Do you have a emotional connection with your clothes? Not with all of them, I suppose, but there are those special pieces aren’t there? That hold memories. Just like a vest my grandmother knitted years and years ago, that never fit, could not get my head in…., and never threw away. Well, I did about 10 years ago and always regretted it. Btw, my grandmother was a alcoholic and she knitted that one in the evening I think……need I say more. I loved her very much. On to this dress. I think I’ve worn this dress once or twice. But now I’m ready to wear it again.
How clothing and feelings work together
I have said before that clothing has a lot to do with emotional connection on me, just like many other women I suppose! In short, it works like this for me: I don’t have to prepare the clothes for the next morning in the evening because it completely depends on how I feel what I want to wear that day. If I wear something that I don’t really like (think of comfortable and warm clothing for cycling, for example, or working out) I don’t feel like myself at all. At a funeral I prefer to wear clothes that I don’t wear often because I don’t like to wear it anymore afterwards. It has a sudden something over it then.
Except for my father’s funeral last year. I wanted to wear something elegant, my father was a man with style. So I wore this amazing woolen skirt, and I didn’t wear it again after the funeral. Because I associate it with the funeral and how I felt at the time, the emotional connection. Well, you understand that the skirt didn’t make me a happy person. But it’s a shame because the skirt was a expensive one and is very nice actually..
My emotional connection with this dress
Back to the dress. I wore it at Christmas 2022 with my sister and brother-in-law, a Christmas without my father because he was in the hospital, after which he died 2 weeks later. The feeling that the dress gave me was that feeling that you hope that your father will make it, but you actually know better. I felt a lot of sadness about my father’s passing for a long time, but since August things have gotten a bit better. Of course there is still a lot of sadness and enormous loss, but the sharpness has lost a bit. And I want to wear the skirt and dress again. So that’s how it works for me….
You have seen the dress before, but I wanted to wear it with a jumper over it. Because every time I see a woman wearing a jumper over a dress, I am thinking: Oh that’s a idea! And I never think of wearing it myself that way. Until now! Well it’s actually a cardigan and I am wearing it open…. Yes, I will never be to old to learn. Do you have a emotional connection with clothes?
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Nancy this outfit is elegant and cosy at the same time. I love that. Unusual.
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Thank you very much Lise!
It’s so interesting how clothes remind us of things. Beautiful dress!
Jennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
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Thank you Jennifer!
I’m exactly the same with clothes, they really remind you of what you were doing when you wore them. Perfume is like that too – I can’t wear Calvin Klein Euphoria anymore, I don’t even like to smell it on others because I wore it when I was pregnant and I was very anxious for the first six months, so now it makes me on edge. I love your dress, I’m glad you feel like wearing it again because it’s beautiful.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
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Oh that can be a memory too indeed! Thanks Emma!
So sorry about the sad memories you have with this dress but I’m glad you pulled it out. The print and pleats are lovely and I love how you styled it! Thanks so much for the link up Nancy!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
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Thank you very much Kathrine!
I definitely have clothes that I keep for the memories I have when wearing them. Your dress is so pretty! Love the print!
Jill – Doused in Pink
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Thank you Jill.
I understand the emotional connection with clothes. And the loss of your dad too. It’s been almost 6 years for me and the pain and sadness are still there but not quite as sharp. He told me it would be that way and he was right.
Lovely and thoughtful post Nancy!
xo,
Kellyann
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Thanks Kellyann!
Yes, I do have an emotional connection with some of my clothes…some I have long since given away but still remember wearing too! Your dress is beautiful and it looks great with that jacket. Thanks for the party. Have a Merry Christmas.
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Thank you very much Amy!
This dress is so beautiful and I am glad you are ready to wear it again. I have a few things of my mom (we have shared clothes back and forth over the years some) that remind me of here. I love the warm cardigan over the dress: it goes so well with it. Some clothes remind me of vacations and those are usually great memories.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Yes indeed! I remeber clothes I wore on a holiday like 20 years ago! Thanks Mireille!
Interesting question! I don’t think I do have an emotional link to clothes, although i have kept both of my wedding dresses (won’t ever wear them again). The dress is beautiful and deserves to be worn again.
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Thank you Gail!
Such a pretty dress, pleased you’re giving it another chance. Yes ideas and feelings do change and I have often been guilty of getting rid of things and then regretting it!
I lost my Dad on News Years Eve which makes for bitter sweet memories at that special time but, as he was born on New Year’s Day and lived to be a good age, I feel he came full circle!!
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family, and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
sending love
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
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Oh wow, that is rather beautiful actually! Very special in some way. If it wasn’t sad of course Thank you for sharing Pamela!
Your reflection on the emotional connection with clothes is beautifully written and relatable. It’s amazing how garments can hold memories and feelings so strongly. I just shared a helpful new post; you’re welcome to check it out.
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Thank you very much Melody!
I absolutely have an emotional link to clothing. When my mother passes, There will be so many things of hers that I will want to keep and I completely understand your emotions. But my goodness what a beautiful print and you wear it so well!
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Thank you very much Andrea!
This is a beautiful dress Nancy, I am glad you feel you can wear it again. I also feel an emotional tug from some of my clothing, accessories and jewelry. Items with sad or unhappy memories go, but I tend to hold on to things that connect me to good memories, even if I don’t wear them. Thanks for sharing and hosting the link up!
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Thank you very much Di!
I’m definitely getting the emotional connection one can have with certain pieces of clothing and that through bad memories associated with a piece of clothing you might be reluctant to wear that piece again.
I also cannot get rid of things with good memories even though they do no longer fit me or it’s no longer my style.
As for the dress, it is absolutely stunning, and I am hoping that the memories will fade so that you can wear it with a feeling of happiness again! xxx
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Thank you very much for your kind words Ann!
I agree, clothes hold a lot of emotion for me. Any significant (and often insignificant) event in my life, I could tell you exactly what I was wearing. I’m sorry this dress holds such mixed emotions for you, but I think it’s lovely that you’re able to wear it and make new memories in it. Happy holidays to you!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
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Yes I have the same Cheryl! Thank you very much.
Hi, Nancy – Yes, our emotions seem to be tangled up in everything we do! I have emotional attachments to clothes that my loved ones gave me even though I never wear them. It makes it hard to get rid of things! I’m so sorry about your Dad. Sounds like you are from a very loving family. I hope your holidays are lovely – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
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Haha, you could not be more wrong about my family Angie, haha, it’s complicated to say it nicely. But thank you anyway!
The dress is absolutely stunning Nancy. It’s one that should be worn over and over because it could be styled so many ways.
I know what you mean about emotions with our clothes. That’s why I still have my grandma’s lace dress.
And when I knit for someone, that’s my love language, because it takes a lot of time and money.
Having something too small is hard, but you know I would have figured something out, LOL
XOOX
Jodie
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Haha, not when your head doesn’t fit in it Jodie, lol! But something that someone made for you is special.
This dress is beautiful and what a lovely way to wear it again!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Amber
Visit AvecAmber.com
Follow Avec Amber on Bloglovin
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Thank you very much Amber!
Nancy FYI none of these links are working for me today.
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I am sorry Lise, they work on my side.
It sounds like you are taking time to process your emotions that are tied with the clothing and when you have processed them you are ready to wear the clothing again. We all grieve and process in our own way. I am glad you are ready to pull this beautiful dress out again! The colors are gorgeous!
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I guess so Laura, never saw it that way, thanks.
Looking so very nice. Thanks for hosting this great party and I hope that you and your family has a wonderful Christmas.
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Thank you Patrick!
Such clothes are the best in a way. Loving the idea for the post. And you look fantastic. Great styling.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2025, Nancy.
xo Sabina
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Thank you very much Sabina. And I wish for you nothing less!
Oh, Nancy! I absolutely have emotional connections to my clothes. There are some that I can tell you where I was and why I bought them. I have two sweaters Mike bought me one night at the mall because I’d had a really bad day. I also donated the dress I wore to my mom’s funeral. i just couldn’t ever wear it again. The outfit I was wearing on 9/11 is another I got rid of, and I liked it a lot. It was just a denim skirt, a camisole, and a sweater. I couldn’t even wear the pieces separately. We have memories attached to those pieces of clothing and cand separate the two. I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. I also have dresses I wore to baby showers, wedding showers, and baby christenings. I will never get rid of those.
I would love to link up, but my son “fixed” my laptop, and I can’t access link up buttons right now. I’ll have to have him fix it soon!
Have a wonderful holiday season, Nancy!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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We are so much alike Marsha! Thank you for your story!
Hello! Wishing you a serene and blessed Christmas. Keep spreading your light.
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Thank you Melody!
Oh, Nancy, I totally understand this. That dress is beautiful, and I’m happy to hear that you are able to wear it again. Have a lovely weekend!
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Thank you very much Caroline!
Woo, Gail’s outfit is awesome!
I have some clothes that carry memories like that – I try to wear them again, to build layers of memories of better times. I love that dress on you!! Keep wearing it!
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I will Sheila! Thanks.