HOPE COUTURE: “the item of clothing you keep around for years, in the vain hope you might fit back into it some day” – from The Dag’s Dictionary by Richard Glover.
Usually I’m quite ruthless when I do a closet cull, but now that I’m battling the dreaded middle aged spread, it feels like I only get to wear some of my favourites a few times before I “outgrow” them – long before I get sick of them or they go out of fashion 🙁 .
As a result, I have a growing collection of hope couture squished up in the back of my wardrobe – items that I just can’t bear to part with yet.
My Collection of Hope Couture
I picked up this lovely vintage style frock (above) from the op shop for only a few dollars. However, as I can no longer breathe when I’m wearing it, to the back of the wardrobe it has been relegated – for now.
Perhaps you recognise this sequinned shift? I wore it to the 2016 Redland Business and Retail Awards, when I won the Woman in Business award – so it has a lot of sentimental value to me, even if it did cost just $15 from Millers on sale.
This lace dress (above) is also from the Millers’ sale rack and was only $10 when I bought it last year. However, I only have a change room selfie of it – because I have never actually worn it anywhere! I tried it on a couple of weeks ago and sadly, it’s far too snug on my tummy area. Will I ever fit back into it?
I discovered H&M about three years ago, which is where I bought the dress above. I always got compliments when I wore it – though I doubt that would be the case if I actually wore it now!
Hubby was with me when I tried on this gorgeous Caroline Morgan number, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw me in it. With a reaction like that, of course I had to buy it! I actually wore it to a conference in March but when I saw photos of myself afterwards, I realised it was time to retire it (at least until I’ve lost a couple of kilos).
And I could go on …
There’s the Rivers dress I wore to a blogging event about 4 years ago …
And this op shop find …
And the souvenir sweatshirt I got when we were in Santorini for our 25th wedding anniversary …
Plus about four pairs of jeans. It’s so hard to find a nice pair of jeans to suit my apple shaped figure, I am definitely mourning their loss from my regular wardrobe rotation.
Maybe I’m dreaming, but I would really like to wear these clothes again. I don’t know why I’m “growing” – I’m not eating any differently, and in the last 12 months have been walking each morning to try and improve my health and fitness (luckily that’s why I’m doing it, because if it was in a bid to reduce my waistline I’d be sorely disappointed!).
It’s probably time to head back to my doctor for a check up to investigate this unexplained weight gain – one of my sisters was recently diagnosed with thyroid issues, which I’ve heard are common in middle aged women.
Whatever the case, I’m not ready to throw these pieces out yet. I did that once before, despairing that I would ever get back into them – and then I started walking and lost 5 kilograms! Shame that strategy hasn’t worked this time around …
Do you have any items of “hope couture” in your wardrobe?!
I have a whole closet of hope couture. I have decided it’s got to go, now I just have to decide how to get rid of it. I know I should have a crack at selling it, but it seems a lot like hard work! Hope you get to the bottom of the weight gain, as I was reading that post, I thought thyroid! I must say, since I’ve lost my thyroid, I seem to gain weight just by looking at a chocolate bar!
I know what you mean Sammie, there comes a time when you decide enough is enough. I’m not quite there yet. And thanks for confirming that I really do need to get my thyroid checked. Not that I want anything to be wrong with it, but it would be kinda nice to “know” if there is a “real” cause (other than the fact that I love my tucker!).
Janet – my Hope Couture is enormous! I love that term! The weight gain thing most likely ties in with perimenopause and menopause though thyroid issues could be a factor too. I’m on medication for my thyroid (underactive). Good to have it all checked out!
Hey Min – I loved it too when I came across it – and had a good giggle over many of the terms in the book. I was so thin when I was young, I never thought I would struggle with my weight so it is a bit of a shock to me!
What a great name for it. I thought Hope Couture was a new brand of clothing to check out! LOL. I don’t have any clothes in my wardrobe that don’t fit me. Everything fits. Anything that gets snug on me, I keep for a while and then donate or sell it online. I recently bought a designer dress that is an oversize fit on me. Because I bought it in the sales, I can’t exchange or get a refund. I’m going to an event on Friday, so I’m hoping a belt and jacket will cinch it in. Worst case is I get a seamstress to take it in.
As for the weight gain, I have no answers so hope your doctor can advise what’s going on. Generally, my weight gain is from eating sweet things…
Bec I ended up donating the Santorini sweatshirt to Miss 21, as she has been eyeing it off for years – figured she may as well have the enjoyment of it, and I will be happy just to see it being loved 🙂 . I probably need to get rid of most of these but can’t bring myself to part with them just yet …
Your post has reminded me that it is time to clean out the closet. I have so much clothing that I don’t wear, mostly due to weight, but some because I no longer like the items. Charity shop will be the winner once I finish the exercise.
Oh me too Lyn – time for a “spring clean” for my wardrobe too!
Oh gosh, my Hope Couture is also growing. I put on a dress for Dave’s office cocktail party only yesterday, and decided I was far too wide and buxom for it. And it’s a dress, I’ve been keeping for ‘that special occasion!’ Silly me!
It’s so disappointing when that happens Jo, and you have to re-think your outfit at the last minute. Seems to happen to me entirely too often lately!
I have several lovely dresses hanging in the wardrobe of our guest room Janet, I’m now going to call it my hope closet – I’m not sure if they’d still fit because I’m also putting on weight despite my best efforts to eat well and exercise every.single.day! What is it with Midlife metabolism fail????
Or you could put them in a chest, brings a whole new meaning to the words “hope chest” (ie glory box)!