With clothing prices set to increase by between 5 and 8 per cent next year, it looks as if the age of ‘throwaway’ fashion is at an end. We’re all going to have to be a bit more frugal about our buying - although you don’t need to be Gok Wan to look at my shrunken T-shirts and tired jumpers to realise that I’ve never had enough disposable income to bin anything for being ‘last year’. Nevertheless there are some items lurking in the back of my wardrobe that, even in west Wales, will never see the light of day...
For many years I wanted to be a Rock Chick when I grew up. Even when I was grown up. Little did I know, as I strutted around in these leather bad boys channelling the spirit of Jim Morrison, that my daughters were cringing behind my back and suffering excruciating embarrassment every time I left the house in them. I tried them on this morning, wondering what the fuss was about, then looked in the mirror and found a short woman in waders looking back at me. Please accept my profound apologies, Rose and Lily.
I suppose the lesson of this morning’s rummage in my wardrobe is that there are some items that should be thrown away... but in the meantime I’ll just put them back where I found them. I’m not sure about the practical value of those boots, but if clothes prices go up that much, a pair of leather trousers and a huge military style overcoat might just come in handy!
For many years I wanted to be a Rock Chick when I grew up. Even when I was grown up. Little did I know, as I strutted around in these leather bad boys channelling the spirit of Jim Morrison, that my daughters were cringing behind my back and suffering excruciating embarrassment every time I left the house in them. I tried them on this morning, wondering what the fuss was about, then looked in the mirror and found a short woman in waders looking back at me. Please accept my profound apologies, Rose and Lily.
Well, look at this. My investment coat, wool and cashmere, purchased after months of careful saving. Very this season, don’t you think? Strange mousey colour, military references. Lovely. It’s also like a berludy tent on me! How I ever convinced myself it fitted, I don’t know! I can only think that, costing as much as it did, I thought I’d get as much fabric as possible for my
money.
How about these then? I know! What was I thinking of? These things happen. It was my lunch hour, I was fed up, they were in a sale and the next thing I knew they were accompanying me back to the office. I can’t even walk in them – that four inch heel is a killer.
money.
How about these then? I know! What was I thinking of? These things happen. It was my lunch hour, I was fed up, they were in a sale and the next thing I knew they were accompanying me back to the office. I can’t even walk in them – that four inch heel is a killer.I suppose the lesson of this morning’s rummage in my wardrobe is that there are some items that should be thrown away... but in the meantime I’ll just put them back where I found them. I’m not sure about the practical value of those boots, but if clothes prices go up that much, a pair of leather trousers and a huge military style overcoat might just come in handy!
Comments
Your post made me chuckle and reminded me of those of my friends who shop on a regular basis and have a summer wardrobe and a winter one, and set times for changing them round, with the out of season one being boxed up and put in the attic or storage. I have one wardrobe, I've had it for years, I just like to vary the number of layers it has as we segue from one season to the next!
Fun post, Chris.
Embarassing your kids - it never fails!
I thought you might even have moved by now - no we haven't either
I have a trunk, bought to carry my personal possessions when I went away to university in 1963. That trunk and I have traveled many miles since then.
In the late 1960's I painted the outside of this trunk with my version of psychedelic art, and began to fill it with various bits and pieces from various fashion eras that I really thought were good examples of those eras.
It's a bit like my time machine. If I had ever had a daughter, I would have loved to show those clothes to her.
Oh yes, there are some amazing shoes in there, too.
Thank you for sending me back in time, Chris. xo
I'm sure we've all got hidden horrors at the back of the wardrobe which all seemed like good ideas at the time.
I read a while ago an article, in a newspaper, that said that the average woman kept jeans for 30 years even if they didn't fit (or ever will). So needless to say that we're all "been there, done that" ahahahah. As a non-fashionista I've always been that safe/boring looking girl/lady so I cracked with your Jim Morrison impersonation. Go Chris Go!
Here we're facing another wardrobe problem, with weather temperatures getting higher year after year I wonder if we should keep the long winter coats...
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I love the boots but then again I am a boot fanatic. I have worse offerings from my wardrobe I can tell you!
Fun post and I loved reading all the comments.
Jeanne
x
Pauline - shorts and t shirts, bliss!
Fennie, ebay eludes me... or maybe I'm afraid to get started!
Jane, leather shorts, now there's an idea... a completely berludy mad one, but an idea!
Milla, true - you and me both, that coat's one I bought when I first started work!
Debs, phew! Glad it's not just me!
Mags, they seemed like a good idea at the time!
SBS, helloooo! - don't be silly, of course we haven't moved... that would mean we needed buyers and they've all disappeared! But clearly they're not up in your direction either!
Frances, I think you owe it to your readers to show us what's inside that trunk!
Posie, laughing at the thought of your mum's hat!!
Mountainear - not you, you are so elegant!
Hi Teresa, thank you! The only thing that stops me ditching any of it is that it's getting colder and colder here!
Liz, what a brilliant idea... a tailor won't be able to change the colour of that coat though, will he/she?! Maybe I should try ebay!
Elizabethm, your boots sound lovely - but why do we do it? Buy boots we love but can't wear?
Jeanne, I really think we should have a 'fess up blog where everyone reveals their wardrobe shame! (Bet yours aren't at all shameful!)
Fp,yes, most of my clothing falls into the 'it fits so I'll wear it' category... even so, these have been lurking unworn for some time now!