I’m cleaning out the closet and getting rid of some of my teacher clothes. I’m having a hard time parting with some of my favorite sweaters but I know I won’t need them anymore.
I was a ruthless declutterer when I retired. I even gave away hundreds of beloved books. I was ruthless EXCEPT FOR 2 things: clothes and shoes. I did get rid of all my nice work slacks and many work blouses that I knew I wouldn’t wear and about a third of my shoes, but....(confession) even though I moved to a warmer-year-round area, I kept all my coats. I love them and may part with them someday, but a beautiful camel-hair coat?
I recently went to a few holiday events and it was really fun to have a large selection of clothes when I was getting ready. If I say so myself, I liked how I looked.
I went through and did a I'll never wear this again mode. Some were just ready for the trash-yes that bad. The others I bagged up for charity. My 6 best pairs of LLBean pants (my go to pants when I really wanted to be wearing jeans) I saved. I had a collection of corduroy jumpers that were boxed up in the attic for when I go to the Old Teachers Home. Actually thought I might make a crazy quilt some day.
If you are really having trouble, box them up and store them away. Mark them for Goodwill. Pull them out a few months from now. If you can’t remember what’s in the box, take them to goodwill without looking inside the box. If you can’t remember what’s in it you haven’t missed it.
A week after retiring I blitzkreiged (sp?) my closet and took out anything I absolutely knew I wouldn’t wear again, was in sad shape or, never quite really liked but wore it anyway. I also removed 75% of rayon/polyester blouses because I was always sweating in them.
6 bags of clothes went to charity.
One year later I did it again, pulling clothes I thought I would wear, and didn’t. Plus, I gained weight and some things may never fit again so those jeans went away.
Like Amiga, I kept most of my shoes....until last week. I was merciless and tossed or donated about 10 pairs....two pairs had never been worn.
I think it takes time to adjust to your retirement wardrobe.
I went through and donated a ton of "teacher clothes" when I first retired. . This year I went to a holiday party but didn't have any "cute" shirt to wear. I am planning to do another round soon. I don't wear half of the clothes in my closet.
Thank you for all of your responses. I bagged up all of the worn out looking clothing, ordered a clean out kit from Thred-up for the better clothing, and allowed myself to keep some of my favorite sweaters.
A pair of black teacher slacks will stay in he closet for funerals.
I was so happy to get rid of a couple dresses that I kept for the hot and humid weather. No more sweating with the kids. Now if it is hot and humid I can either stay in the air conditioning or go to the pool.
I didn't have any trouble getting rid of items like holiday or thematic sweaters, but I still have one of my closets loaded with my skirts and dresses. I know I won't have much use for wearing them and I am not purchasing any "work-type" clothes and shoes, but since everything fits, I find myself hanging on to those parts of my wardrobe. I do go out for lunch with a group of retired teachers once a month, and they tend to dress up, so I was happy to use one of my skirts last month. Like others, I did purge quite a few things and they went out to charity. I do this on a regular basis for both clothes and household items.
Two of my best friends are teachers. They are also moms who never spend a lot of money on themselves. So it was very easy for me to go through my closet knowing that I'd be helping my friends.
I placed all my school t-shirts and insignia buttoned shirts in the teachers’ work room for anyone to take. They were in good condition and disappeared quickly. They were the only teacher related clothing I owned so it was easy. It was books and some other items that were more difficult to part with for me.
I got rid of 90% of my teaching attire. It was crazy to see the amount of same colored pants I had (black, blue, tan and gray). Be sure to keep track of what you donate so you can write it off your taxes.
Was it hard to get rid of things? Not at all. I loaded up the teacher clothes and gave it all away! I knew I wouldn't be teaching eight-year-olds again and I wanted to look like an adult.
However, I did have a hard time behaving like an adult when with adults in the real world who were not teachers. I honestly missed the spur of the moment fun that kids provided.
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12-27-2018, 06:24 PM
