I think my bathrobe has had it.
It’s about seventeen years old now — I’ve had it longer than my house, my husband, or my former day job. It outlived all my plants, dogs, boyfriends — I might wind up buried in it if I don’t act now.
It held up really well. I’m serious. I wouldn’t wear just anything around Mr. Thrilling, no matter what he says. (For the record, gentlemen, there are practical considerations with nightwear that have to do with warmth and comfort, and “ugly” is not exactly the same as not red, not short, and not silk.) Anyway… It was one of those early Victoria Secret terry bathrobes — remember when they made them really long and really thick? Before they started getting everything from China, and everything shrank about four inches? It was a deep, plushy, forest green with a little gold VS monogrammed on the pocket, and double loops for the belt (which is now looking pretty tatty, I must admit). Nice long belt. The robe itself is about four inches too long for me, and I’ve nearly killed myself tripping over it on the stairs about a dozen times. Even with the sleeves rolled up like tires I’m constantly getting butter on the cuffs, and hooking my sleeves on … well, everything.
And now it’s got this little hole under the right arm. Which I could sew. And, in fact, I was just thinking of mending this holey relic, when I noticed that it does look awfully…fuzzy. Still wonderfully warm and cozy, but definitely looking a little frayed around the edges. And perhaps…a bit…faded.
On the other hand, this is the robe I used to curl up in and dream…all my dreams in. I used to write stories in this robe. Long hand, no less. I used to eat cold pizza and watch Mystery Science Theater 3000 in this robe on weekends after dates with guys whose names I now forget. I used to…well, let’s just say this robe and I have shared some good times. I can’t quite picture cutting it up for rags or tossing it out — although, Lord knows I have no compunction making Mr. Thrilling cull his wardrobe when needed. Which is almost always.
It’s a very warm robe. And it’s liable to be a very cold winter. My ankles are shivering already. Perhaps retiring the robe can wait ’til the spring. It’ll be warmer than. Easier to say good-bye.
What about you? Got any comfort clothes? Still hanging on to a favorite garment with the trash man’s name written all over it?
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Sigh.
I had a pair of jeans throughout high school, college, and the better part of my twenties that I adored. Lived in them, essentially. They had holes (natural ones that came from living, not the kind you pay for), threads hanging off, you name it. I didn’t care. Wore them til they basically disintegrated and the trash man was the only choice.
Sniff.
I miss those jeans.
by Laura
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:17 am
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Since it’s business casual at work, it’s comfy casual at home. Oversized tee’s and comfortable shorts (yes, we hit 60 degrees here in St. Louis area yesterday)or my boyfriend’s very warm sweats. My favorite? A tee I stole from my son that has his high school on it as well as some statement about celebrating acaedemic success. But I did go through my closet and throw away the things that were ugly, torn and dog chewed, finally.
by Lynn
on October 22nd, 2007 at 6:21 am
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Lynn, you’re a St. Louisan too?
Diana, we’ve gone without your picture two weeks in a row now. You are depriving the GGKFMC readers!!!!
by Laura
on October 22nd, 2007 at 6:33 am
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I have all my University of MO - Rolla St. Pat’s sweatshirts still. I bought my first in 1976. With all the high-tech moisture wicking compression gear out there, I don’t wear them much anymore. But I know which drawer they live in and every once in a while I check to make sure that my wonderful wife hasn’t purged them.
BTW, Rolla students LIVE for the St. Pat’s weekend celebration.
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I have the Army field jacket they handed out in 1969. It was my only winter coat for decades. It has spots of paint on the sleeves from a friend’s art studio in college and memories of hitch hiking around the country embedded in the seams.
It hangs in the closet, my unit patch stitched to the shoulder. I still wear it when the weather turns cold and I need something with big pockets.
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I have a whole bunch of stuff that doesn’t fit anymore; does that count? Stuff I keep telling myself that one day I’ll get into again. (Fat chance. No pun intended.) But beyond that, I don’t really have a favorite garment that ought to be retired and isn’t. Like Laura, if I like it that much, I’ll wear it until it’s literally worn through, and the trashman is the only choice.
by JennieB
on October 22nd, 2007 at 8:13 am
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Hey, Laura, I used to have a pair of jeans like that! It’s very painful to say goodbye to jeans — it always seems like something useful should be done with their remains.
I don’t know what the deal is with my photo! I didn’t even notice that ’til you pointed it out.
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Lynn, you’ve hit on the very best part of working at home — The Incredible Wardrobe allotment!
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Hey, Will, I’ve still got my original Pepperdine sweatshirt — I don’t think I have a warmer garment (other than my robe). Come to think of it, the sweatshirt is older than the robe, but it doesn’t get nearly as much airtime.
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Hey, David, that’s a great one!
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Ah, yes, the alternative wardrobe — the wardrobe that even if you could fit into, it’s now totally out of style! I have one of those two. I was just studying it the other day, and thinking about all the closet space in the guest room I could free up, if I were to be bold and ruthless — and realistic.
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Diane, I believe your blog glitch showed up with the new computer. I noticed Diane’s Blog comes across as Uncatagorized, however her comments come across as Diane Killian.
Somehow that new laptop is to blame.
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Good thinking, Will! I believe I’ve figured it out.
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Yes! My old VS bathrobe was lavender and I wore it unto tatters. The trick for me was to get a really snazzy replacement first, then toss it. One of the great puzzles of the clothing industry is why men’s bathrobes sometimes have big plush hoods, but women’s never do.
by Cynthia
on October 22nd, 2007 at 10:02 am
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I’ve had a couple of shirts that I wore until they had more holes than could ever be mended. I miss them. They were comfy.
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Tatty clothes? That would be my workout clothes. I don’t really want to spend money on clothes I’m just going to get sweaty, right? And jeans. It’s so hard to find a pair of jeans that fit. If I ever find a pair, I wear them until I’ve got holes in them.
by Sara
on October 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
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The first year we decided to choose names for Christmas gifts with my husband’s huge extended family, I was very excited. The general idea was that we could now afford a decent gift for this one person, instead of $10 trinkets for everyone in the Known Hubby Family Universe. Visions of…I don’t know, but something definitely better than a measly sugar plum danced in my head, because, I’ll admit, I do like presents.
So, what magnificent gift did I get?
I got a short-sleeve, heavy cotton thermal night shirt. It wasn’t even long enough to really be a night-shirt. I mean, it was more like half a set of pyjamas, if I’m being truthful. Major disappointment, even if it was Calvin Klein.
Thing is, I looooove that shirt. I wear it with a pair of flannel boxers and it is heaven. It’s been at least ten years and the shirt’s finally got a few holes to compliment the frayed neck and sleeve edges. I will never give it away - NEVER!
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Hey, Diana’s back. Well her picture is back.
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My dad’s army issue trenchcoat and wool liner. One of the few things of his I still have. That thing is great.
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You’re right, Cynthia. I have to trick myself into letting go. I do love lavender…hmmm….
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Sara, my gardening clothes look like something worn in a Doris Day movie for comedy relief. They’re so baggy and frayed and mud-spattered!
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Ah, Tori, the air-conditioned top. I’ve had a few of those too!
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Hey, Reggie, I’m a material girl myself. But the older I get, the more I understand there’s no pricetag on comfort!
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Oh, Stephen, I like that combination of sentiment and practicality.
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By the way, Diane, you’re nowhere near the Agua Dulce fire, are you?
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Thanks for asking, Stephen. No, we’re out of range, thank God. Really frightening how fast fire eats up this countryside.
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Laura,
You may not see this as I’m bad about checking back in, but… actually I’m across the river but work off Hanley so I get to play dodge the construction zones during my hour drive.
My sister drives 45 minures, from Santa Maria to San Luis Obisbo CA but she gets to see the ocean (if the smoke isnt’ too bad) but I get to see the Mississippi and the Arch!
Tomorrow’s business dress as I am interviewing for a supervisor job. I guess it pays the rent so I can write a little. 
by Lynn
on October 23rd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
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Hey, Lynn, we have jobs so we can afford to do the things we love!
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