I am now a senior in faculty and have gained some weight, which suggests I now not match in addition to I as soon as did. I am proud of the way in which I look and do not wish to change my weight, however I’ve some actually cute pants that I am hesitant to throw away in case I can put on them sooner or later. When do they begin taking over closet area? Ought to I say goodbye? – Peter, Ithaca, NY

To maintain or to not hold outdated garments all through one’s life – particularly throughout the main phases of life – is a perennial dilemma. In spite of everything, it’s not only a query of “would/might I put on this once more?” however a query of cash, practicality, historical past and id. Our garments include an enormous array of recollections and associations, in addition to variations of our previous selves, all of that are deeply intertwined with self-image and physique picture points. This stuff are onerous to throw away.

The most effective current accounts of this phenomenon might be present in a e book titled “A love letter to my garments,” which options nonetheless lifes of clothes accompanied by poetic recollections of every garment, like a fabric autobiography. Then there’s Lorelei Vashti’s “Clothes, Reminiscences: A Memoir of Clothes from My Twenties,” which was impressed by a query very very like your individual.

However nobody can hold each piece of outdated clothes. Such hoarding of lies. So, how do you determine what’s price maintaining, particularly when match is a matter? There are lots of methods a garment can turn into inappropriate.

You may go the Marie Fuji route and ask your self, “Does this (nonetheless) convey me pleasure?” Does a bit of clothes convey you pleasure while you put on it, or simply when you consider it: See and Bear in mind The standard of your time sporting it and even the craftsmanship of it.

You may also ask, “Will this make me really feel uncomfortable?” Wishing you may put on one thing once more when the probabilities are slim generally is a shortcut to unhappiness. Seeing this object can function a continuing reminder of a unique time in your life and a unique you. Holding on looks like clinging to the previous reasonably than embracing the current, like an train in wishful considering and remorse reasonably than reconciliation and discovery. It is undoubtedly not price it.

In case you’re as completely happy together with your new physique form as you say, then maintaining a ton of garments that do not match can really feel a bit like being in a rut. Our menswear critic Man Trebay says “ruthless” is the way in which to go. Don’t let your self get caught up in eager for what you as soon as had been. Trim away. It may be liberating, like shedding an outdated pores and skin. On the very least, it offers you extra closet area.

There are different advantages too. In case you love a bit of clothes nevertheless it now not suits you, think about donating it so it could possibly take pleasure in a second life with another person.

Lastly, there is a third manner, someplace between maintaining one thing and eliminating it totally. That’s, change it. Both by means of tailoring ( tailor or seamstress can work wonders with measurement growth and contraction) or by means of transformation, turning a favourite piece of clothes into a part of a reminiscence quilt, or some DIY art work. Yesterday’s cute pants may very well be tomorrow’s cool craft challenge. All of it relies on the way you take a look at it, actually.

Your fashion questions answered

Every week, Vanessa solutions fashion-related questions from readers on Open Thread, which you’ll be happy to ship her through: e-mail or Twitter. Questions have been edited and condensed.