Wardrobe Sort-Out.

Wow Monica, I wish I could be like you, I am terrible at sorting out clothes. Even if it is underwear I do this mad thing, I cut through the crutch with scissors and cut off the straps of a bra all because it stops me going back through the bag and changing my mind. Do you think I have a problem ? ha ha

I’m like MOnica I don’t like having ‘stuff’ that isn’t used and a similar rotasystem that tends to be governed by worn clothes getting washed.
Similar to GSM one watch, one pair of sunglasses. One purse, one handbag, two pairs of boots, three pairs of Skechers and three pairs of flip flops. Last purchase was a winter coat replacing one twelve years old.

I used to enjoy shopping for clothes and having lots of different outfits. Now, like MOnica, I find that having things I don’t use is quite a burden. I much prefer having fewer carefully chosen clothes and accessories and actually wearing them. Having drawers and wardrobes stuffed with lots of clothes would really depress me.

There is a mountain of donated clothing growing daily in Poland. The agencies have lists of needed items that are currently required and clothing is not on them, so take your unwanted clothes to our charity shops please.

Now I have retired all of my work wardrobe went to the Salvation Army. I tend to give clothes to the SA and other stuff to the Hospice, who will take unwanted electricals as they have someone who will PAT test them. Any thing they won't take Electric blankets, duvets etc I Freecycle.
The local hospice sell any unserviceable clothes and textiles for rags, so nothing goes to waste.
I tend to live in jeans, haven't worn a skirt for years.

I haven't seen any collection points for Ukranian refugees, I have some unused duvets that would probably be welcome....

I love clothes, I wouldn’t be happy having any kind of rota - it’s fun choosing what to wear. I do operate a capsule wardrobe though, so I don’t buy things that won’t go with what I own already. I turn my hangers backwards at the beginning of the year, and when I wear something, I put the hanger back the right way. Then in January anything unworn in the previous year goes to the charity shop. My weakness is shoes and boots though, I find them very easy to buy and hard to get rid of. Since I retired I’m trying really hard, so it’s one in one out now.

I do have a lot of clothes I rarely wear, but have been weeding them out over the last few years and haven't bought anything new except a pair of jeggings since well before lockdown. The clothes I do have are all nice and wearable, though, none are kept because I just can't face getting rid of them even though I can't wear them.

The jumper I have on today is about 20 years old but looks like new. It's a beautiful cobalt blue, haven't seen anything like it in the shops and three people have asked me where I bought it. I don't like to say how old it actually is so I usually say I bought it a few years ago ?

I have had several wardrobe clear outs in the past year but i still have lots of clothes. I have decided I will hold on to everything now because you just cannot find the quality now. A lot of things are very difficult to find too. I think retailers must be struggling to get the merchandise.

One solution is to be brutally honest with yourself when shopping for clothes. A conversation with myself might go like this,

"Oh! What a nice dress. Lovely fabric and not a bad price..... Liz, how often do you wear a dress? Well, never. Will your lifestyle ever change to make wearing dresses practical? No! Put it back on the rail, Liz..."

In the past I haven't always had this little chat with myself so now I'm off to put some rather nice dresses in a bag for the charity shop.

I do a lot of sewing lately and I enjoy watching people's sewing channels on YouTube. Those women are always making, and apparently wearing, really nice dresses! They must spend their lives constantly getting changed! I have two types of outfit, nightwear and jeans and tee shirt or other top. Oh! and my karate suit!

I haven't had time to read all of the comments so apologies if someone has already mentioned this.

If you want to get an idea of what you do and don't wear in your wardrobe, prior to having a clear out, this is what you should do.

Hang all of the clothes hangers in the same direction on the rail. When you wear something or put it back, hang the clothes hanger the other way around. I saw this on one of those 'helpful' TV shows.

In theory this should work and highlight the things that you don't wear.

I've downloaded this from a very useful site and it's my new credo of the wardrobe!! It works too, I've off-loaded a ton of stuff using these rules and not regretted one ! Charity shops got a bumper crop too! Try it -its the future...!?

Urmstongran

I think the saying is that we only wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time Calendargirl which allows us to dither just enough when it comes to getting rid! ...in that ‘is this dress one of the items that I DO wear in that 20% window?’

As I get older I value streamlining. I regret buying so many watches and sunglasses for example. I wish choices were binary. This OR that? Best OR everyday? I find too much choice overwhelming.

I'm with you on the accessories overload! I got rid of 14-yep! Long scarves,pashminas then 8 good quality handbags 5 pairs boots I also have 13 watches (for most outfits) but honestly used to have 2 and wonder why I've hoarded them? I truly think that because I have nil contact with#2DS and 3DGK I'm somehow filling a yawning great hole in my life with- "stuff," I'm not making any new memories and daren,'t think of the old ones as I get desperately upset at the loss. So, buying clothes and stuff has been my occupation and I can well afford due to lockdowns and no budget for presents any more.sad or what?!

Then in January anything unworn in the previous year goes to the charity shop

Kudos to you Casdon! Pretty hardcore. I struggle throwing stuff away from years ago. I’m rubbish. Then I think ‘do I want to keep wearing these FOREVER’. Hmm. As I put stuff back in the wardrobe I decide I must do.

I wish I could be ruthless.

I’m joining Slimming World next month. Maybe in a few months I will lose weight, reevaluate my wardrobe, have a clear out and buy some new clothes for the new slimmer me.

Mummer your reasons for buying are poignant. ?

I’m making a conscious effort not to buy from China or Russia, still making my mind up about India etc.

GrannySomerset

Am in awe of Monica’s admirable self discipline and wish I could be like that. Two thirds of my wardrobe is too small and I am not making much progress with losing weight so may never wear it, but can’t bear to part with clothes I like. Think I need a serious moth problem to make me get organised.

I had some some size 12 Laura Ashley dresses from the eighties. Laura Ashley sizing was always small and these were more like a modern size 8-10. I took a long hard look at myself and realised that the chances of me ever fitting into them again were somewhere between minimal in the extreme and none whatsoever. In addition to this they were too young for me now. I listed one on eBay and was offered £20 by a lady who runs a vintage clothing shop. I was very pleased with this.

My advice would be to get rid of at least half of the clothes that are too small either via eBay or charity shops and have a capsule wardrobe of clothes in the size you are now. I have fallen into the trap of thinking l will lose weight to fit my existing clothes on many occasions, but the reality is that it is in my dreams rather than reality and clothes that suit us and fit well are far more flattering. I find eBay is my friend for this as l like specific good quality brands and could not afford to buy many clothes otherwise. I look for new or as new condition. I don’t then feel the same guilt as I am recycling and reusing.

Mummer, I am so sorry to read about your situation.

Apparently Ukraine needs money not clothes as there could be transportation issues. You could take clothes to Oxfam or Red Cross if you wish.
DEC website take donations.
I am a sucker for clothes. I seem to stumble over bargains ie a £73 dress for £23. Joules. Only size 10 I think.
Just must slow down.

I am also trying to lose a bit of weight in the hope that I will be able to fit into clothes that are currently too tight. I would really love to have a more coordinated capsule wardrobe but never seem to be able to pull this off. I have some nice clothes but its all a bit of a mish mash.

After retiring 2 years ago, I eliminated most of my work clothes. However, I still had some nice jumpers, cardigans, tops and trousers that I kept and are in good condition. To ensure that I wear everything, I committed to only wearing seasonal clothing. For example, from Dec 21 - Mar 21, I only wear winter jumpers, cardigans, heavy weight pants, etc. Then, beginning Mar 22, I put away my winter clothing and begin wearing tops with lighter weight cardigans and spring colors. In December, I only wear tops that are red and/or green. This has enabled me to wear out some items and eliminate some that I truly don't feel good wearing. I know this sounds crazy, but it is keeping me from buying new clothes that I don't need.

I have a friend in her 90s who still has drawers and cupboards stuffed full of clothes dating back to the 50s and every decade since. She has put on a lot of weight and will never wear them again but she refuses to get rid of anything and says she is leaving it for her executor to do when she dies (no close family). Glad it won’t be me!

Do you think anyone with a modicum of self resoect would want a cardi which is tatty at the back of the neck?. By all means well done for donating , but please, if you are passed wearing it yourself ..............

mariella22

Do you think anyone with a modicum of self resoect would want a cardi which is tatty at the back of the neck?. By all means well done for donating , but please, if you are passed wearing it yourself ..............

I think the OP said it was going in the rag bag

Just be VERY thankful that you still fit into ancient garments. I wish I could say the same!!

My problem is getting rid of the lovely dresses I bought for special parties and my daughters' weddings. I love them and they have special memories but they are taking up a lot of room. I would wear them again if I were invited to a special party, but that isn't very likely!