Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Are We There Yet?

This weekend I did the unthinkable and went back into the closet to do a round two purge. Despite having amassed a pile the weekend prior, I knew there was more that needed to go. It's confession time: I'm kind of grossed out by how much stuff I've held onto and just how much I have period. Even though I take very good care of my clothes and that's part of the reason I retain them, that should also mean I don't keep on buying new things. Key word: should.

For the past few years I've felt like things were piling up around me, literally and figuratively. Even though everything still fit within the closets, it just felt like too much. Then I'd get overwhelmed and wouldn't know where to begin, so I'd get rid of a chunk and the cycle would continue. This time I actually made time to try things on and subsequently ask myself why in the hell I still thought they looked good. 2002 is over Carrie, time to move on.

There are just a couple stragglers I'm debating on and the jacket below is one of them. Have you ever been to the Totokaelo site? It's super sleek and fabulous. Even though I usually veer to the boho side of things, their clean lines kind of have me lately (common denominator: clean, clean, clean). The only thing I've allowed myself to order is a pair of Rachel Comey boots I've eyeballed for 2 years, and I struggle not to wear them every day so I think the purchase has been justified.

Now about the jacket: it reminds me of some of the pieces on Totokaelo, but I wonder if I'll wear it more than a few times in the winter. Is that enough to warrant keeping it?
To keep or not to keep: that is the question.
Buttons to the bottom.
Exhausted, woman just wants it to be over.
But the boots? No question there. 

~Outfit details: Club Monaco-Wool S/S Jacket (old), Basic V-T by Alexander Wang, Current/Elliott-Legging Jean
Rachel Comey-Boots, Foley and Corinna-Handbag~

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I say keep it through the winter and see how much wear it actually gets. If it's not a lot, then you know it needs to go.

Tiffany Kadani said...

Keep it! Or give it to me. Heh.

NYLON Girl said...

KEEP IT. Looks amaze and if you bin it I will not be impressed. :-)

Ezgi x

this free bird said...

HAHAHA EZGI!!

Courtney Erin said...

Are you mad woman? Keep it!

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

The Suburb Experiment said...

I vote keep it! It looks great and if you're conflicted you might as well keep it for a while. Better to get rid of it later than kick yourself for the awesome coat "that got away". :)

Jenn

fshnonmymind said...

I'm going to say keep because it looks great on you and it looks like one of those pieces that you can do things with or not if you want to wear it by itself.
P.S. Love your Rachel Comey boots. I would love a pair, but have an aversion to spending so much money on shoes. I do wish I had gotten the leopard ones from last year. How is the fit? TTS?

Judy C said...

I don't think the jacket has the same vibe or flair that you do. It's sort of plain and you are definitely not plain.

this free bird said...

Judy I'm leaning in your direction!

Closet Fashionista said...

I love that coat! Definitely a keep! (or send it on over to me ;) )
I should do another cleanout, ha ha...maybe when I move back into my house this weekend I'll get rid of stuff
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

nicole said...

i thinks it's rad, but not totally you. i say purge.

Claire Kiefer said...

Wellllll, I think the coat is definitely cute enough to keep, but I know what you mean about how if you don't wear stuff enough, it's just taking up space. My head hurts at the thought of going through my closet, but I know it's something that needs to be done. I got rid of like 2 garbage bags a couple months ago, and sadly, there is much more to purge . . .

Ashley said...

I am so not the person to ask about keeping or tossing old clothes, I am the worst hoarder! I have been meaning to clean out my closet forever, but I can't bring myself to part with even one thing. So of course my vote is to keep the jacket!

-Ashley
http://www.breakfastatsaks.com

LyddieGal said...

Hopefully your purging will inspire me to keep going - it is truly amazing how much we can accumulate!

I almost wish my clothes were falling apart so that I could toss them without reservation and feel justified in buying new ones.

that sounds bad. haha.

as for the jacket... it's pretty boxy and I'm not in love with it. if you aren't either, then let it go.

Chic on the Cheap

k said...

it's so hard to get rid of things because there is potential! like this, i can see ways to wear it. it's really cute...but i guess if you don't LOVE it then get rid of it :)

Lexi said...

I'm not much help - I'm a complete closet hoarder. I can't throw anything away!
Lexi @ Glitter, Inc.

Discovery Street said...

I clean out my closet almost seasonally...I only have a few items that i've held on to for more than a couple of years--and it does feel good. :) happy thanksgiving Carrie!

jen said...

Carrie, every fall/winter and every spring/summer my girlfriends and I have a swap night - we each bring our clothing purge items and everything is up for grabs! It can be easier to part with something if you know a friend is going to enjoy it. It makes for a pretty entertaining evening if you all have a sense of humor about it! Anything left over goes to goodwill or whatever you want to do with it next.

jen said...

PS I don't love the coat. It looks structured and boxy - not how I think of you!

this free bird said...

Thank you everyone for pitching in and voicing your opinions. I've decidedvto release it into the wind! One stop at consignment and if they don't pick up it's on to Goodwill!

Jen-I love your swap night idea. Apparently I'm the biggest hoarder and the only xs amongst my friends or it would be on!

Anonymous said...

I just don't love it on you . Your style is so different from that boxy shape. Don't love it - but only my opinion!!

this free bird said...

Hey C2: just sold it at the consignment place!

valerierbrems said...

LOVE the entire outfit! You looks amazing!

MzElena23 said...

You better keep those boots!!!! Because if not, I'll take them off your hands. ;) Rule of thumb for me when purging (which is a lot!), if I haven't worn it in 6 months, it's outta here! :)

A Crimson Kiss said...

Gah–these girls are all giving such good advice! I love the piece and the styling here is perfect BUT I also can't see it with a lot of the other pieces you rock so beautifully. It's pretty Hitchcock heroine–but who doesn't want to be Grace Kelly?

Unknown said...

seriously? - no really! - seriously - u had to give me ANOTHER site for me to droll over and count the days till i get paid so i can afford something (or sell a kidney) ....

as for the keep or not - soon as you question urself, it's a KEEP - u'll regret it - *totally learned that lesson the wrong way too many time* - i wanna raid ur closet btw :o)

ok carry on in ur RC boots

She Wore It Well said...

Keep for the season then chuck if you don't wear it!!

Ashleigh said...

You are singing my song! I totally take care of my stuff but suddenly it's been 10 years and I'm confused as to why I'm still wearing it, especially when I keep buying more, more, more... Kudos for a second sweep! As for the jacket, looks like a keeper to me. Such clean lines will never go out of style!

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