Clothes I Once Knew
Sometimes my mind drifts to clothes I once knew but do no more. Ask my clothes, they’d say, “All my friends are donated.”
No, not the grey flannel shorts I bought at Loehman’s when I was in my second year at UVa–I still have those and, come winter, I wear them. But the short black Secret Agent Man trench coat I bought at James Davis in the early 2000s, I grieve it. I gave it away because I didn’t need so very many coats. As with all the departed clothes, I have given away what I loved because I had too many clothes I loved.
Hoarding, Tommy Payne at the Door of Hope Writing Group called it as he told me about giving away sweaters.
I didn’t want to be hoarding.
So. Out the door went the jaunty trench coat and the …
No.
When this urge hits, I can’t start thinking of what once was but is no more mine. It only leads to loss.
Or perhaps the image of a young chick walking down the street (no sidewalk for her) in a leather top hat, green Army boots, and the Secret Agent double breasted trench coat, black.
Our Blue Christmas house where the King appears to be wearing my trench coat
Joe Hawes
I love this. Dimply because whenever I see one of your posts, I have no idea what is coming. This post surprised me and made the long holiday a little more bearable.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I am so glad, Joe!
Luanne
I have a few that I loved and wish I still had, especially blue pheasant jersey three piece outfit. And the best of all, my blue-pinstriped black velvet smoking jacket with satin collar and cuffs and belt that was stolen.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Ok, that smoking jacket sounds DIVINE. And someone stole it! What a bummer! I am grieving for you.
Joe Hawes
Sorry for the typo
Ellen Morris Prewitt
What tipo?
Marie Bailey
Oh, I have clothes that I’ve loved and given up, a few I regret giving away. Still, I frequently eye my closet with a mind to winnow it down some more. To what end? Being retired, I have greater regret for the clothes I bought and now no longer have a place to wear them too. We don’t go out much at all. Although I might make an interesting fashion statement wearing my purple velour shawl-collar tunic with my denim overalls. I just might try that some time 🙂
Thank you for this thoughtful, poignant post.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Ah, the velour tunic overalls combo sounds divine. I have a pair of vintage rhinestone pyramid earrings I wear with my jeans. People are always telling me how much they like them, but I think it’s because they’re unexpected with jeans. And my husband has suggested a solution to my regret at giving away clothes: don’t buy any new ones. However, that’s not gonna happen.
Marie Bailey
LOL … I just try to not buy as many clothes as I give away 😉
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Exactly!
Sandi Butler Hughes
I love this so much, Ellen! My clothes are probably wondering the same thing…”where did everyone go?!” The first item that popped in my mind that I grieve for is the silver lame jacket with a black flocked leopard face on the back. It had huge ‘80s shoulder pads that I brought at a Goldsmith’s Clover Day sale, held on the last Wednesday of the month. I always enjoy your posts – thanks for writing!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I am so glad I wrote this post for no other reason than to get descriptions of clothing folks grieve–I love the silver lame leopard face jacket with absolutely appropriately too-big shoulder pads!( Which reminds me: I need to tell my D-I-L if she ever gives away her sparkly silver jacket, I would like to be first in line…) Good to hear from you, also. Thanks for letting me know you are out there, reading.
Mary Margaret Hicks
Sandi,
I used to work for a shoe company at Goldsmith’s back in the day. I remember those clover days and not with fondness.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
MM, did you know Tom worked in the shoe department at Goldsmith’s?!? Selling women’s shoes. Also “back in the day.” Ha–y’all might have been there at the same time.