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Do you ever wear something just because you have it?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Yesterday as I was going through the basement "off season" closet, I came across this poncho that I purchased a little over a year ago (fall 2012) and had neglected to bring upstairs with the winter clothing. There are many things I like about it: the chevron print, the lightweight knit, I like the button arm closure, I like the boxy-on-top-slim-on-bottom look it gives an outfit; yet if I were to see it in a store today I would pass it up. I'm not sure why, other than perhaps my style has shifted since I bought it. I'm currently not planning on getting rid of it - I have a hard time getting rid of something that I've only had a year. Plus, who knows, I might be head-over-heels about it again next year!

Do you keep clothes and wear them just because you have them, or do you remain true to your style and purge no matter what?

P.S. - I matched the chevron poncho with my chevron tights, and that's what upped my outfit happiness factor today!

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31 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

kellygirl

Veteran

Ooh, I love it on you. I hope you bring it out to play more often. It looks fab!

ETA: I'm too practical to discard something that doesn't fit my style. If it's unflattering, then that's another story.

carter

Veteran

If I haven't worn something in awhile, I try to wear it. If it either doesn't make me happy enough to leave the house or if it drives me nuts all day, it goes in the donation bin. So many times I've found things in my closet that I end up loving again, and I'm glad I wasn't too quick to purge. I think your poncho is fun!

AviaMariah

Veteran

Maybe you're just not feeling it because you're done with winter wear in general. If it were me I'd probably keep at until next winter and see how you feel about it then.

April

Veteran

I'm an over-eager purger who gets rid of things too quickly.

I will wear things that I have but am not wild about, but they don't make me happy. So I purge, and then invariably see some blithe young thing styling a similar piece in a way I would love to replicate.

I have to set a limit not on how long I can hang onto things I've hardly worn, but the opposite: how long I MUST hang onto them before I'm allowed to put them in the charity bag/ consignment pile/ latest box heading toward my sister.

So how did your poncho do on its outing? Did it reveal itself as a fast friend, or an annoying neighbor? It looks cute on you -- did you like the way it felt over the course of a day?

rabbit

Veteran

I purge things when they are worn out, but think long and hard about purging something that fits well and flatters in cut and color, but isn't as much in general style now or doesn't fit with my current work. I've regretted sometimes when I've purged those things.

In general though I don't have a whole lot of clothes in this category, so it's easier to keep track of them and try incorporating them in new ways.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I sure do wear things just because I have them, but they never look as fab as your chevron on chevron!!!

Last time this happened, it was a hoodie that was a dreadful wardrobe choice :p

El Cee

Veteran

That poncho looks fabulous on you! Hope you keep it. I, personally, am a cautious purger as I know that I go through "phases" with my personal style and easily get bored. I, too, have basement storage that I use both for out-of-season items and things that I might add back into the mix at the end of a season to freshen up my wardrobe. I have fallen back in love with items that I once thought of purging.

gryffin

Veteran

Karie - before I answer, I just have to say you look absolutely stunning! Love the whole outfit. The column of black, booties and I really love the poncho on you. That being said, if you don't love it and you don't feel good wearing it, then let it go. I bought a boucle, green/black tweed kind of Dior new look jacket with peplum. It really looked great on and fit well. But it was not me. I found it too warm (shocker) and the look was not one that I was comfortable with. There was a tremendous sense of relief when it went to charity. I knew someone would go wild for that score and really enjoy it. I do my best not to buy things that are not my style but sometimes I get caught up in the moment. Live and learn. But no matter what you decide you really look amazing in that outfit!!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Yes, part of the problem is that I have been quick to purge, and then regretted it. And AviaMariah, you bring up a good point - I am so tired of winter, and winter wear! April, this poncho always performs well: it's comfy and warm yet not too warm, and it's just the right length so it's not awkward to wear with a coat.

I'm not getting rid of it just yet - maybe I need a "donate" pile, and a "holding" pile, kind of a wait-and-see area.

Diana

Veteran

I do try to give items one last fair chance by wearing them if I haven't worn something for quite a while. This is because I often simply forget I have things (I am disorganized and have a large wardrobe!) but still like them just fine. Usually it's pretty obvious once I wear it whether or not I should purge the item.

And my definition for "haven't worn in a while" is at least a whole year, usually. I am a very slow purger.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I make myself wear things sometimes, even when I don't want to. It's a good exercise every now and then. Some things come back on-line and some things - you know that's the end of the road.

The hardest thing is when something looks good on you, but you're just not feeling the style or whatever. I never know what to do then. Equal but opposite impulses to keep or toss.

...which is maybe what's going on with this poncho. You look really good - really good - in this poncho, but seems to me you've been going kinda punk lately (which I love, LOVE!) (lol).

Also, perhaps this winter has been too cold for ponchos?

Anonymous

I'm a purger. It has to earn a place in my closet.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Rachylou, it's true what you said - I do think it's hard when something looks good but you're just not feeling the style.
Diana and Gabrielle, I'm a slow purger because once things earn a place in my closet, I just can't seem to get them to move out!

Deborah

Veteran

I am an obsessive purger:) I don't wear anything unless I am "feeling it" for my style. I have a poncho that I bought last year. I must have been having some kind of 'episode' when I bought it and have worn it once, really not sure what I was thinking lol... you have just reminded me I need to pop it on Ebay.

I do love your poncho tho. This is gorgeous and I think a keeper.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Sometimes I will give a piece one last try-on/ wear before I purge.

I have a holding area for these items, and sometimes they are taken out and put back in my wardrobe, but mostly not.
I try to purge current season items only, and wait and see for next season stuff.

Freckles

Veteran

Not answering your question but have you thought about wearing it while reading in bed/on the couch? If you don't wear it in your day to day regular life maybe it could come in really handy for that? Comfy, warm, cozy...
Hope it makes it back into your regular life wardrobe though, ylf in it.

K. Period.

Veteran

Your poncho looks cozy and flattering. If you think it has a chance, I'd tuck it away and keep it for next year. Maybe next autumn you'll be very excited to break it out again.

In response to your question, I am trying to be a more aggressive purger! My natural impulse is to hang onto things, even things I don't like anymore or that didn't ever really work. It is a bad habit in my family. I have been purging more aggressively lately because I've found that the things I was holding onto were keeping me from wearing the things I really loved. I felt obligated to wear things that I hadn't worn recently. Keep 'em in rotation, you know? But each time I was wearing one of them, I was missing an opportunity to wear something that I really loved while I really loved it and was excited about it. Eventually that love and excitement fades, so you've missed your chance to squeeze the most fun and happy wearing out of the item. So, I'm working on not letting my old, dead-weight items drag me down. That means more aggressive purging!

Sarah A

Veteran

I really like how you have styled your poncho here. I think it could have potential even for fall, ya know...once the winter blahs have passed a bit you know and you might be more excited about it then. Fun with the tights. As to your question. I was just thinking of starting a thread about how I have this desire to rid myself of basically everything that is in my closet that is beyond a few months old (that is when i really stopped thrifting--i am not careful enough with my decisions there) and start fresh. I probably wont do it, i just cant get over the amount of money sunk into all those many many clothes right at the moment. But I think I will try a boutique in a downstairs closet a la Lisa's DH Closet Challenge and (gasp) buy a few new things that really call to me currently too.

E

Veteran

I have a tendency to pull items back out of the 'potentially purging box' for one last chance before getting rid of them, only to put them on/attempt to style them and discovered there was a reason they were in the box. I'm a slow/cautious purger though, and occasionally I've brought something back into rotation from the box successfully! I definitely don't get rid of something if I still like it/it fits me, even if I don't reach for it terribly often. But then, I'm comfortable having a larger wardrobe.

The poncho looks nice on you, but I know I'd be driven nuts by the fabric getting in my way when I was using my arms. Perhaps that's why you haven't reached for it much?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

K.Period, that very thought was in my mind today - I was missing the opportunity to wear the items that I really love. And you're right about that excitement fading, as I loved this poncho last year. And Sarah, I like the boutique idea, and I wonder how much I would actually "buy."

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look on trend in this poncho, and it's fun to see it with a skirt.

To answer your question, I purge if I don't love the item anymore. But will keep if I still love it, but don't wear it.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm like Angie if I still love it but don't wear it I keep. I have a longer skirt & wide linen pants that are years old but they have felt fresh again this summer.

If it isn't the best quality & I'm not wearing it then it goes - most things are replaceable or even better, upgradeable imo

karymk

Veteran

I am so fickle Karie. Who knows what I will end up LOVING and what I will go lukewarm on in two weeks, like the white leather booties I bought awhile back. They've already gone to the Salvation Army. I like this piece. It is a different shape, which gives your wardrobe more variety.

Helena

Veteran

I do purge a lot, although I do have some pieces I keep longer than I should (e.g. things my mom buys me )

That said, when I venture outside my uniform, the adventurous piece usually doesn't last long in my closet.

In this case, the poncho looks GREAT on you - but follow your instincts; if you don't love it, someone else will

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look amazing in this poncho and I love the entire outfit. If you don't enjoy it after having worn it -- then by all means let it go. But if you've changed your mind, I hope you'll wear it lots!

I purge anything I don't truly love. It bothers me to see stuff that I'm not wearing in my closet, and it bothers me even more to wear stuff I don't care for anymore.

I do keep things that I love but am not currently wearing, especially if I know that their time will come around.

Here's a really simple example I was thinking about today. I currently own three winter coats. A red wool knee length, a black and blue colour block pea coat, and a grey puffer.

Last year, I almost never wore the puffer. Maybe 10 times in the entire winter? I even went so far as to store it in our basement hooks because I wasn't reaching for it at all. The weather pretty much permitted wool coats all winter!

Well, roll around to this year. I wore my wool coat today for the first time -- literally -- since mid-December. I have worn that blasted puffer every day.

I love all three coats (well...not the puffer so much right now, but you get the idea!). If I had purged my puffer last year, I'd be in big trouble. But likewise, next year may be another "wool coat" winter.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Karymk, I don't think I could bring myself to purge things so quickly. And E, the fabric doesn't get in the way when using my arms - it's just short enough not to, which is another plus.
Even though I just took 6 bags of clothing to the Salvation Army today, it does take me a long time to purge items I once loved. I still have a wool fuchsia suit from 1986 that was my favorite, and I can't bear to part with it! The blazer still fits, but the skirt is a tad small. I also still have a black wool skirt from the mid 80's that's in the same fit category as the fuchsia skirt.
Suz, it's a good thing you kept that puffer coat! This has been one brutal winter!

E

Veteran

Oh good that the poncho doesn't get in your way! And yay for slower purging, hehe.

Windchime

Veteran

You put together a very attractive outfit with your poncho! Do you think you'll keep it?

When I read in your post "yet if I were to see it in a store today I would pass it up", a lightbulb went on in my mind. What a great criteria for deciding what to keep and what to purge! I'm just starting to look through my S/S clothes, all bought pre-YLF, and I'm going to be asking myself frequently, "would I buy it now?"

I also appreciate the suggestion to keep what we love, even if we're not currently wearing it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I think that poncho looks terrific on you. I do sometimes force myself to wear things I just have - but mainly to see it I can get rid of it. (But I think you should keep the poncho!)

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