At what point do you decide to donate clothes that are too small?
I’m doing my twice a year swap of summer for winter clothes (off season clothes go in the now disused closet of a kid’s room). Moving the clothes means I take a second look at what I can actually still wear.
I don’t have anything really small; those I got rid of long ago.
When I lost 25 pounds 7 years ago, I was glad I hadn’t gotten rid of ALL the smaller things, having kept my favorites or colors I needed to go with certain tops.
But my weight has been inching up the last 2 years. I went off a medication about then which seems to be why it’s going back up again. I have regained 15 of the original 25 I lost.
My smallest (that I last wore ~ 2 years ago) is 2 sizes smaller than I am wearing now. None of these things are out of style (I myself am not “in style”); they are things like jeans and practical every day pants.
In a way I feel like donating those means I’m giving up on losing weight. But that’s a slippery slope. I thought of writing a note on the calendar that if size “x” doesn’t fit me in a year’s time, it has to go.
How do you handle it?
It goes out to charity if I wouldn't wear it anymore, no matter what size.
I have clothes I haven't worn in 40 years just for sentimental reasons and clothes I can't yet bear to get rid of, in a big plastic box. I get rid of things in my closet I haven't worn in 2 years, either put away or give away.
Bottom line regarding size....would I wear them again or not.
Thank you. My question is not, "WOULD I wear them", if I wouldn't, it's gone.
But do you hold on to things you like and used to wear, when you were a little smaller?Things you would be HAPPY to wear again, but they are one or two sizes too small now.
Do you hold onto them in the hopes you will lose the weight?
Yes, I do! Due to a medical issue, my weight fluctuates 50 pounds. I have clothes size 10-16. I keep 3-5 outfits in all those 4 sizes. I have what fits in my closet, 1 "too small" bin, and 1 "too large" bin. I've listened to the advice to donate what doesn't fit and used to do that, I don't anymore. I find it demoralizing as I gain weight to have to go shopping just to have clothes and it's equally frustrating to lose weight, buy something new only to have it not fit a few months later.
I've also changed the way I shop. I buy sleeveless tops, sweaters, wrap dresses that work over a variety of sizes and fewer fitted pieces.
YES!!! Storage space is not an issue for me. I really don't like to shop and I really like having stuff I can wear now that I am starting to have success at weight loss.
For awhile I kept the bins out of sight, they were just depressing. However now that I am making progress I have them lined up in my closet and they are motivating.