The tee's I couldn't purge - yet?

When I was cleaning out my closet I came upon two old and fairly worn out tee's that I couldn't bare to purge. The first is my Detroit Art Institute Degas and the Dance coral colored tee. I don't know why I love it, but I do. It's faded and worn out, I have had it for more years than I can remember. The second is my Lucky Brand Four Leaf Clover Fireworks Tee. I wear it for all local parades, and civic holidays, and whenever I feel in the mood. My DD thinks it has lost it's festive edge and should be sent along to a better home.

Am I right to keep these or should these go? They aren't like Shiny's AC/DC tee, which she decided to keep during her closet clean up. They don't have any street cred. They only have my sentimental heart attached.

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11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It's hard to tell from the angle of the photos, but it looks like they both fit well. Especially 2 looks flattering and well fitting; 1 might be a little too oversized in the shoulders. There is something charming about a well worn graphic tee and gals here certainly rock them in a wider variety of situations than I would think of. If you still like them, why not keep them?

catgirl

I keep sentimental tees as loungewear or to stuff purses. Some things just can't be tossed.

Gigi

You're getting rid of a lot of stuff right now, so I guess I would say you don't need to push yourself to give up these sentimental tees just yet. It may be that as your start getting your overall wardrobe in the shape you want it and start developing an overall style, you might be ready to let them go.

You seem to be doing well with purging things, so it's not as if you are holding on to a lot of stuff of this type. If you were holding on to a lot of stuff like this, I do think that would be holding you back from creating a really nice closet. But we're all allowed a few sentimental items!

Staysfit

Oh, sorry about the odd angle, I was trying to get pictures that would show how worn out these shirts are, more than their fit. This angle worked better for close ups. I was also hoping to capture the words on the coral shirt that say Detroit Institute of Arts, but I think I can only do that when I am not wearing the shirt. The coral shirt is definitely large in the shoulders, and it's boxy.

Marley

I can't tell by what you have said about these tees if the sentimental attachment is because it reminds you of a special time or special person or special place - or if the sentimental attachment is just . . . because. (which is OK!)
I have a couple of tees that I have held onto because of sentimental reasons: one is from a family reunion and one is from a race that I won when I ran my best time. I wear them only when at home - usually lounging in the evening. Otherwise they stay tucked away on a closet shelf and because they don't take up much room, I am fine with holding onto them.

I also have a couple of tees that I wear when working with the animals at the shelter. I learned the hard way, that little fur-balls can be really hard on clothing - and so finally decided that I needed to stop wearing anything but tees and old jeans when working there.

FWIW - The style of tee that you are showing in your pics is not really considered a modern silhouette - but I don't know if that matters to you. In addition, many women think of tees as more like an under-shirt, rather than an actual top - and I think that the older we get, the more true that becomes!
So - I think it's really a personal decision whether or not you hold onto those tees. Since you said that they are looking worn and tired though, I wouldn't wear them out in public! BUT - just to be clear, I wouldn't wear anything out in public that is worn and tired. (Also, if you want a fun tee with fireworks on it - like the Lucky one - there are plenty out there that you could find to replace it!)

Lounge or workout capsule is what I'd use them for. I'm still debating if I want to try and make my recent triathlon race tee into a street wear item or not. I love the graphic but the fit is plain old boxy and not modern at all.

Anonymous

I agree that I'd keep them for lounging or workout. Getting rid of stuff is always good, but there's something to be said for keeping a few things for sentimental value.

Meli

Active Member

I often ask myself a few questions with purging, but one I'd ask you: do you have anything you'd prefer to wear over these in whatever situation you see yourself wearing them? If so let them go!

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