Retiring a Wardrobe
I recently came to realize that I wasn’t the only one who retired. My wardrobe retired a year ago as well.Those cute little skirts and those suits I used to wear to work are just languishing on their hangers. Even much of my jewelry is way too fancy to wear biking or meeting friends for lunch.
My normal attire is shorts and a tee shirt. Or maybe if I’m getting a little more dressed up, capris and a nicer shirt. I’ve worn the same pair of sandals for the past 3 weeks.
So the real question is what to do with the 90% of my wardrobe that is no longer being worn. Do I save those little skirts for the opportunity that just might present itself? Do I hold onto the nice suit for the occasional wedding?
It seems unfair to horde all these unworn clothes while there are people out there who can’t afford to buy something to wear to work.
I just need to turn this revelation into action and start cleaning out. It will be interesting to see what I choose to keep.
posted by Barbara at 9:33 AM
14 Comments:
I say hold on to a suit or two and a few nicer things for events, and then purge. You seriously won't miss it once it is gone.
Lemmonex -- If I can get my act together, I'm planning to donate a bunch of clothes to this organization, which helps outfit deserving women for their jobs. It will be a far better home for my clothes than my closet!
Well, that's just fun. Good luck with cleaning out the closet; though, I don't know when you're going to find time with your busy "retired" schedule.
I was going to say just what Lemmonex said: Save a nice suit and a handful of dressier pieces, and purge the rest. I wish I could go all casual, all the time!
Barbara,
I have been grappling with the same dilemma. I have tons of clothing that I no longer wear but whenever I go to 'purge' I find it hard to part with an item. Either it has a nice memory or it looks good on me (even though I never wear it) or whatever. I have made a plan though. Whenever I shop for something new (which is often) I must get rid of something old. I haven't really stuck with that but at least I have a plan. Right?
Remember when I had to wear a tie and dress shirt to work? I've still got 'em. Even some awful gift-ties. Yikes, hurts me to look at some of them. Maybe I won't donate those.
Gary -- I almost wish I could get a consultant to make those decisions for me, because like you I am so attached to things that I really never have the opportunity to wear.
Ulysses -- Someone else might love those God-awful ties! Aren't you glad the days of dressing up are over (at least for now)?
I have tried the 'new in,old out system with my husband for years but the shirts still keep breeding in his cupboard! I think we have too MUCH space; we feel we have to fill it.
I'm new to blogging and you seem to be a like-mind. (You may see that as an insult when you get to know me!!)
My Blog is Rinkly Rimes, journally jottings sort of.
http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/
Brenda Bryant
I'm with Lemmonex, too. Keep the suit and your 2 most favorite of the skirts and tops and donate the rest. Don't dither - go do it right now and then come back and report :)
Rinkly -- How delightful to make your acquaintance! I will look forward to exploring your Blog in more depth. Welcome!
Pauline -- On the top of my list when we return from a week at Chautauqua is dealing with books and clothes, both of which I have been intending to tackle for a while but just never seem to have done it. So in between cleaning toilets and Swiffering, I'll be cleaning house more permanently!
Yes! Begone, old, tired clothes! I'm having a pre-move garage sale tomorrow, and it feels so good to get rid of things I haven't so much as thought about in years. Time to let someone else get some mileage out of them. And I agree--Dress for Success rocks :)
If you have a pair of Alligator Pumps, Size 11 and a half, send 'em to me!
I'll be your consultant! I can be brutally honest.Seriously I donated 6 (count them 6) garbage bags FULL of clothing recently. My closet is still jammed.This is the closet that I made from the spare bedroom (so you can imagine)
I just spent this past weekend rebuildng my smaller bedroom closet. (Hm, maybe I'll post a photo of it). It's very organized with way cool accessories I picked up at Target.
Oh and, uh, Steve, I wear size 11 in alligator pumps (not 11 1/2
Melissa -- I have never had a garage sale in my 59 years. Maybe it's about time!
Steve -- Is there something you haven't told us, boy? Who's wearing those pumps anyway???
Gewels -- You would be the absolutely perfect wardrobe consultant. We'll have to find a time when we are back from our (next) week in Chautauqua. You can rub Jake's ears while you tell me what do get rid of. He would really love to see you!
We should probably also include my friend KC, who has managed to totally revolutionize her wardrobe in retirement.
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