To keep or donate these items?

I am in the middle of closet cleaning: Angie's Friday post really got me thinking plus in few weeks I'm moving to a new apartment with less closet space.
I already have 3 huge bags for Salvation Army and one for consigment store. But there are a few pieces that I just can not decide on. I would not like to keep anything that's unflattering, dated or tacky. Some of the items here are for special occasions only, so I'll keep them only you think they would not date with years.

1. Mauve H&M tunic - I think it's both too short and too tight to be worn with skinnies (or anything else), right?
2. Light olive Jacob dress- does it wash me out terribly? I feel it's kind of blah.
3. Maxi black rayon Guess dress- never worn, that chest fits weird
4. Red retro VS dress- worn once to a social dance, don't know if I ever will again and to what event
5. Cream crochet ABS dress - never worn. Is it outdated? What to wear it to?
6. Grey Benetton silk slip dress - never worn as well. Like it a lot, but what's the occasion for it?
7. Marciano brocade evening trench- never worn. Should I keep it and wait for the right occasion ?
8. Tee with lace detail- is it tacky? Few years ago I liked lace details on mt tees/tops a lot. Now I'm not so sure. I'm still OK with lace on camis, but how do you feel about it on knit tops? And i have plenty of these, not just this one, but did not want to post them all.

Thanks a lot!

http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....0or%20not/

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

As far as flattering ... I like the Mauve top, the olive dress w/the horizontal stripes. I like the cream crochet dress, but I'm not liking the sleeves. They are overpowering on you. But you might be able to have the sleeves removed and have the dress be wide strap sleeveless.

It was hard to tell in the photo, but that red dress...is that a cut out below the knot that shows your belly? If that is what it is, I don't care much for that. Unless you go to a lot of nightclubs or something. I'm not sure where else you'd wear it.

Maya

I agree with what Nicole has said about the red dress. I liked it as a thumbnail because the shape is great but that cutout is not doing it for me if it is indeed what that is).

I think the Mauve top is too clingy. I think that's a result of the fabrication more than the size. It's not too short but it really clings to your hips, rather than floating away. I have also had this problem with a tunic from H&M and I'm pretty sure it's just the fabric.

The lace tee can be used for layering, but on its own it's not so spectacular.

I like the olive dress and the crochet dress, and I don't mind the sleeves.

You should keep one occasion dress. Don't worry about what you'll wear it to. You'll know when it comes up and then you'll regret having done away with it.

shiny

That trench is great. I would keep it, and start wearing it. I would not reserve it for special occasions only!! That is quite a statement coat. Try it over a pair of jeans with the rest of the outfit simple.

I have an A-line single-breasted brocade coat that has an empire waist and above the knee length; sort of a swing silouhette. The fabric is gold and black, so more of something I would wear in the Fall instead of spring. I wear it a lot in the Fall - sometimes over dresses but more often over jeans or winter white slacks or jeans. I get a lot of compliments every time I wear it.

Antje

Here are my 2 cents.

1. Mauve H&M tunic - too tight/clingy
2. Light olive Jacob dress- fits beautifully; wear it with accessories in rich colors (some red?) to offset the color
3. Maxi black rayon Guess dress- can you shorten it? It's too long, but if it can be altered I'd keep it
4. Red retro VS dress- personally I'd keep it as a party dress (for the right kind of party, like not one at work ;-)), I think it's hot
5. Cream crochet ABS dress - not my cup of tea, but that's personal taste
6. Grey Benetton silk slip dress - that one looks too flimsy and exposed to me, a bit too night-gowny
7. Marciano brocade evening trench- BEAUTIFUL, keep it! Like Shiny's suggestion of wearing it with jeans
8. Tee with lace detail- a bit boring and dated, I fear

Ana

(website)

I like the trench. I agree with shiny keep it and wear it more often. It's fun and the mauvey color is good on you.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'd keep the trench. It's superb and super dressed down with Converse. WEAR IT! Those colours are fab on your skin tone.

I like the black strappy dress. It’s versatile if you shorten it. Vintage with pearls, or sporty with a denim jacket. ‘50’s with a cropped cardigan or perhaps with leggings. The rest you probably won’t miss.

Tanya

Thank you all for the replies. I am keeping the trench and the olive dress, the rest will go. I don't think I'll bother shortening the black dress since I already have something similar shorter, plus my alteration pile is so big (over ten items) that my wallet is going to suffer a serious shock! My tailor charges $30 to hem jeans with their original hem, and I currently have 5 pairs in the closets waiting for hemming! Ouch!

Angie, I don't own Converse, they are too flat for my feet if that doesn't sound strange, but I do have a pair of dark navy Pumas with huge fuschia cat on them! Would they work instead? Here's how they look:
http://www.lovemyshoes.com/pro.....ort/newest

Tanya, I'm not sure if this would be too much hassle for you, but you could try an online clothes swap for those items you don't want and see if you could trade them for something else. Kasmiri (who posts on here sometimes) has links to one she swaps on on her blog:

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/

Thanks Ana, but that's too much hassle for me right now. I have a consigment appointment for Thursday so I'll bring some nicer items there, hopefully they'll take some.

Tanya, you need to find a new taylor. $30 for hemming jeans is outrageous! I pay under 10. I go to a small Vietnamese place that I found after polling some women in my neighborhood. They do a super job, and cheap. I recently had a pair of jeans hemmed plus straps shortened in a cami and paid $9 total. If your taylor charges $30 for hemming, you need to look elsewhere, this is a ripoff.

I'm guessing the high cost is because her tailor retains the original double stitch hem on her jeans.

Thank you for the tip Antje. Unfortunately, here in Boston everything is priced outrageous, including tailoring ( don't get me started on rent here urghhh). Local dry cleaners charge $15-20 for simple pant hemming, but they don't know how to hem jeans with the original hem intact. Nicole is right. But I do go to the dry cleaner for skirts/shorts, they can handle that.
This guy is super pricey but does a wonderful job. I have been looking/asking around but have not found anything better priced. But I'll keep looking!

Wow nelly. Sorry to hear that, Tanya. I didn't know how lucky I was here in Seattle's south end! The taylor I go to is also a dressmaker (they make a lot of wedding dresses) so they are definitely skilled. I was very happy to find them; now I'm even more appreciative

The pumas you have are adorable, Tanya. Try the look!

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