"Closet orphans are basically teaching moments waiting to happen. I
mean, we loved them, we bought them, we longed to wear them … and yet we
didn’t wear them. If we don’t examine what prompted those
purchases and what prevented those wearings, are we not doomed to make
those same mistakes again?"
- Sally of Already Pretty, "What Closet Orphans Can Teach Us"I was so intrigued by Sally's post that I decided to dig through my donations bag and see what I can learn from my closet orphans, and to reconsider donating them. I hate the idea of wasting money by letting things go unworn, yet at the same time a well-curated closet is a worthy (and lofty) goal.
Strapless dress (tags still on, never worn)
Why I bought it: the colors and print are pretty.
Why I didn't wear it: I've realized that strapless dresses may just not be my style (add in the fact that I'm still on the hunt for a strapless bra that doesn't inch down my rib cage). This is also shorter than I usually go for.
If I kept it, I might wear it like this:
Verdict: donated.
Tunic
Why I didn't wear it: Hmm, not quite sure. I think it's too bare in the back for my personal preference.
Verdict: donated.
"Secret agent" dress
Why I bought it: It's cotton, it's a nice straight cut (no need to worry about your skirt flapping up), and it was a nice way to ease into dresses without going full-on girly. I call it my "secret agent dress" because my fourth-graders told me I looked like a police officer or agent when I wore it.
Why I didn't wear it much: I don't care for the sleeves or the stand-up collar (which I usually fold down).
Verdict: I like the fit and fabric, so I will keep it for now. I'll wear it for work and see how I like it.
Butterfly-print dress
Why I bought it: I liked the print and colors and it seemed like a great work dress.
Why I didn't wear it much: A big factor in my decision to order it from overstock.com was that it said this dress was washable. But after it arrived, I realized they had made a mistake - it's dry clean only.
Verdict: I like the fit and it's a bit more professional than most of my other dresses, so I will give it another try as work wear.
Verdict: I like the fit and it's a bit more professional than most of my other dresses, so I will give it another try as work wear.
Ruffle jacket
Why I bought it: I liked the color and I wanted to experiment with ruffles.
Why I didn't wear it much: It's cotton and the ruffles are a pain to iron. I also don't like that the ruffles go around the collar. The husband also loathes it.
Verdict: donated.
Floral full skirt
Why I bought it: I wanted to experiment with the silhouette and the colors are underrepresented in my closet.
Why I didn't wear it: the full silhouette means the slightest breeze makes it fly up, and I hate that in a skirt. The print also made me think of wallpaper.
I actually really like this skirt paired with the pink sweater. I put them together on a whim, but the mismatched pinks make me smile. And a pair of bike shorts would solve the floaty-skirt problem.
Verdict: Keep for now. Wear with bike shorts (duh, that took a while to figure out).
Burnout tee
Why I bought it: I love t-shirts. This is the perfect balance between patterned and neutral.
Why I didn't wear it much: It's sheer in certain spots, so it requires a camisole.
How I'd wear it now: Partially sheer tee + lace top = work-appropriate. Eureka!
Verdict: Keep.
Rayon tee (never worn, tags still on)
Why I bought it: I liked the color and print and longer sleeve.
Why I didn't wear it: It's dry clean only.
Verdict: Keep for now. Wear it for work and see how I like it.
Banana Republic silk top (hand-me-down, never worn)
Why it's been hanging around my closet for so long: It's silk! It's actually a really pretty color that I couldn't capture with the camera - somewhere between celadon and celery.
Why I haven't worn it: the straps fall off my shoulders all the time. It's strangely long.
CONCLUDING LESSONS
This was fascinating to do! Some patterns that emerged:
- I'm pretty good at picking and purchasing prints and colors I love.
- The problem with focusing on prints and colors is that sometimes I overlook collar/neckline and sleeve details. Once I start wearing something, however, I get particular about collars and sleeves, and this affects how often I wear the item.
- I don't wear my dry-clean-only items too often. I want to make a conscious effort to wear the dry-clean items that I already have - some of them are really pretty. For future purchases, I need to keep in mind that I really don't get much use out of such items.
- It's worth taking a second look at an item and restyling it. I enjoyed restyling the floral full skirt and burnout tee.
- While I donated only 3 of the 9 closet orphans examined, I'll be making an effort to welcome the remaining 6 items back into my closet by wearing them. I plan to revisit them in a few months and determine whether they can stay or need to be donated.
