purging and sentimental attachment

As I go through the older clothes in my closet, I am finding that my BF has sentimental attachments to many of my outfits! I knew an old red sweater of mine that was WAY too short had to go last year but the BF pleaded I keep it. I was wearing it when went out on the town our first night together. And he's the one who remembers and attaches that value to it, not me! Last night I was gathering the latest pulls and he says why do you have 'x' in the pile, that was your top you wore in such and such picture! Does anyone else have this going on in their household? It's really weird because he is such a minimalist in his own wardrobe and will wear the same things 3 times each week with no trouble at all. Do I just hang on to appease him or tell him styles change and things have to GO? FWIW it's only 2 or 3 items that we're talking about . . .

15 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from

Maya

Veteran

The past is the past. Time to make new memories!

15 years ago

LeahJanes

Active Member

I get it from my husband too, not just with clothes but with everything. He likes it when the house is minimal and clutter-free so I just remind him of that when he starts getting sentimental about a chipped coffee mug or a sweater with a hole in it.

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, Maya, when you add in the fact that this was NINE years ago I wore that sweater you can imagine the dated appearance lol.

@Leah, LOL! Great come back! Mine is also a super minimalist in the house. No bookcases, nothing on the coffee table. I'll remember that tack, thanks!

15 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I think I would tell him that if he wants to keep them for sentimental reasons, he's welcome to keep them in his closet, or in a special keepsake box that he maintains. Your wardrobe is for your clothes that you wear now, not keepsakes. If it's on him to keep them, he'll probably see the silliness in the idea. Remind him that it's the memory, not the clothes he wants to hold onto. If you've got the picture, why do you need the sweater?

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Hey, Traci, excellent point about the picture - I have pics of each and every item he's mentioned! He always says I have way too many clothes, too. So funny. I don't think he's *that* set on my having them forever but he does make his opinion known that he likes said items. I guess I should be thankful he remembers good times together, down to what we are wearing!

15 years ago

Velma

Veteran

I'm with Traci, Mo. My husband is also a bit sentimental--about MY stuff, not his. Another idea: perhaps you can recall the jewelery you were wearing on some of these occasions, and point out to him that you still have those "keepsakes"? I sometimes wear my wedding earrings out with my husband, even though they are not my current style.

15 years ago

Vix

Veteran

I do think it's sweet he remembers and is attached to the items!

I was recently mulling this sentimental thing over because I realized one of the reasons I just paid $50 to have some boots retreaded is because I have SO many good memories associated with them...they have taken me all over the place on most of my rare vacations!

[Obviously they are also comfortable!]

I really do think it's easier since you're not the one wanting to hang on, ha. Last year I felt I my boot were worn down enough after 4 years and annual re-heeling that I specifically bought "replacement" boots then, and have been wearing them lots since purchasing. But they don't compare to the old faithfuls (kept for crappy weather)...hence my springing for sole surgery and spruce up.

However, since you aren't likely to knit extra length onto that sweater, I bet you would have good luck with your sentimental sweetheart if you got a NEW red sweater or Item Similar to the One You Wore (assuming the modernized style is one that appeals). Because maybe he just really likes you in red sweaters, right?

So I vote pass the torch, change the guard, find things you love to wear...surely at least one new piece will give him something to sigh over deeply when IT hits the donate/discard pile down the line!

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Mo, that's incredible - my DH would not remember anything I wore (or else I'm not wearing memorable outfits). He was impressed with the check I got from the consignment place, though - so maybe if you consign your items and get some cash out of them, he'll feel less sentimental.

Funny, I thought this post was going to be about YOU feeling sentimental!

15 years ago

Anonymous

Its hard when you have those sentimental feelings about clothing items. But with 2 kids, its impossible to keep EVERY single item because of the memories. So I do keep one or 2 key pieces and store them in the keepsake box and the rest I just make sure there is a good picture of it somewhere. I'm sure that red sweater will fit nicely into your BF's keepsake box!

15 years ago

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