What can we learn from the clothes we buy but never wear?

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What can we learn from the clothes we buy but never wear?

What can we learn from the clothes we buy but never wear?

I’ve Set Myself a Project to Wear the Neglected Items in My Wardrobe
From a crimson silk skirt to a mustard coat
By Jess Cartner-Morley
Published on 01 March, 2025
1

Most of us have clothes in our wardrobe that we never wear but can’t let go of. I have a yellow dress with buttons down the front that I bought about five years ago. I’ve worn it, I think, three times. Every time I open my wardrobe, it catches my eye and I feel bad. I feel guilty that I bought a dress that I didn’t need and don’t even really seem to like. But I also feel bad for the dress, because it really is very pretty, and what has it done to deserve being ghosted by me? That part sounds crazy, I know. But I try to be honest about the thought process of buying clothes and choosing what to wear, even when the truth makes no sense.

Like lots of us, I hate seeing stuff go to waste. I make dinners using up whatever is in the fridge. I tell myself this is because it is healthier and more sustainable than takeout, but it’s also a kind of mental game, to use everything up. Even if no one is going to ask me for my celery and beetroot risotto recipe, I find these dishes strangely satisfying.

I don’t want to give up on the yellow dress. Why did I buy it if I don’t want to wear it? If I don’t even know what I want to wear, what hope do I have of making good decisions on more important things? And how can I make sure this doesn’t happen again?

So a while ago, I started a project, of wearing the clothes that I hang on to but never actually wear. As well as the yellow dress, there’s a sky blue blazer, a crimson silk skirt, and a mustard coat. I’m a couple of months in now, and here is what I’ve learned.

Firstly: the key to finding your way back to clothes that you feel disconnected from is to try to find what drew you to them in the first place. Think back to what it was that you saw in the mirror to make you hand over your card.

I realised that, for me, it was about getting dressed up for little outings that could be done perfectly well in jeans and a jumper but would feel more of an occasion if dressed up for. I’m trying this, and you know what? There is something nice about wearing a fancy pastel dress to go out and buy tomatoes.

Sometimes what you figure out is simply that you made a mistake. Once you’ve faced that fact, you can stick it on the charity pile and move on. (Note to self: never, ever buy anything in an airport. Always a mistake, usually an expensive one.) But often, the lesson that your taste has changed, but your buying habits haven’t caught up. You still reach automatically for pieces that feel familiar, but that person isn’t the current version of you.

As I get older, I wear colour a lot less, but I am still drawn to colourful clothes. I am going to be mindful of not shopping for the person I was 15 years ago. In the meantime, I am questioning all the beige and working on getting back in touch with my inner rainbow dresser.

At the very least, there is wisdom in the clothes that feel like mistakes. As the saying goes: sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn. Oh, and guess what I’m wearing today?

© Guardian News and Media 2025
First published in The Guardian, 01/03/2025

Answer the questions using information from the article.

What colour is the dress that the author rarely wears but can’t let go of?
What two emotions does the author feel when she sees the rarely worn dress?
What project did the author set for herself regarding her unworn clothes?
Besides the yellow dress, what three clothing items does the author mention that she rarely wears?
According to the author, what is the key to reconnecting with clothes you no longer wear?
What did the author realise about why she was originally attracted to the yellow dress?
What advice does the author give about clothes that you recognise were mistakes?
Where does the author suggest a bad place to buy clothes?
What has the author noticed about how her relationship with colourful clothing has changed as she gets older?
What does the author say you can learn from clothing ‘mistakes’?

Look at the article again and try to find the phrasal verbs. Add the sentences with the phrasal verbs below.

Look at the example sentences using each phrasal verb.

After missing a few weeks of classes, I had to catch up on all the assignments.
Don’t give up on your goals just because progress is slow.
When I think back to our childhood summers, I always smile.
She decided to hang on to her grandmother’s letters for sentimental reasons.
Sometimes it’s best to let go of things that no longer bring you joy.
We used up all the flour, so we can’t bake the cake today.

Quiz 1

Match the phrasal verb to its definition:

1. To stop holding something or someone

2. To finish a supply of something

3. To expect someone or something to fail

4. To remember something that happened in the past

5. To hold or continue holding onto something or to wait for a short time

6. To reach the same level as others after falling behind

Quiz 2

Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from the list below:

Phrasal Verbs: catch up, give up on, think back, hang on to, let go of, use up

She decided to her old laptop as a backup after she bought a new one.
When I to my childhood, I remember fun times with the whole family getting together for holidays.
Never your dreams, even when things get difficult.
You need to the old to make space for the new.
After missing three classes, Leo had to on a lot of homework.
Don’t all the hot water when you take a shower.

Write three personalised sentences using the phrasal verbs above.

EXTRA PRACTICE

Complete the sentences using the phrasal verbs from the list:

Phrasal Verbs: catch up, give up on, think back, hang on to, let go of, use up

I need to on my reading before the exam.
She never her students, even when they struggle.
Whenever I to our trip to Italy, I feel happy.
He decided to the ring as a memory of his grandmother.
We should the old furniture if we want to make space for new things.
They all the paint before finishing the second wall.
Let’s meet next week so we can on everything.
It’s hard not to a project when no one supports you.
She often to her school years as the best time of her life.
He still the broken watch because it was a gift.
You need to your anger if you want to move on.
I all the battery watching videos last night.
I finally on emails after the holidays.
The team didn’t the season, even after a rough start.
When I to last summer, I remember the beach the most.
Even though it’s worn out, he his old sneakers.
It’s time to those negative thoughts.
We all the milk before breakfast.
I’ll need a few days to with the latest news.
They refused to the missing dog, even after weeks of searching.

ANSWERS

I need to catch up on my reading before the exam.
She never gives up on her students, even when they struggle.
Whenever I think back to our trip to Italy, I feel happy.
He decided to hang on to the ring as a memory of his grandmother.
We should let go of the old furniture if we want to make space for new things.
They used up all the paint before finishing the second wall.
Let’s meet next week so we can catch up on everything.
It’s hard not to give up on a project when no one supports you.
She often thinks back to her school years as the best time of her life.
He still hangs on to the broken watch because it was a gift.
You need to let go of your anger if you want to move on.
I used up all the battery watching videos last night.
I finally caught up on emails after the holidays.
The team didn’t give up on the season, even after a rough start.
When I think back to last summer, I remember the beach the most.
Even though it’s worn out, he hangs on to his old sneakers.
It’s time to let go of those negative thoughts.
We used up all the milk before breakfast.
I’ll need a few days to catch up with the latest news.
They refused to give up on the missing dog, even after weeks of searching.

Discussion Questions with Phrasal Verbs

Catch up
- When was the last time you had to catch up on work or school? What happened?
- How do you usually catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a long time?
Give up on
- Have you ever given up on a hobby or goal? Why?
- Do you think it’s ever okay to give up on a relationship? When?
Think back
- When you think back to your childhood, what’s one memory that stands out?
- How do you feel when you think back to your school days?
Hang on to
- Is there anything you hang on to for sentimental reasons? Why is it special to you?
- Are you someone who likes to hang on to things or do you prefer to declutter?
Let go of
- What’s something you had to let go of recently—physically or emotionally?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to let go of the past?
Use up
- What item in your house do you use up the fastest?
- Have you ever used up all your energy or motivation on something? What was it?

What can we learn from the clothes we buy but never wear?

Discuss these questions.

Vocabulary Quiz: Choose the correct word

Complete the sentences with words from the list below:

What can we learn from the clothes we buy but never wear?

Answer the questions using information from the article.

Match the phrasal verb to its definition:

Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from the list below:

Complete the sentences using the phrasal verbs from the list: