big shoe cull - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

big shoe cull

anne

Veteran

One of the side effects of having a smallish clothes budget and not adding that many items each year, is that I'm not great at culling. What's more, thanks to YLF and my natural antipathy to buying, I don't have much that I don't like.

But things still do wear out, and I've just culled 5 pairs of shoes that were really past it and in some cases about to physically break. In all cases, I've had replacements for them for a while, that I've actually been wearing but needed to make sure worked.

I another brave and uncharacteristic move for me, I just got rid of several pairs of handed down PJs I was given last winter. I hated them, and they were too big on me, but I couldn't cope with the idea of buying new ones. Now I'll be forced to (or keep wearing tracky pants to bed, which I don't mind that much).

I have to say that the whole issue of when something is worn enough to discard is a bit fraught for me. Love to hear your thoughts on this.

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

bridgie

Veteran

Congratulations Anne. Proud of you.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Bridgie!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Your life seems quite social; how often do you have houseguests, or people who are there to see another family member when you aren’t quite awake? That and evening /weekend morning lounging are when I wear mine most.

Anonymous

You deserve clothes that you pick out for yourself, after all, you are working! I know first hand the horrors of hand-me-downs, a reality most of my younger life. A professor even called me a "little brown mouse" because my best clothes were from an aunt who had finished her "brown stage", and passed them to me, never mind that they were several sizes too big and she was much older. Insist on an adequate clothing budget and use it. It will set a good example for your daughters. Good for you for getting rid of the stuff you hate.

anne

Veteran

Fashiontern - houseguests - almost never. More when we lived away from the metro area. And I'm usually around the first up, so no real need to have nice PJs for that reason. I'm a big dressing gown wearer anyway, I have three, in different weights.
I'd just like new pyjamas, I guess.

What I do need to upgrade next year is what I call my "cosy casual" capsule, which is lounge clothes that are nice enough to be seen in when we have visitors (I'm talking winter here, summer is a bit different) but still washable and comfortable to be on the couch in etc. I like quite tailored clothes for work, but change as soon as I come home. I worked on this capsule a few years ago but I think it's time for an upgrade. this capsule in includes leggings, long sweaters, stretchy jeans, some stretchy skirts etc and lots of long sleeve tees.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Well, that backfired. I was trying to find a reason to buy pajamas.

Anonymous

I don’t like to buy pyjamas as they are not very multipurpose.
I like leggings and a hoodie for bed. This combo can them double as loungewear and something you can wear to take out the garbage without looking like you’re obviously wearing pyjamas.
Sounds like we might be on the same page here.
I also wear leggings under pants and I’ll wear hoodies for very casual activities under a coat on the weekend, or to warm up in at the gym.

Bijou

Veteran

Getting rid of worn out clothing is essential. I have no problem in getting rid of worn out clothing, especially shoes as if I have worn them out I feel happy to think that I really used them. As for old pj's that don't fit well - you deserve better than that. I have no aversion to pre-owned clothing, but it needs to fit me and be to my taste. So well done on not keeping those PJ's - I think you will be happier in your trackies that actually fit you well.

What makes me feel guilty is getting rid of rarely worn items (those shoes that I was 'supposed' to wear to work but have a ridiculously high heel...). They were poor choices for a fantasy life that I don't live. YLF is helping me make better choices, so I have decided to leave that guilt behind. Lesson learned, onwards!

cindysmith

Veteran

I have a problem similar to yours. The more worn out a garment gets, the higher the likelihood that I'm going to love it more. After all, I am the girl that gets husband and friends to SHOOT PERFECTLY GOOD NEW GARMENTS because I want to look like I survived the zombie apocalypse lol

RobinF

Veteran

I have a hard time getting rid of items that I love, even when I know they are too worn out to look good. I still love them! And replacements are never quite right. I do eventually have to do it though.

As far as pajamas, I love knit pants or shorts and cotton wicking tees. These days, with hot flashes, the wicking tees keep me much more comfortable then regular pajama tops. I always wear a robe over them when not in my room so they don't have to look particularly good or fancy. The problem for me is finding wicking ones that aren't polyester workout tees.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

Nicely done. And I love that you wear the heck out of your clothes.

anne

Veteran

Fashiontern I created a need to buy pyjamas by getting rid of every winter pair I had!! That was why I was being brave.

Joy, I think we were writing at the same time. I hear you, though I want to reassure you that my clothing budget is a figure of my own making and I have a generous husband who doesn't deny me things. And it's only a small budget by YLF standards. I COULD have afforded new pyjamas - I felt overwhelmed by the choices and put it off when someone gave me some. This person has given me some good quality handed down things (like the DVF dress) but I suspect these PJs were ones she found "verging". I'm not in hot flash territory so far, and dress pretty warmly for bed in winter (our bedroom isn't usually heated)

Smittie - I basically often end up going to bed in my cozy casual capsule anyway - when I'm tired and it's cold I don't like having to undress again. I do worry about about wearing leggings though - aren't they um, not so good with ventilation in the knicker region?

Bijou - yes these shoes were certainly well used, and some quite loved, one being the red patent mary janes I had a few years ago. Unfortunately it had a flower decoration that wouldn't stay on (despite going to a cobbler) and the patent was quite scuffed. I have one pair of work heels that are too high too, which I haven't got rid of but keep them for sitting occasions/wear for interviews.

Cindy - I certainly have some well loved and very old items too! (though less keen on distressing, although I noticed that distressing makes stains stand out less on my white jeans!)

Robin, I confess that I've often heard of "wicking tees" on YLF and not really know what they are, though I've guessed.

rachylou

Veteran

Good job! You deserve to.

I tend to hang on to pjs too. It’s like, well, you only wear them to sleep in. Not my fave thing to buy or wear, in terms of looks. I feel if they look good, they’re usually not comfortable for me to sleep in. They’re in a kind of ‘can’t win’ category for me, which makes me apathetic. Honestly, I’m hanging on to one with a little tear, because it’s good for sleeping in, and is relatively pretty... and it’s ‘good enough’ and Lilypup can’t destroy it because it’s destroyed already. Lol.

Lilypup likes to flatten the Serengeti before she lies down and sometimes manages to snag my sleepwear...

anne

Veteran

Angie - thanks - I missed your contribution last night
RL - yes, exactly - hard to make them a priority.

Aida

Veteran

*cheers* Nicely done Anne! Great that you had replacement shoes at the ready, now you don't have to worry about needing to shop along with not having those shoes.