How many clothes are really necessary? Wardrobes overflowing

pleasedelete

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Wow - that's a lot of underwear and swimwear! All my undies go in one drawer and I only own a couple of cossies.

It is actually an old desk used as a dressing table rather than a chest of drawers and so the drawers are really small- think 6 wine box size.

They would fit in less but I split them so that I know where they are instantly.

FrugalWorker

look up some of the project 333 ideas. This is the concept that you live for 3 months with 33 items. I haven't done it as to be honest, I'm not sure I actually wear that many items.

But in your case, it might give you 3 months to think about what you've coming up, and what you enjoy wearing. Then in 3 months time, you may feel more like giving up some of your clothes. It will force you to think about what clothes you love to wear and how the make you feel.

What you need and what you want are two completely different things. But it sounds like you have more than you want.

Wednesday2000

pigpen wrote: »

I wear the same stuff year round, until it falls to bits.. I just add layers.. long sleeve tops and jumpers and socks in winter

Yes, I do that too. I wear the same tops most of the year, but just add extra layers and a cardigan when it's cold.:)

FrugalWorker wrote: »

look up some of the project 333 ideas. This is the concept that you live for 3 months with 33 items. I haven't done it as to be honest, I'm not sure I actually wear that many items.

But in your case, it might give you 3 months to think about what you've coming up, and what you enjoy wearing. Then in 3 months time, you may feel more like giving up some of your clothes. It will force you to think about what clothes you love to wear and how the make you feel.

What you need and what you want are two completely different things. But it sounds like you have more than you want.

Oh yes, Project 333 is good and has lots of ideas about how to build a capsule wardrobe. Pinterest is helpful too.:A

Elliesmum

FrugalWorker wrote: »

look up some of the project 333 ideas. This is the concept that you live for 3 months with 33 items. I haven't done it as to be honest, I'm not sure I actually wear that many items.

But in your case, it might give you 3 months to think about what you've coming up, and what you enjoy wearing. Then in 3 months time, you may feel more like giving up some of your clothes. It will force you to think about what clothes you love to wear and how the make you feel.

What you need and what you want are two completely different things. But it sounds like you have more than you want.

I have tried this but not quite managed to go as low as 33 items. However the methods to clear out my wardrobe I found very useful.

Life is much easier now in a morning, no faffing about what to wear.

EM xx

bossymoo

I used the KonMari method but I know someone else who did this:

Imagine you are moving house and all your clothes except one suitcase is going into storage for a fortnight / month. What would you keep in your suitcase (forget about size of case, you don't need to pack it ). These are your essentials - it doesn't matter how much, but these should be things you really need. This ensures you don't "end up with nothing".

Then, sift through everything else and keep the items that you love, that fit, suit, even flatter you. All the others are surplus. You have to really be in the right mindset to get rid though.

I've found since (almost a year since I first did my clothes) that I wear a much wider variety of my clothes (because I can see what I have?), I enjoy them more, it's quicker to get ready (I ended up with 10min to dress before going out last night because I had my nose stuck in a very enjoyable book ) and I'm much more discerning when shopping. I never now buy stuff because "they'll do" which saves me money too

Hard_Up_Hester

I have 8 dresses, 3 are too warm to wear in the summer, 3 are too thin to wear in the winter and 2 I wear all year round with or without extra layer if needed.
I have 4 cardies, 2 for work and 2 for slobing at home, I now have 1 pair of trousers and 2 pairs of legging that I bought to wear on a boating holiday.
I have 6 tee shirts that double up as vests in the winter and are worn under summer dresses at work as we are not allowed to wear anything strappy or sleeveless.
I have 10 pairs of knickers and 4 bras.
My entire wardrobe would fit into one suitcase.

pleasedelete

Hard_Up_Hester wrote: »

I have 8 dresses, 3 are too warm to wear in the summer, 3 are too thin to wear in the winter and 2 I wear all year round with or without extra layer if needed.
I have 4 cardies, 2 for work and 2 for slobing at home, I now have 1 pair of trousers and 2 pairs of legging that I bought to wear on a boating holiday.
I have 6 tee shirts that double up as vests in the winter and are worn under summer dresses at work as we are not allowed to wear anything strappy or sleeveless.
I have 10 pairs of knickers and 4 bras.
My entire wardrobe would fit into one suitcase.

Do you have a job that require smart dress? I have a professional job and need smart clothes (either dress and jacket or suit) which adds to the clothes that I need. That is probably why many of my dresses do all year round as they are suitable for work

Hard_Up_Hester

My job description requires staff to dress in a professional manner, nothing too revealing, no visible tattoos, sensible shoes.

pleasedelete

Hard_Up_Hester wrote: »

My job description requires staff to dress in a professional manner, nothing too revealing, no visible tattoos, sensible shoes.

Thats quite flexible then. Mine doesn't have a dress code (I am self employed but contract to a range of different people) but very much suited and booted all the time. 1 colleague once said that you have to look like you are worth the money they are spending on you! The clients I work with are usually more casual but their directors certainly are not.

Not sure how I would feel with a more casual dress expectation. In some ways being suited is a bit like a uniform- not much thought required which makes it easier.

I did count some of my clothes after reading this thread. I have 12 jackets- about half of which have a matching dress or skirt. 1 is sentimental as I wore it to a special event 25 years ago but could wear it today and so from time to time as it is lovely. 2 others I really adore.

I have sold 3 recently , 2 as they were too casual for work and so I never wore them. 1 i bought in impulse in a sale but never wore- I got more than I paid for it which was a bonus. I have 2 of the 12 which are under review!

lessonlearned

The other saying is that you should dress for the job or promotionyou want.

There is no doubt in my mind that it helps to "dress to impress" -people do notice, whether we like it or not we are constantly being judged. I always considered work clothes as a sort of uniform - made it easier to make decisions about what to wear each day.,

Oddly enough now that I'm retired I still dress pretty much the same, only I wear jeans more often. Basically because plain simple tailored clothes suit me best - patterns, prints, frills and flounces just look silly on me.

Had a bit of wardrobe a sort out today, put most of my heavier winterclothes away, just leaving a couple of sweaters out. Not too keen on them TBH so next good drying day I'll give them a wash and then donate them.

Got all my summer stuff out ......just waiting for thewarm weather now......:rotfl: