How many clothes does a lady really need? Help

Lost_and_nervous

I have clutter in my home, I have lots of clothes, and am looking to make money and reorganise/declutter but the question is how many clothes does a lady need? I have always had lots of clothes and shoes, when i go to clear out I think 'I really like that, I cant part with it, I may wear it one day'

But I need to change and need to really get myself under control.

Has anyone got any tips please?

Thank you

gibson123

You need to embrace the concept of the capsule wardobe. i could try to explain but Gok does it so much better. It is quality over quantity.

http://www.womenseverything.com/goks-guide-to-making-the-most-of-what-youve-got-c1129.html

Also do you sew? If you do there are many ways you can upcycle and update favourite pieces.

GreyQueen

They way I would do it is to think about how I live my life, and look at the quantity of clothes I have for each role that I play, then ask myself if it is a reasonable or excessive amount.

My own life is;

Office Barbie; smart black trousers and shoes, plus a selection of tailored blouses, some more summery and some a bit warmer for winter.

Gardening Barbie: comfortable and shabby clothes for the allotment.

Casual Barbie: So-so casual separates for socialising with friends at their homes or the cinema/ pub in a low-key way.

Decorating Barbie: a pair of tatty trousers and one or two tops suitable for painting in.

Hiking Barbie: pair of hiking boots, waterproofs, hiking socks.

At Home Barbie: yoga trousers and stretchy tops for lounging.

Posh-do Barbie: a very small category in my lifestyle.

Apart from things like undies, nightwear, dressing-gown and swimming cozzie, everything I own could be assigned to one of the above categories.

Other women would probably have a completely-different set of "roles" or "hats" that they wear and need to have categories which reflect that, such as specialist sports or hobby wear, more dressy clothes etc etc.

I guess that the fact that you've chosen to post on this subject indicates that you feel a wee bit overwhelmed by the quantity of your apparel, but there is no right or wrong answer. If you enjoy your clothes and have the space to store them, why get rid of any at all?

budgetboo

The Queen reuses outfits.

My estimate for the average lady.

inter - One decent top coat for employment & respectable events. Pref black or navy in case you have to attend a funeral.
One decent anorak type jacket for leisure activities.
2 pairs black trousers for the office
3-5 nice blouses for the office
A couple of toasty jackets/cardies for the office
2 pairs jeans for leisure/school run
4 fleece jumpers for bitter cold.
hat/scarf/gloves.
shoes for the office
good pair of boots for bitter cold

Summer
3 or 4 T-shirts light tops
A couple of skirts/shorts
pair of crocs/sandals for leisure
shoes for the office
smart dress and cardie for nuptials/christenings etc
bathing suit.
layer up by using cold eather garments if you have to
raincoat

A little black dress for "events".
PJ's
1 back bra, 1 hite bra
7 pairs of knickers
7 pairs toasty socks
summer socks/tights.
A couple of aprons.

A sahm or retired bod can have less office stuff and more leisure gear, there'll be slight variations dependent on lifestyle. Trainers for the sporty etc.

This list above is likely more than your Gran had. Choose classic styles and not high fashion & you reduce the clutter.

jayII

If you haven't worn it for a year and it isn't special occasion clothes, then out it goes.

If it doesn't fit or make you feel good or have a purely practical purpose (such as decorating/gardening/lounging) then out it goes.

miasnanny

What a useful thread this is. I have just decluttered my bedroom cupboards and wardrobe. like you I didn't know where to start, so I simply got rid of the things that didn't fit anymore. I then sorted them into winter/summer and then into colour families, I was amazed by the stuff I had that didn't go with anything else in my collection, so that went too. Then I moved on to things that I had that I liked, deciding if there was anything that I disliked about them, and if there was could I change it, if I disliked things that I couldn't change out it went. I had a couple of 'fit and flare' style dresses which I cut up and made into blouses and skirts, these were relics from my working days I now wear the tops much more than I would a dress and the skirts with a plain top also get a bigger airing. I had some suit jackets that I wouldn't wear again which I made into waistcoats or blazers (simply change the buttons). I now have a wardrobe that fits the way I live now and gives me joy. If you aren't too clever with a needle may be a friend would skill swap with you for something that you can do but she can't?

emslovesmickey

This is a great thread - i'm gonna take the advice here and cut down my wardrobe a bit.

VJsmum

budgetboo wrote: »

Summer
3 or 4 T-shirts light tops
A couple of skirts/shorts

Blimey - I probably have 20!! and about 10 pairs of shorts, 3/4 trousers.

I NEED them all - really I do (stamps foot and clings to them possessively)

Surely it is whatever you are comfortable with / have room for?

ariba10

In the OH 's case.

---

Just a few more.

bluebird

One pair of black trousers mixed with several tops can cover a whole week.

I admit my wardrobes are bursting and i only recently took a full bag to the charity shop,but as i went there i saw a super looking top and bought it.
Am i a lost cause?

gillsmills

So would you say that 59 jackets and coats was excessive then!:rotfl: