Wardrobe Sort-Out.

Tina49

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*

Thank you Tina, yes, I definitely said it was going in the rag bag, which means it will be sold for rags by the charity.

I never send stuff that is unfit to wear, for resale.

Wish people would read the posts properly!

i have loads in the wardrobe, some from 20 years ago and does not fit anymore, i tend to do the wash and wear so it looks like i have so few clothes. i also wear straight leg jogging trousers everyday but i buy them in bulk from primark, it is usually 5 black and 5 dark grey so it looks like i only have one pair of each when people see me in them everyday.

I have lots of clothes that are too small, even though I am constantly trying to lose weight. I've only bought vardingans recently, because I now live in the North of Scotland, and "woolies" are essential. I don't have sufficient woolies in the right colours, but I have today started to knit a cardi with a variety of wool that I've also owned for years. I haven't done any knitting for quite a while either, due to Arthritis. I read that knitting helps - so I'm trying that. p.s. the wools I'm using also don't match the clothes I mostly wear - but, who cares!

I buy far too many summer clothes, my wardrobe is full of linen dresses, floaty dresses, dozens of tops and skirts, and probably a pair of sandals to match every outfit. I could definitely manage without buying any more this year.
Winter clothes, I struggle. I don’t like dull colours, and I’m hardly ever attracted to anything.
This year I have made the mistake of buying three ‘going out’ dresses, and I never go anywhere!
I don’t buy half as much as I used to, but I still go to work each day, so I have to be reasonably turned out.
I do have a big cull twice a year.

My wardrobes had coats I've had for over 20 years, never mind other items that I don't really wear now so I had a good sort out on Monday and anything that was suitable was left into one of our donation centres that is heading to Poland on Sunday.

I too still have my wedding dress Madashell but will not be selling or giving to charity. I intend to keep it.

Since retiring, I have got rid of a load of my "smart work" clothes and now rely on a comfort first wardrobe. Mostly elasticated waist trousers and jumpers in winter, short sleeved tops with cropped trousers in summer. I have some summer dresses, but don't wear them much. I buy nearly all my clothes from charity shops, apart from shoes, socks and underwear, which I buy new. I still have far too many clothes, and will make a definite effort to shrink my collection even more, need to adopt the "one in, one out" rule. I have a weakness for "evening wear" and can't resist a jumper with a sparkly trim, even though I can't remember the last time I went out in the evening!

I realised the other day, I haven't opened my overflowing wardrobe for at least 6 months. I live from my laundry basket-dresses in summer, but jeans/trousers in winter. I really need to go through it, but until I'm over my bug/còvid it can wait.

Still have my wedding dress - so now it’s 1970s vintage - must sell or give to charity.

I have a friend who is very stylish and looks^put together^. She buys black and white - trousers, tee shirts and then just adds a pop of colour - say an emerald green or aubergine shade of say a cardigan with a scarf that has a twist of that colour. I wish I had that discipline and capsule style wardrobe.

I don’t buy much but I do buy on impulse. For example walking through a store or past a shop window I think ‘oh I love that top’. Once home I realise it doesn’t really ‘go’ with other stuff much. You think I’d learn.

I do fantasise about tipping everything out onto the bed, being ruthless, being critical. Finding the gaps. Filling them. Thinking shall I just wear dresses? So much easier surely to pull on a nice dress for the day?

But I don’t. Year after year I manage to look okay but not stylish ...

My saddest thing ever was knowing l could never ride again and getting rid of my riding gear was painful.

lm a capsule wardrobe woman wearing only styles that suit me in natural fabrics that I love.
I can’t deal with decisions on what to wear it’s not as much fun as it used to be so it’s more about choosing the colour. These days I dress from a colour pallet that matches so even if there was a power cut l could dress in the dark and it would match.

I too had a wardrobe of smart business type clothes, and long dresses worn to events. I won't be using any of them again - I don't like formal occasions and resolved a few years ago to avoid them. A clear out during lockdown made me feel so much better, and if I could only discipline myself to empty this particular single wardrobe with the remaining smart/formal stuff I would do myself a big favour. The outfits bought for my children's weddings have happy memories - and I am a sentimental and nostalgic silly person.

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.

Try putting all your clothes that do not fit in suitcases or sealed boxes, put them out of the way and see if you have used anything out of them in 12 months' time. If you haven't, take them to the charity shop unopened.
I read this about 18 months ago and it does work. I was keeping things to slim back into then I realised it was taking me so long I would never fit into them whilst they were in fashion. Out of sight, out of mind and out of guilt you can't really remember everything you have put in.
The other way is to turn the coat hanger the opposite way to normal when putting clothes back you have worn. You soon realise what little you wear.
I was not wearing some things because I might spill on them, then I thought how daft they will never get worn so now I try to wear everything. Good luck.

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!

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

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

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 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!

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

Mummer your reasons for buying are poignant. ?