2022 year in review - Goal #6 - YouLookFab Forum

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2022 year in review - Goal #6

Irina

Veteran

I'm reviewing my 2022 goals and purchases. Below is one of my 2022 goals.
Goal #6 is something I want to try. I have a number of good items that I don’t want to wear now, mostly because they are not in an oversized silhouette. I will keep them but not in my holding zone. I reevaluate clothes in the holding zone a few times a year. These items will packed and stored away for a few years until I feel like wearing more straight cut clothes.

So, how did I do? Well, nobody is asking but...
Through the year I moved some pieces to the storage and planning to store some more in a plastic bin in the basement's closet.
Some of the items I'm planning to keep for sure but it's only a small amount. As for the rest - I came to realize that there are some issues with them like style, or how they make me feel or it's not functioning as I expected. It's possible I will change my mind

but unlikely.

Keeping things and not wearing them for an extended period of time makes me feel guilty like keeping a reminder of my mistakes.
When I read about people keeping their clothes for decades it means two things to me:
1. They were not wearing it often or at all. A rare item of clothing can survive a consistent rotation for decades without wearing out.
2. They are OK with things just staying in their closets indefinitely.

I'm not one of them. Knowing that somewhere there is a stash of clothes I don't wear, does not make me feel good.
Letting things go is still a struggle. I don't put in donation any worn out or damaged items, too much of it already clogging the thrift stores with no hope for a sale.

So, I will try to sell most of it at some point. It's an enormous task for me, especially since I'm terrible in selling anything at all. But I know I might be on a tighter budget if I retire soon and it make me feel better to know that I can recover some of the money I spent. I'm calling it my Grandma's Future Consignment General Store
Over to you - are you a keeper of a perpetual holding zone or a serial donator or a laser precision shopper?

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

LaPed

Veteran

Irina, I definitely relate to this observation: Knowing that somewhere there is a stash of clothes I don't wear, does not make me feel good.

In all honesty, I can't think of very many occasions when I've donated/sold something and later regretted it. I have a pretty solid handle on which things in my closet I "can't live without" and those things I keep until I've worn them to shreds. The rest I feel no guilt about rehoming.

Here's my current approach: as soon as I put something in the holding zone, I list it on Poshmark, eBay and, depending on the item, one of several interest/brand-specific BST groups I've joined. Anything that doesn't get bought within one year gets donated to either the local women's shelter or the community theatre group, depending on where I think it will be more useful. I no longer bring things to the thrift stores here because they are so inundated with donations that I suspect many things aren't getting processed (not to mention more and more people shopping the thrift stores just to re-list items online for a big markup, which makes me a bit queasy). Anything that's too worn goes to a local textile recycling company.

I'll also admit I'm buying a lot less right now and trying to make what I have work. At this point my dressier clothes only get a few outings a year, so I really can't justify adding more. Gear and casual wear continues to wear out in a pretty consistent fashion and I know what sorts of things I need to replace regularly (hoodies! running shoes!). I"m sure things will change again in the next year or two and I might need to revamp my system, but it seems to be working for now.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Perpetual holding zone, but you know that

I had a decade in a different climate when my body was a different shape, so didn’t wear my things then. There are other items I bought in the 90s because they “looked like me” but I was scared to wear them. I’ve enjoyed them the last year or two.

I’m shedding 2 dozen articles of clothing with move; over the last 5 years, I’ve bought 18/year (and sold/donated about 2 dozen 1 or 2 years ago).

LJP

Veteran

I feel the same way regarding a stash of clothing that is put away and not being worn . What is the point? I have quite a lot of really good clothing - everything from blazers to pants , tops and especially coats / jackets from my former sales rep life that I don’t wear anymore . I keep thinking I’ll integrate them into my everyday casual looks but I don’t . I like them all well enough but they aren’t what I want to wear anymore . This is the first time in my life that I’ve been hesitant to do that final edit and get them out of my house . Prepping things for sale is too daunting a task , and I don’t want to be responsible for packing up and mailing and selling things . So I’m sort of stuck at the moment . I tend to over purge because I abhor clutter and full closets and too much of anything . Clothing in piles gives me anxiety . Having now written this , I think I’m ready for a final culling of my old work wardrobe . Could be something to get done when I’m off work for a week soon !

Sal

Veteran

Sounds a good plan Irina.

I am somewhere in the middle. The only pieces I keep in my holding zone for long periods of time without wearing are evening and party dresses. I do have two old ball dresses, two brides maid dresses, and three or four other dresses that I don’t wear. It’s a nostalgic thing for me.

Aside from this area I rarely have more than three things in my storage that are not just out of season. At the moment my winter things are stored away. I will reevaluate things in Feb/March.

Exiting pieces that are still in good condition- I sell occasionally, donate and also gift to people. It’s not much at the moment because my shopping has improved. But there are mistakes - such as a dress I purchased second hand out of season and realised later that I would not wear it. Better to donate quickly than hold on.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I have become all 3 Irina!
I put in Sally’s thread about being sentimental about past loved clothing and having too much of it when I gained weight. I eventually got more sensible about that and donated much of it. The really really loved items stayed but there were maybe 10 of them left from the 1980s and 1990s, some of which I am now incorporating back into outfits as they fit the zeitgeist better ATM. I only managed to sell one skirt through a vintage consignment store. 2-3 pair high heels went to Dress for Success.
I do dislike our largest for-profit resale store (in NZ this is called Save Mart) as the owner has treated his workers poorly in the past. It smells bad in the store too. The actual charity thrift stores are smaller and smell better. I do use the Save Mart “clothing bins” for rag recycling as that is the only way to donate worn-out or ripped stuff for a second life. Worn-out shoes ( totally trashed) and bras I send to landfill myself so no-one else has to deal with them. I feel OK about that, they had really good wear.
As my style doesn’t change much- like I do not like wider pants- I am trying to be a “laser-like precision shopper” and wear for a long time.
Things I have just tired of that are still in good condition I try to donate to the true charity stores rather than Save Mart. But sometimes I let the dodgy owner have them because the clothing bin is easier to get at

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m wearing out more things, but still donating a few. I’m finding most of my working wardrobe lasts 3-5 years, and basics rack up 50-60 wears quite easily. The 14 items below are older than 5 years - but none are in heavy rotation, and probably would be categorized as ‘classics’ - so don’t scream any particular era.

FWIW, I lost 15 lbs between 2014 - 2018, and each year since finish the year 1 lb lighter than the one before. I suspect it may be the pattern of my old age, though I do work out to keep up my muscle mass. Garments that fit 8 years ago, wouldn’t serve today.

I don’t have a ‘holding’ zone other than moving a garment to a bag for donation, and keeping that bag in a storage closet until it is full and ready for donation.

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phoebe

Maybe set those things free to enjoy their existence in the home of someone who appreciates them and don't look back except with humor.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I suppose by selling you might know that they go to the home of someone who appreciates them? Donating you don’t get that and you know you might be contributing to the terrible problem of secondhand clothing ending up in landfill of either Western countries or poorer countries?
Even my donations for rag recycling feel problematic to me. I still do it except for something like bras which I send to landfill from here.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I’m a perpetual donator but due more to body changes than bad shopping.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Irina, first I want to say that I appreciate your focused year end reviews. I have a very long rambling review post in draft that is probably too much for one post -- yours is a much better strategy!

Count me a serial donator! I do small edits of my closet seasonally and bin entirely worn out items while donating those that still have life in them, but not for me. Every five years or so, I seem to do a more serious and thorough edit, when I feel a lifestyle shift or bigger change in style direction.

For donations, if items are vegan friendly and if I am going to be seeing my step daughter, I give first refusal to her. (She lives on a different continent, so that's infrequent now, alas). Otherwise, it goes to a local women's shelter. I used to take specific items to consignment but I have not done that in Victoria. Most consignment stores here want things that are less than 3. years old. I rarely get rid of items until after they hit the 5 year mark, and if I do let newer items go, it is usually because they are worn out. The occasional "mistake" could be resold, I suppose, but it sounds like a lot of work to go through for a small return.

Having said all that, about half my current wardrobe consists of items I've had longer than 5 years -- and I still wear almost all of them! Admittedly, some get much less wear than others. Some are special occasion pieces -- I don't stress about those. (See Finds below). Others are beloved coats or dresses or jackets that just don't get a lot of wear but still suit my style preferences or have a strong nostalgic pull for some reason. I don't keep them if they don't fit, though. Only items that fit remain in the closet over time.

Like you, I don't like the feeling of having a lot of unworn clothes in my closet. It overwhelms me and prevents me from feeling coherent in my style. So regular edits are really important. This year, having realized that such a large proportion of my wardrobe dates back more than 5 years, I am trying to do a more thorough edit. More on that, to come.

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Elie Tahari 'Kristina' Jacket

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Elie Tahari Elie Tahari Women's Jillian Slim Seasonless Pant

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"Grandma's Future Consignment General Store" sounds awesome

Irina, neither Greg nor I have stashes of unworn clothes anywhere. No holding zone and no storage. We live in a loft with very limited space! There is simply NO ROOM, other than two small closets, plus a make-shift coat closet made of a Chinese wedding cabinet. That's it!

I don't sell my wardrobe items. I recycle items, and the rest goes to a few people who wear a similar size as me. Some items go to Dress for Success Seattle.

Some items I keep a long time, and wear all the time! They absolutely wear out. Other items aren't worn for a year or two (or longer), and they look newer for longer.

To answer your question, I aim to be a laser-precision shopper I edit regularly too. I do not feel that I over-edit.,

Take my DVF jumpsuit. I haven't worn it for YEARS (8 years maybe?). I recently put it on, and had the hems shortened for very low heels. It's hardly been worn, so it looks new. It's an extremely impractical item to wear - but to quote hubs Greg, "looks spectacular"! So I'm keeping it. I will wear it at some point, and be thrilled that I kept it. It has a beautiful '70s integrity, that I will not tire of.

Diane von Furstenberg 'Dezi' Jumpsuit

$428.00 $169.97

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Angie that’s not a “stash” of unworn clothes (one jumpsuit) but 8 years is a long time not to wear something. That’s what I do but for a longer time and for a larger number of items, maybe about 10 -2 80s jumpers, 2 90s jumpers, the 80s fuchsia silk blouse, some dress-ups. All of those are back in rotation currently since 80s/90s is a “thing” again.

Dee

Veteran

I only started a holding zone recently after reading about it on YLF. Funny enough I have gone into it and plucked a few things out to wear again. Last month I pulled out a nice pair of wide leg dress jeans that I bought in 2009.

I do have quite a few items in my closet that are at least 5+ years old. My wardrobe is on the large side, but I’m a classic dresser generally speaking, so they don’t seem to date as quickly.

Only items in good condition that I no longer enjoy would be donated. Our “Value Village” which is a chain of secondhand stores here had to move into an even larger location due to all the stuff they receive. So I really want to be mindful of what I’m purchasing going forward, but it’s shocking the quality of how some clothing is made these days, its no wonder items are being tossed out so fast.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Hi five, Angie!

LJP, how nice to know what you’re going to be doing! I hope I’ll have things sorted in a year or two. Why not just hang onto a Smith or something, and move the rest out?

Jenny, I agree with you on the fraught topic of what happens to stuff we donate. My “friend’s” band played a benefit for a women’s shelter when I was last there. Tickets were too much $$ for me, but I could give them things in good shape that I weed out.

Dee, avoiding shoddy construction is a smart front-end way to avoid getting in this pickle!

Irina

Veteran

Aside from a couple of sentimental pieces, I might have no more than 3 items from pre 2015 years. I used to buy cheaper and not all natural fibers clothes, so I didn’t keep much after the big edit in 2015. Leather outwear was nice but too fitted for my current fit preference. Since I ended up with a small wardrobe after the edit, I wore out things pretty fast.

I don’t have a friend or a family member who wears my size, I would be more than happy to let them pick anything they’d like.

LJP

Veteran

SF - I’m not sure what you mean by knowing what I’m doing , but as I’m already 61 , I can pretty much guarantee that I won’t be needing a professional work wardrobe at this stage in my life . I hope to retire in a few years from where I now work ( a job that doesn’t require a lot of dressy clothes ) . Even if I did change jobs , it’s not going to require the same level of clothing I once wore . What’s a Smith ?

Sloper

Veteran

I’m both a holder and donator. To be honest and accurate, I hold things that I liked and were of good quality, but have also gone through lots of impulse/emotional buying phases. Thus clothing supply builds up, and for me it becomes “out of sight, out of mind.” I feel the same as others have mentioned above - irritation and shame for having both lots of unworn clothes and mess. I donate to Goodwill, Dress for Success, and sell the best stuff via Real Real.

These “crises” have occurred after several major life events - moving across country or state, job loss/change, most recently very major health/body changes. I KNOW there are some things that aren’t happening anymore (an office job, fancy dress, travel). Letting go of some really swell work and party clothes had to be done. And another bitter pill is being physically unable to go through some stored things (I can hear the moths chomping).

Also, and this can be an individual “eye” thing, that after holding on to some things for maybe more than 15 - 20 years - well, they are just old (storage wear, style, etc.). I know styles come around again, but usually it seems there’s a bit of a tweak that makes the old stuff look too costumey or forced (my eye only). I know something like a classic pea coat holds up, but a beautiful Charles Nolan ivory suit had football (US football) player shoulder pads and yelllowing. It was irredeemable. And my body has changed - some styles just ain’t gonna fit no more.

The one time I could kind of call myself laser-focused was after a big move and big career change maybe 30 years ago. Work clothes only could be bought - the weekend is only two days. And I worked in an environment where people (females) mentioned if of you had something new - which made me realize how much I impulse shopped!

slim cat

Veteran

I have a few items that over 5 years old ( or 10 ) and not exactly fitting my style anymore - like the silk skirt from BR or 3/4 sleeve black coat. I can't donate them for some sentimental feelings but keeping them does make me somewhat uneasy. There is very little space in my apartment for a holding zone - so I try to limit my "sentimental" pieces to a minimum. I do need to do another edit - probably in the end of winter.
Very few things came back to my current wardrobe from the holding zone - black work pants for one, silk sleeveless blouse/almost tunic - all mixed with some more current things.
I usually donate my mistakes ( I sold to consignment successfully just ones this year ).

rachylou

Veteran

I’m a hoarder for sure. I definitely ‘shop my closet’, thinking of my hoard as a store. I wear the same things a lot, but then I’ll get a bee in my bonnet and go digging. TBH, the shopping in my area has tanked and my own stash is better than anything available. I learned yesterday we’re even losing Big Lots. It’s all Ross…

Synne

Veteran

Large wardrobes fascinate me! I have realized (after much agony) that I just can't handle it for my self. Now my wardrobe is relatively small (<8 trousers), and everything gets heavily rotated. When the laundry basket is nearing full it also means I am almost out of clean clothes. Such a burden lifted.

The most pristine looking garments in my wardrobe are of course the one's never worn... Interesting thoughts and reflections, Irina!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I do have a holding zone but, on closer inspection, it's actually just an alterations pile that I have been putting off doing (it's subdivided into particular categories, like shortening hems or taking in the waist - that's how I know).

The only things I'm unsure of in there are a couple of items to dye (I searched but can't find DIY washing machine pods here ) & some dressier items for my UK lifestyle (to take back with me - I'm currently in this frustrating limbo where I don't know if I'll be using much South Asian clothing once back).

When it comes to getting rid of clothes, I'm a serial donator here. But back home, we would pile together as a community to bring hand-me-downs etc to those in need (my cousins have only just stopped using the pushchair that my parents bought for me!) Unfortunately I just don't have that level of community out here in HK, but I have given some clothes to new immigrants that I've heard of through the grapevine.

That feels much better than just giving to a corporation - but I have also done that here when I got desperate, e.g. no space left in my tiny flat & the donation bins are just downstairs. Sometimes convenience wins!

Minaminu

Veteran

I may have a different view than most fabbers as I view storage quite positively, seasonal storage is a must for me as my actual wardrobe is 80 cm wide (coats are stored in a small part of the hallway).

In my case, it makes perfect sense to add a holding zone since I am not a great follower of trends and my style seems to be quite classic. I keep pieces that I love but are currently not fitting but that I know I'll happily wear them again if I can - which thankfully happened for a few pieces this year. I don't keep pieces that I am not sure style wise, these are either donated / sold / recycled.

I guess this may be different if one puts on hold items that one is not sure about. As I am planning for 2023, I've realised that if I would go down by another dress size, I'd consider tailoring or purchasing some of my items in a smaller size - which I guess I am not planning to "rock my style boat too much"

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I find that this is a perennial problem and it’s been very informative to read other peoples approaches to this. I keep an online holding zone for contemplation ,l donate clothes that are in good condition but not expensive and l used to sell better stuff on eBay but l have left eBay now so am looking at other outlets but it’s a lot of work and you don’t get much money back.l keep and wear clothes for many years(20+)but l have recently had a significant life change and am getting older so this means that l probably need to look at it again.l am buying very little now compared to in the past as l have become very fussy about new clothes,what suits me and what l will actually wear given my lifestyle and to be honest l don’t actually need a lot of different clothes these days..

jussie

Veteran

Yes I struggle a bit with this issue too. I don’t keep much for more than couple years, to be honest I just don’t have the room. A small closet and half a tallboy chest of drawers.
At the moment I have three statement jackets I am considering donating, they’re very distinctive and cool but awfully hard to style. I’ve had them for about 5 years I guess. I also have a Liberty print button up shirt that I’ve had for about 7 year that I’m considering thrifting. It’s a beautiful shirt but doesn’t suit my current style.
I also have a Kmart pair of white culottes I purchased a few weeks ago for 5 dollars! It was a mistake as they are awful, too tight and very see through. So yes 5 items on the chopping block at the moment. I lean toward moving them on…..
but it seems such a waste!

Irina

Veteran

Thank you all for your responses. A lot of ideas and solutions. Angie, you definitely possess some magical powers - all your coats are in one cabinet!
Interesting but not surprising - despite our love for fashion and clothes, a lot of us are uncomfortable with a large wardrobe. For some it comes down to the availability of storage but for others like myself, it’s about feeling guilty and overwhelmed. Accepting that mistakes are the part of a style journey is not exactly easy. I’m still looking for best ways to deal with it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Have we discovered the one wardrobe category where you have more than me??? All my coats easily fit in a closet; all but 2 + 2 light fabric jackets are currently in a suitcase

Irina

Veteran

Perhaps, Stag F. But don’t forget, I wear some kind of coat 7 to 8 months a year! Wish I didn’t have to!

kkards

Veteran

I’m a hoarder…i have a sentimental streak and i have the room, so yes, i hold things that I haven’t worn in years, and probably wont wear again to be honest. But most of it is stuff that was loved when it was part of my “active” wardrobe. I have been trying to sort thru my “active” wardrobe seasonally and sell or donate what i know i don’t want to go forward with. But i will admit to going super slow in the last 3 years, I’m still not sure what i feel is the right thing to wear in this new normal, and i don’t want to get rid of all my blazers only to turn around next year and wish i still had them. It helps that i have all the closets to myself. And I’ve set up a rack in the spare bedroom.

Olive Green

Veteran

I just lugged a large bag out to the garage to donate. Some of it is thrifted to try on a colour or style.
Most of that goes back.
I am a fanatical launderer, so fabric has to be pretty good, and that is such a crap shoot.
Online shopping, same.
Body changes, same.
It’s a moving target for me, hence the mistakes and sense of waste, I guess.

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