Welcome to the next in the series of household organisation, a series when I gradually progress from something of a hoarder to the desired goal of having a wonderfully organised Pinterest and Instagram worthy beautiful space to live in. I’ll not lie, living with Fibromyalgia this is going to take some time, but guess what you can join me for every step of the journey.
Less clothes than Average
I’ll be honest I don’t have an awful lot of clothes. If I have spare money and there is a choice it will go to craft stash every time. If I’m honest I am not usually a fan of clothes shopping and find it limiting although I am enjoying the Simply Be We are Curves campaign and have bought some new items recently. I used to shop regularly at George but they seem to have reduced the sizes they sell which is disappointing as they stock some really affordable nice clothes. In fact, it is one of my niggles that affordable brands do not cater to larger people. Their assumption is probably that they are encouraging people to lose weight. Firstly this is not always easy when you have chronic health conditions and a limited range of foods your stomach agrees with. Secondly, perhaps this is just me but you need to feel good about yourself to embark on a weight loss journey and being unable to update your wardrobe is not a good position to be in to get yourself in the right mindset. Sorry, I will quickly put my soapbox away and get on with the purpose of this post.
My shopping methods
My usual approach is to find something that fits and is comfortable and to buy it in a few colours. I have sets of matching Tshirts, matching jumpers and even matching trousers but I do have some other clothes, some pretty ones and I fear they will probably the victim of my cull.
Reduced fabric choices
A short time ago I wrote about the need to wear soft fabrics. One of the less obvious ways I have had to adapt my life to living with Fibromyalgia. I confess, probably two or three days at least if not more often I actually wear pyjamas. I will defend it though because I do not wear them to bed due to the Hyperhidrosis so they are really more like house clothes…
I’m Raiding the Closet
So it is time for me to have a look through the wardrobe and those clothes I have not worn in the last year or two and see what I really need to purge. Ironically this is one area I do not need to do it for space but it just feels right to look through all the areas of the flat. I bet for some of you your wardrobe might be the hardest space like my craft stash is for me… Let’s do this
Top 1
This is one of my honeymoon collection, sadly as mentioned several of these have come from that time. The main issue with this is that the ornate decoration around the neck means the inside is quite scratchy, as are the seems. It’s a colour I love but just not practical post-Fibro.
Top 2
This is very much linked to Top 3 as it is the same top in two different colours. Well, I did tell you… The first thing I have to say is what was I thinking of getting something shorter at the front than the back with my figure… however, this (or number 3 I can’t remember) was the top I got to wear for the Interview for my last promotion at work in my pre-Fibro life. I think I was going for the career look as I usually wore plain coloured Tshirts to work.
Top 3
This one was aqua, a similar colour to top 1, although this is a colour I like I have also read somewhere that Aqua is a great clothing colour as it suits everyone, so great for workplace uniforms! Another issue with both these tops is that the fabric needs ironing. Yes, ironing doesn’t happen these days short of the very occasional special occasion…
Top 4
Well, this was bought after a very unsuccessful date, retail therapy and all that. I really liked the vintage style of it however besides not being really comfortable it is totally unflattering. You know when you look at something on a rail and don’t think much of it but try it on and like it. This was the opposite it was great on the rail but probably not great on me.
Top 5
This top is one that Michael chose when we were perusing the sale once, therefore it is sad that it has to go. The main problem is that the bottom and the sleeves are elasticated and this is really uncomfortable with the Fibro – the white is quite see through too and I am not built for see through clothing!
Top 6
I’ve had this for years and it has been a real favourite, I love the colours and the slight cowboy look but other than it being a little small for me now there is the bigger problem that the ruched design at the top is really uncomfortable against the skin and because there is a metallic thread running through it I feel like I am itching all over when I tried to wear it, sad but farewell.
Top 7
Another of the honeymoon items, this one is a linen fabric which straight away feels uncomfortable again the skin, add to this the embroidered detail across the chest and it is simply too uncomfortable for my poor skin to manage.
Top 8
This sweater has been a favourite for a long time I like the pink shade and it has some sparkle thread running through it, again it has the vintage style collar which I love. I wore it for my first date with Michael! It is really sad to let it go but the minute I put my hands on the inside of it to try putting it on again I knew there was no point. How has my lovely favourite sweater turned into something that feels like a brillo pad on the inside? I have the photo and I have the memories, farewell old faithful you did right by me.
Top 9
This one is a big surprise, having the heavy beading on the top I expected I would have to bid it farewell, I haven’t tried it on for ages in the assumption I couldn’t wear it because of this. Well, I have to confess that I tried it on and admittedly it is a bit too tight for me now but it is a really soft lovely jumper. I have also avoided it because one of the jewels has come loose. So I will get this re-stitched on and then I’ll put it away for when I manage to lose a stone or two. A lovely surprise I don’t have to get rid of all my honeymoon clothes.
The results of raiding the closet
As you can see I have only talked about tops because the only trousers I have hanging up are absolutely fine. There may be some bottom halves that have to go but they are in drawers and it took enough spoons to go through the rails without trying to tackle drawers on the same day! If you really need to go through your clothing stash but are slowed down by a chronic health condition I really recommend taking it one step at a time. When it comes to doing the drawers I may well just work on one drawer at a time, there is only me to set the agenda.
Do fabrics affect you?
Have you had to get rid of some of your clothing due to a chronic health condition? I’d really love to hear how this effected you and the reasons you had to let things go. Join in and share your story on my social media accounts or why not leave a comment below?
I’ll see you next for another post when I will be getting to grips decluttering and organising another area.
Until next time,
Gentle Hugs,
Susan
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