From the perspective of psychology, it has been demonstrated that attachment to objects can be a manifestation of the fear of change or the resistance to closing chapters of one’s life.
Keeping clothes we no longer wear is a more common habit than it seems, but when a person keeps unused trousers for years, psychology can offer interesting answers. According to experts, this behavior is often linked to nostalgia, as the garments can represent significant moments in life.
The psychological reason behind keeping trousers you no longer wear
A pair of trousers that are kept in storage can be a symbol of a bygone era, a personal achievement or an emotional connection with someone important. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion that allows us to relive experiences, so getting rid of a garment that evokes memories can be difficult for psychologists to understand.
A pair of trousers kept for years may represent the desire to maintain a version of oneself that no longer exists, or even the hope of fitting into that garment again. This attachment is linked to identity and self-esteem, as clothes often reflect how we perceive ourselves. When a person clings to a pair of trousers, they may also be clinging to an idea of who they were at that time.
Keeping a pair of trousers that are no longer worn can be a sign of difficulty in letting go of things, which in some cases can be related to disorders such as compulsive hoarding syndrome. Although not all people who keep old clothes have this problem, they can experience anxiety at the idea of letting go of certain objects.
Some people keep them in the hope of losing weight and wearing them again, while others see them as a reminder of times when they felt more confident about their appearance. Clothes are deeply connected to self-esteem, and a pair of trousers can become a symbol of comparison between the present and the past.
