Shiloh, ditto for your treasures. First of all, I would mug you for the sari. Um, did I say that outloud? Anyway, I have a collection of them, all destined to be Made Over – but they give me pleasure, just to look at them. And the sari CAN be treated to hang/display without screwing it up; just do some research first. It can also be folded (and refolded differently periodically, to prevent fibre breakage) and displayed on a couch, or even a table. If it’s brocade, it’s possible a Benares sari, and darned valuable. Do NOT donate it to a local theatre! (Sorry, local theatre. You get the brand-new length of brocade draped to look like a sari.) If you get a little freedom of movement, you CAN have the sari cut into a garment more suited to your tastes and lined to prevent Teh Scratchies. Your cheongsam can be altered so you don’t look like Teh Sausage, either; have a professional seamstress put a panel of coordinated brocade down each side, so that you can wear it. And seriously, I’d look for a collector for ethnic clothing before it went to a theatre – and I’ve spent my life involved with the theatre. Most theatres, unfortunately, will beat a valuable treasure to death in no time. If nothing else, see if you can have the sari restyled into a ghagra – a full, ankle-length skirt- think half-circle or full circle. It’s also an Indian garment, and you might get more use out of it.

I’m also kicking myself for the leather minis I gave away when I disciplined myself to do some Cleaning Out – any more that turn up are going to get made into some fabulous leather totes. That’s a LOT of leather that can be repurposed – have you seen the price that leather totes command? Ugh!

And, um, yeah – I’m all about the Museum of the Well-Made. I have a Valentino suit that I don’t wear, but I got, and keep, because it’s just so damned Well Made. It gives me pleasure every time I look at it.

I know it’s hard sometimes to part with things that have a sentimental value; they fit into your life, but not ON you or in your wardrobe. Sometimes, with a little thought, they can be made to fit into your life again.

Maybe there should be a Swap Option through Manolo for The Big Girl, so that the readers here can send their treasures to new homes; the size 10s to the girl who is no longer a size 4, the size 16s to the girl who is no longer a size 10, etc.

However, bras that fit like crap? Need to die. Or, you know, go live at a thrift store until they find someone to fit.

Love,
My mom still thinks I’m a 4.

Oh Jennie, I just KNEW it! Oy vey. Whatever am I going to do???? Just don’t let the new runway collections be rayon/silk blends in black and white buffalo plaid. It was so fab 20 years ago!

My closet crap includes a bunch of suits from the early 90′s, a bunch of skirts I haven’t worn in years, and a variety of shit I bought on sale which I have perhaps worn once. I’m moving, so it’s all gotta go.