Fashion + Beauty
Friday, November 27, 2009
Do Your Clothes Have an Expiration Date?
partner
One of my major problems
with the idea of "shopping your closet" (a fashion
strategy/catchphrase that's been floating around since we
entered the recession) is: I don't really want to. This is not
because I'm spoiled and need new things constantly, but more
because once I'm done with a piece of clothing, I'm
done.
Not ready to be totally done? Deconstruct your old clothing
and turn it into something cool and new!
I always believed this meant that I'm a terrible
shopper
(and then kind of felt like a loser), but lately I'm not so
sure. Each time our lifestyles change or we get a little older or
gain or lose weight--all fairly frequent occurrences--the way we
use our
wardrobes changes too. For example, I
just donated a bunch of my sundresses (too young) pencil skirts
(too tight) and button downs (too career lady). All of these were
perfectly good, practically
trend-proof
clothes, but they weren't "me" anymore.
One thing that will never expire: your hair. Check out six
easy, elegant hairstyles that we love.
More from
Lucky's eBay, Etsy, et
al.:
Related: fashion, clothing
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Posted by SFgal Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:47pm PDT
I used to feel the same way, but lately I've actually regretted tossing some of the "career lady" stuff when I was a freelancer and didn't need them, now that I'm back at a corporate job. I don't need to look adorable every day (I'd love to, but it just isn't going to happen) and I wish I had a bigger pool of officey clothes in all the varying sizes from my past that I've tossed out--the Talbots, the Casual Corner (RIP CC--loved ya) to pull from now that I have to look dressed everyday. Also, I have tossed "fat" clothes in a moment of conviction I'd never gain the weight back, and post-baby really wished I had some of that stuff. I know, you can't keep everything, but we can be too ruthless in editing our closets.
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Posted by Mariah Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:58pm PDT
I totally get where you're coming from. Personal tastes change and your body does too. I feel more 'update' though. I like to get rid of some old stuff, but I also like to keep some. I add a few pieces to make it look updtated without having a budget buster. It's what you find more people doing and it makes sense. I personally have a good few pieces that I'm keeping from last yesr that still fit, still look good, and I still like. I just added a few different pieces that I got on sale to add a new twist to my wardrobe and make it look totally different.
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Posted by Lucky Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:11pm PDT
I agree with Mariah. Sounds thrifty and stylish.
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Posted by ah87 Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:48pm PDT
I somewhat agree with the author but I try not to get too tired of what I already have because I realize that I'm blessed to have a closet full of clothes.
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Posted by boxerdog Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:31pm PDT
I totally agree with the author. Whenever I read an article about some lady who has a "classic" jacket or skirt from 20 years ago that she still wears, I look at the picture and think: that thing looks frumpy/faded/inappropriate/ill-fitting/whatever. Why would you WANT to wear something that out of style???
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Posted by L'sScubaMamma Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:23pm PDT
I always go through my closet and grab whatever i haven't touched in the past few months, then I go so sell it at second hand stores, then I go shopping with the profits, that way I dont splurge, and always have new stuff that I actually want to wear!
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Posted by Elm Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:58am PDT
My solution is quite simple: the things I havent worn in a year or don't "look right" I give to friends. They in return give me some of their stuff. We basically trade, if it doesn't fit or look right we then donate to the thrift store. I also have found some really cute stuff at the thrift stores. I have recently scored a Banana Republic skirt for $3, business tops for $2-3, and some casual American Eagle pants for $6 at the thrift stores too! It's a matter of making your $$ stretch nowadays!
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Posted by get with the program Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:12am PDT
I don't ever get tired of my clothes as long as they stay comfortable. If it's comfie, it's a keeper.
The only time I stop wearing an item of clothing is when it's been worn and washed so many times that it looks it and is starting to fall apart. That's when I cut it up, save the fabric pieces to make an afghan quilt with it when I have enough pieces saved. I did that with my son's clothes. I have quilts loaded with memories in each piece of fabric.
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Posted by Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:13pm PDT
Im sorry but this kinda makes me mad.For god sake, there are starving children who would LOVE to have 3 shirts and have the money to buy new clothes and just toss out their old ones.I wear my clothes til they get small on me, i keep them in good shape and when im done with them i give them to salvation army...
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Posted by Lucky Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:01am PDT
If you've grown to a size 12 and your old clothes are a size 4 yeah then ditch them. Otherwise, even if your taste changes, if you have shopped wisely, then you should still be able to jazz up your clothes with a few new accents, like a new jacket or scarf without blowing a wad of cash you can use for bills.
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