I’ve started pulling from my stockpile of clothes, shopping my storage if you will, to prep for changing over my Winter Capsule Wardrobe to Spring.

Whenever I do this, I end up with a few piles. One to go into my capsule, one to stay in storage, one to donate or get rid of, and one that are clothes that I prob won’t every wear again, but don’t want to part with. Maybe my size has changed and they don’t fit me any more, maybe they are no longer my style.

But these items have a sentimental value to me and I want to have them as keepsakes. I’m not a minimalist, I’m not trying to get rid of all my objects, so it doesn’t bother me to keep a small bin of clothes I love but aren’t useful. I like to look thru this in from time to time like one would a photo album.

My favorite flannel that no longer fits, a dashiki that I could never figure out how to wear but I love, and a dead stock sweater from the 70s that I thrifted when I was a teenager.

One of the main reasons people keep clothes that they no longer wear is bc these items remind them of a time or place, a feeling, or a version of their former selves. Most people in the minimalist, capsule, sustainable wardrobe community would say to let go of these pieces, but I don’t think that’s necessary as long as you keep them in a mindful way.

I dearly loved these studded jeans, one of my first ever purchases from Target when they were a new store.

Keeping hoards of clothing that you don’t want to part with with no thought is not wise. But keeping a select memory box of curated items can be a time capsule. (No pun intended). Just like any other part of your wardrobe and indeed all your possessions, it’s important to go thru these items from time to time, not let them rot in a forgotten box or bin.

Do you keep a fashion time capsule? What are some of the old clothing you can’t bare to part with? Is there a story attached to them?