved :)</div> Transcona Shannon on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032920 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:48:41 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1032920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Finally back to this thread after reading all of your thought provoking responses. So much great info and wisdom here! Angie - if I may ask you a personal shopping question: when you apply your one-in-one-out rule, do you go shopping knowing which item you are looking to replace? Or do you find something that you fall in love with and then have to decide which item will leave your closet to make room for your new love? Traci - your reply really resonated with me and I think you've articulated what I was wondering about: I think that sort of "I love you, but don't want to wear you right now" mentality is important to be able to keep the right things. That's what I don't have - the emotional awareness. I would have just donated the item to make room in my tiny closet and then 2 months later realize I wish I still had it. Molly L-R on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032892 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:03:43 +0000 Molly L-R 1032892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My criteria for keeping things are: - is it still in good condition? (i.e. not stained, torn or generally worn out) - does the fit flatter my figure? - does the colour flatter me? - *if it's for work* is this classic enough to last at least a couple of years? - *if it's for fun* does it have enough pattern/texture/embellishment to make me feel like me? Pattern is a big thing for me.  I only just realised this year how important it is in making me feel fab.  Tartan is my all time favourite.  However, I'm just about to let a tartan dress go.  Why?  The pattern is to my taste and the fall colours really suit my colouring.  But the fit is just too frumpy.  It is a size too big and originally fell to mid calf.  I shortened it to just below knee length and have been cinching it in with a belt to try and make it fit better.  But I've seen photos of myself in it and it's just doing nothing for me.  The last couple of times I wore it I got a sinking feeling.  I've only kept it this long because I didn't have a replacement for it.  I've bought a different dress on eBay and, if it works for me, it'll be buh-bye tartan dress. Janet on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032861 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:20:20 +0000 Janet 1032861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've read about half the thread, but want to share some thoughts before I go back and finish the rest. I keep an item if it has gone unworn if it is high quality, in good condition, and -- my key qualification -- unique enough that I'm not likely to find it again. I can purge basic tees with wild abandon, but I have a hard time giving up the cornflower blue leather jacket that is somewhere between dated and vintage (I posted that for review a few months back). Well-fitting trousers also fall in this category -- I don't wear them often, but I'm glad the ones I have survived my recent purges, because one pair of them was perfect for a recent outfit I wore for a friend's funeral. I can only think of one item I regret purging over the last couple of years. It fell into this category, but I had lost weight and it felt a little big on me. Well, now fits are loosening up and I wish I had that darn shirt now. Traci on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032851 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:56:43 +0000 Traci 1032851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've noticed that Angie has such a heightened awareness about her feelings about her clothing items.  I'm not sure I'll ever come close having that sort of understanding.  She seems to have a really clear grasp on when she's just tired of something, but still loves it and when she's done with an item.  For the rest of us mere mortals I don't know that we have the clothing emotional awareness to make that distinction.  I noticed this when she was putting away her beloved skirts last year and remarked that she loved them, but wasn't feeling them, and then they came back out a while later and she was so happy to see them again.  I think that sort of "I love you, but don't want to wear you right now" mentality is important to be able to keep the right things. Also, for me personally if my body shape was consistent it would be a whole new world when it comes to closet harmony. Jaime on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032586 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 02:26:04 +0000 Jaime 1032586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tend to keep things that are really well made, comfortable, and which seem to be a superlative example of what that thing is. For example i have an old pair of COH bootlegs that I keep because they are the best bootlegs I had. The rest are gone.  I do find that I have a contrarian impulse to get rid of things I have paid a (relative) lot of money for and keep things I got for ridiculously low prices. I can always buy another expensive pair of boots, but when will I find another pair this nice for $5 sort of thinking. I am working on it. Sort of  :-) Transcona Shannon on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032548 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 01:49:58 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1032548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm super busy tonight but will pop in tomorrow with a more detailed reply. Thank you all for your thoughtful responses Deborah on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032479 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 00:22:36 +0000 Deborah 1032479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a good question, and no doubt a great discussion (I am yet to read all the responses).  I have become quite a ruthless purger.  I used to develop a very strong emotional attachment to my clothes and found it really hard to part with them, but YLF has taught me to take a slightly more practical approach.  I think for me the bottom line is simply that I move things on that no longer make me feel fab. This can be for a number of reasons.  It no longer reflects my style preferences, is worn out and looking to shabby, fit issues (I may have lost or put on weight), to my eye looks dated or I might have found a replacement piece that is of a better quality. Certainly there are some items that I place into a small holding zone but I am doing this more infrequently.  I find that once I stop wearing something that usually signifies the end of the realtionship, that is with the exception of what I consider 'staple' items like for example my wide leg black pants.  I haven't worn them this year but they are in great condition and they tend to have seasons of wear... they are so simple in design that they will be very slow to date (IMHO).  Having discovered the wonders of Ebay has been helpful also.  When I feel it's time to move on a garment that is of good quality, known label, etc I can usually sell it on Ebay knowing that the money I get for it can go to a new fab garment :) In the 2.5 years since being part of YLF, I can honestly say I have not regretted purging any of the items I have chosen to passed on:) Angie on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032459 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 00:00:15 +0000 Angie 1032459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shannon, my cream trench coat is in its 6th year. My black cigarette pants are 3 years old. Suz, you are pretty spot on. We live in 1600 square feet, so although our floor plan is modern - which is why we have a walk-in wardrobe - it is very small and I share it with Greg. I keep ALL my seasons and shoes plus bags in that closet. My underwear and socks are in another place and my coats are in the coat closet. That. Is. It. I always have enough space because I purchase fewer pieces and follow the one-in-one out principle. That is the long and short of it. I would never purchase 10 pieces at once. I purchase a few at a time. NAS time I come home with a whopping 6 items at once - which is out of character for me. The only time that ever happens. I went to Japan - shopping paradise for me - and came home with 3 pieces. A suit and a pair of shoes. <ul> <li>I hold onto items that make me happy but I don't wear often - if at all. I never wear my huge collection of pearl necklaces anymore (I used to three years ago), but I love looking at them in my closet. I have a 12 year old vintage tomato red dress that I haven't worn in years but I love it. I am not parting with it. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>I get rid of items that are damaged and worn, and items that I am sick of. My body shape does not change so it's not a question of bad fit  - unless they shrunk or stretched out over time. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>I keep some items for many years and others for a season. </li> </ul> I love to reinvent old items with trendy pieces - like today's outfit post. Old pants and trench with an on trend support act. Unlike others, I take great pride in saying that I've had something for years, take care of it, and still love it and wear it. It's in line with my core values and makes me appreciate the items I bought even more. Anyway, I'm not sure I answered your question, Shannon. Anonymous on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032438 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:43:47 +0000 Anonymous 1032438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such a good question. My keeping is mostly emotional. Am I still loving it and does it love me back? Some things like white and black knit tops or black washable pants are not kept more than a year because they tend to look faded or yellowed and no longer pristine. Now to go back and soak in everyone's wisdom. Caro in Oz on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032428 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:30:06 +0000 Caro in Oz 1032428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great post :)  It's getting a lot easier for me to know what to let go of & what to keep since I realised that although I'm an eclectic there is a core or thread that runs through my clothing choices. So the first question I ask is does it fit my core style? If it doesn't then I don't want it there taking up mental & physical space. If it does then my process is similar to the one Gaylene describes. It has to work on my body, the quality has to be the best I can afford & last but not least I have to love it. I don't  tend to buy things for an imaginary lifestyle so I don't worry too much about that one.  Gaylene on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032267 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:03:49 +0000 Gaylene 1032267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting the way everyone has interpreted Shannon's original question. I'm intrigued, though, by Suz's reframing the question as to how might one go about consciously identifying an item as a keeper, even if said item languishes at the back of one's closet for a couple of years--unworn, but not purged. I've inadvertently done this a few times in the past and, after reflecting a bit, here is my stab at why an item might survive numerous purges over several years and eventually be resurrected to become once again a functioning part of my wardrobe. 1. The item was super flattering in terms of design, color, and fit. This was the big one. 2. The quality of the item was stellar and any signs of age just improved its look instead of diminishing it. 3. I loved the way the item made me feel exactly like me whenever I wore it. 4. The item was functional. It fit my lifestyle and played nicely with other items in my closet. So that's my criteria for keeping something in my smallish closet, even if fashion has decreed its day is done and said item might not see much daylight for a season or two. Not many items can meet all these criteria so, needless to say, the space they occupy is not that huge--a couple of hangers and a smallish storage box holds everything quite nicely. Now I'm off to resurrect my 100% cotton, designer, baby boot-cut jeans that I bought in a small shop in London almost a decade ago. The fit was so amazing and the wash was so perfect that I couldn't bear to let them go even when skinnies ruled the roost. I suspect, though, those jeans will be seeing a lot more daylight this fall. Nebraskim on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032254 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 19:51:04 +0000 Nebraskim 1032254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, looking at it from a "how do you decide what to keep?" angle, I keep everything until I don't :) I am not sure how I decide when to send something to the charity shop. But when I do, I'm kinda ruthless. Often it's like others say here: damaged, no longer fits, no longer digging the color or cut, etc. This past spring, I decided that I never ever in my life want to wear capri length pants again and all of them were gone (I'd actually made that decision the previous year in theory as I hadn't worn them in summer 2012, but they were there, mocking me. In 2013, they were sent to charity). Several years ago, I realized I hate pleated pants and they were all carted out of the house that day. I'm moving toward a major jackets purge as I am kind of tired of all of mine and want to get something new. That might be the biggest motivator: I just get tired of something and want something new. And it's way easier for me to get rid of fast-fashion purchases, like Ts from Target vs. a more spendy item. This all reminds me of a hilarious comment Carson Kressley made once on Queer Eye. He had piled a contributor's horrible clothing into a pile marked for the garbage. When the gentleman said, "why aren't you donating these?" Carson said, "Oh honey, just because people are poor doesn't mean they cannot have style. NO ONE should ever wear this crap." I laughed out loud. CocoLion on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032197 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:51:27 +0000 CocoLion 1032197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To answer this question briefly, I am much more likely to hang onto things of high quality or high price.  I easily let go of inexpensive items from H&M, Zara, Gap, TJ Maxx.  The most trying decisions involve keeping an expensive mistake.  Then what I do is put it aside and see if I can sell it on eBay.  If it is a sought-after brand, I can sell it.  If it was expensive plus from a less well-known brand, then it takes a long time to sell.  (So now I try to be more careful about brands when I spend a lot ... which just created an "aha" moment for my coat choices...) rae on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep/page/2#post-1032189 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:43:16 +0000 rae 1032189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It is very interesting, and I love hearing about the different ways people handle this. I consider myself a frequent purger also, but I don't feel a need to review every piece because some of them are so useful they get the confidence for an automatic pass, so to speak.  Suz on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032174 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:28:28 +0000 Suz 1032174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Diana raises a good point. I won't purge just because I haven't worn it in a while, either. That is why when people use that "have you worn it in x time" rule, I always feel a bit uncomfortable. There are lots of possible reasons one might not wear something. And sometimes the item might be extremely useful in the right circumstance. So even though I'm an eager purger, (or maybe I should say "editor" -- it sounds so much nicer) I still hang onto some things that I haven't worn in a season.  Suz on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032171 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:25:59 +0000 Suz 1032171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It will be interesting to hear what Angie says. Since she keeps all her stuff in one place, I'll bet these pants were consistently in rotation -- or at least in rotation in theory -- available to wear, should she want to. She may or may not have wanted to wear them very often.  I DO go through each piece in my wardrobe every season -- more than every season -- and evaluate whether to keep. My process is: review at the end of a season. Get rid of the chaff. Put things that are out of season in my second closet. Review the clothes for the NEW season as I bring them into my main closet. Yes, I reviewed them before storing, but I review again. (And usually find a few things that aren't as great as I thought they were, LOL. )  And then within a season, if something if giving me the pip, I often get rid of it on the fly. Everything comes up for review, constantly.  In other words, I have a lot of churn. LOL.  But as I said, I have never ever regretted getting rid of something. I don't get rid of the stuff I love, or the stuff that is (to me) essential and is still in good condition.  How do I know what is "essential"? Well, if I had a pair of cigarette pants that fit as well as Angie's do, they would be essential because they are a classic and I love the style.  Note -- it could be classic, but not a style I love...in which case I would be less inclined to keep.  Diana on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032165 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:21:09 +0000 Diana 1032165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OK, I'll take a stab at looking at it from the keeping angle.  (Although keep in mind that I am a slow keeper by default).  I wrote this in my earlier post: "--Have I worn it at all in the last year or so? If no, I usually try to wear it at least once before I decide, because sometimes I still love things and just forget about them for a while, or I just need a break. " I think this is a good rule for what to keep as well as what to purge.  If it's still in good shape, fits, and hasn't been replaced by something better, I always try to wear it once before I decide to get rid of it.  If I manage to make an outfit that feels and looks good, I'll keep the item around even if I don't wear it often.  But I never toss an item just because I haven't worn it for a while.  I also keep not-quite-perfect items if they have a particular purpose.  I.e. dressy interview shoes or something like that.  These items are on the list of "things to be replaced but not to be tossed until the replacement appears" because even though I might not love them, they serve a purpose, even if it's rarely fulfilled. rae on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032162 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:16:25 +0000 rae 1032162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hm... so, each season, do you go through each piece of your wardrobe and evaluate whether to keep or purge? Honest question... I would have thought that Angie's pants would never have made it to the "chopping block" if you know what I mean. I guess I had figured they were old in age but had fit, flattered, and been in rotation all that time rather than being tucked away for someday.  Kim on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032159 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:13:47 +0000 Kim 1032159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a theory that you have to have a happiness factor of 10 on the things that you want to keep long term (even when you aren't currently wearing them for various reasons.)  I have a few things like that, an older Danier leather blazer comes to mind.  It's pretty classic, (it's a blazer after all! LOL) and I love the distressed cognac leather look.  I don't wear it a lot (weather and lifestyle) but when I do I feel fab, and I have a happiness factor of 10. Anything else in my closet that doesn't have a 10 happiness factor (and it may not be "in style" any more to be a 10 but I STILL love it ) is up for purge when I'm in the mood.  I have never regretted anything I've purged this way.  Yes, I do have some "churn" in my closet, but I'm not looking to have a wardrobe that never needs another addition because I've got all perfect stuff...I like new additions.  It's my hobby and it's always evolving.  I don't apologize for that.  I have the money to devote to my hobby and I thoroughly enjoy it, and feel no guilt when I fall out of love with something and pass it on. What I really hate is when I love something with a 10 kind of love, but it wears out and I have to find a "new" love...much, much harder than purging, I think....LOL Transcona Shannon on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032157 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:08:27 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1032157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow! Such fabulous responses. But Suz has hit the nail on the head - my original question was how do we know what to keep? I'm pretty good with the purging, that's not the issue. It is how can we identify what items we should continue to keep in our wardrobes knowing that one day we'll want or need to pull them out again? Is there a way these can even be identified? I related the question to purging because I have found that there have been a few items I have purged that turned out could have been core wardrobe items. I'm in awe of Angie for being able to pull out those old cigarette pants and wear them in a new way today - but how did she know to keep those pants for "one day"? Elly on "How to know when to keep" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-know-when-to-keep#post-1032155 Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:05:06 +0000 Elly 1032155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved to read others' entries. I will freely admit that I am a horrible purger when it comes to the closet (although I am great in other areas of my life, and am good at other's closets). I generally leave things hanging far too long, which having a very small working wardrobe allows me to do since I don't use up my closet space with things I regularly wear. Not a good pattern. I rarely come back to items seasons or years later and wear and enjoy them or wish I had kept something. Sometimes I will wear them out of guilt, but mostly that fails. If it is hanging unused there is a good reason and a careful session determining that really should be what I use to get rid of things. Occasionally it takes a day wearing it to discover faults, but usually closet play is enough for me (I do have tops I never wear because they are summer tops, but have stretched enough that I flash cleavage-- always figured out after wearing them all day). I try to immediately purge basics and essentials that are in bad shape, as soon as I can no longer reasonably wear them or have purchased a replacement. I purge other items because the fit isn't right and they aren't nice enough to tailor, a few years ago because my chest size and foot size had changed forever, when shoes are painful, when things ride uncomfortably and a few pounds doesn't change it, because I can't stand the fabric of something, or because something I didn't LOVE seems dated.