Last weekend I finally switched my clothes out. Yes, it’s January. Winter arrived long ago, but between traveling and Colorado’s schizoid weather, I’ve done quite well just raiding the cedar chest for a sweater every once in a while. I finally had the time and the external motivation of frigid weather to complete the task.
I learned a few things as I changed clothes around and sorted through so much of it. Here are a few of the things I learned or relearned . . .
1. My body has changed a lot in the last few years. I’m wearing the same sizes, they just fit differently. I don’t necessarily like the way they’re fitting.
2. My calves look pretty good in heels.
3. After 30 seconds in heels, my calves cramp for the next 24 hours.
4. Cramped calves are a good incentive for getting rid of some of those heels.
5. In the past, when I’ve found shoes that fit I would buy them. Consequently I have a lot of shoes.
6. If you paid attention to #2-4, you won’t be surprised to learn that I’m getting rid of some of my shoes, some of my beautiful shoes . . . and some of the not so beautiful ones.
7. It feels good to bring order to the chaos that was my closet.
8. Achilles surgeries brought significant change to my functional wardrobe. A lot of those changes have coincided with organizational dress changes. Consequently, I have a lot of clothes that I love that are dressier than the places I have to where them.
9. I really do love order. It may be an immense challenge to create it and maintain it, but I love it when it’s there.
10. I have too much stuff. I think part of it is innate to me. The memories connected to the stuff make parting with it more difficult. I think another part of it is connected to having lived in Africa so long. Because buying clothes where I lived meant finding fabric, finding a picture or a piece of clothing to copy, and going to a tailor (multiple times), I learned to buy a lot every few years. I also learned to keep it all for as long as possible. I’m in the process of changing this, but it’s not easy.
And a bonus . . .
11. I am incredibly blessed with stuff. 10 years ago I arrived in this country with a small carry-on. That’s it. I had a few clothes for colder weather stored at my parents’ home, but not much of anything. Today I have too many clothes. It’s really a pretty good problem.
What have you learned lately?
4 responses to “10 Things I Learned While Switching Seasonal Wardrobes”
Keep the beautiful clothes you love, and wear them sometimes just for fun! I make a point of dressing nicely for all events/meetings outside my house, just so that I can prove to myself I’m not a country bumpkin, even though I have now lived in the country for 4 1/2 years! 🙂
‘ugs!
Good for you getting rid of shoes! I recently got rid of all my heels except my wedding shoes and a black pair that I’ve had since HS and can still manage to walk in. For me the hip and back pain are not worth it. I LOVE flats!
I’ve rediscovered suit jackets. With a pair of jeans flats, and a cute top, these can be very funky and casual! So, don’t be afraid to pair some of your nicer things with casual. I’m a fan of dressing up.
I’ve also learned that I am going to have a really hard time getting rid of my girl’s clothes. I have one bin to keep special outfits in, but after two girls, they all become special.
Good for you cleaning out your closet!
We came back from Greece thinking it was just for a summer and never went back. My parents took a trip back and sold everything that was left. A lot of my memories were tied up in those things. When I see items that remind me of things left behind, I tent to buy them. While I don’t understand exactly what you went through, I can relate to feeling blessed to have things. It’s a different relationship once you’ve lost everything.
I hate clothes shopping! That’s nothing new for- way too many things to think about- is it a good price? Is it practical? Is it modest? Is it so trendy that I won’t be able to wear it in a year? Is it too dated? Do I care? Do I even like it? I tend to buy things that are practical and tell myself it doesn’t matter if I don’t really like it. But I’m learning that it’s really a waste of money because I don’t want to wear it when I don’t like it! Then I say “I have nothing to wear” and my husband rolls his eyes. Silly, yes. But at least I’m learning. 🙂
Soul–I do. Even if they don’t fit or aren’t “In” right now, I’ll keep a few things just because I love them. It’s a process. I do like getting dressed up when I have a good reason to. Even when I think I’m dressing up just a little, I’m often much more dressed up than most people in the room. That’s Colorado for you. Though, I have noticed mothers of young children tend to dress up more–and Tirzah, you definitely fit in the mother’s of young children category! So do you, Aimee! And Soul, your kids aren’t old yet.
I realized this week I don’t really own anything that fits in the “cute” top category. I have some nice sweaters. But other than that all my tops are for layering–or are funny T-shirts. Most of the time I’m good with that. The whole suit jacket and jeans thing? I see others do it and think it looks cute, but it’s not for me. Besides, I’d have to go buy a jacket.
Tirzah! I feel a quilt coming on with your girls’ clothes!!!! 🙂
Aimee–I like clothes shopping, but I’m REALLY good at talking myself out of stuff most of the time. “It’s too expensive. I don’t have anything that goes with it. It looks better on the hanger than on me.” and so on.
Clothes are wonderful and hard and evil all at the same time.