Wardrobe Sort-Out.

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.

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.

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 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 ...

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

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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!

Nicegranny, I still have a couple of pairs of jods in my wardrobe just in case... but I know the likelihood of me ever riding again is very, very slim! Still have the ponies in the field but they're enjoying early retirement.

Years ago, I used to declutter my wardrobe every six months. It proved to be a really good habit to get into as I ended up being very ruthless with what clothes I kept.

Recently I have been on a bit of a shopping spree - not bad for someone who HATES clothes shopping. I might enjoy it more if clothes manufacturers didn't think I was a 12 year old girl - I'm only 5'2" so finding clothes that fit can be a nightmare. And don't get me started on trying to find size 3 shoes that are for adults...

The reason for the shopping spree (apart from the vouchers I'd received, lol) was - so much of my wardrobe had holes in. Not just little ones but great ugly tears mainly from being so old but sometimes from brambles or barbed wire.

Before I (not so gleefully) descended on the shops I went through the wardrobe and decided what needed replacing. As most of the vouchers were accepted at several clothes shops I then went online to the various websites and decided what I wanted to get while making my vouchers work hard!

The next day I popped down the shops to get what I wanted - and only looked at those items. I found it did really help with the 'ooh, that's looks nice and only X pounds...'

Now I just need someone to give me another gift card so I can finish replacing everything, lol.

As well as taking my unwanteds to the local charity shop (sadly, this current crop will all be going in the rag bag but at least they'll get some money) I often shop in the charity shops.

I am very lucky where I live as, by going up the High Street one side and back to the car park down the other, I can go in up to 10 charity shops. Most of the stuff I find is good quality - sometimes it still has the original tags on! Several years ago I ended up with a whole new summer wardrobe for the grand sum of £40.

CBBL

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!

Are you my alter ego?

?

Ps I don't live in Scotland, I live in rather damp Wales.

I had a big clear out after Christmas - although the wardrobes (plural as I have spilled into both guest bedrooms ) are still full, and have taken a suitcase full plus one of those huge laundry bags to the Mercy in Action shop near me.
But there was still some nearly-new /new/frankly very good stuff so I started eBaying it .
My 90-day total they tell me £700+ ????

“Is”

I would be OK with my wardrobe management if my mum , who lives some distance away, didn't use me as midway between "too nice to part with" & "charity shop" when managing hers. We're same size & colouring & she does have some nice things so whenever she visits I end up with several more clothes. I'm like OP, just wearing the same old things dayin, dayout. Used to enjoy dressing for the office but as I've been working from home for 2 years & don't have heating during the day I tend to wear a hoody, hood up, with a thick fleece on top just to keep warm, so no chance for elegance now.

GrannySomerset It is not self discipline, it is self protection it really bothers me to have stuff in the house I do not use. I cannot function in an untidy house with stuff everywhere.

I am currently sorting out bedding and other stuff for Ukraine and almost giddy with pleasure that I will be emptying some chests and drawers.

Can I just say, please wash your clothes before you send them and don’t send things you wouldn’t be prepared to wear, ie. tatty at neck, worn items, they go to a clothing back to be recycled. I worked in a charity shop and the clothes we had in had to be put aside, if you wouldn’t wear them or put one on your grandchild, it’s not for the charity shop.

Monica
I know that feeling, I’ve just instructed my twelve year old granddaughter to go through all her clothes at the weekend, and we’ll send them to Ukraine, she has so much clothes, and some of it never, or hardly worn.
I’m doubly pleased, as it will be going to a good cause, and I’ll be seeing the back of it.

I am in the same position I have loads and loads of clothes that I cannot wear because I’ve put on weight. ? never thought this would happen to me. because I’ve always been very slim and was the same weight for well over 20 years even after having my children.

Can’t remember if it’s been on GN or elsewhere, but Poland is inundated with clothing for Ukraine.

Not wishing to sound cynical, but I wonder what some of the donations are like. Think some of them might be stuff not fit for charity shops, but makes the donor feel ‘good’ about donating them.

Calendargirl
I think you are being a bit cynical, I think most people will only be sending things of reasonably good condition.
But I see your point about them being swamped with clothes, I suppose we all want to help, and there’s not a lot else we can do.

Those organising donations to be sorted to go to refugees have asked for NO MORE CLOTHES.
They take up space on the transport which is needed for more urgent supplies.

They may ask for clothes in future but, for the time being, medical supplies, toiletries, sanitary products, baby food, nappies, torches, etc are what is urgently needed and large ziplock bags for sorting these into individual packs.

In fact, money donated to the DEC is probably the best thing to do right now.