The "Soft Cull" - Question about Quality

Dear YLF,

As per our previous discussion, I have started a soft cull of things in my closet. Is insufficient quality for my lifestyle a "reason" to cull something? Some of the garments in my closet still have tags on them and have never been worn, because they were of insufficient quality to meet my standards (they came into my world in a fit of random post-call-delirium shopping).

Examples:
- Static cling
- Unlined dresses that don't fit right
- Collars that flip because of poor interfacing (I MEAN YOU BLUE DRESS)

In addition, I've tried on a lot of my stuff from last year and I've found that I've shrunk, or those clothes have grown! Prune-prune time!

PS: Sorry Suz, my bicycle cardigan has past it's fab peak and now is like a saggy bag and is getting passed on. I guess that's what you can expect from Forever 21 quality (2 years of use!)

PPS: I wore my heart-print cardigan on the cardiology ward. AWESOME.

Much love,
Lyn

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

I think it's definitely a good reason to cull clothes. In my mind if it's insufficient for any reason, it's gone. I try not to over think the culling, if it should go, it goes. Do you really want to wear clothes that cling all day, don't fit right and flip up and annoy you? Especially if you have other wonderful items that work?

(website)

I have started to get better about tossing on quality alone, regardless of how much use I've gotten. But it took me until I was over 40 - you have a huge head start!
LOVE the idea of the heart print on the cardiology ward. I'm nerdy and whimsical like that

Anonymous

I found this a few weeks a go and kept it so I could remember....

pil

That sounds like a sensible approach for you lyn*, particularly since quality is an important qualifier for you. If you don't like them you're not likely to wear them - and they may be just the ticket for someone else. I'm not familiar with your heart sweater, I'll have to search the forum for a picture.

Suz

The bicycle cardi was two years old? I thought you got it in the spring? Sheesh...

But yeah...2 years for ANY cardigan is quite a lot. Knits don't last long.

I'd say poor quality and poor fit are the top reasons to cull. TOSS them!! Without compunction, without regret. Take off that heart cardigan and be heartless with the less-than-perfect!

Marley

I love the title of this thread - the "soft cull" - that sounds so much easier and gentler than "purging your wardrobe!" I think that quality is a good standard to use when culling your wardrobe - especially at your stage of life Lyn - but, I would do it very methodically - not just on impulse!

rae

I definitely think quality is a valid reason to cull - and the quality issues you mentioned also bleed over into fit issues and wearability issues. Definitely sounds like somewhere to draw the line when you feel your wardrobe is too full.

Caro in Oz

Quality is one of the best reasons to cull imo. Nothing brings me down more, clothing wise, than the types of problems you mentioned.

lyn*

Thanks, Ladies ... I was starting to get worried I was growing in my tummy area because these dresses all emphasized it - but I realized that it was the poor quality of the fabric that was all clingy and *eeeeeeeeeee*

And static cling. On call. Is. Terrible. *die*

@ Suz; I think you might be right - my sister said that I got it last fall; which would make it about a year. I somehow think that I got it before my big furry collared jacket, which I got last fall, but I could be confused

CocoLion

Today I put on a cardi from Michael Stars (not bad quality) that had come back from the cleaners last year. I put it on and noticed pilling. Happens to a lot of sweaters. Then I took it off, and noticed it was leaving lint on my white shirt. The sweater goes, even if it was just cleaned, even if it fits; I had no problem putting it in the donate box even though it is a cashmere/wool blend cardi.

Don't hesitate Lyn* even if it is NWT.

Gaylene

For most of us, life is hectic enough without having to battle our clothes. My personal criteria has always been that I put it on in the morning and then don't want to think about it until I take it off at night. If it pulls, bunches, sags, bags, pills, and/or clings--it doesn't deserve to be in my closet. To salve my conscience, though, I do try to figure out why the item behaves so badly and then tell myself to use that information to avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

I found the receipt! It's so going back.

All the way to the UK.

Thistle

Everything Gaylene said!

And Rae.

I feel like a parrot!

Your clothes are here to work for you, not you for them. If there is something that does not work, and it can't be realistically and affordably fixed, let it find a new home. Whether you donate it or eBay it, you will feel much lighter looking in your closet and only finding clothes you want to wear.

Yep, it's a good idea. I see you starting to buy some really nice, expensive, well-made clothes with that extra on-call or call-out (or call-girl JUST KIDDING) money from now on. Even though you're still young, you're a professional woman and you deserve to wear really good clothes. And with the kind of days you put in, you kind of *need* excellent quality clothing.

Hear hear to ClearlyClaire!!

Go for the quality, Lyn. You deserve it and can afford it now and you need it, too.

@ Claire & Suz - I walked into a Big Girl store today (as in expensive things) and tried on a Burberry trench. I can't afford a Burberry trench, but everyone else (all the other house officers) have them, so I thought I could afford to try one on, right?

I didn't want to take it off. Ever. Gah. *twitch*

I think I am not quite ready to commit to that type of fashion quite yet, but I am definitely starting to buy things that are fabulous and -gasp- regular price; or -gasp- not 50% off or more. It's kinda crazy!!!

I don't want to wear anything that's too tight, too loose, too irritating, too annoying (clingy clothing falls into this catetory) or too anything else (fill in the blank). If I don't love wearing it, it doesn't stay in my house. Life's too short to wear what you don't feel great/fab in!

bj1111

lifestyle creep is a big issue as one transitions into a real salary, away from studentdom

Category