Oops, I shouldn't have worn this.

This is a fashion hack I developed for myself recently, that might be useful for some, but not for all. That is because some people are able to make wise dressing choices all the time, and some of us are not.

I have a category of clothes that I call, "oops, I shouldn't have worn this," as in: I shouldn't have left the house in this. These clothes are not traditional lounge wear or tattered stuff that never leaves the house, but they are clothes I like that for whatever reason, should NOT leave the house.

Some examples are: a great, current fashion t-shirt someone put in the free pile at work, that I love, but should NOT wear to work, for obvious reasons. A flattering white tank top that's a hit if not for the fact that it's graying. And on and on. People like me forget this stuff when we're dressing, and maybe go out in one of these faux pas.

So I put a box in my drawer for "oops, I shouldn't have worn this" clothes. Now I have a strong visual reminder for myself that these are great clothes, just not for every scenario.

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4 months ago

Jenny H

Veteran

I'm glad you found a solution that works for you!

I guess maybe I don't care enough what people think to avoid wearing a work free pile item to work (I'm pretty sure I've done the equivalent in the past).

Suz

(website)

I am curious about thsi category! I don't have such clothes -- I mean, ones I like but would not leave the house in. Apart from PJs and undies on their own, I mean. Maybe a few of my gardening items...

Sal

I am pleased this is working.

I have a few gardening or gear pieces that have specific purposes - a merino tee that I really only wear under other tops or on early morning walks. Or ripped jeans that get worn in the yard.

I am not immune to malfunctions though- three weeks ago I split my trousers at work. Just more worn in the seat than I had realised. I wore my long coat for the day inside the office.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I find this idea both practical sounding and hilarious! Like Suz, I can't really think of anything I have that fits in this category. But your examples make sense, and it's kind of genius!

Janet

I have some things that are almost strictly at-home wear — stuff I wear to clean or garden, or loungewear. But I will run out for a quick errand in my “grungies” sometimes. Usually I try to wear something out and about that wouldn’t embarrass me if I run into a neighbor or something.

Jenni NZ

Would you not get rid of the graying top? I would. It can’t make you feel good like that?

Joy

What I should not do is put some things together they look ok broken up but too much like stuff is awful and should not go out of the house.

Roberta

Ha, this is kind of brilliant! It would be a small box but nonetheless useful. I have a pair of bright yellow gauze pants that are perfect for warm days around the house but should not be seen by anyone other than family. I also have a couple of tops that are maybe a little short, or a little sheer, but again, are great in which to watch the Olympics for 5 hours.

Jaime

Good solution that sounds like it works for you! I have a whole set of clothes that I only wear at home, for walks or as far as the small grocery two doors down. They are very different than my public facing clothes, and are all kept together on shelf in my wall closet.

Star

I do have clothes in this category. Skirts that are too clingy, T-shirts that are a bit short. I wear them at home. I don't need to keep them in a reminder place because I know that I do not want to be seen out in them. Just yesterday I was wearing one of said skirts and my DH (who has a fussy eye) told me how nice it looks a couple of times and insisted I wear it out, so maybe I am over critical. I have a lot of Ts and once they are not so fab for public wearing I keep them for sleeping in. However when white ones get grey I ditch them. There is something about a not-so-white T that even feels too 'blegh' for sleeping in. If this system works better for you, perfect!

Dee

Great solution to help you remember. I’m a bit like Jaime with some everyday clothes for wearing around the house or walking/biking in the neighbourhood. They are easy access in my closet and if I’m not going anywhere in particular that’s what I'll wear most of the time. Then I have my public clothes which I always enjoy choosing from, I hate the thought of ruining or staining them if I’m just putzing around my house.

ophelia

There are products for whitening whites. I have something called Blu or similar. I got it on Amazon. It worked on a yellowing skirt, so it might work on whites that are graying. I do think it’s hard on fabrics. I soak items in a bucket then wash with regular detergent.
The directions say it shouldn’t be used on anything with print.

I need to create a photo section of "Opps, don't wear this."

judy

That's a great solution, Carol! Whatever works. Reminds me of old worn out (and even with irreparable holes) cashmere sweaters I'd relegate to "cooking sweaters" for cold weather. Currently I have none of them and honestly, I miss them . On your greying white shirt, there are some home remedy laundry fixes if you google.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Interesting!

I don't leave the house in loungewear, slippers, crocs, or pyjamas. For the rest, I don't have such clothes or shoes.

Lisa

What an interesting concept, thanks for sharing.

Rock

Active Member

What a great idea to identify these items. Like Joy, I would need a photo section. For work, I’m (mostly) constrained to a business formal wardrobe. But when I’m not at work, I love fashion and lean into stompy boots and hard edge or architectural styles. Where I get into trouble is stifling the desire to infuse my work wardrobe with items from my off-work wardrobe. Then I show up at work and have that unpleasant “oops” feeling. Identifying these items will be a good reminder to not mix wardrobe business with wardrobe pleasure.

Bella Gal

Interesting. I’m across the pond and when we find ourselves with clothes that fall into this category they become “functional” items. That means they are delegated to cleaning, gardening, craft clothes. Clothes that you still need to wear but are NEVER going to go out in public. Good point though

LaPed

I’d buy a box of RIT dye to refresh the white tank top so it can go back into rotation! Choose a darker color that makes you happy and give it a new lease on life.

Carol

Thanks for all the replies...

it seems people in general usually fall in one of two categories. 1) organized, aware of their wardrobe, and aware of what they will and won't wear out. 2) wears any old pajama pants to the store (maybe not you, but there certainly are many people like this.)

Then there's that unusual third category of people like me, who care how they look, but get overwhelmed when facing the closet/chest. This solution is practical for people like me.

In terms of the graying white tops--yes, I do eventually get rid of them. But sometimes I will wear them around the house until I get around to getting a new one.

3 months ago

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