FashBlog.com

Okay, ladies, admit it. We all have them hidden away in our closet-- that pair of jeans that we haven't worn in a decade, those "skinny" jeans that we keep just in case we ever get back down to our high school weight. Why is it so hard to get rid of those jeans?

My best friend from high school has a pair of Daisy Duke style shorts that she hasn't worn in 20 years. Every so often she tries them on to see if they fit-- just for the satisfaction. For many years they did still fit, even if they were a little snug. And then my friend had a baby. Now she can't get those shorts past her thighs. Yet she still holds on to them. Just in case.

Some women I know have a hard time parting with their maternity clothes. They get sentimental about them or something. Or they hold on to them in case they have another baby-- even though they swear they aren't having any more children. Yet there's that pile of maternity tops and stretchy pants in their closet. Just in case.

And then there are those work clothes-- the skirts, the suits, the blazers. We stop working after we have babies but we still hold on to our work clothes. Why? Because we reckon we'll be going back to work some day. But really, do you think those old clothes will still be in style by then? Fashion trends change you know, and if you're out of the workforce until your baby starts kindergarten, say 5 or 6 years or so, don't you think your old clothes will be a tad outdated? Don't you think you'll want to go out and buy some new clothes when the time comes? Still we hold on to every last tweed jacket and flowery A-line skirt. Just in case.

Why is so hard for women to part with their old clothes? I'm not really sure, but I'd venture to guess that it has something to do with letting go of the past. Perhaps that ruffled peasant top reminds you of your first date with your husband. The shorty shorts remind you of a time before cellulite. The sequin tube top reminds you of your pre-baby body. And those jeans--well they were you at your prime.

My advice to all women-- clean out and clear out those old clothes that you've been hanging on to. Drop them off to Goodwill, give them away to a friend, or if they are in pristine condition, sell them on EBay. Get rid of every last thing and move on. The only exception to this rule should be your wedding dress. I'm all about keeping the wedding dress. Keep it to pass it down to your daughter. Other than that, clear out all the old stuff that you know you'll never wear again. Okay, if the jeans mean that much to you, keep them. But that's it. Aside from your usual weight check fittings, you'll probably never wear them again but keep them if you must. Just in case.