Thinning the herd

[LARon]

As the year nears its end, its time again to look through my closet and purge all those things I've grown less fond of or otherwise find I don't wear. How often do you guys go through this exercise? And what things do you find you're most willing to purge?

 

[Soph]

Originally Posted by LARon

As the year nears its end, its time again to look through my closet and purge all those things I've grown less fond of or otherwise find I don't wear. How often do you guys go through this exercise? And what things do you find you're most willing to purge?


-Alot this last year, as I just discovered these forum about a year ago. So I've had one hell of a learning curve. Ebay is your friend. I purged 7 items in the last 2 weeks. I've already got another stack to purge tommorow. Until I get my basics completely in hand. It's definitely a ride to self discovery. I've made several errors and some were just plain bad taste, but purging is essential to us always improving sartorialists.

 

[LARon]

Do you gift your sartorial mistakes to friends and relatives or the charitable community?

 

[Stazy]

Since joining the forum in august or september I've discarded about 10 pieces of clothing. Other pieces are in danger

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by LARon

As the year nears its end, its time again to look through my closet and purge all those things I've grown less fond of or otherwise find I don't wear. How often do you guys go through this exercise? And what things do you find you're most willing to purge?

it's a non-stop process. i sell off many of my mistake purchases on ebay. i just got rid of 20-something used cotton-poly shirts this way.

 

[GQgeek]

Although I hadn't worn them in years, I finally threw-out my Kenneth Coles when I moved the other day. I did, however, keep one pair in the event that I ever have to shovel **** on a farm. I don't have the heart to throw-out or give away my black MTM Armani suit, even though it's a burning reminder of how clueless I once was.

 

[Soph]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Although I hadn't worn them in years, I finally threw-out my Kenneth Coles when I moved the other day. I did, however, keep one pair in the event that I ever have to shovel **** on a farm. I don't have the heart to throw-out or give away my black MTM Armani suit, even though it's a burning reminder of how clueless I once was.

I sold off a black label armani I bought for $700 for about $400 on ebay, damn thing was always coming apart in the pants.. I can only fear what a MTM Armani cost you. It's unbelieveable how poorly they are made for what they cost. They are terrible business suits also.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

I don't have the heart to throw-out or give away my black MTM Armani suit, even though it's a burning reminder of how clueless I once was.
I've got a friend who claims he'll keep his biggest suit mistake for the rest of his life: every time he sees it in the back of the closet it will remind him to be more prudent.

 

[singlechange]

Originally Posted by Jared

I've got a friend who claims he'll keep his biggest suit mistake for the rest of his life: every time he sees it in the back of the closet it will remind him to be more prudent.
I heartedly ratify your friend's idea. I won an ebay auction for Scafora loafers listed at $15 and turned out to be Goodwill material. But, then, again I found listed on ebay an "Italian wingtip" for $80 and turned into Silvano Lattanzi! They live blissfully side by side in my shoe closet.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by Soph

-Alot this last year, as I just discovered these forum about a year ago. So I've had one hell of a learning curve. Ebay is your friend. I purged 7 items in the last 2 weeks. I've already got another stack to purge tommorow. Until I get my basics completely in hand. It's definitely a ride to self discovery. I've made several errors and some were just plain bad taste, but purging is essential to us always improving sartorialists.

I'm in a similar situation. I joined the fora about 2 years ago, but I still have some buying mistakes to purge. Since I've been lifting weights seriously for the past year and gained 15-20 pounds, I also have about a dozen or more used dress shirts and a half-dozen pairs of cotton chinos that no longer fit and will get donated.

Thanks for the post. You've inspired me to go through my closet _today_.

 

[LARon]

Originally Posted by thinman

Thanks for the post. You've inspired me to go through my closet _today_.

Happy to help thinman (or should we now call you "not-so-thinman" or, better yet, "buffman")? In either case congrats on the new bod.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by LARon

Happy to help thinman (or should we now call you "not-so-thinman" or, better yet, "buffman")? In either case congrats on the new bod.

Thanks. I'm pretty pleased, though it's been hard work and I'm still slim, at 6'3" and pushing 180 lbs. I'm going on a maintenance, rather than a muscle-building, program soon, though, before I have to donate my entire wardrobe.

 

[VMan]

I am in the process of a major re-working of my wardrobe. Over the past several years I accumulated a lot of quality and stylish pieces. However, as a whole my clothes aren't entirely congruent, and share different traits. As of late I have really found my interest to be in the minimal and understated aesthetic similar to what Jil Sander, Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela, Costume National, and Hussein Chalayan are doing.

My goal is to thin down my wardrobe to a small, tight collection of pieces that are completely interchangeable in different combinations, and where fit, quality, and durability (both physically lasting, and also durable style-wise in a timeless and classic sense) are emphasized. Sort of like the Puma x Neil Barrett 96 Hours Collection concept.

 

[Will]

I'm purging or moving clothes to storage monthly.

Yesterday I went into my long term necktie storage drawer and was delighted to find two dozen 3 3/8 to 1/2" wide ties that had been put away six or seven years ago. So I took the remaining 4" and 3 7/8" ties off the active racks and will store the ones I can't bear to part with and dispose of the rest.

 

[LARon]

You actually have a "long term" storage drawer? What exactly does it hold? (things you think you no longer like and may want to get rid of, but just aren't certain?)