Dresses I Don't Wear and Why

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[@mj7493]

My big tip for keeping clothes for sentimental reasons is putting them somewhere different from the clothes you actually wear, because they serve a different purpose. Keep them with your other sentimental items and you'll maybe feel better about keeping them.

[@ForestCreature7]

Yesssss I have memory boxes for specific time periods of my life nd in most of them r also clothing items:)

[@julietteferrars3097]

Yes!

[@kerriemckinstry-jett8625]

My wedding dress is in one of those preservation boxes. 😊 That might be an option for some items.

[@GymGirl88]

Hard agree! You should definitely keep the cape!

[@larouxvixen]

Absolutely, keep the cape!!!!

[@KH-zr6pt]

This made me feel very seen as an adhder who struggles with getting rid of things 😭 I very strongly connect memories to clothes so it's especially hard for me to get rid of things if I wore it doing something memorable/special. I try to be easy going on myself and let myself keep things if getting rid of it makes me feel upset even if it doesn't fit/I won't wear it as I can usually adjust to parting with it after a few more rounds of clothing purging lol

[@TheEuniceBurns1]

YES. I anthropomorphise clothes completely! They become characters in my life.

[@200Misaki002]

I feel like the white Christmasy dress would be okay to wear under a cape. That way you don't have to try and fin anything over it and you can be warm.

[@samanthaburns6956]

The brides maid dress could defo be taken in and then you could use it and feel nice in it, cause it is super cute on you. A tailor could do that for a new dress

[@hanna-ym7dz]

Love this video! As a fellow ADHD femme lesbian dress-lover I have similar troubles getting rid of old clothes but during this video I finally put a dress I love that is way too small for me in the to donate bag… :)

[@anabluu]

I think since you're doubtful on all of them, they can all go :) I am pretty sure they will smash at a second hand bazaar, especially among your UK based subscribers :)

[@KyliaSkydancer]

The pink dress after the chinese new year dress has serious waitress vibes.

[@FullOfLethons]

The green Laura Ashley dress is too large on you but it's a nice color; if you're attached to it, it could be a candidate for tailoring. If not then someone else will like it. I don't normally wear dresses but I do have a few and I do the same thing you do with clothing I like: buy it in every color! Sometimes that's gotten me to branch out on colors, other times it goes unworn until I give it away. I'm now firmer on colors I like so I'm trying to stick to just those.

[@ashleyautistic]

When my mom was selling her house and moving into an RV full time I felt like a broken record with "take a picture" and "let someone else love it." She has AuDHD and I'm just autistic and I have a very easy time letting most things go when they don't serve me (as long as it's not books, my books are my little babies)

[@diamondslashranch]

There is a reason the little voice in our head tells us things. Before you purchase gowns listen to it😂

[@alexwixom4599]

17:50 The Breakup "It's not real, there's no true bond" 🤣😂😄

[@thehouseoflotta7108]

you could dye the dressses

[@rendleshetheywilliamskat-r9068]

25:45 I will take your white fur trim dress! I'll buy it from you if it is the right size- I think we're similar. Do you have a Depop??

[@maddieev]

Jessica, if you have dresses that are a little too big but that you still love, you should take them to a tailor and have them altered to fit you! The pink bridesmaid's dress especially, that one was such a pretty cut and color on you and just needs to be taken in a little!

[@irradiated_woman8016]

Yes! I was thinking the same! It's often much more affordable than people think! ...Which reminds me that I too need to get some stuff tailored that I have been putting off for months :D

[@courtneybermack]

The place I buy my dresses, it is cheaper to buy new ones than to get them tailored... but they don't have repeats on fabric... and I have a *lot* of dresses with linings and everything... So I am learning to sew. I will fix them! I will resize them! I will replace zippers! I have already retrieved one dress from the retired pile!! I HAVE THE POWER MUAHAHA I do not recommend this for people who have more money than time, or whose clothes are scary spendy. def. go to a tailor.

[@krose6451]

Just one word of advice. If you are going to a new tailor and dont know anyone who's been to them to vouche, give them easy work on clothes you arent too attached to/arent too expensive to check they are reliable and do good work before you go handing them something precious/expensive/tricky.

[@mond5004]

My tailor retired and I didn't like his replacement. My solution was to learn how to use my sewing machine and start fitting my own clothes. But yes, a good tailor or seamstress can work wonders.

[@jennytony3535]

Came to say that too! It looks really nice and doesn't need huge alterations to fit

[@SomeplaceScary]

My friend kept accidentally drawing weirdos who wanted to tell her "Its so nice to see a girl who is modest!!" or some shit with her look, so i suggested "unnatural" color lipstick, and not a single one since she started wearing blue and grey lipsticks, lol.

[@ForestCreature7]

Omg I hope this works, this would be such a life hack :D

[@SomeplaceScary]

@@ForestCreature7 it's been a 100% success rate for her so far, lol. I hooked her up with some Electric blue that seems to be particularly effective.

[@berlineczka]

Visible piercing or tattoos work as well. I have a very feminine style (a lot of 1950s shapes, singed waist, some cottage core like Son de Flor or Voriagh), a curvy figure and a sweet baby face. I hated being taken for a conservative ninny way too often (when I have a PhD, I am progressive, I am outspoken, I am politically active and I have OPINIONS). Aged 38 I got some tattoos that are usually at least partially visible no matter what I wear. No one has mistaken me for a sweet bimbo since. I love my body art as is, but this is an additional bonus I never knew I will be getting.

[@dangerbirb4981]

Short hair works really well to keep weirdos away.

[@krose6451]

"Unnatural" hair color works as well. I just got the bottom few inches of my hair done in bright fuchsia and suddenly it didnt matter how "modestly" I dressed. All they cared about was judging the hair.

[@TheSightOfTheStars]

That stone colored dress might take dye really well!! It fits you so nicely, color isn't too terrible hard to change if it's a natural fiber!!!

[@caseygreyson4178]

Yes! I could totally see it in pink, blue, green, or purple!

[@SeleneF-t3l]

I had the same dye-it thought - maybe a dark color?

[@cuttwice3905]

@@SeleneF-t3l A royal blue or forest green?

[@kpwxx]

I was thinking that too! A green perhaps. It's son de flor so probably linen, so hopefully very doable!!

[@HOHNancy]

I was thinking of the same thing…dyeing the dress a different color would make a difference. 😊

[@Valla84]

"Has never fit me, does not fit me now, and will never fit me in the future, and yet, I hang onto it." Less than 3 minutes in, and I already feel so called out/seen.

[@erynthepixie]

Omg same.

[@FaithSlays-c9d]

RIGHT?!

[@ninjakitteh9095]

It's ok to keep a few sentimental items. A wedding outfit, your grans cape... It makes sense (as long as the items don't take over an entire closet 😸)

[@katerrinah5442]

This! A few sentimental and irreplaceable items are OK to hang onto. Especially if it belonged to someone who has passed ❤

[@mickb.8925]

What I try to do, is keep my sentimental stuff separate from my other things. Obviously this doesn't always work when you have limited space, but yeah. Also, I think the bridesmaid dress is totally worth it to get taken in so it fits better!

[@resourcedragon]

You do need to keep your grandmother's cape. That's an heirloom.

[@Zillah82]

For the bride's maid dress, have it taken in to fit you. It's lovely. On the WWII cape, see if a museum wants it. Like the V&A. The stone colored linen dress can be easily dyed. Get rid of the sequins and the green sister wife dress.

[@krose6451]

Another option is to use it as decor. Have it on a nice hanger on a closet door (or even on a clear bit of wall) or on a dress form in the corner. Alot of the makers I follow will do that with things they made but dont wear often so they can be appreciated.

[@krose6451]

Another option is to use it as decor. Have it on a nice hanger on a closet door (or even on a clear bit of wall) or on a dress form in the corner. Alot of the makers I follow will do that with things they made but dont wear often so they can be appreciated.

[@pilarofstone]

the “montessori” dress fits you beautifully! maybe if you just don’t like the color it’s worth dyeing it?

[@abbyburns3127]

This one could be a great candidate for dyeing since it is such a pale, neutral colour!

[@bore-aliss]

I'd put it in the same category as the sequins dress: the effort to fix it is just too much (especially when she's got others that fit the same profile she already likes)

[@resourcedragon]

That sort of colour doesn't really suit me, either. My solution is to wear clothes in that colour with brightly coloured accessories.

[@ZoidburgIsGreat]

I wonder if you could dye the stained one a darker color? You'd likely have to bleach it first. The dress is gorgeous on you but unfortunately the stain is quite noticeable. Also green dress at the end is a no from me - the color is nice but it does nothing for your lovely figure.

[@bella64005]

As someone who doesn’t wear dresses I clicked on this too fast.

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

🤣 I really appreciate that

[@kkimsey5866]

🤣 same

[@sunshinesideofdarkside]

No such thing as too quick for this darling ❤😊

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

It’s Jessica, of course I will watch it!

[@aceanimations3214]

Same

[@katerrinah5442]

On the Cape - keep it as a sentimental item, that's such a special piece that you can potentially pass down On the stone dress - you can dye it! Lots of fun! On anything that's too big but you adore - find a local seamstress who can do adjustments

[@gsharpist]

Definitely keep the WW2 cape, that is a family heirloom and a piece of history. I think you did a great job letting go of pieces that don’t work for your current style and comfort. Well done!

[@lazylittledragon]

amazing news on the 'will anyone at a charity shop want it' thing first of all: yes, probably but also, i go to a lot of rock+metal festivals/alternative markets and a lot of the time they'll have an oxfam or other secondhand clothing stall there, where someone has gone through and picked out ALL the alt clothes, including a lot of 50s style dresses for the pinup/rockabilly crowd. so if you donated anything i promise it would go to a good home!

[@ladyflimflam]

My clothing sort question to bypass ADHD thinking is “would I buy this today?” If the answer is no it needs to go away.

[@jennifers5560]

Great process!

[@ElizabethMidfordHatesCops]

If I did that, I wouldn't have half my t shirts. But mostly cuz I always convince myself not to buy t shirts I want.

[@eleanor4759]

I like that.

[@TheEuniceBurns1]

My second question after “Would I buy it today?” is “Would I pay full price for this?” YOUCH. :/ That’s usually the one that helps me most.

[@jenniferw392]

I usually ask myself if I’d buy it at a thrift store (since it’s already been washed and worn). If the answer is no, especially because it’s too worn out, then why am I keeping it in my wardrobe?!

[@catastrophicbleus]

No okay but I'm in love with that WWII cape Now that I've finished: Still love the cape, you look great in the "Montessori guide" dress and I think it would probably feel more like you with accessories, I would put the bridesmaid dress (and other sentimental clothes) in storage if you can, and you do indeed look like you have a dozen kids and even more siblings in the last dress (and quite Conservative™ somehow)

[@alibinprogress]

I personally love the cape from WW2 and the bridesmaid dress! I agree that you could get the bigger dresses tailored to you. The cape I would keep for sentimental and historical reasons plus you have kept it in great condition!

[@litha1973]

I agree, I love the cape so much. I think I'll make one for myself ❤

[@cheerijessie]

The whole "I don't need this, but I don't know what to do with it, so I'll keep it" is intensely relatable, doesn't help that I also get sentimental attachments to all my stuff. We have overlapping taste in dresses so even the stuff you don't want is still cool, IMO

[@chelsear2551]

When you said, "I just need it to be a slightly different colour." Thats so relatable!! Sometimes my ADHD also tells me I should adjust a clothing item that I actually need go say goodbye to. I think that if you put it in the get rid of pile you know yourself, your style, ans how you feel in it better than any of us can. You can have a tailor dye or adjust things id you think youll miss them but its also valid to trust that they'll find a home with the right someone when you donate them.

[@a_typical_hipster6206]

If it feels good on the body you gotta keep it! I've dyed so many pieces to bring more life to them but also neutrals can be accessorized with so many shawls, scarves, etc.

[@cassandraknight8804]

Yes, I do that with scarves

[@JustSaralius]

I think a lot of these dresses could work great for you with alterations, like taking in a few seams, adding a lining etc. but I totally understand if that is too much ADHD/energy-wise. Even if you're not doing the alterations yourself, it takes planning and energy to go to a seamstress/tailor and doing potential fittings and then picking the garment up later. But if you do feel like it is manageable you could maybe see if there is someone close-by who could do the work in future? Could even be potential VLOG material. 😉 Just thought I'd put it out there as most of us don't think of doing alterations as an option. 😅

[@ulytia]

For that stained dress - often an oil or dye inconsistency will look that way! First try putting liquid dish soap on the stains, let it dry for a week then wash the like normal. If that doesn't do it try a mild clothing dye in a similar hue! It's really not very hard to dye clothes, and it may help with that Montessori guide one as well 😊

[@zaideee.3691]

As someone about to turn 35 and in my first more “professional” job (whatever that means), very much relate to trying to find a style that is still me and not what is just…expected of me/my age. Your personality really shines in this video!

[@bricksloth6920]

I don't wear dresses but yeah I'm here. I like to look at the fabric patterns and things. Basically the less useful a topic is to me, the more I engage.

[@akwass2856]

A fashion video! Finally, ive missed those!

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

Yaaaay!

[@krose6451]

Same!

[@mariewooszynkramer4897]

For those of you that have stained vintage/delicate clothing, I was recommended lemon soap by a vintage store and it works magic! Stains that have been washed many times over and it still gets to them! (And if that doesn’t work, I’ll do sashiko over it 😅)

[@LizTiddington]

I need that soap! What's the specific brand (or is 'vintage store' specific rather than generic?)

[@bricksloth6920]

And hope this doesn't complicate things with your garment purging, but if you love everything but the color, take it to a dress shop or a dressmaker and have them dye it for you. (Or attempt to do it yourself if you don't care if it's ruined.)

[@sunshinesideofdarkside]

I know theyre probably gone but the natural fiber dresses you could have dyed to your liking. I had fun watching this. ❤❤❤

[@elspethfougere9683]

I was thinking that too... A mushroom pink would be an easy one in palette for some of those, softer but still matchy.. or a warm brown auburn?

[@irradiated_woman8016]

I bought my favorite flannel in middle school and still wear it all the time at almost 30... two types of lesbians :D I loveeee your wardrobe. Maybe you will even inspire me to _finally_ take my donate piles to the secondhand shop.

[@anonymousperson4214]

This video has a special place in my heart because I've recently come to the conclusion that I am just not comfortable in dresses (gender reasons) and yet I've been struggling to get rid of the last few because I really like them. I just can't stand wearing them

[@TT-_-]

Have them made into blouses? 👗✂️👕 The skirt part could be turned to trousers, too😊

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

The only dress I didn’t like for you was that last one. I’d keep the cape from your grandmother for sentimental reasons. I totally think all of the ones you give to a charity shop would make someone else happy! And I love the process of going through and choosing what to get rid of *without* deciding what to do with it at the same time!

[@Draggonny]

The last one looked cute when she pulled in the waist. It was ruining her figure because it's too large and makes her look boxy. The shirring at the back is supposed to make it fit like a glove but it was doing nothing. Many of these dresses could be saved by a good seamstress doing some adjustments. Jessica has a lovely figure but her hourglass is more dramatic than most women of her clothing size can hope for. She is far from the "average" that clothing patterns are designed for. Between her height and her curves she is never going to be an off-the-rack girly. Custom fit all the way.

[@flyingpigfarm1]

You have quite a distinctive style, and I think your discards were right on the money. I also have a certain style I enjoy, but as a plus-size hourglass figure woman, trying to find that style is just about impossible. But, since I sew, I’ve been building up my wardrobe over the years with things I absolutely LOVE, fit me like a glove, AND, since I made them, if they suffer a mishap I usually have some original fabric scraps around for repairs! Love the fashion videos!

[@ReginaDailey]

Ah, yes! The Montessori dress. The same one Volvo drivers wear.

[@MullingInk]

Definitely feeling a cape or shawl for that fur trimmed white dress, if you’re sad about letting it go. Also so many of the too-light dresses would dye beautifully-they even make dyes for artificial fibers now, if they are. Ones like the fur trimmed dress, you can take the fur trim off to dye, and then get it stitched back on after dyeing and washing it in a mordant/with dye catchers. I’d be tempted to take the collar off the brown dress if your son’s teacher doesn’t like it, and use it as an accessory on other outfits. Very vintage! Some of the dresses with stained skirts could have the bodice taken off and be used as a top or light jacket, and some of the under-skirts of the dresses you were getting rid of would make pretty petticoats! I feel like there’s no saving the pink sequin dress and the green cottagecore one for you, absolutely send them to a new home!

[@kristine9823]

As someone who is still trying to clear stuff out since 2020, one thing I've been told by multiple workers in charity/thrift shops, if you're not sure if it's okay enough to be donated, donate it, they have to go through everything anyway and if it doesn't meet their standards they'll toss it.

[@cassandraknight8804]

I agree, let them make the decision, industries buy rags from charity shops also

[@Hamster7678]

As somebody who's been the same dress size since age 12. i feel this. so much. its so hard to throw things away when they fit.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

Same! A decent portion of my wardrobe traces back to when I was in junior high. Luckily my tastes haven't changed much so a lot of it still gets worn

[@cherylrosbak4092]

I was the same way until menopause and I still have a hard time getting rid of my favourites even though they'll never fit again.

[@baguettegott3409]

You think it's _easier_ to throw them away when they don't fit anymore because you gained weight and throwing them away would mean accepting that this is just what your body looks like now and it will never get better and everybody will forever find you disgusting and nobody will ever love you? Skinny people, I swear to god...

[@josiee1120]

I do this thing every year or every season, depending on my mood, where I flip all my hangers in my closet backward. Whatever hangers are still backwards at the end of the year, that items gets donated. Obviously I keep a few things for fancy occasions and funerals that I don’t wear every year, but it has helped me cut down on things I don’t wear!

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

I try to do a clothes relocation every season or so too, but I can never remember what I wear or not 🥲 That's a good idea!

[@Howtoeatrocks]

Have you considered donating to a trans wardrobe swap near you? I know a lot of younger women who love vintage cuts but are too uncomfortable and scared to enter more conventional vintage spaces due to some more…. Vintage ideas.

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

I'm going to look into this, thank you for the idea!

[@chishionotenshi]

I think you should keep your grandmother's cape, and maybe look into framing it to keep it nice. It's both sentimental and a piece of history. The bridesmaid dress is a toss-up, since it doesn't fit you but it is sentimental. Likely it can stay. But everything else, if you have a picture of yourself in it, you should let go. If you aren't wearing them, they need to go out into the universe again.

[@IceBlueCrystalShadow]

I always kept things to “grow into” but now that I have gained weight I realized most still don’t fit because bodies don’t gain weight perfectly evenly

[@GenericFunName]

the montessori dress is gorgeous on you! i'd love if you dyed it blue or something and filmed it for us

[@idrisa7909]

I'd try dying the Montessori dress from stone to a color you like more if it really bothers you, depending on fiber. Similarly with the pink stained dress youll never find again i would try putting an applique on, or cutting the skirt short and adding a contrast border to get it back to the same length, something like that. However, i know you may not be able to or gave someone else able to fo those things- im lucky in that i know how to sew and can do it for hours at a time without feeling too badly.

[@gypsydonovan]

Take photos of anything you love! It’s helped me SO much. I also keep an album called “sentimental” so I can easily find an item if I need it. I’ve been doing this to let go emotionally & declutter for 20 years and I’ve not yet needed to find something in the sentimental album but knowing it’s there is comforting . And, of course, I donate rather than throw away. BUT if I were a KZbinr famous for her fashion, I’d work with a charity or auction them myself to earn money for a good cause. I think a lot of people would pay to have pieces that belonged to Jessica, or just the items.

[@catsmother4556]

For the pink dress you loved but was so badly stained, have you tried a product called Napisan. Its amazing what it will remove without bleaching. It must be the original Napisan not a supermarket copy nappie cleaner. I love the pale blue dress with the big pink roses.

[@emmafoley8987]

Between this and Hannah Louise Poston's Epic Pants Declutter, I had a lovely evening of mending and hearing about clothes. Thank you, Jessica and team!

[@LatinaCreamQueen]

OMG that WW2 one is AMAZING. As a gal who loves surplus, I NEED THAT SO BADLY!!!

[@megdelaney3677]

I very rarely wear dresses, but I love to see Jessica make videos of her dresses! 👗

[@ladyflimflam]

The bright white with the trim is stunning on you! It’s the right white for you and the structured look is wonderful. I would be tempted to do one last fabulous photo session with it then let it go. A holly corsage on that dress and fabulous Christmas photos would be dreamy.

[@lindak3030]

That stone color dress is stunning. It's not the wrong color for you. It's beautiful on you.

[@stellwyn]

Came here to say this! It makes your skin look so glowy 😊

[@maitesoto1953]

Yes to more beauty and fashion content! I love your deep dives and analyses of important topics, but sometimes a girl just wants to unwind with prety dresses Edit: you should definitely find a place to display your grandma's cape, dye the Montessori dress and have the bridesmaid dress taken in! The rest can go

[@mommys-lil-tortlet]

Jessica I hear you about the belt thing. But also, I gotta tell you, metal coil belts. They were a thing in the last decade that I used so often and they were endlessly comfortable. Never too big or small, always fitting just right

[@arrowvanlanduyt6319]

I have ADHD and I totally understand the need to hang onto soooooo many things. I'm very grateful that as a young kid I was able to recognize this and nip it in the bud. I still struggle with wanting to buy/keep a bunch of things I don't need/don't work for me/etc etc but I very much try to think minimalistic thoughts now whenever I go thrift shopping haha.

[@ehe.2961]

Your outfits are so cool. Goals honestly. Also love the bride's dress, yes more fashion dresses and please the last green one looks like you're about to return home to an angry husband (sorry is that mean)

[@megdelaney3677]

I 💗 the Bridesmaid dress! Get it tailored to fit!

[@Disthron]

It's a not so fun fact that most clothes that get donated end up in landfill. The fashion industry just makes too many of them.... it's kind of ridiculous.

[@Pibealges]

It's getting less as more places are working on ways to recycle fabric. It's still a frustratingly high amount, but getting lower.

[@irradiated_woman8016]

27:06 its just missing a little egg apron! Lol but seriously its pretty, very prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder, sarah plain and tall, anne of green gables-a dress a lady could wear while getting stuff done. Imho your hair, makeup, and overall vibe stop it from looking tooooo fundie though.

[@jennifers5560]

Yes! Very “Little House on the Prairie”, it just needs a matching bonnet.

[@pumpjackpiddlewick]

I simply adore how you describe dresses as being specific to a personality or situation (eg Montesori Mum). What fun! Absolutely made me smile and laugh out loud. I love that you bought these based on a concept. So much more interesting than buying on trend or influencer/designer. (But also harder to put in the go pile?) Thank you for a thoroughly entertaining and different take on the closet down sizing.

[@TheEuniceBurns1]

What are our clothes if not just costumes for the different facets of our personalities?

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

@@TheEuniceBurns1 Shelter from the elements and accordance with local social / personal boundaries? */jk

[@tweetthang96]

Please, PLEASE say you kept your grandmother’s nursing cape!!! That is such a lovely item to keep and preserve and hand down, even if not commonly worn.

[@LeafyK]

Make a video of dyeing the stone Montessori dress!

[@RebeccaWestwood-zy4wj]

I loved the white Christmas dress

[@SeleneF-t3l]

I also meant to say, Thank you for the brief glimpse into adhd dithering about "stuff". It helped me understand a family member a bit better.

[@Sophie_Cleverly]

This was so relatable as a chronically ill, probable ADHDer with too many dresses 😂 Also, not to simp for a company, but Hellofresh has seriously changed my life. I used to struggle massively with what to eat and could never make fresh food because it would inevitably go to waste when I forgot about it (and I'd either eat nothing or eat stuff that wasn't great for my stomach issues). I thought I wouldn't like it because I'm pretty fussy and sensitive to sensory things but I've quickly found a lot of recipes I do enjoy. I wouldn't say meal kit subscriptions are ideal/practical for everyone but if anyone struggles with the same things as me and has the means to get it I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

[@BlinkPopShift]

Dye the Montessori dress!

[@_E_m_m_a_.]

Oh my god, what. They CHANGE THE SIZE CHART???? What. Why. WHY. Jessica 😭

[@rodentary]

As a fellow adhder i found a meme thing that said use the poop method. If the item has poop on it, would u use the time or energy to clean/ replace it? And this works for me. Kon Mari, nope never worked. Poop method works 😂lol

[@leahlang7454]

I used to be the type to keep everything. Then one day I realized I don't plan on losing weight. I went through and got rid of everything that doesn't fit, that's itchy, that aren't comfortable, etc. It makes getting dressed so much easier and I would rather someone else get use out of them :)

[@callabeth258]

As a fellow neurodivergent DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE SEQUIN DRESS embrace it and wear it as is or donate. There’s too many sequins to just take them off because the threads will be poking out everywhere and it would take forever (especially if your hands aren’t great mobility wise) to sew on new sequins in an appropriate colour to cover the threads.

[@vaultdweller6646]

Never in my butch life have I ever cared about dresses,but this video was so much fun! You look lovely in everything,amazing style

[@evan007rose]

lying sick in bed rn, the perfect time to be early to a Jessica vid!

[@TheSightOfTheStars]

Same! I threw out my shoulder, and this video is the perfect length to ice my shoulder to! 🧊

[@JuMixBoox]

As someone who has ADHD and strong hoarding tendencies and managed to get rid of about sixteen full sized trash bags of clothes over the course of a year, I have some advice that may or may not work for the people reading this. First of all, use categories that make sense to you. If you separate the clothes by how they feel to you and what they make you think of instead of more obvious categories, it becomes easier to tackle a category because you aren't having all those thoughts and feelings whenever you go through your wardrobe trying to get dressed and you might be able to decide, after a week or a year of having it put away in its own box that you never touched or maybe just that evening, that the "I want to wear this, but with an extra layer" or the "once I pick up this hobby" or Jessica's "dresses for when I gain weight"-category don't need to be in your house right now if you never wore them before and aren't wearing them now. Other boxes may be great if you want to keep clothes not for a potential purpose, but for an emotional memory. If you have the "printed t-shirts that I treasure so much that I don't want to wear them to wash them out" or the "these clothes are from a special occasion/person and thinking of getting rid of them sends me into a panic spiral and prevents me from tackling my wardrobe"-categories, separate those. You aren't grabbing them when you are getting dressed and they aren't making you feel good where they are right now, so put your wedding dress and your prom dress in a box somewhere where you can show them off some time or maybe even realise one day that other people would be delighted to find them at a charity shop. That leads me directly to my next advice, other people, but first I have to mention an important warning for the categories approach: Beware of the crafting box! If there are fabric types that never feel good on your skin, clothes that no longer fit you but you aren't ready to let go or even clothes that are ripped and have holes in them, you might be tempted to think "I can make something with this! I'll just get rid of the sequins, sew it together differently, salvage this as shorts or a crop top or add another layer or even just make a blanket of memories out of the scraps!" Please, ask yourself: Is this really the perfect solution? Do you ever sit down and sew things? Not "Have you bought a sewing machine?" or "Do you think right now that you will change your daily routine to incorporate hours of sewing on your quest to become completely self-sufficient?", do you do it now? You might need to try this out for yourself and definitely feel free to prove me wrong, just don't keep in a box what doesn't deserve to take up space in your house and will weigh you down every time you see it. Your space deserves better! So, on to the people: You decide how you want to involve them. You have someone to sit next to you while you do this to keep you accountable and on track if you discover your old karate suit and decide practicing that again would be more fun than decluttering or you find a giant Jenga in your closet? Great. You'd rather do this alone because you want to make decisions without having to explain yourself to someone and maybe coming back to doing this a couple times over the course of a week is more your thing than doing one multiple hour session anyway? Also great. Having people in mind who you'd like to gift some of your items to is also great. If you have to make the decision between "Could these ever potentially fulfill a purpose for me?" and trash, that's significantly harder than thinking "Would this be more fun for me or for my sister who doesn't have all the associations I have and would feel like she went shopping or got a Christmas present receiving this?". Obviously, the other person might not want the item and the story you told yourself might not be true and they might even have a more healthy approach to their wardrobe where they don't let anything in they won't consistently wear, but maybe they'll pick one out of five things or think of someone else they'd like to gift it on to or maybe you can just agree from the getgo that they will take the box you gave them, maybe with the comments in mind that you thought one thing would be particularly good because of X, y and z, and go through it on their own without telling you what they kept and what they also donated. This is also what I did with my "Get rid off"-boxes in general: I gave them to someone I trusted to go through and double check that I hadn't made a terrible mistake and gotten rid of their clothing that was mistakenly with me, forgotten a sentimental value or tried to donate something that should have gone in the trash but I was too attached to see that. So I put it in boxes, the other person put it in trash bags after going through and we donated them together so that I could generally see the result and be calmed there and also not necessarily see the volume difference. No one can take the actual decisions from you about what you would wear and what would be worth it to you, but people can help with this step and removing that responsibility and fear from you, like Jessica said. Maybe it also works best for your peace of mind to have a friend sell some of your clothes and keep the money, so that you know they went to people who really wanted them but don't add extra steps for yourself. Another cool thing you can do with clothes that are just off from right, like the dress that is perfect in fit and fabric but isn't the right colour for you to wear (I get it, I couldn't leave a set unfinished either and also wanted to reinvent myself to wear different tones before) or the one that's a size too large and fits with a belt or the one that would be perfect without sequins, is learn what exactl you want. Toss the thing that's just off and write down what would be right. Write down what colours and fits you feel greatest in and what occasions you actually need clothes for. Also write down what colours and fits and fabrics just don't vibe with you (don't worry, you can change that in the future, just understand what you want right now!). Write down what looks and styles you'd like to have and got inspired by forgotten wardrobe items to try. If all that info is saved somewhere outside of the clothes, you might have an easier time getting rid of just the item and keeping the idea. You could also write a wishlist to motivate yourself of all the cool things you will have space for after a closet clean out and how in a shop you won't be standing in front of a style you really love and tell yourself "But I have so many at home and never wear them!" because you understand why and got rid of the problem now and also won't buy the wrong thing again. You can use the wishlist when going shopping later or when actually telling people what you want, but I'd discourage you from directly adding items to your cart to compensate for the decluttering, maybe enjoy the closet for what it is for a while and don't give yourself more clothing to dos so soon after. One reward item you noticed you wanted all throughout is allowed though, just one. Finally, I have some thoughts on closet setup: Make it functional. If most of your clothes is for special occasions, have your core everyday items in their own space that is easily accessible to you. If you can reach your underwear drawer with your everyday underwear and without the fancy stuff from your bed, perfect. If you have t-shirts you wear to sleep but also sometimes during the day, put them in an extra space from the ones you only wear during the day. Have boxes you can take out when you're laying on the floor or on the bed or want to organise just a bit of your wardrobe. Maybe just socks. Have those socks separated by when you would put them on and add some to your everyday and others to occasions. If that doesn't work for you, do it differently. What height do you see best? What height do you want to see the most? What clothing do you wear on a bad day and what drawers can you reach most easily? Do what feels right and maybe use this configurated setup as the goal and motivation for the clean out, as a middle step for when you've removed all of the special and less worn boxes or even as a compromise for while you aren't ready. Just remember, guys, clothes are meant to serve you, not the other way around! I also think I just spent about an hour writing this comment and thinking of these, so if anyone reads all this, feel free to tell me. Good luck!

[@BreakingStubad]

You can always dye the Montessori mom dress a different colour

[@cynicallemonade1792]

You always make me laugh. Thanks for the great video. Goodluck on your style journey 😅

[@tiredgoblinboi]

The stained dresses you can dye at home and mask the stains by turning the garment a darker color

[@jimthechaosbunny]

Yes this. I once rescued a stained white sofa by throwing paint at it and turning it into a 'Jackson Pollock' designer piece! I was imagining doing the same to the stained dress

[@zarinaromanets7290]

The white dress needs a vintage cape! And vintage roller skates! And a vintage fur hat! ✨️ ❄️ ooh it would be so cute ❤❤❤

[@randomnessiskewel]

My favourite is the white dress! So gorgeous, so impractical 😁 But I feel like we all need something like that in our wardrobe. But it COULD make someone’s winter wedding… ah

[@sturmykins]

Okay but you CANNOT get rid of that cape. Or at a minimum, hand it off to someone who will appreciate the provenance. Stone colored Sondeflor dress- dye it. Purple Sondeflor dress- have someone do some embroidery over the bleached bits!

[@claremiller9979]

I'm 6 minutes in and don't wear dresses or even skirts but I NEED this, as commiseration/motivation. I have a pair of suit pants i had custom made for me, which I then had further altered because I didn't like how they looked, and I STILL don't like how they look, the legs don't fit right - but I keep baulking at giving them away because the suit all together was over $1000 😭 I like the jacket, and the waistcoat, and frankly it was a decent deal compared to what you usually pay for a suit, especially one tailored for you, but the pants just. don't. fit. And i can't get them altered, there's no more fabric in the seams for my legs. Honestly they needed to be 3cm wider all the way around, I have Learned my Lesson on this. It makes me sad to think about them and I need to get them away, and find other things to wear with the very nice jacket that does actually fit me. In short, even as a non dress wearing person, I feel your pain on holding onto things that don't fit for Reasons beyond comprehension.

[@jimthechaosbunny]

I don't know if it helps you any, but my mum altered a pair of trousers that were too small for me by inserting a long strip of a contrast fabric down the entire length of each side seam, and it looked beautiful (a lot like the pants for a tuxedo suit). If you've run out of fabric to alter yours that might still be an option for you!

[@SCBTF]

I love that you have your entire American duchess collection lined up in your closet

[@jennifers5560]

Right?! Did you see the green ones?

[@vickymc9695]

Thinking the stone frock could be dyed a colour you like. Looks like a natural fabric

[@MarianneDshwd]

Vibe check : the Laura Ashley is a no. Sequin dress : keep it as it is and send it off to a good home with someone who loves neon sequins! Favourite dress : definitely the Winter Wedding dress. It's so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your flounce collection with us Jessica :)

[@poppy8702]

the montessori stone dress must stay!! it's gorgeous 🤍

[@chpest16]

When you pulled out the wardrobe hanger rod, it reminded me of the fancy closet that Kurt Russell built for Goldie Hawn in Overboard.

[@jennifers5560]

All she needs is the moving shoe rack!

[@Dani-bs7dm]

This whole vid is like my internal monologue.

[@UnderTheElm]

Maybe you could dye the Montessori dress?

[@irradiated_woman8016]

Yessss fabric dying is my new hobby (how long it will last, who knows) and I've been using these amazing fiber-reactive powder dyes. They're easy to work with for a beginner and turn out SO cool!

[@jennifers5560]

I am not a dress wearer, but 100% enjoyed this video! Just about everything she said about keeping things in the wrong size, color, etc. were relatable. I wonder, did Jessica keep her bridesmaid dress? (I think she did…)😁

[@Cinderbloom]

I think it's perfectly okay to keep some pieces that don't fit you for sentimental reasons! If nothing else, they can be given to future family if they can fit it, and then the garment has a really nice story behind it :)

[@LadyofBakerStreet]

Dye the Montessori dress! I’m picturing a light blue. I bet it would take dye very well.

[@BlackCatsandPumpkins]

@LadyofBakerStreet: It depends what the fabric is. Also the thread to stitch it with. If polyester then it won't dye.

[@deniseeuphemia]

So many of the dresses you’re parting with I’d love. Especially that white Christmas one. Getting married next year and it’s a struggle here in Canada to find vintage wedding dresses.

[@HOHNancy]

This is a great video! ❤ The white Christmas dress looks good on you. Some of your reactions and comments about some of the dresses made me laugh. 😂

[@conlon4332]

4:38 No but I was buying a jacket online, and I was like I'll just get the size I normally get, but then I looked at the size chart, measured myself, found that it said that size wouldn't fit me (I think it might have even seemed like I should get two sizes up) but then I was like no, I know what size I am, I just did not trust that chart, and I bought my normal size. It fits me perfectly, I don't know what that size chart was on about! If I'd followed that I would have got a jacket that was far too big for me.

[@jessicarousseau6001]

1. I think the white cotton-y dress you won't wear on camera would be great base-layer with a overdress or overskirt with waistcoat. It could keep it from washing you out. 2. Dye the Montessori dress. The 2 stained dresses maybe experiment. Try spot dyeing the dress with bleach spots to color match. The pink try bleaching the color (and hopefully the stain) then dye it. 3. Alter the bridesmaid dress to fit. Seems like a quick fix and colour and style fits you already. 4. I would keep the cape for family reasons. But if you are ready to let go donate it to a museum or historical reenactment group.