Why don't I just wear the new clothes and stop saving them!

[dolphinsarentcommon]

This stems from a childhood when I had very few clothes.. basically one pair of shoes, school uniform and something to wear at the weekend. I had a wonderful childhood but money was tight.

I've recently bought pretty much a whole new wardrobe.. change in lifestyle and dropped 3 dress sizes. But I just don't wear most of it cos it's 'new'.

Someone tell me I'm not totally bonkers and to get a grip.

I too used to do this, saving my more expensive clothes for best. I sadly lost a very close friend to cancer just before the pandemic and I now try to embrace the idea that every day I am alive and healthy is a “best” day.
That said, I hate to be over dressed and prefer a more understated style but I wear my cashmere and silk for everyday wear. No point in hoarding nice things for some mythical “best life”.

I used to "save" my clothes for a specific day or event like it would be the only time I would be able to wear them. My DM used to think it was funny, and just tell me to wear them as there will never be the "perfect time" to wear them.

The thing about saving things for best is that best never comes. Wear the clothes, spray the scent - we’re only here once.

I think another problem of saving things for best is that I forget I have the clothes, and buy more stuff for best. It’s not as if I have a wild social life where I have to constantly wear something different.

Now I’ve retired I’m going to go through my wardrobe and only keep clothes I like and am happy wearing now.

@LeeMiller tell us about the wardrobe app please!

@Nanny2many I have Stylebook but there are lots. I just log my outfits daily and any looks I especially like so I remember them. You have to upload photos (your own or from the web) but I did it gradually so I didn’t find it too much of a faff. My actual wardrobe and drawers are stuffed full to the brim so I can see far more clearly on the app what I actually own and what would go with new purchases.

I have a similar new wardrobe. I would once have been like you but having had the unhappy task of clearing my mums house out last year I have learned from her mistakes. I took sack after sack of unworn, still tagged clothes to various charity shops and recycling centres. Not just clothes, toiletries and cosmetics too. They went back decades and must have cost thousands of pounds while she wore the same old things over and over again.

Admittedly my mum was extreme. I think she had a genuine hoarding problem coupled with a shopping addiction but it was still a salutary lesson for me. I have adopted a strict policy of giving away or recycling at least one item for every new thing I buy and apart from two very lightweight summer dresses everything I've bought has been worn so far.

Please wear the clothes. If you can afford to buy them you can afford to wear them.

I am adding to the people talking about dead relatives. Life is short, seriously. I have two friends with acute cancers in early 40s, one is deep in treatments one has not long left. Whenever they have a good day they are grabbing life for all they can, good food, nice outfits, time with friends. Don't waste it because you feel you don't deserve nice things.

Another story that stuck with me. My father in law is very like this, a bit fussy and wants to save stuff. It was Christmas and I got out the cut glass crystal for the whiskeys, he said oh no save those those are the special occasion ones and we might break them. His nephew just looked at him and said 'what is this? Who are we? is this not a special occasion?'

This thread is timely for me, thanks for raising it op. As a result I wore a top today I would have saved for 'nice lunches out'. I wore it, got complimented and realised I should wear it regularly. I barely ever go out for nice lunches anyway😂

This may just give me the momentum to finally clear out the stored away clothes.

Op, did you keep wearing the clothes?

@Justkoko it's still a bit hit and miss but I'm trying to!

Those I've worn, I continue to wear, as they're no longer 'new'. There's still a couple of things I haven't worn yet but tbf we need a hot spell.

I've chucked out a couple of things though, that really have seen better days.

I think this has set me on a path to sorting out the old stuff that I keep on wearing that is a bit scruffy or tired because 'it's a waste' to chuck it. No, it's a waste to spend your days feeling a bit crap.

I sympathise. I have so many gorgeous bits in my wardrobe but I have no clue when I'll wear them. I go to work and come home and that's it. I don't go anywhere which needs me to look nice. Even work is casual wear. 😫

Oh, it also set me off looking at style types and kibbe and all that. It's all a bit woo but I can see why I am drawn to certain shapes and cuts and others just drag me down!

Completely understand this. Best clothes for going out and about. Change when I get home.

Life is short. Wear the clothes! You earnt them!