The Last of It. - YouLookFab Forum

So, inspired by all the closet clearing going on lately, I decided to remove the very last of the items in my closet I can no longer wear. These are clothes I have loved--and would not replace--but keep wearing--if I could fit into them. Interesting to me, (but probably to no one else) they were all about the same size--14 or 1X.

I cleared fifteen hangers. Among them I found some I still love.

Tops:
1- 3 button woven suit jacket with a "shirt" like collar. Gorgeous--like a heavy crepe fabric. Label said Louben petites. Made in Canada. In Navy.

1-3 button flared crepe shirt that fell to crotch length. Split side seams. Cream with gorgeous mother of pearl buttons. This was my "go to" dress up shirt for years (with a cream silk straight skirt).

Bottoms:
1- denim pencil skirt.
1 pair of mid-rise medium wash "Gloria Vanderbilt" straight leg denim jeans. Beautiful quality to the cotton.
1 pair of button fly medium grey wash jeans. Probably mid-rise.
1 pair of ponte knit pants with side zippers. (I just bought these two years ago and loved them. I replaced them this year in a larger size.)

Dresses:
1 sleeveless, jewel neck, button down mid-wash denim sheath-like dress. I always planned to wear turtlenecks and tights with it come winter--but I got too heavy. (Talbots)

The rest are variations of a fit and flare--only mid calf or longer. The waist on every single one fell just below my bust--the LL. Bean actually fell right at my natural waist which was a major reason I loved it. (And the colour)

1- extremely light cotton print wild with pattern. Mostly emerald green. I've had this 20 years? Jewel collar, pleated bodice. Fabulous, absolutely fabulous in hot weather.
1- grape, long sleeved 100% cotton L.L. Bean. jewel neck.

The point is--I was surprised--I would love each and every one of these items--and I would wear them in a flash if they fit. I am surprised that my taste has endured and remained consistent. It has changed with respect to home decor (my other hobby) but not clothes. Then again, I have been stagnant with my closet and my clothes--and maybe in a year all will be changed.

Question: should I pack these garments away for a slimmer day (as I have been doing for years already) or should I try and sell them--or give them away?

What do you think? What would you do?

11 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Well, as someone who just finished a closet clean-out, I suggest that you only keep something that doesn't fit if it has significant sentimental value, and even then, maybe just take a picture of it. Will you really miss any of the items? Are there any there that you will regret not having? If you do lose weight, are you certain that these are the exact items you would want back, or would you want something fresh and maybe updated?

Jen W

Active Member

If you are actively trying to lose weight, I would keep them set aside. I had a box of 6-8 favorites that I've worn to pieces this year after I could fit into them again. But if you will use them to beat yourself up, at all, let them move on to another home and make way for new favorites to come your way.

Suz

(website)

These items sound beautiful. Your pleasure in the fabrics, cuts, and colours comes across.

But if they don't fit now, they are only holding you back.

Dress the body you have today. One of Angie's mantras.

Alana in Canada

I don't beat myself up with these pieces--and I am not currently actively trying to lose weight. (Though, I do have plans to start exercising again, purely because I need to build my stamina, strength and flexibility.)

I think I'll find a nice box or clothing bag for them.

Gigi

I guess if it were me, I would ask myself whether I see myself losing weight in the next year. If so, I would keep and set them aside, as Jen recommends. But if you don't see yourself losing weight, it might be better to purge them and try to find replacements.

I went through something similar. I lost a lot of weight due to health issues, and there were some clothes I had that no longer fit. I set them aside, but the weight didn't come back (it took five years, yikes!). Anyway, I held on to the pieces for four years, and by that time (which also coincided with one year of my being on YLF) I decided to let them go. A lot of why I got rid of them was my changing taste in style and a more discerning eye—I was able to see that the clothing was actually a little worn and a little dated. Coincidentally, not long after I purged them, I started gaining my weight back, ha ha. But I am not sad that I gave them up, because now I have space in my closet for the new things that I want to try out!

My style tastes didn't change substantially in my time at YLF, but I did become quite a bit more particular and fussy about what felt like "me." You might find that too, after spending more time on the forum.

Firecracker (Sharan)

It sounds like you really love some of these clothes, and I would keep those. As you say, find a nice box or a good way to store them for a while longer. You may feel differently about keeping them later on--after a few months, a year, who knows? I would pass on the jeans, because they tend to date the most in style and cut. And if you do return to the smaller size, you can treat yourself to a new pair of jeans or two!

DonnaF

How many pounds are you away from these items fitting? Because I'm short, four or five pounds is enough for me to change pants and skirt sizes, but it takes more for me to change sizes up top. A bout with the flu or pneumonia can cause me to lose eight to ten pounds -- for a couple of weeks, but then I gain back pretty quickly. If you are not actively trying to lose weight and your weight and size doesn't fluctuate a lot on its own which I know it does for some women, I would give them up.

P.S.: I think I have sister jeans in black and wine to your Gloria Vanderbilts. I have had the black ones forever so I've been telling myself that charcoal is the new black and my way of being RATE.

misapb

If you have successfully lost weight recently and you expect that trajectory to continue then keep them. If not then say goodbye. Embrace and love the present you for it is fabulous!

Staysfit--you have been so inspiring with your closet clean out! I have done several closet clean outs in the past--and I have pictures of some very beautiful clothing to show for it. Great idea.

Jen W--Well, I am afraid I might lose a little weight. These pieces are a beautiful beginning to a great little capsule. It just needs some decent tops.

Suz--cutting to the chase!

Gigi--thanks for telling me more about your journey. I am very glad you didn't regret giving them up--but it sounds as though you were completely ready to do that. That is important.

Firecracker--jeans! Oh, how I love a good pair of jeans! I haven't told you about the absolutely perfect (and original) pair of boyfriend jeans I did NOT cull from the closet. They are Brax jeans--worth a lot of money in their day. The absolutely perfect faded blue--with home made ripped knees. I wore them so much.

DonnaF--we are jean twins! And charcoal is the new black--especially this year. How much will you wear them?

Misapb--thanks for the affirmation. Yep. I am fab--even when I don't feel like it.

I just realised something. I loved those items--and I hardly ever wore them (except for the grey jeans, but that was because I had no other bottoms for about a half a year.) I "saved" them. For what????

I never found the proper tops or the proper bottoms. Of course, until recently, I would never have paired that crepe navy jacket with the denim skirt. I would now. What a great outfit those two pieces could make--(and with a red and navy plaid shirt, lol!)

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