Purge regrets

Glory

Has anyone suffered from this?
I purged a winter coat 2 years ago which I had made. It was old but not worn. It was navy wool, cacoon coat. I hadn't worn it in a few years so thought I should get rid of it and now I just could kick myself.
Perhaps replacing with a new navy coat will make me feel better.

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I think most of us have a couple purge regrets. Having something else fabulous certainly can take the sting away.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Oh, this happens to me a bit more than I like. But the truth is that I think we remember things "better" than they actually were. There was a reason who hadn't worn it and if you put it on now, you might recognize that all over again.

Yes, get yourself something beautiful to replace to feel whatever need you thought your old coat would fulfill. Hang in there.

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Isabel - grabbing those words of wisdom. I think you are right that we remember them better than they really were. Thanks!!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Of all the hundreds of items I have purged over the years, I have regretted maybe three. So if this is one of your three, you're doing well!

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I second Isabel!!

Of course, more shopping is certainly in order! *enable* *enable* *enable*

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I have. But then thankfully, I also have a memory like a sieve and forget my regrets.

12 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I remember regretting purging some tops a couple of years ago. One day I found a bag in the garage, and in it I found the tops and some other items bound for Goodwill--I had forgotten them.

Oh happy me. I pulled out the tops and took them inside and tried them on.

You can predict the ending of this tale: next thing I took them back out and put them back into the Goodwill bag.

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Ditto Isabel and MsMaven. Every time that I've re-encountered the purged item (and it happens a lot, since my mom loves my hand-me-ups), I've realized my memory of it was much better than reality. There was always something I wasn't remembering that wasn't quite right about it. New navy coat sounds like the perfect thing!

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Not technically a purge, but I bought a beautiful navy herringbone Anne Klein pantsuit last year but it was a bit too small and after hemming and hawing about keeping it should I fit it one day, returned it. Now it would fit and I can't find it anywhere

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Not regrets but sometimes I catch myself in a store reaching for an item very similar to the one I purged. I have to stop myself and remind myself why it was not working for me.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I can relate but also support that it probably was not really a mistake.
Other than having a kind of systematic approach, such as trying not to edit wardrobe when you're tired, grumpy, feeling body-bad or something; maybe having a holding zone for 2nd thoughts; remembering the seasons, and not to go crazy purging sweaters in the summer--then I think we just have to move on.
I think of the alternatives and where I want to be--I don't want to have closets stuffed full of items not worn but waiting to see if they'll come back into style or use. I think it's fine to do this with a few items selected for fit, rarity, or that you like all the time, but will wear more or less when the trend is "up" vs. down.

12 years ago

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