How many clothes does a lady really need? Help

Lost_and_nervous

Well I have started to go through the clothes, its silly what I have, there are things which I think I like that but have I worn it recently? No! Have I worn it in the last 3 years? NO! So why am I keeping it? Sentimental reasons cause OH bought it for me? Or I can wear it with that.... Hello do I really need it?

I am going to sort into 3 piles, definite keeps, definite sell and not too sure at the moment.

My ambition is to make extra money and declutter. I am only touching the surface at the moment, but its ok its a very big start!! Why do I need all these things? What makes me happy now is different from what used to make me happy, yes I love my clothes but I am a mum who doesnt go out and doesnt need loads of things.

Need to work out my 'Barbie' statuses and take it from there!

Molly41

I have just started wearing some old shirts that I put away for a while. I have been quite ruthless with regard to some clothes though. It is a difficult call to make as to what to keep and what to re-home.

Im also going to think about my "Barbie" categories.

iQueen

I discovered this thread from Decluttering 2012, as I tackled my emails, before deciding what to try to declutter today. (Yeah, right! :rotfl:)

So, clothes it is!

Having read all through the thread, I have found the Barbies a great approach to sectioning my wardrobe, but...

I have also noticed that a lot of posters are just like me, and wear [STRIKE]slobby [/STRIKE], er, 'very casual' clothes, most of the time. It's an easy habit to drift into, if we don't go out much, are looking after little-'uns, or retired. But, it's also easy to slide even further, and not really bother what we look like at all, in the house! :eek: And this can lead to low self-esteem.

I have a friend who is the opposite: she dresses up and puts on perfume and full make-up before she starts her housework! Perhaps a bit excessive. But it is important for us to feel good about ourselves, even if we are only hoovering or changing the beds. We become more motivated to tackle other chores, like decluttering, or weeding the wardrobes.

The Barbie method is very good. Even if we stay at home most of the time, we don't need to wear clothes that are only fit for gardening or decorating!

Also, don't forget the 20:80 formula - derived from business, it certainly applies to wardrobes... most of us wear 20% of our clothes, 80% of the time. Let's work towards reversing the formula, by cutting down our wardrobes! :T

Skyllo

iQueen wrote: »

I have a friend who is the opposite: she dresses up and puts on perfume and full make-up before she starts her housework! Perhaps a bit excessive. But it is important for us to feel good about ourselves, even if we are only hoovering or changing the beds. We become more motivated to tackle other chores, like decluttering, or weeding the wardrobes.

I agree with this, I feel much happier and more motivated if I feel I look nice, even when no one else is going to see me. I put on decent clothes and makeup even if I'm spending my day studying (I'm a student). I'll put on pyjama bottoms if I'm doing a big clean involving things like bleach so I don't ruin jeans but I own very few "slobby" clothes.

I think a lot of people are afraid of ruining clothing and like to keep things for "best" but by the time the "best" event comes around, you might find it doesn't fit any more or you don't like it! So I say wear it and enjoy it when you can. I view clothing as a price per wear so really it's MSE to wear all your wardrobe!

greengoblin

Lost_and_nervous wrote: »

Need to work out my 'Barbie' statuses and take it from there!

I'm going to do this tonight when I have a sit down! I have a sneaking suspicion the 2 dominant barbies are going to be work barbie and heavy metal barbie (did they ever release one of those? I can imagine her with a ripped Slayer shirt and stick on tattoos!)

This thread is really interesting and means I can make some lists. I like writing lists :T

Ida_Notion

iQueen wrote: »

Having read all through the thread, I have found the Barbies a great approach to sectioning my wardrobe, but...

I have also noticed that a lot of posters are just like me, and wear [STRIKE]slobby [/STRIKE], er, 'very casual' clothes, most of the time.

Yup. I am a stay-at-home-mum, and life outside the house pretty much extends as far as trawling the aisles of Asda and walking the kids to school and back. I've considered my 'Barbies', and in recent months it would seem that the bulk of my life has been handled by...

DressedInTheDarkFromAnOxfamBag Barbie
BreatheInAndTryToLookComfortable Barbie
StrangerToStraighteners Barbie
OhGodTrustMeToSeeSomeoneIKnowNow Barbie

Yikes. I think I need to go through my wardrobe to see if 'Me' is still in there somewhere. Heads are about to roll, and FrumpKiller Barbie is going to be swinging the axe

Barneysmom

I just had a look at the Project 333 thing and it's not for me, it far too neurotic - I'd rather be a neurotic with loads of clothes than one without :cool:

When having a clear out I apply the wear and throw rule. If I'm going to throw something away I wear if for a day first, otherwise I've washed and ironed it for nothing.

I've got too many work shirts but how many is too many, what if war breaks out or all the shops suddenly vanish overnight, or I really need to spend a fiver in a charity shop and they are closed

Jacks_xxx

I am *loving* all the new Barbies!

I've realised a couple of things about my own Barbies.

1) I don't have a Social Life Barbie. Which is very telling. I have a horrible tendency to just go out in whatever I'm already wearing - and I really should make some kind of an effort!

2) Why the heck do I have a PTA Barbie? I have jackets and pashminas, and other "grown up clothes" that I only really ever wear to meetings at the school / college.

3) Even my underwear drawers have different Barbies. I just have to make sure that I have underwear Barbies which match up to my wardrobe Barbies - and not some imaginary life!

How's everybody else getting on?

iQueen

Skyllo wrote: »

I agree with this, I feel much happier and more motivated if I feel I look nice, even when no one else is going to see me. I put on decent clothes and makeup even if I'm spending my day studying (I'm a student). I'll put on pyjama bottoms if I'm doing a big clean involving things like bleach so I don't ruin jeans but I own very few "slobby" clothes.

I think a lot of people are afraid of ruining clothing and like to keep things for "best" but by the time the "best" event comes around, you might find it doesn't fit any more or you don't like it! So I say wear it and enjoy it when you can. I view clothing as a price per wear so really it's MSE to wear all your wardrobe!

You are SO right!

I'm very good at advising other people to to use 'stored' stuff (best crockery used twice a year, and heirlooms in cupboards, etc), but I never thought of applying it to clothes! :T

iQueen

Barneysmom wrote: »

I just had a look at the Project 333 thing and it's not for me, it far too neurotic - I'd rather be a neurotic with loads of clothes than one without :cool:

As an experiment, this afternoon, I made a list of my Barbies and listed the clothes they'd need - it was good fun! :rotfl:

House Barbie: 3 jeans, 3Ts, 3 sweaters, 2 body warmers, 3prs HM fingerless mittens, fleece jacket - no central heating or d glazing!

Scruffy Barbie (garden & decorating): 1 jeans, 1T, 1 sweater, padded jacket - all old.

Smart Barbie: 2 trousers, 3 tops, 1 navy ankle-length heavy jersey cardi & matching trousers, 1 coat, 1 jacket.

Posh/Formal Barbie: 1 trousers, 2 tops, 3 long floaty jackets, 1 black trouser suit, 1 black velvet swing coat, 2 black hats.

1 black boots
1 hiking/gardening boots
1 pr black heels
3 prs black flip-flops

I have all these items already (and more!)

I reckon I could get by with that wardrobe, but I will hold on to more of the basics that I already have, because having the minimum will mean using the washing machine more often (costs) and a minimal wardrobe will wear out quicker.