Now I'm retired what do I do with all my smart(er) work clothes?

Beware! Depending on what you do in your retirement you might need the odd item once again. I thought that I'd be slobbing around in jeans and tees but have ended up as a campaigner and am hobnobbing with all sorts of people which has required smartening up a tad. So never say never
But do say never re wearing black for funerals. I much prefer navy which is much more wearable for other occasions too. Also the funerals I've attended recently have suggested that attendees wear coloured clothes in celebration of the person's life. A lovely idea which I hope attendees at my funeral will also follow

I retired a few months ago and took my first few bags of clothes to charity shop at the weekend. I'm starting on handbags today. I've bought a few "good" leather handbags (slightly smaller than my current ones) that will last for years and are most suitable for this new life. Across body bags are a must!! So the old handbags will go to charity shop today. Next week I will start on shoes/boots.

I give all my unwanted clothes to the Air Ambulance charity. That way I know that I am actually helping to save lives.

I had lots of high heels that I wont wear again. Too high for my bunion. So my grand daughter who is the same shoe size came over and to the ones she liked got rid of quite a few. The rest went to the charity shop.

Forgot about ebay you could sell them on there? You could make yourself some money to buy casual.

Charity? Oxfam/Help the Aged/Heart Foundation/Breast Cancer/NSPCC? All gratefully received.

If one is black you could keep it for funerals. Keep the one you like most for best. Any suitable for weddings? Ditch the rest.

Treat yourself and buy casual stuff now you are retired. Do not clutter up your home with things you do not need.

We have a nearly new shop nearby. They take anything which is fashionable and they can sell. It's full of mother of the bride outfits! I sold a new handbag there for £30. They gave me £15. Don't be offended if you take your things to one of these shops and they only want a small percentage. They have to be very picky.

I have not read every single post in this thread, but I've heard of organisations who help women back into the workplace who need suitable clothes for interviews and to wear to work. Why not try and track one of these down and maybe give them some of your lovely clothes?

Do you have a dress agency near you? They're very useful & not as much hassle as ebay!

Mine went to the charity shop - agree with tidyskatemum that they could get some cash for a good cause. Great feeling to drop the clothes off there!

Yes, the charity shop. You won't wear them again, it's great!

All mine went straight to the charity shop although I was tempted to have a bonfire.. The sense of freedom was wonderful.

Jackets will always come in useful - with jeans for the supermarket shop or smarter trousers for lunch out.
Never wore dresses so I don't have any and I haven't worn a skirt in the last 8 years! It's the heels I look at and wonder how on EARTH I wore them all day, every day .

loopylou and morethan2 Enjoy your new found freedom &

I'm 10 days into my retirement. My colleagues suggested a clothes bonfire. I haven't done that but what's made me very happy is that I haven't had to ironed them. They may just stay in the ironing basket for ever

I gave all mine to the charity shop - thought they needed the money more than me - except for 2 pairs of lovely lovely shoes which I still get out and sigh over longingly from time to time!

Read Marie Kondo's book. (suggestion)

I have been retired 8 years from my office job. I gave some of my clothes to my sister (who is a similar size and still works in an office). I gave some to a charity shop and I still wear some of them. If we pop out for a drink or lunch, I might put a skirt and top on that I used to wear for work.

I kept one black suit for funerals and gave the rest to a charity shop (this was pre-ebay)

ps, I should have said that it wasn't worth giving away!

I didn't have this problem. When I retired I just threw away my nurses uniform.

I still wear mine to go shopping in town
I'm not out of place because it's a rough and ready market town and everyone else of my generation is wearing clothes that were fashionable 20+ years ago.

I slowly, over years got rid of clothes to charities but certain items are still with me because they were expensive and I cannot part with them although I know I will never wear them again.

I agree, you should try ebay.

Ooh yes! Wish I had the courage to set up a business. I've even got a title for it. The Wardrobe Orderly. What do you think? ???

I ebayed mine, suits, coats etc and was amazed what people bought. It's the way to go !