Keep or toss, chapter one: sweaters.

Last year's major purge eliminated the huge offenders in my wardrobe, so I have harder choices this time around. But I am determined to quit hanging on to things too long after their expiration dates...I really want a wardrobe where I feel reasonably happy with everything, and FAB in most things.

The thing is, just taking these pictures helped the decisions along quite a bit. I'm inclined to toss all but one. I don't want to say which one because I want genuine feedback. You can even say toss them all. I am tired of them, they look tired (included a close up to see the knit looking worn), some of them make me look busty and I hate that, and taking the pictures did not feel even a little fab.

What is your vote..toss all? Any worth keeping?

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12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

#2 is the keep right?

JAileen

I like #5 - it's a pretty color on you. Not a fan of #4 - my 89 year old mother would like it though. The others are ok.

Glory

Maybe 4 and 6 are keepers. Would it be possible to see a clearer one of 4?I think the pattern is quite interesting.
I know what you mean - I purged hugely last year and then when I swapped things out a few weeks ago, ended up purging every single top I had.

Lenni A

Active Member

2 is pretty basic. Is it a hoodie? Maybe you could try the blazer-over-hoodie look with this item. It looks soft and not bulky. I can't see the wear on 4 but I think the graphic white and black design looks fun. I don't think 5 is bad either. Maybe with a collared shirt, a more colorful top, or a striped top?

3 looks cozy but a little geriatric and I don't care for 6 either. Those two are my least favorites.

minimalist

If you have sweaters you love, then I'd say all/most of these would be dearly appreciated by clients of Dress for Success or a similar program.

If one's a keep, I like the way #2's collar frames your face. #3 looks fun and cosy; purple fisherman cardigan, what's not to love?! it would be a major upgrade to my lounge capsule, but please tell me that's not what you're working toward. #5, I agree with JAileen that the color is nice on you, but the texture reminds me of macramé.

Anonymous

I would purge them all. You look gorgeous in the purple and lavender color wise. #2 and #6 could go with skirts but look short for pants.

Tanya

I also vote to get rid of all of them. The soft colors are beautiful on you.

Pat_P

I like #5 a lot. And the black and white pattern on 4 is interesting. I too would like to see another photo of that to see it more clearly.

Peri

Love these comments! Not kidding...I thought some of them look geriatric too, and JAileen's mother liking #4, well you can't get a girl to toss a sweater any faster than that!

Lenni, no 2 is not a hoodie. In my climate a sweater is plenty...jacket over a sweater would be a sauna.

I love the color of 6 but don't like the fit...I think it has shrunk through much washing, and the close up shows how smooshed and pilled the yarn is.

I will tell later which one I'm leaning towards keeping, but even just taking the pictures was a good exercise. I almost thought, why post pictures of these dreary things...and realized that was a pretty strong answer.

Kristin L

I would keep #6 and donate the rest.

Janet

(website)

I'm with Tracina and Tanya. I hate to say toss to everything, and some of these colors are nice on you, but it sounds like you're ready for an update! There are some fab sweaters out now.

I'd say keep #3 if you keep one. It's a really pretty color and I could see it looking cozy and rustic in chic way, maybe with jeans and cool boots.

Beth Ann

Another vote for letting them all go, unless one has a sentimental attachment. I could see #3 being nice to have for cozying up at home.

Suz

Another vote for sending them away. The colours are pretty on you but they are tired looking and not fab enough for you! On to better items!

sarah

I would send them off, except perhaps 6. Some of them look too short (2) and others look dated. But I agree with the others that those colors are lovely on you. You look so great in purple/lilac!

Gigi

My favorites are 2, 3, and 6. Nothing jumped out at me as great, however. Everything seemed kind of mediocre.

I love that soft greenish color, #2, but I agree with tossing them all -- they're looking a little sad.

Lantana

I am on the toss the lot bandwagon. I'm disregarding colours because clearly they all suit you from that viewpoint. Cable knits, with the exception of handknits, show their age emphatically. The cables lose their loft, so the whole point of them is lost. The loft = warmth so they won't feel as cosy. This is one good reason to toss or demote sweaters. Their whole point is warmth, right? My forensic knitter's eye also notes the ribbing on yours has lost some of its elasticity so the fit at the waistband is no longer trim.

Can these sweaters function elsewhere in your wardrobe or household?

Mia

I love the colour of #6 on you and I like that it shows your nice figure but I have a feeling it might feel a little "wash worn" now and you are ready for an update.

Some of these look like demotion candidates for sure if you need sweaters for times when you have a reason not to wear your items in main rotation. I always wear something old when we go cut down our Christmas tree for fear of sap!

annagybe

Another vote tossing them all. They just don't look current.

Thanks everyone, for reinforcing what I was feeling...helps me pass them on. I'm really tired of them, they look really tired...even more so in person...and I want better. Putting them on just to take pictures pretty much made up my mind...drab, not fab!

It's funny, the varied opinions on which is the least bad. It is 5 that I'm leaning towards keeping, but demoting to lounge and evening wear. It is soft and cozy and a little bit sentimental. The others are gone gone gone!

Transcona Shannon

Glad to hear you're letting them go Peri - and totally understanding about keeping #5.

More room in your closet for fab things

What a fun thread, Peri! Love that you have such a thick skin about it, and I trust you'll enjoy #5 for its sentiment and comfort.

amiable

Yay for decluttering! I'm enjoying the process myself!

Echo

I think #4 could work with the black and white trend this season if styled correctly, and 5 isn't as not-good as the others, IMO. But there aren't any that stand out as fabulous to me because the fit on many of them seems off.

Nicole D

Haha! I was going to say keep #5. It's cozy.

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