Thread: Splurge & Purge!!

I went on a shopping binge at the LV Intensive 2 weeks ago - so now it's time to make room in the closet (and the bank account). ,r:;

But how do I let anything go??
Some of my favs don't fit anymore... but there's a huge sentimental attachment. Ugh.

what's your pre-requisite for re-cycling costumes??
* something you just don't like... color, fit, etc
* an impulse buy you never actually wore
* something you wear too much
* things you've outgrown - taste wise
* things you've outgrown - size wise
* how long since you wore it last?
* other???

Originally Posted by caasious

I went on a shopping binge at the LV Intensive 2 weeks ago - so now it's time to make room in the closet (and the bank account). ,r:;

But how do I let anything go??
Some of my favs don't fit anymore... but there's a huge sentimental attachment. Ugh.

what's your pre-requisite for re-cycling costumes??
* something you just don't like... color, fit, etc
* an impulse buy you never actually wore
* things you've outgrown - taste wise
* things you've outgrown - size wise
* how long since you wore it last?
* other???

I still can't let anything go ..cr.:

I weep at the thought of all of the amazing costumes out there that will never again see the light of day due to sentimentality.

Okay, I don't actually cry about it, but STILL. I'm way too practical about my costumes, I guess.

I am resolved to only buy, make, and wear costumes that I absolutely love regarding color, fit, style, etc. I want to know that they help me look my very best.

Get out a notebook and take detailed measurements of the costumes you are considering selling. Grab your camera and take at least 10 photos of each costume. PUT THEM ON (well, not all at once) and twirl around in front of the mirror. Going through the motions of selling can help you decide if you're really ready, or at least number them from "most ready to sell" to "really hard to sell".

Excellent, practical, easy-to-follow advice. Now please come to my house and stage an intervention.

the problem - I went through this a year ago and thinned out all of the "student" quality costumes, keeping just my performance / solo / troupe wear.

This time round is harder.

..l;, Will do. Maybe I can travel throughout the USA and Canada and provide this service, kind of like those shows on the Home & Garden channel where they help people organize their closets (I could use that help, actually).

Originally Posted by Zana

Excellent, practical, easy-to-follow advice. Now please come to my house and stage an intervention.

One of the things I do is look at what I am grabbing to wear on a regular basis. If I don't grab it, or don't remember I have it, probably time to let it go. About 2 years ago I did a complete inventory on my costumes. I then was able to be pretty clear about what I had. When it came time to raise a little money, I was able to understand where my attachments were and what I could comfortably let go of.

(I do have one box of "too small but I love them and will not let them go" costumes. An Abla, one that used to be Aziza's, you get the idea.)

Taking a complete inventory is a good starting point. Then you will have a better idea of what you really have and where you have things which are, if not duplicates, over lapping. that may be a good place to start looking for things to eliminate.

{{{HUGS}}}

He he. I only needed to see the title of this thread to guess what it was about.

I was in an agony about this not too long ago. Owned more costumes than I needed, buying yet another (which was no mistake; it's one of those ones you could never regret), paralyzed about deciding what to let go because I was so attached to them all, yet I also needed money and the number of costumes I owned was getting to be absurd.

I asked a dancer whose opinions I especially respect (Alia T, my first teacher and dear friend) to come to my house and help me figure it out. I tried on every single costume and modeled them for her. She told me which she thought were more or less flattering to me and/or useful to have in one's costume wardrobe and made recommendations on what to keep and what to sell. I ended up following her recommendations about every costume except one and I feel good about all my decisions. It was just hugely helpful.
Rosette

We can totally pitch this to HGTV. "Kiyaana and Alia: Sparkle Busters!" Like Trinny and Susannah, but with shimmies.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

One of the things I do is look at what I am grabbing to wear on a regular basis. If I don't grab it, or don't remember I have it, probably time to let it go. About 2 years ago I did a complete inventory on my costumes. I then was able to be pretty clear about what I had. When it came time to raise a little money, I was able to understand where my attachments were and what I could comfortably let go of.

(I do have one box of "too small but I love them and will not let them go" costumes. An Abla, one that used to be Aziza's, you get the idea.)

ITA with tahira. Right down to me not being able to get rid of the faux leather costume in my profile pic, even though last time I wore it I busted a side seam with my jelly. .w.: I can't wear it anymore, but I don't want anyone else to have it either.

I only get rid of things I absolutely know I won't or shouldn't wear. Something that doesn't flatter me or something that doesn't fit.

I have been known to pull out something I haven't worn in over a year.

Originally Posted by Zana

Excellent, practical, easy-to-follow advice. Now please come to my house and stage an intervention.

Kiyaana, go to Zana's house and find all the costumes that she should sell to me! ..l;,..l;, After all, I'm her bosom buddy...