I've never used the word trousers when I was referring to pants. Who actually says "trousers" anymore? It's one of those words that sounds formal or like something from the past. And it makes for a curious sounding blog post title...
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| Trousers (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Zipperless Trousers
A couple years ago I found a pair of pants that I absolutely loved. They fit comfortably, they were made of a durable fabric that was comfortable in all sorts of weather, and they had some great pockets. That summer after acquiring this outstanding pair of pants, I wore those pants as part of my driving outfit for our vacation that year. They were one of the best pairs of pants I'd ever owned.
Then after returning home, I went to put on that pair of pants and to my disappointment the zipper broke--came undone. I tried to fit it back together, but to no avail. On our next trip to the dry cleaner I brought the broken-zippered pants to be repaired by the little old Asian lady who did such things. Twelve dollars is what she charged. Well worth it to me to get that pair of pants back finally.
I guess I wore them once or twice after getting them back when the zipper broke in the same way. Maybe the lady just fixed the old zipper or maybe she put in an inferior zipper. Whatever the case, the pants were not wearable as they were so I hung them in my closet in order to deal with later.
Therein lies part of the gist of my clutter situation. I keep things that I think I might fix or might be able to use in the future somehow. Though I've never taken any count on it, I'm guessing that at least 10% of what I own could be dumped immediately because--let's face it--I'm never going to fix it and it's probably not worth fixing anyway.
I've got a lot of work to do in the months to come--I'm taking my time with this project since it's a lifetime project. Get rid of stuff and try not to accumulate much more of anything. Goodwill--look out! I'll be coming your way.
And so that brings me to an end of this year's Challenge theme--Cleaning the Clutter. By no means is it the end of my project and maybe as time goes by I'll post updates of any major breakthroughs. Thanks to all who stayed with me from the beginning of my "Cleaning the Clutter" series as well as to those who dropped by at least once.
Now to think about the 2019 Challenge which will be the 10th annual. We'll have to come up with something big!
Do you tend to keep damaged clothes that you think you might eventually repair? Have you done any spring cleaning yet? Any suggestions about how to make the next A to Z Challenge more special than it already is?
As I'm not good as reparing clothes I tend to discard broken clothes. As for the spring cleaning yes! I have done mine to combat the lonliness my life is.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing another A to Z Lee.
I don't think I would have made every day had I had taken part.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, staying occupied is one of the better ways of combating loneliness. Stay busy!
DeleteI think you could have finished again this year since you've managed before. We'll be looking for you to join us for year 10.
Lee
I'll keep it long enough to see if my wife can fix it. Or if it's something like lounge pants with holes in the wrong places, I'll just wear around the house until they really fall apart.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on another Challenge!
Alex, my wife has fixed a few of my things--mostly buttons--but some things are probably not worth the actual effort as long as clothes are relatively cheap like the ones I buy.
DeleteLee
I am terrible about keeping things because I might be able to sort them out in the future or the material might be useful for something later. They usually get thrown out when I rediscover them and they have mildew or a mountain of dust :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another great AtoZ.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
Natasha, two great minds thinking alike.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - favourite clothes are difficult to get rid of - a zip on a favourite bag broke as I came over here ... I suspect that might be its end! Good luck with all the sorting and clearing - never easy ... I hang on to things too - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNow I can put in ... thanks so much for organising the A-Z once again ... I always enjoy it H
Hilary, you've just reminded me of a flight bag that is ripped and essentially unusable. Not really worth getting fixed either.
DeleteThanks for your continued support of A to Z!
Lee
I just put some things back in my dresser that I know I should get rid of. I guess I should get a bag an put them in it. Soon.
ReplyDeletehttp://findingeliza.com/
Kristin, I do that a lot. I keep thinking, "I'll get one more wear and next time I'll get rid of it."
DeleteLee
Hi Lee!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on another engaging A - Z Challenge!
Thanks to you, Sir, the nearest Goodwill outlet to me is about to get inundated ;-) I even had to throw a few things out as I wondered what in the world I was thinking to have kept them.
Happy Z Day!
Diedre, always happy to promote Goodwill and other such organizations.
DeleteThanks for hanging in the Challenge until the end.
Lee
You've been inspiring me Lee, and now that the challenge is complete, I'm intending to do some serious decluttering. I've got several items of clothing that I've kept with intentions of fixing, but seriously if it hasn't happened by now I might as well be honest about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks once again for your part in creating the A-to-Z magic.
Deborah, the desire to declutter probably goes on until we leave this earth when we leave behind an empty shell.
DeleteLee
Umm, are you referring to the stack of clothes that need mending that is hanging over the rocking chair in my bedroom? LOL!
ReplyDeleteDonna B. McNicol|Author and Traveler
A to Z Flash Fiction Stories | A to Z of Goldendoodles
Donna, you might better check to make sure there's not a body hidden underneath.
DeleteLee
A bad zipper can spawn many comments, but none fit for public airways, so I'll just Z you later!
ReplyDeleteCW, and we'll zip this comment up here and now.
DeleteLee
At first I thought you meant something like sweatpants :) I used to keep clothes thinking I would fix them but I stopped doing that a long time ago. The clothes I buy are not that expensive to begin with. 10th year, huh? Wow. Thanks for starting it and continuing it, I've enjoyed the last 3 years that I've participated and learned something new every time!
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Janet, that's probably a more appropriate application to the term. I wear "zipperless" sweat pants most of the time these days.
DeleteHope you'll celebrate our 10th year by joining us again!
Lee
Oh my goodness, perfect timing on your post. Today I thought I was finally brave enough to throw away my very first typewriter. It's an old electric Brother that no longer works. I have no idea if it can be fixed, no idea what it would cost to fix it, and no idea if I can even get ribbon for it even if it was fixed. I took pictures of it to remember it by, and actually hauled it to the dumpster today... and then I couldn't bring myself to toss it in. It's back in the house.
ReplyDeleteTrudy, maybe you could create an artwork with it? I've seen typewriters and such incorporated into artistic statements.
DeleteLee
My latest thing is to repurpose stuff, but I can skip on turning unwanted clothes into quilts, curtains, and such unless I really like the fabric. So far, not, which is great. Some days I think I could walk away from all this stuff we've accumulated, including the Husband's and my parents' stuff. Too much!
ReplyDeleteSusie, sounds like the way things were done in the old days. Using scraps for quilts is a great idea. I'm too attached to everything, but I'm trying to get a different outlook.
DeleteLee
Ah gee... You looked in my sewing basket!!! I already my theme for next year! :D
ReplyDeleteCalensariel, nothing like being prepared whether it be sewing or A to Z!
DeleteLee
I admit to keeping 'broken' items in the hope that someday some fairy will repair it - unlikely. Zippers are one of the problems as we have a dog that chews them - she ruined the jacket I bought on the Queen Mary 2; it's a memento of a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching Z AND entertaining us with your 'clutter'.
[https://rolandclarke.com/2018/04/30/z-is-for-zelda/]
Roland, thanks for joining us for 2018. And thanks for leaving your link in this comment as it makes it easier to find your blog.
DeleteLee
When I think trousers I think dad and to a lesser degree Tim in work clothes, not something I think I wear, I wear pants nor trousers, trousers need to be ironed pants do not
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne, I never thought about the ironing part, but my wife does iron what I call "pants".
DeleteLee
I still use that word...hahahaa maybe it’s more Canadian?? My mom used it so it might be old fashioned. I just like that word. Oh gosh, yes, I have clothes I should get rid of but don’t. I haven’t started any spring cleaning...we’ll see how that goes. I am thinking of changing it up next year...maybe write about my mom and dad since they are very interesting characters and led interesting lives but I thought about my card making as well. I thought I would beer away from my film stars and movies
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I think you might be right about the geographical usage of the word. I always enjoy stuff about film, but hearing family stories are fun as well.
DeleteLee
I need to clean out the clutter in my house and life. Get rid of my "zipperless trousers" (though in my case they are more likely to be dresses!). Great A-Z topic! I can't wait to see what next year's A-Z challenge will be!
ReplyDeleteM&J, I don't know that we ever get all the clutter out of our lives and I don't know that we recognize our clutter because we don't always see the clutter like others might. Next year will hopefully be a big one since it will be the 10th year.
DeleteLee
Ooooh, I hear you. Hanging the pants (I think "trousers" is just the proper English term) back in the closet will not get them fixed ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhich is a pity, though, because how many favorite pants will a person ever have throughout their lives?
Congratulations on completing another A-Z, I know I'm super late in the game to visit, but hey, I made it for the finale!
http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2018/04/z-is-for-zug.html
Tamara, if I hide something long enough I often forget that it is broken only to be reminded when I find it later.
DeleteThanks for playing along with us for another year!
Lee
I prefer the word "trousers," since it's the standard British word. When they say "pants," I'm told they're referring to undergarments. It's the same reason I prefer "autumn" to "fall." I can't deny I have some pretentious inclinations in my vocabulary and how I express myself!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing another A to Z!
Carrie-Anne, seems like this year's A to Z came and went so quickly!
DeleteLee
As a Brit ex-pat, I use 'trousers' and wear 'pants' under them. I'm used to autumn being Fall from the clocks 'falling' back.
Delete