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If your closet is still in transition from your maternity days and your little one is far beyond crawling, you'd probably love nothing more than to kick out the old to make way for something new. One lucky Fab Mama will win a wardrobe consultation/makeover with Kim Shimkus, owner of Utopia in LaGrange. Shimkus will stop by the winning mama's house to provide a closet consultation and an afternoon of shopping. The winner will also receive a $500 gift certificate to Utopia. To win, tell me the one item that lives in your closet that you just can't get rid of, even though you don't/can't/won't wear it any more.

Contest deadline is Aug. 29. The winning mama will be featured showing off their new look in October's issue of Chicago Parent.

Once you have posted, e-mail your answer, name and Chicago Parent ID to kpancero@chicagoparent.com. In submitting your comments, you are granting Chicago Parent pemission to run them now or in the future. You must post and e-mail us for your answer to be counted. We will not release your information-it is purely for contact purposes. Winners will be chosen at random and may have no affiliation with Wednesday Journal Inc. or its employees.

This contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated.

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Kate Pancero
Assistant Editor/Weekend E-dition Editor
FabMama columnist
Chicago Parent

The thing that I have in my closet that I cannot part with is my 1987 Limited Express brown and black shaker knit, bat winged, three quarter length sleeve sweater.  I cannot and will not give it up, even though it hasn't seen the light of day since my senior year of high school!

Denise Dalton / tddalton

tddalton@comcast.net

PS - My twins are starting kindergarten, and it's my first full time week back at work.  I need to update!!!

Hi Kate,

My name is Candace Harvey. I am a 35 year old mother of two boys ( 11 and 2). I am also a first grade teacher.I just completed grad school this past May. However my closet doesn't say professional at all. I need help!

I have to admit that I have a number of items in my closet that I haven't worn in years! I just can't clean them out because my closet would be bare. I have to say that the items I can't part with but won't wear are my "teacher" holiday sweaters. I have a few for Christmas and a couple for Halloween. They were passed down to me from my mother and although I love teaching I just can't bring myself to wear them anymore. They just make me look old. However I can't throw them away.

Candace

aceharvey2000@yahoo.com

Okay, two things stick out:

A T-shirt circa 1991 (yes, that's 17 years ago) that my college roommate designed for a Hunger Clean-Up event at our university. It is completely tattered and worn, but it makes me smile every time I see it. It is so hole-y that I can only wear it layered beneath other shirts at this time, or to bed. My husband just cringes when he sees it come out. 

My mom's 1950's black velvet sleeveless dress that she wore on dates with my dad! I last wore it in 1990, about 20 pounds ago! I keep it there to help motivate me to stay in shape, but I think it may be time to pass it on to my daughter!

Hi Kate,

My name is Kristin, I am a 21-year old nursing student. I am writing to tell you about my wonderful mother, Laura. I have an 18 year old brother, and a 3 year old sister. Yes, 3 years old. My mother got remarried about 4 years ago and decided to have another baby. She works full-time as a music teacher, and works 3 other jobs on the side. She does everything and anything for her children and absolutely nothing for herself. I cannot tell you "one" specific item my mother has in her closet...however, I can tell you of one basement full of old clothes. Piles and piles of clothes from the 80's and 90's and now maternity clothes that she will just not part with. She still feels the need to wear old sweaters, old tee-shirts and long skirts, and I can't even remember the last time she bought a pair of jeans. She will go shopping and come home with clothes for me or my siblings, yet never buys anything for herself. It would mean the world to me if I could give my mother something in return for once. Now that she has to start all over again with raising a child, I think she could use a fresh start in her wardrobe as well.

Thanks so much,

Kristin

Honestly, all of the clothes that live in my closet now are things I need to get rid off.  I can't seem to believe that I have to purchase larger sizes since I had my first child--22 months ago.  But if I had to choose a favorite that needs to be burned, I would have to say a striped cowl neck sweater that I have had for over 10 years.  It is too little; it is out of style and I still keep it on hand.  I use to be a shopaholic before my son, now I only shop for him.  My fashionista days are long gone.  I am in desperate need of a makeover.

I am 34 years old and have a 2 daughters 3 and 15 after 4 years out of the work force I still have not been able to adapt from business suits to everyday casual clothes.  I still have suits that no longer fit me in my closet because If I got rid of them my closet would be bare to the bones.  I need help getting a look together that is appropriate for a stay at home mom.

Delia Canino/zoeycanino

the_caninos4@comcast.net

Wow, everyone here deserves a makeover, and I know I do, too!

I went from a size 22 down to a 10 SEVERAL years ago, and I'm struggling right now with staying in a 12, plus I'm petite.  Trust me, it's breaking my heart!  Obviously, because of this large weight-loss, and recent fluctuation UP, I have NO complete wardrobe of ANY kind/size, work/casual, otherwise, unless you consider all of the L/XL/XXL stuff I stored - WHY?!?!  Defeats the purpose - and yet, it's comfy now.  BAD!!!  Nothing consistent for my legal assistant job nor my casual mom 'job'.  Lots of BIG STUFF stored tho - Again, WHY?!?!?!

 So, that's what I still have - more fat clothes than TODAY clothes, even though I'm still struggling.

 Thanks!

 

I work in La Grange, and I'm embarrassed to walk past Utopia!  I love big, bulky, comfortable clothes, like the chunky cable-knit purple sweater I still have from high school.  (And yes, I can't seem to get rid of it, even though I don't wear it anymore.)  I envy my colleagues, who seem to have an innate sense of style.  I'd love to update my wardrobe to make it look more chic and professional.

 

JeannieLibrarian 

I'm 41 years old and a proud owner of acid wash jeans and leg warmers!!! Also, I still have my fringed leather jacket and bomber leather jacket that I can't part with. I know I'd probably look silly if I wear these items out in public, for at least now until they return back in fashion.  I've kept my large hoop earrings and look they came back, right?! I still have my stir-up pants too. I've bought extra pairs for when my other pairs wear out.  In the summer I love my panama jack and bamuda shorts. They pair up well with the neon colored tanks I've bought at the County seat back in the 80's. The 80's have some very memorable times for me and I am very attached to the clothes that I've worn during that time. 

I own a pair of knee-high platform black boots that I don't/can't/won't wear any more.  I have been tempted to wear them again as a Halloween treat for my husband but I can't seem to gain the nerve to actually do it.  The boots were a frivolous and off the wall purchase for me one day a few years ago when I was shopping with one of my girlfriends.  They were on sale and I suppose I am guilty of succumbing to peer pressure.  I do try them on in private on occasion because they look really great on my muscular legs and they make me a few inches taller, which is always a positive. 

I am a 32 year old mother of a 6 year old boy and I have had the same clothes in my closet since before my son was born.  I am not a very efficient shopper (please refer to the platform boots purchase) and I could use some useful shopping tips as well.  I feel I am wasted potential because with the right clothes I could look and feel GREAT!

Thanks for having this contest!

Danielle

 

OH BOY!

I still have some things from H.S. Which for me is about 14-15 years ago. I have a pair of bell bottoms with white flowers on the leg that I will never get rid of. I love the way the use to fit me back then. I do not think I can fit in them now :) lol. I have paints and shirts that I still wear here and there  from when we were expecting, Jo is 3 now! If I start to clean my closet I do not think I would have any thing left.Yeah I think it is time to get a new wardrobe.

OMG- We just moved and I donated (although I can't imagine who would want it seven bags of clothes that I still had from high school.  Hello I graduated in '93!  Remember IOU and Cavaricci.  Did I think these were going to come back in style.  I also still kept one (heaven knows why).  In there now I have a bubblegum pink maternity top that the sleeves are way to tight on me (nevermind that my youngest is 7) and several of my husband's T-shirts that I have stolen and proudly (hah) wear!  The most scary thing though is a T-shirt that I made with a day care class that I worked with about 10 years ago, that doesn't fit anymore, is holey, and since all the handprints have worn away just looks dingy and spotted.  I wore it to the store last week.

 

Robyn

Congratulations to the following Fab Mama. Klcacci has won a wardrobe consultation/makeover with Kim Shimkus, owner of Utopia in LaGrange. Shimkus will stop by the winning mama's house to provide a closet consultation and an afternoon of shopping. The winner will also receive a $500 gift certificate to Utopia.

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Kate Pancero
Assistant Editor/Weekend E-dition Editor
FabMama columnist
Chicago Parent