Wardrobe Sort-Out.

I'm afraid during Covid when I didn't leave the house [except dog walking] the highlight of my day was receiving parcels! I ordered so many clothes online some were returned if they did not fit etc but my wardrobe is literally bursting. Must stop!

I find a useful rule for buying new clothes is to try them on and ask myself if they really look any better than what I was wearing when I walked into the shop. The answer is often no and certainly limits the amount that I buy.

Sara1954

Callistemon
Thanks, I didn’t know that, it seems like a good idea.

M&S, too, asked today f I wanted to make a donation today when I paid my bill.
I felt rather mean saying No, but had already donated on Friday, including an extra donation for a friend who asked us to do that rather than give her a birthday present.

Callistemon
Thanks, I didn’t know that, it seems like a good idea.

hollysteers

I don’t remember us showing as much concern when we. plus our friends the Americans, bombed Iraq and I read today on Gransnet that a local donation centre was only accepting new clothes??

The criterion for me is “Would I welcome this? Find it useful?”
Nobody wants a load of old tat and if you wouldn’t give it to a friend or family member (allowing for taste) give it for rags .

I am very proud of myself today, i walked through M&S and didn't buy a thing even though they have a sale on. I did see a pair of jeggings that i adored the colour of but i am sticking to my New Years resolution of not buying any new clothes or shoes ( wellies are excluded) this year.

I have phases like this. I have several very useful cardigans I use at home - warm for sitting in but also ones I don't mind doing housework in. They all have mends. I have even bought replacements for them!!!! I don't even mean fancy replacements - they were supermarket reductions at £10 each. But still I'm wearing the old ones!!!

I don’t remember us showing as much concern when we. plus our friends the Americans, bombed Iraq and I read today on Gransnet that a local donation centre was only accepting new clothes??

Sara1954

It would be good if supermarkets had places to leave donations, as they do with the food banks.
I’m sure they would be overwhelmed with peoples generosity, obviously they would need a list of what items were required.

Tesco locally is doing this, with a list of what is needed in the store.
They also have stores in Slovakia and Hingary and are donating goods through the Red Cross there.

That sounds drastic, Lindylou -did you shed tears over anything?
Or heave a sigh of relief that your Marie Kondo-ing had been done for you?
Dreadful shock though

I have been flooded out of my home when returning from holiday, so basically only have a handful if clothes the rest in storage which I am unable to get to and I have managed for last 4 months, I realise
I definitely have too many clothes.

Sara1954

The info I read said that all this donated clothing was having to be sorted by volunteers, and 3/4 of it was not going to be sent on to Poland, as it was not fit for purpose, or the wrong sort of clothes that are needed,

It would be good if supermarkets had places to leave donations, as they do with the food banks.
I’m sure they would be overwhelmed with peoples generosity, obviously they would need a list of what items were required.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“Is”

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+ ????

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.

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.