Loads of clothes I never use. Any advice about clearing out?

ripplyuk

I've been trying to clear out my wardrobes/drawers etc and have realised that I only wear about 20% of the stuff I have. The rest is all 'just in case' things that I'll never wear unless a certain occasion crops up. Generally I wear jeans and a jumper with some nice tops for going out places and a few skirts, but I have loads of party and evening dresses that I never wear, shoes that go with the party dresses, jackets too and lots of shoes. Then there's the stuff I think I'd like to wear but never do. It's all just sitting there 'waiting'.

I need to clear out and make room for the clothes I actually do wear but I'm the thrifty type and keep thinking that as soon as I clear it all out, I'll end up needing them for some occasion and have to pay more money to buy new stuff. Also, I have things that don't fit but I keep thinking they will some day so I should keep them.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom that will encourage me to give the lot to the charity shop?

nearlyrich

There are a couple of threads on clutter clearing on here you are not alone. I cleared my shoe cupboard on Sunday I put all my sandals in the box my boots have been in for 2 years and I am getting rid of most of the boots as I have newer ones I wear now. I am like you I keep stuff just in case when I do make the effort to get rid I always feel better. Make a start take a small bag of stuff to the charity shop or even just take it out of the wardrobe and put it in a bag see how you feel about not having it there..baby steps if big ones are daunting..Good luck

wiogs

Stick the stuff that doesn't fit into a bag. Go back to it in six months. If it still doesn't fit then get rid of it.

swingaloo

I had the same problem and I think that its familiarity and the 'what ifs' that make you keep things.


If you haven't worn them in over 12 months then the chances are you will never wear them. I had nice dresses but found that if I got an invite to some 'do' I was always tempted to get something new anyway.


This worked for me- Put everything you have not worn into an old suitcase and don't touch it for 6 months. At the end of the 6 months take the case to the charity shop, BUT, don't open it first, its seeing the things that make you cling on to them.


If you open your wardrobe every day and see them you have the sentimental attachment. If they have been shut away in a case for a few months you lose that attachment and so as long as you don't open the case again before taking it to the charity shop you wont feel a thing.

DigForVictory

Figure a capsule wardrobe of just in case stuff - 12 items intended to work together (and two pairs of shoes).
Then bag up everything you haven't worn in the last month & wait 6 months. If you've not ripped the bags open - get rid.
The capsule can wait a little longer...

Imp

Make a point of wearing the clothes you don't normally wear. Get rid of stuff as it wears out.

danandjens_worldtravels

You could try this it may help you focus

http://theproject333.com/getting-started/

LilElvis

Get some of the storage bags where you use your vacuum to suck the air out so that they take up next to no room and stash them in the loft. How gutted will you be if you get an invite to a wedding/special event and have to buy an outfit knowing that you gave away one which fitted the bill 6 months before.

tea_lover

LilElvis wrote: »

Get some of the storage bags where you use your vacuum to suck the air out so that they take up next to no room and stash them in the loft. How gutted will you be if you get an invite to a wedding/special event and have to buy an outfit knowing that you gave away one which fitted the bill 6 months before.

That's how you end up overwhelmed by belongings.

trolleyrun

If the clothes you don't use are in good condition, you could sell them online and keep the money aside for new clothes as and when you need them.

I have quite a few nice frocks I rarely wear, I also have two dresses I've never worn. I've been hanging on to them for years, just in case. It looks like they'll be worn this year as there are possibly some suitable parties happening in the summer months.

littlesnuggy

Join the KonMarie method thread over on the Old Style board! I read the first few pages (haven't bought the book) but took onboard the philosophy of asking whether an item "brings you joy" then tackled my wardrobes and drawers. This is the result (waiting to arrange collection by charity shop):



Included in that is 32 (yes, thirty two) pairs of shoes. I still have more than enough clothes, and at least that number of pairs of shoes left. It is much more pleasurable opening (and closing!) my drawers though to decide what to wear each day, as I know what's in there.

It has been a bit difficult to resist the temptation of rummaging back through the bags for the charity shop to 'double check' I'm not getting rid of anything I really want to keep, but I've been strict with myself.