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Tracking Wears

Star

Veteran

Hi Everyone,

Learning from Fabbers I have decided to Track Wears as of 1 January this year. In one month I have already learned a valuable lesson. You see I was seriously considering purging two items in my closet a few months ago. One an oversized long V-neck Purple Knit, and two, a pair of patterned leggings. For the Knit I thought it was a bit stretched out and at approx 10 years old, passed its prime. The leggings I cannot really describe, they have what I can only call an Aztec-type geometric pattern (triangles at different angles), a vanilla yellow, purpley-pink and gray patterns on cream. I really am not into leggings much and have not been for a long time and these are perhaps a little on the juvenile side. Well, this winter these items have been worn the most this month, each nearly a third of the month (with laundering in-between). I suddenly discovered that these leggings are not regular leggings, they are woven and super warm and oh so comfy, and the oversized jersey is the perfect length with it. Obviously this is mostly for at home wear but I can pop on my long purple puffer jacket and under the knee boots and go outside and look just fine. So already a valuable lesson learned - I nearly purged items that are functional workhorses for deep winter. Do any of you ever have regrets over passed purges?

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Star

Joy

Veteran

Yes to regrets when I purged something that I went well with at least one other piece. I think I purged some essentials that made making outfits work, like a white jean jacket for sleeveless dresses and tops. I still need to replace that and my denim skirts in white and in dark denim

nemosmom

Veteran

Tracking wears has been really valuable to me - for both planning shopping and purging!

I've had only one purge regret so far... a long black trench that was a swap item from my former roommate. It had a very Matrix-y vibe and was probably a size too large, but I LOVED it. I purged it 3 years ago before leather trenches started trending again. In all, that's not a bad record - I have purged a LOT of stuff since we moved here.

Anonymous

Sometimes I've regretted purging things but not often. Usually things are tossed for condition.

Synne

Veteran

I regret purging all of my wool menswear trousers, bought second hand through the years. Many different colours, grey, taupe, light brown. With pleats, cuffs, lined pockets, hand sown seams... Right after the purge, they where in fashion! Gah... and now all I can get my hands on are polyester versions and awful blends.

cat2

Veteran

This is why I keep so much! Just when I think I will never wear something again, it comes back into style, usually mixed with something completely different than before.

Anonymous

The only reason I give clothes away is because I'm not wearing them and I don't remember those things enough to regret them, except very rarely and then the irreversibleness of the situation seems more comic than sad.

But I like your very interesting and practical application of tracking!

slim cat

Veteran

I regret giving up the velvet flare/ bootcut black pants from BR. I read about getting rid of pants when you’ve gained weight and can’t fit in old favorites ( which usually depresses you a lot ). The thing is I lost weight after that and couldn’t find the same quality- fit anymore. Should have kept the pants and maybe tried YouTube tricks to expend the waist band a bit .

LaPed

Veteran

I tracked wears consistently for a couple of years and it gave me a lot of insight. One of those insights was just how heavily my at-home-only loungewear gets worn, and that I really need to add a couple of lounge pieces every year (direct replacements as things fall apart). Like you, I wouldn't have realized that without having the numbers in front of me. Good job on saving some useful pieces from being purged!

unfrumped

Veteran

Not much- usually there is a fit issue that doesn’t go away.
This year I am keeping a few pairs of just slightly tight pants, not a whole size difference, and like Slim cat, have concerns that quality keeps slipping fif replacement.

I do have a “ keep remembering not to give away “ long black wool- cashmere classic Dana Buchman coat. It’s a size too big for best fit and to wear routinely, but I always wore it over semi- formal wear to events in winter, and it fits over blazers, and black coats aren’t as flattering now for me to invest in another black wool coat that could match that.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I don’t regret giving up something uncomfortable, ill fitting, worn out or experimental (when I decide it’s not for me). Or if I feel I’m done with the particular look.

I have regretted editing out orphan items. That is, things I’m not wearing because I haven’t got the right thing to wear with it. Usually the right accompaniment turns up about a week after I edit it out. Sigh.

In general I’m a slow editor. I tend to hang onto items that I’ve grown tired of but are still in good shape because sometimes I fall in love with them again after I’ve rested them for a while. Or if I find something new to wear with them. My wardrobe is very separates-based, so very amenable to mix and matching. And I find the mix and matching can spark the love again for an older item (again, assuming it’s still in good shape).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am a slow editor as well. The tracking (which I have been doing for over 4 years, since May 2016), has partly been to help me wear less worn stuff- I will try to up the wears on something that I like but have not worn as much for whatever reason. But it also really shows me what you are saying, what does get worn a lot because it’s really useful to have. Then if it does really wear out, I can try before I ditch it altogether for wear, to keep an eye out for something similar. Maybe you can do this with the purple knit, at least you can also look out for a vanilla yellow, purply-pink, grey or cream knit!

rachylou

Veteran

That’s a brilliant insight from data. I love that. My workplace is all feels. I’ve become all about the data because: nutty pupness. I’ll be standing there and people will be saying to me you have to make the base of the croissant four inches when what they’re demonstrating is one inch. I’ve taken to carrying a ruler.

Anyways, I’ve had purging regrets, but I’ve blocked all those memories because they’re so painful to me. Lol

Star

Veteran

RL, I use the blocking technique too, and not only for purge regrets

Jenni NZ, Exactly! - I now know that I actually will at some point need an oversized, butt-covering (for warmth) knit and in which colours. I had no idea.

Star

Veteran

Brooklyn, I also am a very slow editor, hence my closet now has too many clothes. I also often fall back in love with items after a rest. I nearly purged 2 boho-type skirts in a fit of 'so not me anymore', and then a couple of years later the one became my absolute favourite for certain occasions and I was so glad I kept it (a unique young designer skirt from South Africa). I am still on the fence about the other - this is really it's last chance summer this year! Oh, gosh, yes never purge for orphan reasons as you will find it's mate the very next week LOL

Star

Veteran

Unfrumped, I think you are wise to hang onto that coat. Coats can be a bit big, sometimes even need to be, and most importantly you still reach for it on occasions.

Star

Veteran

LaPed, Yes the benefits I have already seen were unexpected! I am looking forward to the long term benefits. I want a small functioning closet - without major purging and purchasing.

Star

Veteran

Slim Cat, I never purge pieces do to size fluctuations and this has served me well! I rather put them out of sight, like on a high shelf or a closet in the spare room.

Star

Veteran

Cat2, Exactly!

Suntiger, I too usually mostly purge because of condition, it is a good practice.

Synne, Gggrr - How annoying! I hardly ever purge an item that is made from quality materials and excellent workmanship unless it was a real bad buy that is totally unflattering. Styles come and go and come again.

Star

Veteran

Joy, Yes I have learned to consider all possible styling options before purging. An example being, this long boho skirt that will be on it's last chance summer this year, I will try it as a mid dress with a sleeveless denim jacket and a belt.

Nemosmom, that is a great record! A shame though about it, I probably would not ever purge a leather coat if it was still in good condition, I would simply leave it in a spare closet.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am a slow editor too, although I’ve had a small number of regrets in my tossed items over the years.

Two weeks ago we did a mini clean out in the garage and amassed a big trash bag of shoes and boots to donate (mostly my husband’s stuff). I found some old Aquitalia boots that I hadn’t worn in years, that I’d pretty much forgotten. I looked them up and saw someone was selling them for $100 on Poshmark so I put them in my office to sell....and then yesterday we got 4” of snow for the first time in a few years. So I remembered why I owned those boots! Glad I didn’t actually sell them because I don’t really have other snow boots other than Sorel heeled boots, which are great for city but not walking in the woods in the snow!

anchie

Veteran

I am also diligent tracker and it helps me not making purging mistake. I never purge anything that I can see that I have worn within last year, I just put it aside to see if I will reach for it again. I am thinking now to extend that to 2 years because 2020 was so atypical.

Liz

Veteran

I've had to promise myself I won't go down the regret road with something I moved out of my closet a few years back. I try to remember that I did my best to make a good decision, at the time. If I made a mistake, so be it. I have to do this, because otherwise I'd keep way too much for way too long, paralyzed in indecision by what the future me might think or want.

There's also this: the strong majority of the time when I pull something out of the holding zone and try it on again, I remember why it was there in the first place. I like the IDEA of the item, but the reality usually doesn't measure up to it.

I think if I tracked wears, it would show that I spend far more time than i realize in the very casual end of my wardrobe.

Star

Veteran

Anchie, I am definitely NOT a believer in the 'if I have not worn it in a year purge it'. My closet is too large for that, it would reduce enormously LOL. I actually like all the clothes in my closet but I do want to thin it out and wear things I love (instead of like) all the time, BUT I am not willing to purge the clothes I like. So I am going to track wears, only replace items that seem to be essentials and wear these clothes until they show their age or I really do not like them anymore. I think it may take me years!

Star

Veteran

Liz, interesting that your experience with the holding zone is different to mine. Maybe because my holding zone also holds things that are not necessarily off but I have temporarily fallen out of love/like with. Then usually after a rest I am happy to see them again. A bit like a sweetheart LOL, aka Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Star

Veteran

Janet, it snowed just in time

Sisi

Veteran

Tracking wears is very useful, isn't it? I have also learned some interesting lessons. To answer your question, I do not remember regretting something that I have purged. Generally it is something either very battered or a shopping mistake. But I do have huge difficulties in putting it into the bag and then take to the recycle bin or donate. I am so foolishly sentimental ...

Star

Veteran

Sisi, me too - I have a nearly 20 year old purple suede jacket that is difficult to part with even though it has seen better days and I don't reach for it often.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think Brooklyn is right on the money with orphaned items vs things given up because they are worn out or are failed experiments, etc. I would move fit to the same category as closet orphans though, because for me, fit is something that can change. Even in my ideal range, I am softer, rounder, and a little bit heavier in winter than in summer. Moving between continents or from one climate to another can bring similar changes. I don’t want to have to start all over every time one of those things changes. I’d much rather keep things I like and wear them again when circumstances warrant it.

Liesbeth

Veteran

I have used a holding zone for a couple of years now and have found out that my missing an item is often quickly remedied by wearing it :-D. In my memory it becomes better than it was but the quality issues (scratchy, bad fit or whatever) immediately become clear when retrieved for another wear.

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