Once I got started culling items from my wardrobe I found it quite easy to be ruthless. But what about when it comes to letting go of items I love but need to replace?

I picked up my black a-line maxi skirt (pictured above) from Supre a few years ago on impulse after seeing it displayed on a mannequin in the window. It cost $35 and when you consider the golden cost-per-wear ratio many fashion consumers use to justify their purchases I’m pretty sure the skirt might as well have been free. I’ve worn it to death, quite literally – the material is pilling uncontrollably and because I like my maxi skirts floor-grazing, the hem is completely shredded. I know it’s time I replace it; it doesn’t owe me a damn thing.

It’s taken me months but I’ve finally found a suitable replacement. It’s under $100, has virtually the exact same cut, and can be delivered to me in under a week. It sold out and I was gutted, but now it’s been restocked. So why am I still hesitating to add to cart?

Somewhere in my subconscious I keep telling myself the Supre skirt has a little life left. The subtle decay of the garment is a testament to the sabi aesthetic I identify with. But they are excuses. “It’s sabi, not sloppy,” one article on the wabi sabi lifestyle urges.

Is it this kind of nonsensical nostalgic attachment for something with no real value that’s stopping me from completely embracing the minimalist lifestyle I seek? Upon reflection, it has been easy to cull so many things simply because I didn’t love them. But sometimes we need to let the things we love go, too. So why can’t I accept the transience of this object and commit to replacing it?

Have you found yourself inexplicably attached to something it was time to let go of?

THOUGHTS ( 14 )

That skirt is awesome! I really love it. I want it. But I’m on a shopping ban haha ;)

I am enjoying reading everyone’s journey on the vogue forums regarding culling. it’s also really refreshing to read stories on those who are so tired of being a slave to their consumerism and taking a stand to get control back. It sounds silly, but it’s so amazing to see how many disposable items we buy and basically throw our money away – being left with an over-crowded closet full of crappy items.

I bought this black lace dress from Portmans of all places, about 5 years ago. It is well made and I recall it was $240 and I bought it for $70. I have worn it maybe twice. But I just cannot let go of it. First of all, it was a super bargain! Second of all, it was the first very girly and very elegant dress that I ever bought. I also bought it the day after I met my partner, now husband. I feel like my entire wardrobe centers around this dress. If I got rid of it, my wardrobe would only be cheap disposables. I can’t get rid of it even though I never wear it. I probably never will!

Jessica shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 11:14 AM

You’ve had huge mileage out of that supre skirt – care to share the replacement you’ve found? I’ve been looking for something similar.

Minou shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 11:20 AM

Don’t get rid of it.
My personal idea of minimalism is “few things i really do care about, not a ton of soul-less clutter” and that works for clothes too. If you love it, keep it.

Nero shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 11:32 AM

I definitely know what you mean!! I have many items that have been worn to their death & according to CPW would be in the minus/free territory & also should REALLY not be worn in public! It is these items my husband now hates because they’ve probably lost their nice cut/fit, but the nostalgic part of me still wears/loves them! I wear these items around the house & then have to change if heading somewhere. Or are boxed somewhere, thinking I might be able to use a fabric remnant for some amazing crafty project. This is all a bit sad to admit! Oh dear!

xxx

flair to remember shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 11:55 AM

I think I suffer the opposite problem. I love the feeling of cleaning out my closet and sometimes I am so ruthless in my culling that I end up missing the things I get rid of. There are only a few pieces in my closet I’ll never toss, and they’re super comfy pajama-type things that I never wear outside anyway.

a stylized hysteria shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 1:04 PM

Don’t get rid of it! Pilling you can get rid of with tape (I guess?) and the hem can be repaired. The skirt looks fine – it actually is really beautiful.

Wei-Wei shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 1:39 PM

I’ve been reguarly wearing the same top to bed since I was 4, I’m 28 and before that it belonged to my father. I fear the day it completely falls apart. Let’s say this though, you wouldn’t want to wear it in front of someone who didn’t love you.

not bloody mary likely shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 5:42 PM

I feel the same way about my old leather jacket – the leather isn’t real so it’s peeling and its loosing its shape but every time I go to drop money on a new one I think about my dear old battered jacket and resist!

Ana shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 9:38 PM

I’m the exact same, I have soo many things that are truly dead & yet I still keep them, all the things I’ve kept though have some sort of memory attached & I just can’t bare to throw them away! I’m just too sentimental! It’s such a simple & classic skirt, looks like it’d be super easy / cheap to make a copy of it though? Then it’d be practically the same skirt :)

Stephanie / FAIIINT shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 10:19 PM

I’m exactly the same I find myself attached to those things I’ve literally worn to death and really should replace but I’m hesitant to do so, it’s mostly with shoes for me though rather than clothes.

I really want to have a huge wardrobe clearout, I’ve got rid of many things but I still find myself attached to a lot of things I never wear and keep for nostalgia reasons, what I’m trying to do is make a list of what I wear and what I would like to wear so I can stick to a style and only buy the things I know I will wear and like for many years to come.

Cate shared this comment on 01 February 2012 at 11:40 PM

Yes definitely, in my first year of Uni. I had these black patent chunky wedges from Wittner, they were SO comfortable. I literally wore them almost every single day. By the end of the year they were completely dead, I’d try to find replacements but kept wearing them, at the end I only stopped because the straps connected to the heel broke off and I realised they were way too worn out to bother fixing. I think that’s the most attached I’ve ever been to a material item. Usually I’m pretty good at letting go.

Anyway, wow, I’m surprised at the endurance of the skirt from supre.

Magnet shared this comment on 02 February 2012 at 10:30 AM

oh, i understand that feeling so well! i have this asymmetrical moto jacket i love and also refuse to let go. got it for cheap, i’ve had it since 2008 and at present it’s a super faded black, the fabric is pilling and i can no longer fix the holes in the armpits. it doesn’t even fit well anymore but i can’t throw it away. i don’t think it’s sentimentality that’s stopping me but my miserliness; even if i can afford to buy a new one i’m determined to wear it until it literally falls apart. hmm come to think of it i have several other pieces of clothing that i still wear even if i have to repeatedly mend the garment from wear and tear but i still can’t find it in my heart to replace them.

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