Do you purge first?

Shirley

This may have been discussed on the forum before and if so please point me to it.. My question is: do you purge a key item such as a basic black dress or skinny jeans first and buy a new one when you find it or wait till you find the replacement then send the item on its way? Here is the back ground. I have an Ann Taylor sleeveless dress for ten years, used occasionally and most as funeral outfit recently. It still fit ok but truthfully I am tired of it. And whenever I see some on line or in store I tried them on or order them but no luck so far. Or I was thinking that I may be subconsciously thinking I already have one and don't need to get one yet. Is this keeping me from getting new item to refresh my wardrobe or it is prudent to do so? Thanks in advance for your thoughts/advice.

12 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from Shirley

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Generally if it is your default dress I think it makes sense to hold until you find the replacement but in this case it seems to be weighing you down and maybe you need to purge first.

12 years ago

JulieJohn

Veteran

I am in the same boat as you on a few wardrobe staples I hesitate to upgrade. In my case, it's probably because I have better things to spend money on -- more immediately gratifying things, to be more accurate.

However, I have found in the past that when I take the time to bolster my basics, I am never sorry. When I needed a winter coat, which I use only rarely in my climate, and I splurged and bought a decent one, it made me breathe a sigh of fashion relief. And I smile every time I see it.

So maybe I'll take my own advice and get cracking on this blind spot: refreshing tired basics.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

This has been discussed recently. I think maybe Una started a thread? But I can't find it. If I purge a less than perfect, but usable, item - I force myself to replace it. But that can lead to hunting and not waiting for the right replacement to come along. Conversely, if I don't purge it, I may continue to wear it when really its time has long passed.
I did purge my red dress recently and got a replacement quickly thereafter. It's a bit thin of a jersey, but it will do.
I did not purge my white jeans and have been spending the whole month with online orders to find the 'right' ones. I have my old white jeans listed on Craigslist, but I physically still had them while searching for their replacement.
Comparing those 2 instances, I believe holding on to the item leads to better decision making for me, with the caveat that the item is still in perfectly good, wearable shape. If it's tattered or ill fitting it has to go. Period.

12 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I am a reluctant purger , so I almost never purge first. I have sometimes bought a replacement of something and then found I liked the old one better, so took back the new one. Sometimes you just can't replace a comfy, well worn, loved something. This goes mostly though, for shoes, boots, jackets, and jeans.

12 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I usually hang on to a useful item that I don't really like until I've replaced it. I'm afraid that, if I get rid of it without having a replacement, I'll need it and have nothing to wear.

But you're right, knowing it's there can slow down the replacement process. I've been trying to find the perfect dress pants for over a year, and I'm sick of having to wear the old ones that I don't really like.

12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

Im a ruthless purger so you can guess what my answer will be. Then again I think I have enough clothes to get by in most any situation, so it's not like I'd find myself in a pinch if I purged something. Those very few in a pinch situations that I have been in actually led to a good outcome in that I ended up spending more than I wanted to but came out with a better quality item than I would have otherwise.

12 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I hang onto the "good enough" item til I find a 10! I identify the need for replacement and then I go shopping with that in the back of my mind. I keep an eye out at all times and will only replace with a 9 or a 10. I already have the "good enough" one so I don't want to waste my money on another "good enough" item if time constraints get in the way and I"m forced to shop for something. Suppose another funeral came up between "purged" and "found my 10" what would you do? It makes more sense to me to find the 10 first, then let go of the other. I do not however keep wearing the 5 just because it's there. If I don't love it anymore I just don't wear it, and I know that. It's a waste of space in my closet.

That being said I have no problem buying the 10 when I find it. I happily donate the "good enough" item then, and keep my closet 1 in, 1 out.

12 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Do you have an alternate funeral outfit? If so, I would purge the dress. Always best to get rid of negatively-associated clothes, imo. You'll feel happier without it.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Sometimes I use a sort-of strategy.
I try to see if the item is the only solution to an outfit or occasion, even if sporadic--snow boots in a climate with only occasional snow; serviceable black pumps with no good shoe alternative--that sort of thing. I keep those items.
Other items I try to see if they're keeping me from re-thinking--either replacement or a whole new direction.
I had quite a few jackets and blazers that didn't look right, though they were in excellent condition, so I'd been keeping. Then I tried out the what's the worst thing that can happen scenario and realized I could survive. So I tossed them out. This led to a new appreciation for several remaining jackets, a re-thinking of how many, what colors and what styles I really need, a realization that I don't need so many and/or I can use a careful selection with updates ,, and that I'd rather use a jacket-alternative--a light coat or trench, or a warmer top, than a so-so blazer.

12 years ago

Shirley

Active Member

So many wise advice. Thanks. I will go back and look at alternatives for said sad occasion. You know we are in a casual region and people dress casually even for funerals. I can probably just wear a dark work suit or black pants and black jacket (not a suit) for it.

12 years ago

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