Help me stop saving my clothes for best!

[Booberries]

I cheer myself up by buying nice things and then I don't wear them for fear that they'll get ruined, stained, look worn, need to be replaced. Why?! I spend all my time in scruffy stuff that I don't care about and the rest is sat in my wardrobe unworn. How can I get over this, it's so stupid 🙈

Are your 'nice' clothes practical for your life? Like, do you buy beautiful dresses, but live in jeans? Are the clothes you're saving practical?

Right now I'm in PJs, so I feel your pain.

I have the same issue with jewellery 🙈 I do try to tell myself that it's for wearing and enjoying or what's the point of having it!

It took me years to get to the “ don’t save anything for best, wear your nice clothes, jewellery and perfume every day” phase. I think it stems from not having much as a child, teenager, young mum etc.

Problem with keeping stuff for best is that it “ goes out of fashion”.
Im mid 60’s now and have decided to wear my best stuff everyday. You never know if today might be your last best day!

Yes they're practical but I still don't wear them 😬

agree with the not having much as a child - it's like I store it because I'm frightened to lose it and not be able to replace it

Could you decide to start by getting nicely dressed up on a Sunday. Then gradually add in Saturday evening after your chores are done. Anytime you are meeting a friend or even attending a parent teacher meeting just wear one thing special as it will improve your confidence and soon those clothes will become part of your general wardrobe. Also throw out stuff that is well worn so you have no choice but to wear your new ones.
REMEMBER YOU DESERVE TO LOOK NICE!!

Have you tried changing your attitude to the definition of storing?

Storing something between uses to keep it in reasonably good nick is good. You bought it because you like it, now use it because you like it.

Storing something until; it goes mouldy, get damaged by moths, is grown out of so useless, your life changes drastically so it no longer worth storing, you die... are all very frivolous things to do. Too much nice stuff goes to the bin or charity shop for the above reasons.

Enjoy your investments, the more joy you get from wearing them the better value they were. You are allowed to look nice.

Great advice, thank you

I used to do this a lot until I sorted out my wardrobes - after that I started wearing all the clothes with labels on and felt wonderful. I also threw out old jumpers/cardigans with lots of bobbling.

As I child we had play clothes and best clothes (was the 70's)
As an adult I had my beautiful going out clothes and day time / scruffy type clothes.
I was like 2 different people.
And of course only wore make up when going out.
So now instead of saving my good clothes for best, I decided that it was 'always ' best , every day was Best and ware my good stuff all the time, including make up.
I feel so much better for it.

OP I work a sort of clothing hierarchy. So let's say I buy a new jumper, that's my 'good' jumper & I keep it for occasions when I'm going out with dh or to meet friends etc. But once I have that jumper it allows me to downgrade a former 'best' jumper to an everyday jumper meaning one I go to the supermarket in etc.

I do the same with all my clothes apart from going out somewhere fancy. I always have a few lovely outfits that make me feel good if I'm going out for dinner or to meet friends for drinks etc. Again i rotate things & I'm this category I often keep things for years & years as I don't buy particularly trendy seasonal things as a big investment. I add a nod to current trends through accessories or blouses etc

I do change when I get home from work though. I literally couldn't bear to cook & clean in a sezane jumper for instance

I have hoodie / pj bottoms/ joggers I wear at home & I've just replaced a few of them as they were v worn.

Next time you're going out anywhere add in one of your nice things & start wearing them!

I found I got sick of looking at stuff in my wardrobe even though I'd barely worn it so I try not to let that happen anymore