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This week I have been preparing for Jane and my's interview with Semple's Secrets on our favourite dresses. This has involved digging about in the garage for a dress that I need to take with me, which I know is in my CAN"T EVER THROW AWAY box. This box holds all the clothes that have very strong memories attached to them, and no matter how much they might fetch on eBay, can never be thrown away.
Poking about in the box I found a skirt I made in 1975 from a Laura Ashley patchwork scraps kit. I was 14 years old and used to make loads of clothes around this time but the skirt was the first thing I felt I really got right in terms of being 'on trend' (although we didn't use that term then) and actually fitting me properly (not much fit involved as it was a wrap skirt, which was probably why it worked) I wore it to death, along with an embroidered white cheesecloth blouse and I felt absolutely fabulous. I know it was a great skirt because my friends Charlie and Maggie were constantly borrowing it.
Looking at it transports me back in time and there's no way I can ever let it go. My box in the garage is not stuffed full of clothes, it only has a few select pieces because it takes something really special to make it into the NEVER THROW AWAY pile. I've had loads of clothes that I've worn to death but very few that mean so much that I can't bear to let them go. What is it that makes the difference? I'm not sure but for the skirt it is memories of long hot summers (I wore it all through the hot summer of 1976), moping about with girlfriends, thinking about boys. Does everyone have a bag full of clothes they can't part with? if so, what's in yours?
I look forward to reading the interview. Your post (and your skirt) have sent me hurtling back to that time, of long, hot summers and learning chart songs by heart. I made a peasant blouse that looms large in my memory. I no longer have it, probably due to the fact it started to unravel quite quickly after a few wears and washes!
Posted by: Lilac | January 18, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Oh memories memories! I have not got a box of clothes (four children, small house,recent move after 30 years!) but I suppose I have a memory box in my mind - dusky pink Biba boots, Laura Ashley smock, Ozzie Clark lime green dress with pointy bits on sleeve, stripy tights and Russell and Bromley chunky loafers, white afgan coat - oh the list goes on and it was if it was yesterday! The funny thing is I don,t think I feel the same way about the clothes I have now perhaps because my memory clothes are so wound up with my youth and such carefree sunny days!
Posted by: Gillian Taylor | January 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Lovely memories! (That makes me sound so OLD!) I too made a patch work skirt and cheesecloth oooohh...... I don't have many of my clothes as I was frightened to hang on to them and the fear that I might me tempted to wear them again! My 3 girls wish I had, when I tell them of the special stuff I spend my student wages on! Platform bottle green leather boots, afghan (smelly) coats, maxi dresses, midi skirts the list is endless. My real problem with NOT LETTING GO was when the children came along. I have suitcases full of embroidered romper suits and dresses, hand knitted baby clothes and teeny tiny shoes!!!
I remember a TV programme a few years back, that dealt with clearing the clutter, and the programme insisted the house owner throw clutter, old clothes and even childrens artwork into a SKIP which munched it up!! Now whilst I do understand the cleansing process of clearing up, the idea of parting with my children's pictures and drawings and those tiny shoes and putting them in a skip..... never!x
Posted by: jill | January 18, 2011 at 01:21 PM
REALLY lovely comments ladies, thank you. I am very interested in Gillian's comment that she doesn't feel so emotionally attached to her recent clothes, I feel a bit the same, is it because we have MORE now? Do you think? And can you imagine throwing out your kids pictures? terrible! And WHAT would Mumsnet say? Ax
Posted by: amanda | January 18, 2011 at 05:02 PM