Read the previous entry in this series: Day 16: Your Choice. My Choice: The Painting Things
or start at the beginning with the Introduction: 5 Ways Clutter Costs.
There are under-buyer and over-buyers.
I am an underbuyer. I always thought it was because I was poor--but now that I am able to afford reasonably priced things, I find myself just unwilling to shop.
The coat closet is also home to the vacuum, the vacuum attachments, the mop, broom, dustpan, the feather duster, grocery bags and games.
I don't mind looking on-line--but to schlep from store to store just makes me tired. And I am not a fan of weaving and dodging the crowds in malls.
All this to say: I did not throw out my winter coat.
Some of these things are not like the others. One of these things just doesn't belong. Well, OK, more than one. I asked my husband about each of the things he keeps here, too, and he was willing to part with one of his winter jackets. (It's torn and worn and stained.)
I should have.
The zipper doesn't work anymore. I've sewn each of the three buttons on more than once. In fact, some of them need to be reattached. The pockets are treacherous. (I finally found my car keys in the lining, once.) The cord for the hood was lost long ago.
I should have bought a new coat last year.
But, I haven't shopped for a new one yet--and as a plus size it is probably too late to find anything for this winter. Thank heavens I have use of a car to go back and forth to work. Last year, I relied on public transit and there were a few days I was colder than I wanted to be.
So it stays. I'll wear it as I did last year as a layer over several other things.
Maybe I'll get a new winter coat.
Next year.
Read the next entry in this series Day 18: Letting Go of the Linens. Oh, there are some hard choices to make there.
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I appreciate how you're doing the decluttering in small sections. I've been known to wait until I have time to do a whole room which of course seldom happens. I'll give your method a try. Funny about the coat - way to delay shopping!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a quest to find a better rain coat (after decluttering my closets) which should cover me for 3 seasons on the Wet Coast! A question came up during our closet purge which can be a psychological barrier - do you dare get rid of something before you have a replacement? I'm trying to just let it go and I'll figure that out later.
You know, that's a great question. I think it can only answered on a case by case basis. How easy is it for you to find a replacement? How important is your budget for this item. (Winter coats can run hundreds of dollars--I can't afford that!) Will not having a raincoat motivate you more? Or will you just do without, rather than shop?
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it goes.
I'm a plus size who loooooves coats! I have had good luck with ModCloth, the Gap, and London Fog if you are in the market. I love ModCloth's Winterberry Tart Coat.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Colleen! I'll look into those. I didn't know te gap carried plus sizes. Good to hear from you again!
ReplyDelete