Farewell to old friends.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm a hoarder. Clothes and shoes have been my obsession for most of my adult life, and working in the fashion industry hasn't exactly helped. This was excusable when I was working, and needed to be suitably attired in the latest niche whatever (I told myself this anyway).
Well, I haven't been going out to work anywhere for the past 2 years, and silk dresses aren't really suitable when cleaning out the chicken coop, nor high heeled boots much good at the dog park. My wardrobe doors are increasingly difficult to shut, and it's making me feel guilty. So, this Sunday coming up, I'm going to sell a whole heap of my hardly worn fashion at a designer re-cycle market. More room in my wardrobe and a bit of cash for me - win, win!
I heard of the Take 2 Markets a few years ago - they specialise in 'Recycled Designer and Vintage Fashion'. Sounds right up my street. I tried to book a stall several times over the last year or so, but they sell-out quickly - a good sign.

Cropped linen jacket - Yeojin Bae; Padded cotton jacket with cut-out under-arms - Akira; Polka Dot blazer - unworn - Gap; Navy leather bomber jacket from Argentina.

Well, my luck has turned and I finally managed to secure a stall, and now it's all systems go here at Fashion Hoarder HQ. Whilst going through my wardrobes and throwing anything I haven't worn at all, or for at least a year, onto the bed in a disheveled heap, I realised that I was feeling a bit sad, disloyal even. Most of these frivolous things have a story, or at least a distant memory of the euphoric feeling you get when you find the latest must-have. There's a lot of history here, of my former self, the fashion career girl travelling the world on inspiration trips. There's also quite a bit of history of the fashion mug buying unsuitable things at designer sales, in the heat of the moment. That's probably more accurate.

Oh you pretty things!

Cotton embroidered dress - Husk; Silk and lace dress - Thurley; Silk embroidered dress - Catherine Malandrino; Silk print dresses - Anna Thomas (above), Ted Baker; 

The high of a fashion purchase is heady stuff indeed. I've fallen in love with the most outrageous and unsuitable items - too big, too small, too ridiculous - and bought them anyway. What was I thinking? The perfect Italian made, snakeskin leather cowboy boots - size 36 when I'm a 38. I hobbled around in them once, for about 2 hours and my feet nearly fell off. The amazing, low slung, slightly cropped and bell bottomed pale blue, viscose/silk pants - I bought them in Amsterdam, seduced by the European vibe no doubt. Probably too dressy for the supermarket. Goodbye my pretties! 

Regrets!

So, as I photograph and price things for the sale, I'm saying goodbye to all these old friends. I'm a bit nostalgic right now, but glad there's way to liberate these things to new owners who will hopefully get more out of them than I did. It feels good to be less wasteful and maybe even make a bit of cash. Who knows, I may even find new friends there to take home with me.
If you are in Melbourne this weekend and would love a good rummage through heaps of international and local designer fashion, and Edenstar samples and seconds, pop in and say hello - and try to stop me buying anything else!