Fashion is a funny thing.

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I’m not a great follower of fashion. I prefer to just wear what I like, but even so it’s hard not to notice that some things elicit either no response or perhaps even compliments from acquaintances, while others induce smirks – and of course, if, like me, you keep your clothes for a long time, you will notice that the same clothes will cause different responses as fashions change. The other day I decided to have a sort-out as my trouser drawer seemed to be rather full. I pulled everything out to see what I had forgotten about at the bottom, and found I had four pairs of black trousers. I don’t wear black all that often, but I do need some because, as a volunteer usher at the theatre, we are required to wear black, and trousers are easier since I generally cycle there. Still I don’t really need more than one pair at a time. The main difference between the four pairs, apart from being slightly different shades of black, was in the width of the leg, which varied from tight through close-fitting then straight to almost flared. It was quite funny to see what a difference there was – for the photo the legs of three pairs are all aligned on one side. Should I get rid of the unfashionable ones? Should I alter them? Should I just wear them anyway? One pair needed a small repair to the hem of one leg, so while I was there with my sewing machine I did narrow the legs of that pair a couple of inches – but I didn’t cut off the excess fabric, I just left it on the inside so when fashions get wider again I can just let them out again. Then I chose the most appropriate for the current season and the others went back into the bottom of the drawer; when styles change, I can swap them over again! Do you do this, or do you get rid of stuff that’s not in fashion and then buy things again when the situation changes? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2019.