Keep or toss? Purge help! - YouLookFab Forum

I'm trying to purge my wardrobe and could use some help with some old pieces I'm on the fence about.

The first one is a blue silk dress I got a few years ago at an import shop--it came from Vietnam or Thailand, I don't remember. It is a teeny bit big on me, meaning a bit looser and more voluminous than I'd like, but I still like the color and overall shape. But I am not sure if this style is just completely out of fashion now, especially with the ruffles. It ties in the back and the tie tends to slip and slide out of its initial tightness. I included a close-up so you can see the fabric.

The second is a black dress from the early 2000s... It has an empire waist and a hi-lo hem. The skirt is sheer with a much shorter lining, as you can see in the close-ups. It's a bit on the tight side now on me (it used to fit better back then). I definitely wouldn't wear it with naked legs as I do in these pictures, because it's too much exposure, but I imagine if I wore this with dark stockings the effect might be more subtle. Or maybe I'm just too old for this?

Third is a shimmery, sort-of-iridescent pink silk pantsuit I wore in 2004 for a wedding (wow, my clothes are a decade old--is that bad???). The fabric appears way shinier and "liquid" in these pictures than it really is (weird effect from bright natural light). I took a close-up of the jacket that is much more realistic in the tone and shininess of the fabric. The pants are straight but with a sort of wide-ish leg, and that's keeping me on the fence about them. I still love the jacket, but I wonder if the fit is dated--arms are a bit too wide, and the hook belt closure is hard to work with. But still... could it look good with jeans perhaps?

Then, a silky polyester black skirt that's slim-fitting with a lace hem (hard to see in the photos), also hi-lo. I still love this simple skirt but wonder if it is also dated (again, this is at least 10 years old).

Next, a silky polyester red dress from the early 2000s. I love this dress (even though the armholes are a bit tight now--my ribcage expanded post-pregnancy), but I wonder about the sequined decoration. Is it too much? Too shiny? A bit tacky?

Finally, a silky polyester skirt from Banana Republic from the mid-2000s. I love the print so much, but it has a high waist (which I tried to show in these photos). That's OK except that it's so uncomfortable! Is it worth keeping and maybe rigging or changing in some way?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or votes for keeping/tossing any of these items.

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11 years ago

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Veteran

I would consider holding on to the bright blue dress if it did not have the tie back. That feature seems very juniors or 90's, maybe both, to me now. I don't know your age, but if you are in your 40's like me, it might be time to think about design elements like that.
I also think the pink pantsuit could be altered to a thinner, ankle length cigarette leg and maybe the buckle removed to update it. That's if you love it and want to modernize it.
I'm not particularly enamored of the rest. Is the purge for more room? To clear dated items?

carter

I like the black dress (with black stockings). Agree with Mo on possible updating of the pink suit. The rest does feel a bit dated, though you flatter it all.

rachylou

I'd keep the black and the pink, but that has a lot to do with my personal style.

Isis

I'd purge everything if you are on the fence. It all looks slightly dated to me, and I love the psychological freedom of getting rid of stuff! Also frees up room for a new jacket, great skirts, etc.

rabbit

I'd keep the black dress in 6-9 if it's comfortable enough now and assuming you like how it looks with hose and it works well with your personal style.

Caro in Oz

You don't mention loving any of these If I were you I would let them all go.

K.M.

Thanks, everyone! Mo, I am trying both to make room and also get rid of dated stuff. My closet is cluttered, yet I wear the same tired pieces over and over again. These items I haven't worn in forever, but everytime I try them on something keeps me from tossing them. Although, in response to Caro: no, I don't love any of them, although I did love some of them a lot in the past (like the black skirt with lace) and perhaps I'm being sentimental.
So thanks for all the helpful feedback! I hadn't realized how old these pieces were (10+ years) till I started to describe them. I guess it's inevitable that they are dated... (But I can't shake off my love for the fashion of the 90s and early 2000s... I'm in my 40s now and I feel that my 20s and early 30s is when I came of age with my style, so I'll always like the look of that era.)

I hear you! It took me quite some time when I first joined here to get it through my head that the tight short tops of summer of 2000 were not 'it' anymore. LOL. Really.
At first it can be a bit hard letting go of what worked then, but when you discover what works now, it's twice as awesome.

Echo

It is hard for me to be objective about the blue dress, simply because the colour is my weak point. I'd actually consider having a tailor take it in and remove the tie (perhaps add a zipper) in order to keep it, but it may not be worth the effort for you. The rest do feel a bit dated to me. The pink suit could also be updated and do well, but again the bother and the expense of alterations are only worth it if you think it will elevate those pieces to "love" status again. Otherwise you will have altered pieces that you still don't wear.

And I agree that purging is very freeing. Ridding my closet of unnecessary space-takers just feels good, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. And there are always new things to take the place of those we get rid of, too.

Anonymous

I kind of like the black skirt and could see that as something worth holding onto. Seems versatile and like it could be a good background piece.

But I agree on purging the rest. I do think the cut of the black dress is gorgeous on you, but would probably toss because the sheerness of the skirt starting that high up seems a little juniors-like and hard to wear. If it were a little less sheer, though….

Gigi

I think you look great in all the pieces, and I'm bad about telling what's dated and what's not, but I would recommend that you not spend any money on alterations unless you absolutely love the item. Otherwise, it's pretty much money down the drain. I would also suggest purging anything that doesn't fit right.

chadya

If you haven't worn them in over 2 years and they are taking up room in your closet-get rid of them, in addition they are also taking up your mental energy every time you look at or attempt to focus on them or in my case do the seasonal closet move. Let another person enjoy them as you did.

Elizabeth P

No advice from me, just commiserating. I am pathetic at purging, esp when i try things on and they fit well. As do the pieces you just posted. I think you've got excellent advice here, and I need to re-read it and take it to heart myself! Good luck!

citygirldc

If you're even thinking about purging, then it's time to purge.

Elizabeth, yes, it is so tough when things still fit. I always keep thinking... maybe one day they'll come back in fashion... maybe one day (that would be at least a decade from now) my daughter will find these pieces fun to wear (even if to a period costume party)...

Aubergine, I will probably keep the black skirt. It takes little room and I'm still a fan of slinky, soft, silky skirts (which nowadays seem to be not so in fashion anymore).

Gigi and Echo, I'm on the fence about the alterations... I've found that in the past I would spent a lot of money on altering garments and still not wear them again. But the thought of the pink trousers as slim cigarettes is appealing.

Thanks again for all the suggestions! I must say I did already fill two large bags with shoes and clothes other than these, so I'm feeling lighter already. I might post some of the shoes on the exchange forum, as many are still new but just don't fit me anymore after my feet grew a half size post-pregnancy...

@K.M.
Things do come back but they are never really the same, with few exceptions (Burberry Trench, Chanel stuff etc) when they come back it is with a new twist.

Aida

Hm I would be tempted to purge the lot to be honest. If you like 90s fashion, it's definitely coming back around. I think it's worth getting the updated version of those styles rather than rewearing the older version; the design details will read more modern and purposeful, and probably will still have enough of the elements you loved about them the first time around.

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