Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......

[diane278]

@Egel, here’s an old photo of me in an unironed linen tunic and unironed linen pants. I still have both the tunic and the pants. (washed in the washing machine, dried in the dryer in medium heat and then hung up In the closet to wear.) And yes, it got even more wrinkled as I wore it during the day….but this is who I am…..

 

[Clearblueskies]

@Egel, here’s an old photo of me in an unironed linen tunic and unironed linen pants. I still have both the tunic and the pants. (washed in the washing machine, dried in the dryer in medium heat and then hung up In the closet to wear.) And yes, it got even more wrinkled as I wore it during the day….but this is who I am…..

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I haven’t ironed anything since the beginning of the pandemic and honestly it’s been a revelation. I might pick up an iron again for some things at some point, but I’ve realised for most natural fibres (I love linen too) it’s not necessary, makes little difference, and it’s probably better for the fibres not to.

 

[whateve]

I haven’t ironed anything since the beginning of the pandemic and honestly it’s been a revelation. I might pick up an iron again for some things at some point, but I’ve realised for most natural fibres (I love linen too) it’s not necessary, makes little difference, and it’s probably better for the fibres not to.

I've always hated ironing. There are things I haven't worn for an entire season because they were waiting to get ironed.

 

[Clearblueskies]

I've always hated ironing. There are things I haven't worn for an entire season because they were waiting to get ironed.

Me too, loathe it
One of my biggest shocks going into shared accommodation at college was discovering some people iron socks!

 

[hotgalaxy]

They’re still on house arrest. Since I’m making this up as I go along, I have no idea when any of these might be ready for relocation. I’m wondering if, or when, I’ll relinquish feelings of ownership. But there is a sense of relief to have at least started the process without feeling any regret....at least yet.

I am going to try this today. I like the idea of having them in a holding place for a while.

 

[diane278]

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I am going to try this today. I like the idea of having them in a holding place for a while.

Taking things out of my sight and living without them helps me to know whether or not I’d miss them if they were permanently gone.

 

[whateve]

Today I carried a bag I hadn't used for nearly 2 years.

 

[hotgalaxy]

Thanks diane278 I have quickly gone through my handbag collex. It is made up of all types of bags, lux brand, contemporary and no name. I put them all on the bed and only put back bags, clutches and SLG's on gut instinct, quick decision. I am really happy with this mornings couple of hours. I have culled 2 handbags and four crossbody bags also four bags in the "holding shelf", I will review them in another few months. I didn't realize how many bags I actually own. When reading others comments saying they have 20 bags I was like "OMG!! thats a lot!!. Hmmm I had far in excess of that amount!! Nothing like a closet clear out for self-reflection!! Going to tackle another room next!

 

[diane278]

I’m now facing a life change that’s larger than turning 70. I’m planning to move to an independent living (senior) condo. It’s under construction. I have been clearing out my current house as much as possible. I’m going into a 2bd/2ba unit. I‘m having the closets painted but not outfitted. I’m having a closet company come in and build out what I need. I did this 20 years ago when I moved into my current house and can‘t see myself with a smallish closet with a single rod. I won’t have room for anything that’s not earning it’s keep. I think my current bag collection is good, but I got rid of all the boxes the bags came in, except for a couple I’m currently using to hold misc things. I’m planning on treating my bags as simply bags and not staging them as a collection. This feels like progress but I can’t be sure until I see what it looks like after I’ve lived with it for awhile.…if I even get it completed. Posting it here makes me feel like I’m making a real commitment to change. I hope it works!

 

[whateve]

I’m now facing a life change that’s larger than turning 70. I’m planning to move to an independent living (senior) condo. It’s under construction. I have been clearing out my current house as much as possible. I’m going into a 2bd/2ba unit. I‘m having the closets painted but not outfitted. I’m having a closet company come in and build out what I need. I did this 20 years ago when I moved into my current house and can‘t see myself with a smallish closet with a single rod. I won’t have room for anything that’s not earning it’s keep. I think my current bag collection is good, but I got rid of all the boxes the bags came in, except for a couple I’m currently using to hold misc things. I’m planning on treating my bags as simply bags and not staging them as a collection. This feels like progress but I can’t be sure until I see what it looks like after I’ve lived with it for awhile.…if I even get it completed. Posting it here makes me feel like I’m making a real commitment to change. I hope it works!

That's a big move! Are you staying in the same geographical area? Moving makes you look at everything as you pack it up so it'll be easier to cull out anything that you won't use.

 

[hotgalaxy]

I’m now facing a life change that’s larger than turning 70. I’m planning to move to an independent living (senior) condo. It’s under construction. I have been clearing out my current house as much as possible. I’m going into a 2bd/2ba unit. I‘m having the closets painted but not outfitted. I’m having a closet company come in and build out what I need. I did this 20 years ago when I moved into my current house and can‘t see myself with a smallish closet with a single rod. I won’t have room for anything that’s not earning it’s keep. I think my current bag collection is good, but I got rid of all the boxes the bags came in, except for a couple I’m currently using to hold misc things. I’m planning on treating my bags as simply bags and not staging them as a collection. This feels like progress but I can’t be sure until I see what it looks like after I’ve lived with it for awhile.…if I even get it completed. Posting it here makes me feel like I’m making a real commitment to change. I hope it works!

Goodness me, how exciting for you. Seems to me you are on the right track with regards to the planning of your new space.

 

[diane278]

That's a big move! Are you staying in the same geographical area? Moving makes you look at everything as you pack it up so it'll be easier to cull out anything that you won't use.

Yes, I’m staying in the same area. I’ve written before about my many futile attempts at simplifying my life. I think my age and circumstances are in perfect alignment for it to happen this time….my biggest challenge is trying to figure out what paintings will fit without looking crowded and how I’ll arrange them…..

Goodness me, how exciting for you. Seems to me you are on the right track with regards to the planning of your new space.

I’m really trying!

 

[Egel]

Thank you for the kind words.

At 71, I’ve already gone through those challenges you mentioned. Somewhere along the way, I finally abandoned my efforts to find any kind of perfection. I decided to accept my “flaws”. Sure, I’d like to have great bone structure and long legs.…but I’m much happier now, having let go of the impossible.

The only wrinkle-free linen that I know of is either ironed and hanging on a hanger or in a photo.

I love linen and I embrace it washed, dried in the dryer and softly wrinkled as it comes out if the dryer. I prefer that softness to stiffly ironed linen. For me, ironed linen looks like it’s been creased when it wrinkles. If an item gets too wrinkly I steam it lightly just enough to get the really deep creases to soften up. But mostly, I leave it looking natural. I buy pieces in the softer, thinner linen. The heavy linen that I only see in ironed dresses won’t work for me…..I’m too casual. the more I wash my linen pieces the softer they seem to become. I live in an extremely hot climate and find linen comfortable. And yes, at the end of a day it can look ‘tired” but I’m ok with that.

Wear those shoes. You chose them because they spoke to you. wear them with some wrinkled linen if you want. Dress however you want. When I want style inspiration, I look at women online who are my age and have found “their” look. Linda Rodin inspires my boho side and Linda V. Wright has inspired my uniform dressing. But I don’t look or dress like them. It’s their comfort level with themselves I appreciate.

Now I’m rambling…..

When I wanted to find the style that suits me I always came back to the same things. I know what I want, I know what I like and I know not everybody has the same taste. It was never about that. But somehow things shifted.

It might be my conformation bias talking but seeing unedited photo's of influencers during pfw really made me laugh. Some people just looked wrong. They look perfect in pictures but their face was unnaturally still on camera. Or you can see the visible fillers.

To each their own offcourse, but if I don't gravitate to an unnatural look in my face, why would I strive for it in the rest of my appearance. I'm going to wear more linnen this summer

Moving sounds exciting, I hope everything goes well. I moved during the pandemic and it is a great way to start over.

 

[bagnut1]

They look perfect in pictures but their face was unnaturally still on camera. Or you can see the visible fillers.

Reminds me of a certain middle-aged celebrity who appeared on a British talk show a few years ago with a "dermatological malfunction." Filler had gone wonky at the top of one cheek leaving a dimple in a spot that one never sees a dimple whenever this person smiled, which they tried very hard not to do. (Which made for very strange television.)

Everyone should do whatever they feel is right for them. One day I may eventually change my mind about "fixing" my face but I would be very sad at any age if people thought I had lost my mind believing I am fooling anyone.

 

[whateve]

Reminds me of a certain middle-aged celebrity who appeared on a British talk show a few years ago with a "dermatological malfunction." Filler had gone wonky at the top of one cheek leaving a dimple in a spot that one never sees a dimple whenever this person smiled, which they tried very hard not to do. (Which made for very strange television.)

Everyone should do whatever they feel is right for them. One day I may eventually change my mind about "fixing" my face but I would be very sad at any age if people thought I had lost my mind believing I am fooling anyone.

I worked for a plastic surgeon while I was in college. Seeing it actually done and all the things that could go wrong makes me leery of having any myself.