No more culling for a while - YouLookFab Forum

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No more culling for a while

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I got rid of a lot of clothes after I lost weight last year, and even more before we moved this June. I know that many of you have said you never regret items you've gotten rid of, but several times recently I have wanted items back. I think I've gotten too used to culling, and then using the empty space to justify buying more clothes. So I'm going to take a break from getting rid of anything that is not literally worn out. I think I'll come up with some sort of holding zone for items I'm tired of, and put them away from the rest of my clothes somewhere.

Has anyone else done anything like this? I guess I'm trying to slow down the binge/purge cycle of buying, or at least be more thoughtful about it.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from

deb

Veteran

I think you are on to something. I have done the same thing in the past. Now if I purchase something new I try to find something to pass on.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oh, yes! I completely disregard the "if you haven't worn it in a year" rule. I sometimes find that an item that was orphaned for a year or two gets new life. Now -- I don't keep worm, ill-fitting or dated clothes, but sometimes I just think we tire of things temporarily and may eventually see ways to style them in new ways. A holding zone allows me to do this.

Deborah

Veteran

Its very easy to develop a purge mentality and almost become addicted to the idea of continually cleaning out.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have things that are 15 years old that I may not wear for a couple of seasons but I keep them because I love them & I have always come back to them. Having said that I try to keep the numbers small by keeping only the best.

Lucy

Veteran

Yes, as long as I intrinsically like the item, and it's not worn out, sometimes I will hold onto something, especially if it is a really good fit. My once much loved denim skirt has recently come out to play again, and I'm happy not to have to search for another new one, as it is a great fit and very comfortable. So on some occasions, I think it is ok to hold onto the odd thing, especially if it is not clogging up too much room!

Sal

Veteran

Yes I agree. If I like it and it is flattering and in good shape I am slow to purge. If I decide it is unflattering or just not me I will pass it on more quickly.
But I try to purchase things that will be slow to date - not that I always get that right.

rute

Veteran

Laura, that never happens to me. I never look back, the rule of giving what I didn't wore last year s perfect for me!
I have old items that I wear year after year like my faux fur vests but when I dislike an item there is no turning back and if I try to wear one more time I feel bad all day. I guess is just my personality!

Elly

Veteran

The only times I've ever reggretted purging items was when I haven't been able to replace them and didn't have something to wear to an event, or ended up wearing something uncomfortable. I purge when --- something is so not me that I pass over wearing it every time, even when my favorite items are in the wash --- when something honestly doesn't fit right, it is too small, really huge, or is uncomfortable (my pet peeve) --- when an item looks shabby or is a perpetual orphan and everything I try fails. That said, I am not a big shopper so I tend to buy only what I need or love.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It's interesting to read everyone's reactions to this idea. I think I got too addicted to the 1-in-1-out rule, and I'd get rid of things I was a little bored with just so I could get something new. Of course, before I joined YLF I hadn't gotten rid of a lot of stuff for a long time, so some culling was definitely due. But now it's become a habit that's a little unnecessary.

Elly

Veteran

See, because I have a small wardrobe I feel like I can add a piece or two I love without guilt (no true 1 in 1 out here) and I also wear stuff out so I feel like there is almost always something to replace.

rabbit

Veteran

Yeah I rarely purge things that I like, are in good condition, and fit well. I'm enjoying wearing many of those items bought years ago now.

ETA: I go back and forth about dated-ness though, sometimes I've purged something and regretted it, sometimes I've held on until it becomes readily apparent that it it's a look that is coming back.

bj1111

Veteran

I just purged 40% of my wardrobe. I gave away duplicates...now i regret a few items that i forgot i had given away.

It's worse with shoes. ALWAYS regret purging shoes, even if i dont realize it until a few years later.

N-Marie

Veteran

I think that's wise. I'm so very glad I did not purge my Express Editor trousers when the flared-leg look went into hibernation. I recently pulled them out of storage and put them back into rotation. I must be something of a packrat- for example I wouldn't dream of purging any of my more bodycon styles just because the current style is more fluid. They may go into storage but I always assume there's a possibility that the style will swing back again.

unfrumped

Veteran

Overall have had more buying regrets than tossing regrets, and I don't think I did it on purpose to create churn, it was more because I didn't have a good focus and vision, so have made progress in being more discerning. Also want to really put something through its paces during its season, or multiple seasons, to see if it behaves reliably. I'm into a combination of versatile and reliable as criteria and having a modest version of a signature style--things that when I put them on, they look and behave just like I envisioned, and I like the outfit. So ideally I'll figure that out mostly by extensive try-on's before cutting the tags, and then IRL. If something seemed like it would work but does not, then out it goes. Usually if something fits really well--and that usually means "current fit" styles but can include "classic" if it feels comfortable, and of course I have to like it, I am trying not to just get "bored" but to find a way to re-work it. That's more because I think that's the kind of habit I want to keep after, but it's not a rigid rule that I'd get miserable over an item here or there. I just think it's a more sustainable way to maintain the wardrobe I want in the long term.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

A little more navel-gazing from me, after I just put up most of my summer clothes and pulled out the fall: I think I got into a mode where I was looking for the perfect thing, and getting rid of anything that doesn't seem perfect. When in reality nothing is perfect for long, and my mood and preferences change, and pretty good is often good enough. Especially when we're talking about the sunk cost of already purchased clothes, compared to new ones you'd have to buy.

shedev

Veteran

I'm nearly there. I'd like a new puffer, but after that I'd like to slow down buying/purging and focus more on wearing.

Deb

Veteran

I'm a reluctant purger though misfits, worn out, and unloved always go, and I never follow the one in, one out rule. Frankly, it doesn't make any sense to me. I need more of a reason than I bought something new to discard clothing. I have a few drawers in which I keep items that I still like but have fallen out of favour. A hibernation zone so to speak. Just last week I was going through those drawers and pulled out two wrap tops, two summer dresses and one pair of pants that haven't been worn for probably three years, but my interest in the styles has been reignited for this spring. At the same time I culled one bag of older, now unloved clothes from those draws, and four pairs of shoes that have had their day. This was my only cull in the past 12 months and I'm glad I held the items for a while to be certain of their departure. I feel I am good at choosing what is right for my body and usually select quality, classic items which curbs having to be too wasteful and probably won't cull again for another year.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I may have gotten a bit purge happy this summer, too. But on the other hand, I know I still have more than enough realistically to wear in my closet. I tended to cull the hard to style items that I always seemed to have to fuss with or that didn't fit quite right, and some shoes that were too conservative for me. I realized I need a little sass and edge in my footwear to not feel like a suburban mom, for lack of a better term. But I did get rid of some 'perfectly fine' items. I just never got to wearing them because I had other, better than just fine, things that I'd choose first. So I'm ambivalent at best about this lol.
Heading home into my F/W closet I will keep in mind that I don't need to cull just to cull but that I can let the season dictate what I need and keep by the end of it. What doesn't get worn will get a good looking at.

celia

Veteran

Yes, this happens to me, even with items I know didn't fit me for one reason or another. Like you know they are not good for you but you miss them when you give them away.

celia

Veteran

Forgot to say, this is why I am more cautious with purging now, and buying(sometimes).

Anonymous

I'm cautious abour purging and slow to do it. My issue right now is weight gain - I gained back the weight I lost unfortunately, but fortunately I kept a few pairs of pants from before I lost weight, so I still have them now that I need them. Not fun but I'm glad I don't have to go shopping to have something to wear (I gained about 15 lbs so that's a size for sure). Hopefully I'll lose again but it will take some time.

Anonymous

I am one of the people that frequently says she never regrets giving things away. That is mostly true. However, recently I put on weight and I am trying to find new work slacks to wear. The hunt has been a major failure and I am now regretting having not kept some of my larger size clothes.

The thing is I wonder if I would want to wear them today even if I had them. They would have "fit" but I wonder if my style hasn't evolved. So I just don't know anymore.