When to purge clothes that don't fit anymore? - YouLookFab Forum

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When to purge clothes that don't fit anymore?

marianna

Veteran

I've recently lost a little weight (verrrry slowwwly) and now I am finding that a lot of my clothes are getting too big, AND a lot of the clothes I bought when I was heavier really aren't to my taste anymore.

I'm not at my goal weight, but I'm finding that the too-big clothes are cluttering up my closet and making it hard to get dressed in the morning. I can still wear the clothes, but they feel... schlumpy.

What are your thoughts? What would you do? Hold onto the clothes, or get rid of them asap? They're perfectly good clothes, all newer and in good condition, so it makes it a tough decision for me.

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Anonymous

let them go ... donating to others will make you feel like you are doing a good turn - no reason to hang onto to schlumpy anything!

gryffin

Veteran

Marianna - can you take the clothes out of your closet and put them in a holding zone? this a a big transition time. Do you see your way clear, to trying on what you have and seeing what fits and flatters and put everthing else in another closet or bin for a bit. Then you will have a functional closet but if you feel you need something, you can retrieve it until you sort things out. Would that help?

rabbit

Veteran

I like the holding zone idea. I've purged things and then needed them again, especially if they are newer and good quality. Right now I'm wearing skirts that stopped fitting me when I gained weight for a few years, but now fit me again. (If I could recoup part of what I've spent them, that would be different, and I'd happily let most of them go then buy again when I needed them.)

I usually don't end up storing things that aren't either classic, or really my style for very long though.

MsMary

Veteran

I'd say go ahead and purge the things that aren't your style any more. And I like the holding zone for things that are too big but otherwise your style.

MsLuna

Veteran

If they are not your style, purge them!

If you still like the piece but it us too big, it might be worthwhile saving them and taking them to the tailor.

rae

(website)

Veteran

What Mary said. If it's not your style anymore, that's a double clutter whammy.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Pack up the stuff you still like into a holding zone - and pass on the rest. Buy stuff that fits. You goal is ALWAYS to dress the bod you have now.

unfrumped

Veteran

Yay for your health gosls, and Yay for MaryK. The middle ground. Box up a few things that at present you could see yourself buying again in your correct size, like a black ponte pant or something( just an example).
Also I say try on tops and review them while keeping in mind the fluid and oversized fit trend. This fit trend has made saving/ purging kinda difficult because some of my normal- fit stuff looks almost skimpy, when it really isn't. So for some tops, I find style vs. size can be hard to separate , now.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I have a holding zone with only my absolute favorites from my larger sizes. I donated everything else.

purple8

This is tough. I gained weight due to pregnancy and a medical condition. Now that I'm better, I've dropped from 14's in December to 10's now. I hope to be back in a 6 this summer but in the meantime, it is really hard to manage, especially when the shoulders on bigger stuff looks schlumpy.

So I don't have advice, but I can offer sympathy and congratulations!

MRL

Veteran

Let them go. If you give them away or sell them, people want clothes that are fairly new. So many times people hold on to items until they are so dated that no one wants them.

deb

Veteran

Did you wear them when you could? If so, keep in a holding zone. If they were orphans, purge.

JamC

Veteran

I would toss the items you don't love. I am not sure if I would hold onto the too big stuff or not!

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for the wisdom, all. I think I will be purging quite a bit, but holding on to a few items just in case...

Need to make room for new spring stuff that fits well!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Angie and Mary said. That's what I did. I ended up altering a few items (at the end of my weight loss) and keeping them. But weirdly, I didn't really wear many of those items more than a few times after alteration. Still, I'm glad I had them around. They helped me transition to a new shape and new style.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would just add consider selling on ebay or consigning the newish stuff that you just don't like to make some money for new stuff in your current size.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I would advise caution, only because I donated some things when I was in the first flush of 'yahoo, I'm a smaller size' that I now wish I had back. Especially since looser fits are coming back.

That said, I'd definitely get anything tht doesn't fit you now (and by that I include anything that nominally fits but makes you feel sclumpy) separated out from what does. If it can't be stored somewhere else, divide your closet or drawers up so that you're not always pulling out things while getting dressed that you can't really wear.

Anonymous

Congratulations on your weight loss.

I lost weight in 2009. I ended up turning my entire wardrobe over. I boxed up everything that did not fit and took it to the good will. I didn't want to wear those clothes anymore; they did not make me feel fabulous.

I bought new clothes (on sale only because I was still in weight change flux). I bought new clothes that made me feel good about myself and that I enjoyed wearing (not settling for wearing).

viva

Veteran

I love the idea of two steps (holding zone and purge) although I do know that when I have been in this situation, I tend to let it all go. I really love the feeling of a purge and a fresh start. But I have also had moments of -- darn! why did I let THAT go??? -- so I would say, at the very least, hold onto favorites and things that can be very easily tailored.

Anonymous

Congratulations. I've been there and suggest a good purge, especially of the biggest items, and replacing with a few things that fit, even if they are resale or Target. It is important that you feel great about how you look in your changing body.

Lisa

Veteran

Great advice here already so just chiming in to say congrats on the weight loss.