Keep it in the closet

How many things do you have hanging in your closet with the tags still on? 

Why haven't you taken the tags off & worn it? Maybe you're just waiting for right weather to wear it?

But I'm always amazed how many other things people have in their closets with the tags on that aren't waiting for anything. 

Maybe you bought it on a whim or for an occasion that didn't happen? Maybe it was a gift.

Clothes with tags hang in no (wo)man's land--not quite right for circulation but not wrong enough to return. 

Perhaps you keep these things because you rather like them even if you can't seem to wear them. They appeal to some side of you, some vision of yourself that you saw when you purchased them. Perhaps they are items purely for the closet, items to try out, to dress up in at home every once in a while. 

"we all have a face 
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and show ourselves 
When everyone has gone.
Some are satin, some are steel,
Some are silk and some are leather.
They're the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on."
                                    -Billy Joel "The Stranger"

"The Waiting Place...
for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go, or the snow to snow, or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow."
-from 
Oh, The Places You Will Go! 
by Dr. Suess

Here are the two items I have in my closet that still have the tags on...

1. the sheer lacy long-sleeved cold-shoulder blouse from Love Culture:

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I bought this shirt ages ago--far too long ago for me to return it. I liked how it mixed conservative & racy. I talked myself into the frivolous purchase by thinking I'd also wear it as a very lightweight layer under crewnecks that would show off that little collar. Alas, I tried it on under a sweater this morning, & it looked funny because of the lace. I haven't worn it on its own with a cami either, & who knows when I will?

2. the dress from H&M

H&M Jacquard-weave Dress, $20

I do love this dress. 
It feels stately and glamorous to me. I don't know when I'll have an occasion to wear it, but at $20, I bought it for the closet. Will that glaring red sale tag ever be removed?

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What you can do with your clothes with tags on them:

• return them (may take nerve. if it's been ages, they'll probably give you store credit)

• sell them on ebay
  
• sell them at a second-hand or consignment store
  
• donate them. New work clothes would be especially appreciated by women in a women's shelter seeking employment.
• wear them on a Tuesday #fearlessfashion #wearingit
  
• swap them at a clothing swap!
  
• have a tag-popping party where everyone wears something with tags that they've never worn out of the house before

How to host an elegant clothing swap

One of my favorite Michael Jackson songs & videos, "In the Closet"
(best dancing starts around 5 min. Warning: pretty mature video):

How many items do you have with the tags still on? Won't you tell us about one of them?












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<<Here's something I pulled the tag off & wore today! 

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Amy's star sapphire ring

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What are your signature colors?

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