Should You Hold on to Your Skinny Jeans?
by Dinneen
Filed under Blog, Body Image
This past weekend I did some Spring cleaning, and part of that was going through my closet and getting rid of clothes that didn’t fit. This is something I do every year, getting rid of clothes I no longer wear or don’t fit me very well anymore. (I give my clothes to charity, in case you were wondering)
But it can be hard, tough to let go of the clothes I once fit into.
Sometimes the clothes no longer fit due to age, as my body has changed. Or it could be due to the exercise (or lack of) I’ve done over the year, again changing my shape.
Years ago, it was due to the constant dieting, re-gaining, dieting again syndrome.
And I used to hold on to my skinny clothes for YEARS. Like 10 years.
But as I’ve healed my relationship with food and my body, I no longer hang on to clothes that old (or maybe I should check the BACK of my closet to double check!)
Ever notice how sometimes when we wore those “skinny clothes” we thought we were FAT? And now we’d give anything to fit back into them!
So it got me thinking:
Do we really need to hold on to our skinny jeans?
Does holding on to clothes that no longer fit really motivate people to lose weight OR could it be holding them back?
I find there are generally Two Schools of Thought:
Part With Skinny Jeans
Some people say that keeping clothes that no longer fit may actually hurt your self-esteem and hinder your weight loss efforts. Why? Because they become a constant reminder that you’re not at your “ideal” size.
And there are those who keep their skinny clothes for years and years (like I used to do). Some say if you hold on to clothes for too long, it can make you depressed and feel sadness for memories of what could never be again. Once the clothes are gone, they feel they can go forward instead of living in the past.
Retain Possession of Skinny Jeans
Others say keeping some old clothes, like their skinny jeans, actually does motivate them. Gives them something to work towards and is a reminder of what they’re aiming for. And then once they DO fit back into them, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
So I’d like to hear from you. What are your thoughts?
I’ve held on to several stages of sizes. Good or bad they’re a reminder that I can be a smaller size, theoretically.
I find that if I keep skinny clothes long enough, the styles no longer suit my tastes! Um, hoochie clubbing clothes from 10 years ago, I am looking at you.
Jane’s last blog post..A Car Crash of Intentions
I let this post sit open on my computer for a bit and thought about this one.
I think I’m in the middle. I get rid of most of my “skinny” clothes. They don’t fit me as I am today, and they’re just clutter if they don’t fit, and they certainly don’t motivate me to stay healthy. But…I do keep some…I love the memory of them, the pretty dresses I had bought for dances and ceremonies, the skirt I wore to graduation. They’re not motivating, really, or harmful, just…there.
I have them packed away in a nice box, no longer hanging, so that I can look at them whenever I want to and they don’t take up room in my closet.
But everyday clothes? I get rid of them. Clutter in the house is clutter in the mind for me – and that’s not good for staying healthy.
If I really like the jeans and know that I’m going to actively work to fit into them (and its realistic to think that I’ll be able to fit into them), then I’ll hold onto them. If I don’t fit into them a couple years down the road, it’s time to ditch them.
Sagan’s last blog post..What’s Happening on the Web (some healthy links)
I’m a total packrat so I tend to hold on to everything. Not for any weight-loss reasons, but just because I’m lazy. And when I recently lost 20 lbs I discovered that lo and behold, EVERY SINGLE THING in my closet either now fit or is too large. I’m wearing some long-lost clothes from over 15 years ago. So that’s cool. But now the question is – do I get rid of the “big” stuff? Or do I hold onto it “Just in case?”
I think I should get rid of it, but that’s a huge leap of faith.
Foodie McBody’s last blog post..Watch Out What You Wish For…
I dieted/regained for many many years and always held onto old clothes. Even when I could wear them again, they didn’t fit the same or were way out of style or too aged.
I say (in the spirit of Earth Day) RECYCLE them. Don’t make it about you at all. Someone who could really use them is out there needing clothing. Also, my clients usually find there’s judgment hiding in the old clothes, and I did too. It’s a sign of not being in touch with exactly who you are today. And you don’t make permanent change, which is all I want (don’t you?), if you’re not in touch with yourself right now, today.
Finally, absolutely get rid of clothes that are too big. As I lost weight permanently (it’s been 9 years now) – I had big celebrations when I carried my too big clothes to the charity drop-off! Never go backwards was my motto, and still is!
Pat Barone
Thanks EVERYONE for your input!!
Everyone has different styles and ways of doing things. It’s all about finding what works for YOU. And at different times or stages in life, different things work. So I’m glad you all are aware to know what works and doesn’t for you — that’s half the battle!
So if you find holding on to skinny jeans holds you back — get rid of them. But if you find them motivating — I say go for it! Just be sure the majority of your clothes fit you well NOW. You need to feel good now before you can feel good even after you lose the weight.
Dinneen
Since I’m a packrat at heart I have a hard time parting with things, so I do tend to keep my skinny clothes.
The last time I lost all my excess weight I was thrilled to be able to fit into my favorite skinny outfits, only to end up in fits of laughter because they were 2-decades out of style. LOL
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and adding your comments to my “Caught Red-Handed by the Diet Police!” post. I’m glad you enjoyed the humor and appreciate what you had to say.
–Susan
TheCrazyWomanInsideMe’s last blog post..Caught Red-Handed by the Diet Police!
What I have found is that anything clothing that is uncomfortable or doesn’t make me look go goes. Life is way too short to be uncomfortable in clothes that don’t look good!!
Karen (KCLAnderson)’s last blog post..I Have “WOW” Now (Round 2, Week 2)
Personally I am really glad that I kept all my old jeans, since if I didn’t keep them I would have had to buy all new clothes. Jeans in particular are EXPENSIVE, so this was a big deal for me. I do not do this with other clothes.
Now what do I do with all my big jeans? I’m going to hold on to them in case I ever decide to have kids and need something to wear the first 4 awkward months.
When I look at skinny jeans i think that every one should be able to do it if they hae a common goal. Old skinny jean make up that goal without having to go through the constant fitting room problems at the mall trying to get a better fit into what you want for a body… when it is staring you in the face. The money you spend on new close is alot also because you could be using the money for healthy foods to help you reach your goal. The one thing i have noticed is that i just don’t think about keeping them if you think they will hold you back. Just think everything and anything can help and it will.
I have a pair of jeans and i will get into them soon … i mean because who doesn’t love feeling skinny