As I mentioned in my last post, I am a bit of a collector of unique wardrobe items. I have trouble editing them out, even when I’m not wearing them. I suffer from a (not completely unrealistic) fear that if I crave something like that again I will never be able to find it.

Case in point: my big patchwork bag.

I got it on a trip to New York in 2009. It’s very large and statement-ish. A bit Pucci on steroids.

My friend found it while we were shopping in Loehmanns, which was a great store. She decided not to buy it, and was happy for me to do so.

Since then I have used it a lot. But it really goes in and out of favour with me. One minute I love it, and then it feels like too much. I think last year I did not use it at all. But suddenly in August I felt the urge to use it again and have used it several times since.

Pic 1: We recently did a major closet installation in our spare room. I keep my clothes there now and it’s working much better for me. I decided I would display my more interesting bags so that I can see and enjoy them even if I don’t feel like using them. Of course, I only have room to display a few. Maybe I can rotate

Pics 2-3: The big bag with my bronze jeans (around 4 years old) and burgundy velvet jacket (around 6 years old). These are also items I think I will have trouble editing out. I expect they will have to disintegrate first.

Pic 4: The big bag with my DIY wine coloured denim skirt. The knit top (at least 10 years old and featured in my first WIW) is another example of what (to me) is a unique, hard to find item. I love this kind of open ladder knit. And it’s cotton. I still regret not buying other colour ways. (They had them. I remember!) And then there are my docs. Also at least 10 years old. I haven’t worn them at all for the last 2 years but am suddenly really into them again. Brown, 14 eye docs are non-existent at retail here. I’m glad I kept them. (I would love burgundy too.) And did I mention the vintage necklace? I searched for that for years. I am never editing it out, even if I wake up one day feeling totally over it. I know from experience that feeling could change.

Pic 5: The big bag with another denim skirt (DIY dyed light plum). (I am into long denim skirts for Spring.) I adore short sleeve cotton turtlenecks. The seasonal window for wearing them is quite narrow (late Autumn and early Spring). But during that window they are perfect. This one turned up at Zara a couple of years ago and I bought 4, and dyed them different colours. No regrets. They sit there waiting patiently for me, for whenever the moment is right.

It seems I am destined to have a large wardrobe. I’m lucky to have space under our new storage arrangements.

Is this an issue for you?