Community Chat

[godi]

@RinaRina  I loved Saint John Knits. Nice well made clothing. So hard to let go of not just clothes the life you lived in them. 

[RinaRina]

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@godi wrote:

@RinaRina  I loved Saint John Knits. Nice well made clothing. So hard to let go of not just clothes the life you lived in them. 

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@godi ,

Re: "not just clothes the life you lived in them."

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What you said hit a cord with me.  The life ... I've left behind.

By letting go of those clothes, I've let go of that life.

And, let me tell you, it's taken me a LONG time to "let go".

What was I thinking!!??  

[Buffalogal47]

I am in the process of relocating to another state and so I have to give away a lot of clothes that I have had for years but never wear any more. It's very hard to decide what goes and what stays. I had some beautiful Bob Mackie real silk blouses and pants, a Dennis Basso suede coat with a fake mink lining, a heavy Leslie Fay winter maxi coat (made in the USA, so that tells you how old it is) that along with a lot of other really nice things that I donated to a homeless women's shelter. I hope that they help someone get back on their feet. I also have to get rid of some of my furniture, like my 30 year old dining room table, chairs, buffet and hutch that nobody wants and my mother's sofa that not even a charity will take. It isn't the objects that are hard to let go of; it's the memories associated with them. But, like my DD says, we always have the memories; nobody can take those away. The furniture, clothes, knicknacks , and other things are just inanimate objects.

[Susan Louise]

This might seem like an overwhelming thought for those struggling with purging clothes, but any clothes you are on the fence about, put them on and look in the mirror....seriously. If you don't LOVE it, let it go. Just looking at it on a hanger or in a drawer really isn't enough.

For those items of clothes you may have waited decades to wear again, put them on. I can guarantee that most won't bring you the same joy they once did. I was really surprised when I did this...

If it's sentimental, take a pic of it for memories, then let it go.

I know that this process has worked for me

Now, the only clothes I have been purging the past 2-3 years are ones that are too big because I have been losing weight. I have nothing in the closet or in drawers I don't love. I only have a small pile of clothes I don't fit into...yet. They are pieces that are the next size down so I'll have some that will fit when I reach my goal weight.

[gertrudecloset]

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@RinaRina wrote:

I finally came to terms with the fact that the racks of  professional "designer" clothes I'd stored for over 10 years ago had to go.  The "classics" ... I'll never wear again. 

So beautiful ... and so useless.

Anyone remember St. John knits?

Times are so different now.

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Not have I only never had it ~ I've never heard of it.  Do you think you have a general hoarding problem?  If parting with things you had made you sad, it could be a form of depression that you could talk to someone about.

[Mom2Dogs]

Yes...no St John's knits for me, but I have some nice things that are overly dressy even for church any more.

The fabric is so nice on most things I just hate to let go.

[gertrudecloset]

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@BlueFinch wrote:

@RinaRina  Oh for sure, I think most have felt this sadness.

I can't tell you how many times I've looked at some old favorites and tried to convince myself they'd be fashionable again, one day.

Then a decade, or two goes by, and well, the realization strikes that I may not live long enough to see my old favorites trending again, if ever.

I'm also more aware that it's not always about the clothes. It's about the memories surrounding them. Maybe better times, maybe special ones. Heck, I can't even get rid of my work scrubs because of the memories they evoke. 

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@BlueFinchI have never felt sad at having to part with older items.  I typically find myself delighted if someone wants what I have to offer.  I share a great deal and find great comfort in that.  Not sadness so your assertion doesn't apply to me at least!  I do see your point, however.

[Pearlee]

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@Buffalogal47 wrote:

I am in the process of relocating to another state and so I have to give away a lot of clothes that I have had for years but never wear any more. It's very hard to decide what goes and what stays. I had some beautiful Bob Mackie real silk blouses and pants, a Dennis Basso suede coat with a fake mink lining, a heavy Leslie Fay winter maxi coat (made in the USA, so that tells you how old it is) that along with a lot of other really nice things that I donated to a homeless women's shelter. I hope that they help someone get back on their feet. I also have to get rid of some of my furniture, like my 30 year old dining room table, chairs, buffet and hutch that nobody wants and my mother's sofa that not even a charity will take. It isn't the objects that are hard to let go of; it's the memories associated with them. But, like my DD says, we always have the memories; nobody can take those away. The furniture, clothes, knicknacks , and other things are just inanimate objects.

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@Buffalogal47. With regard to what your DD said, the memories go too when dementia sets in. 😥

[RinaRina]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

Yes...no St John's knits for me, but I have some nice things that are overly dressy even for church any more.

The fabric is so nice on most things I just hate to let go.

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Re:  "The fabric is so nice on most things I just hate to let go."

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OMG!  Fabric?  Houndstooth!  I disposed of all my Houndstooth jackets.  They weren't just black & white.  I had multiple colors and they were so classy looking.  I don't know what the fabric is called (maybe not "houndstooth"), but some of the jackets looked like they were hand-woven and the fabric was very heavy with a nice lining to keep the shape with square shoulders.  When I wore them, I'd get compliments all the time.

Oh well ... in the age of covid, I have no place to wear such items. .. And, I'm retired, ... and I don't have a waistline anymore. 

[drizzellla]

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@Susan Louise wrote:

This might seem like an overwhelming thought for those struggling with purging clothes, but any clothes you are on the fence about, put them on and look in the mirror....seriously. If you don't LOVE it, let it go. Just looking at it on a hanger or in a drawer really isn't enough.

For those items of clothes you may have waited decades to wear again, put them on. I can guarantee that most won't bring you the same joy they once did. I was really surprised when I did this...

If it's sentimental, take a pic of it for memories, then let it go.

I know that this  process has worked for me

Now, the only clothes I have been purging the past 2-3 years are ones that are too big because I have been losing weight. I have nothing in the closet or in drawers I don't love. I only have a small pile of clothes I don't fit into...yet. They are pieces that are the next size down so I'll have some that will fit when I reach my goal weight.

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You got that right. I must have tried on 25 pairs of pants today. Most of them were rarely worn and some never worn. And it quickly became apparent why I did not wear them. I did not like the way they fit. 

So hopefully some lucky lady or more will get a bunch of pristine pants at the thrift store. It feels good when you donate stuff that looks like it was never worn.