Why We All Have That One Piece We Never Wear but Can’t Let Go Of

FASHION

Victoria Guillou

11/3/2024

© Colonne / Pinterest

We all have it—that piece of clothing lurking in the depths of our closets, hidden behind the everyday staples, untouched but never unloved. Maybe it’s that sequined mini dress you bought on a whim, or the leather jacket that’s just a bit too edgy for your usual style. But despite its dust-gathering status, you can’t bring yourself to toss it. So it stays, season after season, like a secret, half-forgotten crush you’re not quite ready to give up on.

As a friend of mine put it, “It’s like the one that got away… only it’s hanging in my closet, reminding me of its potential every time I reach for my jeans.” So what is it about these closet relics? Why can’t we let go of something we never wear?

The Dream of Reinvention

Maybe it’s because these pieces represent who we could be. That pair of sky-high heels we’ve only worn once? It’s not just a shoe; it’s a momentary lapse into another version of ourselves—a bolder, sassier version who orders martinis and never loses her cool. We hold on to these items because they’re fragments of our fantasy lives, little whispers of who we want to be on the days when we’re feeling braver.

There’s a certain thrill in knowing that, if the occasion arises, you have that statement piece ready. These clothes aren’t just fabric and thread; they’re like dress-up costumes for the woman we could be, the one waiting for just the right moment to emerge.

Memories Woven in Fabric

And sometimes, these clothes aren’t about a future fantasy—they’re about memories. That old band tee from a concert years ago, or the vintage scarf you found on a trip abroad—they’re tokens of moments we don’t want to lose. We keep them because they’re connected to memories that have woven themselves into the fabric. Sure, we may not wear them now, but the thought of letting them go feels like tossing out a little piece of ourselves. In a way, these unworn pieces are a personal history, a closet scrapbook of moments and aspirations. They remind us of who we were when we found them and who we thought we might be.

Hope Springs Eternal

And let’s be honest—there’s a spark of optimism here, too. Maybe we’re holding onto that one piece because part of us believes there’s a perfect moment for it, just around the corner. Like the dress you keep for “the right party” or the blazer you’ll wear when you’re finally that polished, put-together version of yourself. Letting go of it feels like letting go of the possibility that, one day, the stars might align, and you’ll be ready to step into that version of yourself. We all hold on to a little hope that the future might call for those pieces we’ve been saving. And maybe that’s part of the beauty of it—these items are as much a promise as they are a keepsake.

The Art of Letting Go—or Holding On

So, should we be ruthless and finally clear out those “never-worn” items? Maybe. But there’s also a quiet magic in having pieces that remind us of who we’ve been, who we want to be, or who we’ll one day become. Holding on to that one piece isn’t clutter; it’s a nod to the dreams, memories, and aspirations that live with us, woven into the fabric of our lives—tucked away, waiting for their moment.