YouLookFab Forum » Topic: over-purging?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: over-purging? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:06:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php minimalist on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743512 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 22:37:11 +0000 minimalist 1743512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Staysfit's post is making me miss my chocolate-brown suit from 2006. Fitted hip-length jacket, knee-length skirt, and trousers. But I'm 40 lbs heavier now, so it's all right that it's merely a (very, very) fond memory. At one point, I purged radically. (Not just clothing.) The item I missed most dearly was a classic but perfect for me pair of boots. Was able to find the same model on eBay last year. The previous owner hadn't cared for them the way I'd cared for mine, of course. But it's nice to have them, in some form, again. Lyn D. on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743491 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 21:14:48 +0000 Lyn D. 1743491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do think that the 'holding zone' works well to help prevent over-purging. It is rare for me to bring an item back from there, but every now and again I remember why a certain piece is a useful one to have, and I am so happy to be able to rescue it! Barbara Diane on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743472 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 20:23:33 +0000 Barbara Diane 1743472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great post. I held onto bangle bracelets I had no interest in, and I've been wearing them regularly for years. I also tend to keep scarves. Clothes that are a smaller but realistically reachable size and memory outfits live in the garage. I make a point to have something appropriate for dressy occasions and funerals. I had not thought about making sure I had more than one pair of shoes as fallback for certain situations. Will need to sort that out. I keep clothes associated with happy occasions but I'd caution against keeping anything related to a past negative relationship as sometimes releasing it releases space for someone new to enter your life. Janet on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743456 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 19:57:41 +0000 Janet 1743456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I meant to apologize for taking a bit of a tangent in my last response. But it did make me clean one basement cabinet. I threw out a bunch of old paint supplies that were dried out and useless. Yay for more clean space! jenanded on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743431 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 19:09:06 +0000 jenanded 1743431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree this is a great thread. I don't regret purging things as I make the call that I make informed decisions and the stores are full of so many things if I need to replace. It doesn't mean I don't have fond memories of some amazing pieces over the time... a long floral vevet coat, a white peplum sundress etc... Maybe I should ensure I take pictures of those real faves when they come alobg. shedev on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743370 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 15:40:20 +0000 shedev 1743370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to be a pretty aggressive purger, but I've slowed down a lot. I'm trying to make sure that the new things I buy really blend in well with what is already in my closet, then they still will be useful when they are no longer current. By then, some new component will be the current piece. I have a few placeholder items that I keep for occasions even though I don't wear them. They are perfectly nice, they just don't mesh with my style persona. I'll purge them when I find something that crosses over. Anonymous on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743347 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 14:57:53 +0000 Anonymous 1743347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There is so much wisdom here.  I am an over-purger by nature.  I have discovered that I NEVER reached for those pieces that had been purged when special, unscheduled events occurred.  I always reached for something new and interesting.  I doubt those few items I purged that might have worked for whatever occasion would have fit anyway.  No regrets.   Janet on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743329 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 14:15:10 +0000 Janet 1743329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a good thread. I need to do some storage editing, not necessarily of my clothes, but in our secondary storage areas -- we have an infrequently used finished basement with a good-sized closet I use for gift wrap, out-of-season clothes, my holding zone, and other random storage. Plus there are cabinets in one room that hold all kinds of things from the useful (paint, candles, my record collection, files) to stuff that I have not had the heart to part with (board games from my parents' house, mementos, and boxes of things I kept after my mom died). I have some slight hoarding tendencies, learned from my mom. They come from a place of sentiment and also the "this might be useful or valuable someday" mindset. I am very organized, and we have plenty of storage space, so no one would be the wiser upon looking around our house, but the day will come when we want to move to a smaller place, and I am definitely not taking all this stuff along. But the task seems big and emotionally draining. I suspect that tackling it bit by bit is the way to go -- I've been doing that in a way, but mom has been gone for 8 years now, so I really need to stop dragging my heels so much. Why is it easier for me to let go of stuff I bought last year than stuff my mom bought 40 years ago? Staysfit on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743322 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 12:54:39 +0000 Staysfit 1743322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Andrea H, you will be happy to know I read every word you wrote above! I have to agree that what we choose to keep or not may be a very emotional/sentimental choice as opposed to practical and based on some logical advice as imparted by someone. I love that you have kept your gunne sax dresses. Apparently, for whatever reason, also probably the spark of joy, I kept everything that was chocolate brown! I can even recall with clarity every chocolate brown item I decided to give away because it was too worn out to keep. I didn't keep anything olive or eggplant but I had a lot of those. I certainly didn't keep my collection of scrubs much to my children's disappointment at Halloween time, although at one point my dresser was filled with them. In fact I only wore hospital issued scrubs and a lab coat during the week for three years of my life. It made clothes shopping very easy! Shoes were simple too! One thing I do regret purging are my grandmothers aprons. I'm not even sure I purged them or if they were in a box that went missing during a move. I strangely kept my first purse purchase, a coach bag bought when my DH and I were walking down a street in D.C. We had very little money and I wanted and purchased an expensive purse. It was maybe $200 which was a small fortune for us then. 30 years later, my DD is using the purse, so it might be One of the best purchases of our marriage! I'm a believer in purchasing quality athletic gear if you use it frequently. Athleta wears like iron. It is expensive, but my Chaturanga leggings last six maybe seven years. I exercise 6 days a week, even with my injured foot. My gear sees heavy washing machine use. I get tired of it faster than it wears out. Seven years in the same exercise togs is a long time! (I only toss it if it rips, overly stained, too faded in color, or becomes see through, etc.). It's impossible to predict what is going to be useful in advance. I think our intermittently seen friend, Marie Kondo is helpful when it comes to purging. If it still sparks joy, keep it. Even things that are sentimental can spark joy or lose that spark. I have gone back through things I was holding onto and realized they no longer had any pull over me. I tossed them. It is a hassle to replace something you have once owned before. It's annoying. It's upsetting, etc. However, which is worse? Hoarding things just in case you might some day need it or having to replace a few items? My experience has been that it is often hard to sort through the many items I am trying to keep in order to find the one or two items in question. The more you decide to keep, the harder it is to find stuff. I also live in a four season location. Even though I have a big closet, and some spare space, I try not to keep anything I am not using, or anything I don't think I want to wear again or that I am not intending to pass on to my DD because it has family significance. For example, I keep my great grandmothers cut crystal bowl that she recieved as a wedding gift, but I gave all the small pieces of crystal that sat in my cabinet unused forever to people who would enjoy it, and I don't keep the chipped crystal wine glasses I recieved for my wedding, I toss them. I will keep my real jewelry, but probably not my costume jewelry, etc. I definitely keep some clothing items, like the chocolate capsule, and certain favorite shoes, however, there is a limit to how much I keep. I also find myself reviewing the items I am keeping, and every once in a while I purge something. I try to keep that collection small. I am in that sandwhich generation. My mother in law died last August, and my step father last March. They both had a lot of stuff. I don't want to leave too much for my kids or spouse to go through. It took my mom a few months to sort through my step fathers closets. He had four closets filled with clothes! Then there was his study, the basement, the garage, etc. My aunt had so much stuff she had a full storage unit plus her condo. It can be therapeutic to look at someone else's belongings, but it can be emotional, overwhelming and aggravating. Maybe this sounds morbid, but both of my children are autistic. I am always thinking ahead for them, always. If you are still reading, I'm impressed! Traci on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743320 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 12:43:03 +0000 Traci 1743320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you've highlighted possibly one of the most overlooked facets of wardrobe size.  A smaller, less redundant wardrobe requires more maintenance and daily awareness than does a larger wardrobe with more overlap.  I used to covet these 8 piece wardrobes that can produce 20 looks and wonder why I couldn't live that way.  Then I went on a few vacations where I took only a few pieces and realized quickly that you either have to duplicate items, mend and wash almost daily, or be prepared to wear dirty clothes to get by on so few things. In short, if you are going to live with a wardrobe that has only one lightweight jacket or only one pair of jeans, you had best have a backup plan for what you will do if your jeans rip or your jacket gets pooped upon.  Sometimes you realize that you're more uncomfortable not having a backup than you are giving up a little bit of extra closet room.  It's all a fine balance. bella on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743316 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:53:27 +0000 bella 1743316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a serial purger, and I have truly never regretted purging anything until this year. I had a lovely faux fur vest - it would have been probably 10 years old now if hadn't been purged - and I got rid of it a few years ago, because they were completely out of fashion, and looked very tired to my eye at the time. They are now making a big come back (even though I haven't seen anybody wear them around here just yet), and I kind of wish I still had mine. It was a great color (gray!) and good quality.  Andrea H on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743218 Sun, 23 Oct 2016 01:29:16 +0000 Andrea H 1743218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, I am back with time to write more.  I'm sure y'all were waiting with bated . :) Suz, spending more for what you wear most is why, over the past couple-three years, I've started buying things from Athleta full price and without guilt.  People can mock other people for their $80 yoga pants but I spend a lot of time in the gym (and have consistently for the past 6 years, so it's a big part of my lifestyle) and I want to look and feel good doing so.  Of course, the other huger chunk of my time is spent in scrubs and it's impossible to spend more than $35 for a pair of scrub pants and they are all glorified pajamas anyway... Staysfit, your implied seagull story cracked me up.  Can I just say in sympathy to all my fellow bird poop sufferers that I was counting my blessings that a.) I was on my way home, not going to work and b.) the stupid bird wasn't 6 inches to the left because then I'd have been sitting on a bus for 30+ minutes with poop in my hair.  I like your rare event capsule but then it's all complicated by, as unfrumped says, seasons and living in a place with climate extremes.  And then there's weight fluctuations.  That's a reason the sweater dress appealed--much more forgiving of 10 pounds up or down than, say, tailored dress pants. As far as what you all say about getting rid of things then having them come back into style and regretting the purge--yeah, Yeah. As a woman in her mid 50s who's always been interested in clothes, I think I can safely say at this point that almost everything cycles through again. That's why I rebel strongly against the old chestnut that if you wore a trend the first time around you can't do it again. Because, guys? If that were true, I'd be nekkid.  (I'm still waiting for prairie-chic to come back, though. I have a couple of vintage late 70s Gunne Sax sundresses that I won't get rid of even though I feel too costume-y when I wear them. They're not *my* dresses from 1978, I bought them on Etsy. I was too poor to afford real Gunne Sax as a teenager. Which is probably why they appeal so much. Anyway, the day corset-top spaghetti strap calico midi dresses come back, I got it covered. Ahem.) Anyway, I digress and I'm sure no one's reading anymore. But this is all very interesting for me to ponder. I guess I over-purge some things and hold onto other things because of the spark joy thing, whether because they hold good memories or I just love them. And I don't purge shoes until they either are beat down beyond all repair or they have proved to be so uncomfortable I refuse to wear them. I've mentioned in other threads that I don't overly care whether my shoes are on-trend, because I tend to go for a slightly funky shoe at all times regardless. jenanded on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743132 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 20:53:10 +0000 jenanded 1743132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with all of the above great advice. In line with Janet's comment, I would add a tip from the stylist Kendall Farr. She suggests hanging onto loved items that fall into the 'recurring trend' category - velvet, lace, silky camisole, military jacket et tc... it seems to make sense as an idea... Penny on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743103 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 18:18:05 +0000 Penny 1743103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think there's a tension between what we need most of the time and what we might need someday, and we each have to find the balance based on the likelihood of events - for example, although I only wear dresses, I keep a pair of jeans in a box under the bed with my swimsuits and such (haven't pulled them out in years, but it's fairly likely I could need them for hiking, an amusement park, etc.). In contrast, I don't have any gear for say, skiing, but if we plan a ski trip I can take steps at the time. Maybe the factors that matter most are the versatility of the item (e.g., a pair of pants, or perhaps for you a second casual jacket, could cover a lot of needs), and the urgency of having the item available (e.g., being able to dress for a funeral - definitely an occasion where you want to have a go-to available, and it sounds like you are all set now). Staysfit on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743086 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:28:37 +0000 Staysfit 1743086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I rarely regret purging anything, but I certainly didn't regret purging the coral sweater involved below, even though it was new, and I only wore it once for less than 45 minutes...... I was going to give you the details of my bird poop story, since you now have your own, but mine is from long ago, and I quickly thought I should use better judgment.  Some things are not fit for anyone to read, ever.  They should be safely buried in the past where only college roommates might recall them during drunken reunion gatherings.  (Yes, it was that bad.)  However, I will admit to a few things:  coral sweater, sea gulls, running for a train, windbreaker with nothing underneath, and great big mess!   In any case, my point was, that I am careful about what I purge.  It sits around my house for a long time even after I decide to eliminate it from my closet.  If I think I might want to wear something again, I keep it.  I have also started to think about my lifestyle, and I have capsules for the types of events that come up in my life, even those that happen infrequently.  I have found that planning not only for my lifestyle, but for rare events has been helpful.  I guess maybe I should call part of my wardrobe a rare event capsule.  I keep something around to wear for a funeral, a fancy occasion, an ugly sweater party, Halloween, etc.   Lynn on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743044 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 15:47:37 +0000 Lynn 1743044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, this was very helpful to me as I have just started to go through my fall things. After recently retiring and having a very casual lifestyle now I have been tempted to just get rid of everything I no longer wear now.  Your post reminded me to think about those occasional events that will occur and to keep  a small "just in case" capsule. Thanks Andrea H on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1743010 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:22:14 +0000 Andrea H 1743010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ La Belle, those for sure were not the only two instances, just the most recent and the most egregious.   I think I've solved the cold weather conservative-but-dressy occasion problem [I hope] with the purchase of a very simple "black marl" sweater dress that I'm planning to wear to a department-sponsored dinner for a colleague's retirement in November.  It goes with black booties and black knee high boots I already have and fills the hole of a winter dress that's not too casual and not too date-night. The next time I have to go to a wake or to court when there's snow on the ground, I'm covered.  It's funny, and Approprios comment reminded me of this, but while I'm posting that I'm an over-purger, I also hold onto certain things I *never* wear for emotional reasons.  I kept the dress I wore on my first date with someone that I fell in love with for years after I no longer wore it, for example.   I need to run, but I'm coming back, because you've all given me a lot of great things I need to think and talk about. Thanks! Janet on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742990 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 11:53:32 +0000 Janet 1742990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sometimes I think I need to swear off of purging things I like because they've gone out of style. More than once lately I've groaned to realize that I gave away things that I liked but had stopped looking current -- invariably they come back around. A couple of years ago I posted two velvet blazers here as possible purge items because I rarely wore them and it just wasn't a thing you were seeing around much at the time. I chose to hang onto them, and now I'm glad because velvet is enjoying a resurgence. I'm going to cool my heels on this kind of purging in the future, and make peace with having a little bit larger wardrobe. I'm never going to be a minimalist anyway. Helena on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742987 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 11:48:37 +0000 Helena 1742987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a serial over-purger I have started creating a holding area (a large plastic bin so I can see what's in there) for things that i still like and are in good condition, but are not currently in regular use. I find I often pull items out or switch them up - truly shopping my closet! If it becomes obvious that something in the holding area is just a waste of space, I will get rid of it accordingly. In any case don't feel bad, I make that mistake all the time!! approprio on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742976 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 09:29:42 +0000 approprio 1742976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Suz said. I have the opposite problem. I'm very bad at getting rid of things and I tend to hang onto items that spark joy even if I don't wear them. At a certain point I have to be realistic and decide that no, this thing is never going to work.  On the other hand, sometimes I know there's going to be a moment when the fashion cycle comes full circle and I'll reach for it again. It might take ten years but it will be worth it. Velvet blazer, I'm looking at you right now. Gigi on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742962 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 07:58:50 +0000 Gigi 1742962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wouldn't say that you've overpurged. These things were unexpected, and we can't see the future. I think it is rare to purge and not later find that you could have used a particular item when you were in a crunch.  unfrumped on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742934 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 03:43:09 +0000 unfrumped 1742934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like Suz's idea. List all possible ( normal) events. Think what might be your " ideal" outfit vs. acceptable vs. deal- breaker. For example, for a funeral one can wear a variety of neutrals or quiet colors. For gym there might be several types of jackets even though you have the main favorite. See what can overlap with reasonable success. The idea is to minimize the number of items that sit fallow for years, not just due to waste but because style or fit will change before you wear them. There was some blog or column by a person who decided to give up the idea of " special occasion" clothes and vowed to make do with outfit creation no matter what. This might work better if one does not have crazy extreme events or climate ( I find it harder to have same outfit for outdoor summer wedding as for winter wedding, for example) or maybe also has a signature style. But it also means chilling out a bit on the worry over perfect outfits. Suz on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742920 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 02:29:17 +0000 Suz 1742920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, the bird poop. It's happened to me, too -- on my freshly washed hair. Luckily I was passing by an old-fashioned barber shop so I asked the guy if he could give me a shampoo.  I think what you are describing is a "wardrobe hole." Don't blame your editing on this hole. The editing was probably necessary. If the items didn't make you happy and didn't seem useful, remember, there was a reason. Something in you didn't care for those things. You may need the function filled, but those specific items weren't doing it for you on an emotional level.  Time to make a list of things you need.  And then buy judiciously. Angie suggests spending more on the items that suit your climate and lifestyle (so if you live a casual life, go for the premium denim!!) She also suggests spending less on the items you wear less often (unless they represent a super high joy -per - wear category for you). You should be able to get a pair of dressy high vamp shoes or booties or knee high boots that may even "cross over" into your more casual outfits; meanwhile you definitely also need another gear jacket, but when you buy, consider what you love about the current one and what might be missing in it -- maybe you need one for a slightly different season? Which purchase is a priority? That depends on how often you might reach for the item.  If you think in terms of "capsules" this may help. Your dressy cool weather capsule probably doesn't have to be very large, and may have some crossover with your work or casual capsules for the same temperatures, or with date-night outfits for the same temps. But even if you only wear the items once per year, they are necessary.  Anonymous on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742916 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 02:19:20 +0000 Anonymous 1742916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I understand. A few weeks ago I consigned about a dozen items that theoretically were still ok, but that I wasn't sure were great for me. So far no regrets, but it is hard to know how one will feel in the near future. April on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742904 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 01:53:08 +0000 April 1742904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A.H. -- yes, I am an over-purger.  It used to be because I was in quite a small house with very small closets and no attic.  Now I'm in a big house with generous closet space and I need to learn to be less quick to get rid of things.   I moved last year, and I'm still wondering if certain things such as a few necklaces that I loved came with me or not.  I'm inclined to think not (because I know my tendencies) but I sure wish I had them.  I have plenty of space now and no way to replace those items, but I have a feeling they didn't make the move.   I am trying to teach myself that it's okay to keep things even if I haven't worn them in a while, as long as a.) I like them and b.) I have the room for them.  I won't do that if I know someone else needs them more than I do (like I have nieces and young friends who need professional clothes and shoes that I really don't need anymore, and those I'm happy to pass along) but otherwise, I am trying to learn to be more relaxed about my closet.   Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742876 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 00:10:27 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1742876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm still on the opposite side of the struggle, holding onto things "just in case". If you've only had two instances, I think you're doing very well!  Now you have a better idea of your laundry needs.   You wore your mechanic jacket, and the world didn't end.  :)   (In fact, other women probably eyed you enviously at the gym, thinking how stylish you looked).   Think of this as a learning experience. And now you know that you should have a pair of dressy winter shoes or boots that go with what you already have  :)   It's your chance to hunt down some dressier footwear that you looooovesomuch, you wear them even though you don't have to, or you're happy to store until you DO need them. By the way, 'they' say that having a bird poop on you is lucky.** **(Not sure I believe that.   That sounds like something my mom would say to make us stop complaining when I was a kid.) Andrea H on "over-purging?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/over-purging#post-1742869 Fri, 21 Oct 2016 23:53:51 +0000 Andrea H 1742869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I might have a problem with this.   I recently cleaned out a bunch of shoes and outerwear.  Today it was rainy and unseasonably warm.  I got dressed to go to the gym and then realized that the black NF fleece-lined hooded jacket I would have normally worn was in the laundry. (Because a bird pooped on me on my way home from work the other morning, but that's another sad story.) I ended up wearing my J Crew field mechanic jacket which was fine, weather-wise, but it felt a little silly over my sleeveless gym shirt and cropped tights.  I was kinda regretting the bunch of hoodies I got rid of because "I always wear the NF anyway." Similarly, I haven't needed a business casual wardrobe since 2012 and have gotten rid of almost all of those clothes. Which was a bit of a problem the last time I had to unexpectedly attend a winter funeral and ended up in black patent leather ballet flats when there was snow on the ground, because they were the only dressy footwear I still had that went with the only dressy black pants I had left. Does anyone else struggle with this?  Do you get rid of things that you hardly wear, only to discover that hardly doesn't mean never?