Throwing out. What and why? Also, how do you make the most of what you have left?

[BranchingOut]

I have just done another cull of my wardrobe and the departing items are piled on the bed, either to be filed with my maternity/breastfeeding clothes or en-route to the charity shop. I now have a winter wardrobe of 55 items, although I suspect that about 10 items will still remain unworn. These are the things I am keeping because they are good quality garments and I can't find a reason to throw them out, but they are not particularly fashionable at the moment.

How often do you cull?
What do you tend to throw out and why?
What do you do with the items that are 'good quality, a good fit, but not stylish right now'?
How many clothes do you have in your wardrobe?

Any tips for making sure that you wear what you have eg. do you try to wear a new outfit each week, do you take pictures of good combinations?

I was thinking of trying some pictures of different outfits or maybe even just a list of ideas.

[happilyeverafter]

I cull every couple of months.

I throw out anything that isn't flattering. The only exceptions would be layering pieces that might not be great on their own but go with/under lots.

I have a double wardrobe full of clothes plus drawers of knitwear/sportswear and another double that has coats and suits.

I never take pics but should! I try on new pieces with lots of different combos and try to wear them in several different ways rather than always teaming with same combination.

If it's good quality and a good fit I'd wear it even if it's not in fashion.

[APixieInMyTea]

I'm probably not the best person to be answering this because my last cull consisted of getting rid of 99% of everything I own.

The only things that where left where

A silk skirt and top suit which was expensive and hoping to fit into it again one day.

A smart black trouser and waistcoat suit, as above.

A couple of tops and one pair of jeans.

My plan was to strip everything down and start again. So everything I got rid of was maternity clothes, pre pregnancy clothes I didn't much like anymore, anything that didn't fit at all and anything that was pretty old and worn out.

I've started to add some good quality items to my wardrobe in the hope of having fewer clothes but more choice of outfits iygwim.

So i've added 2 pairs of navy jeans, one wide leg, one bootcut, an Animal ski jacket for winter, a brown velvet blazer, a cream 'mini' skirt and 2 pairs of good quality tights in purple and brown. I also bought some knee legnth winter boots.

Sill to add to wardrobe, a knit dress of some description, a couple of different style cashmere jumpers, a silk blouse, a button downwhite shirt, 2 pairs of trousers, a smart black pair and a pair of wool knit trousers and a long wool jacket. To pad it all out just some plain different colour long and short sleeved tops.

Shoes I still need to work on but we're getting there. Lol.

I feel so much happier about myself now I've had the cull and decided to start from the very beginning.

[Meggles76]

A while back I had a major cull. I got rid of many pre pregnancy size 8 clothes. I am now a size 10 and have little motivation / desire to work my backside off and get in to them. They went to the charity shop.

I also do smaller culls at the end of summer and winter. I get rid of anything that I haven't worn for 6 months (apart from occasion wear), anything that is tatty / worn / bobbly / unflattering etc...

I have to say that I am much happier with my wardrobe these days and I think I now tend to buy quality rather than quantity. I know that cheap things always end up being culled so it feels like a false economy!

Each season I also think about what I NEED and buy these items to try and cut down on impulse buys. No idea how many items I have in my wardrobe but I might go and count!

[BranchingOut]

APixieInMyTea - respect!

Wow, that was some cull. Impressive. However, you must be using your washing machine for lots of small loads - or are you sitting there in a dressing gown while your laundry dries?

I am quite pleased with my cull, although I still feel some items giving me that itchy, scratchy, 'not quite right' feeling when I open my wardrobe. Maybe I should pack them away and see if I miss them?

[blossoming]

I'm in the process of a big cull now too!
Luckily I had my colours done at the start of the year, so that makes it easier. I throw out, or ebay everything that's too big (and I've changed sizes a bit during my pregnancies). I am back where I want to be now, and larger sizes are also out.

I have jeans or jeggings for every day, worn with long sleeve tops and bum skimming cardigans. I wear ankle boots.

I have 3 new dresses to wear with jeggings or leggings, and riding style boots to wear with.

I have a smart black jacket from Zara if the occasion (seeing the headmistress) warrants it. This to wear with above tops, instead of cardigans.

For evenings out I have a few dvf dresses (bought over the years!)
I still wear skinny jeans with platform heels and a blouse to go out too.

I have been taking photos of my outfits and I am very happy, apart from the fact that I seem to have talked myself out of any new purchases!

[higgle]

I have found it very depressing having so many clothes I don't wear. For 3 years I was quite fat and only bought cheap clothes to wear in size 16, but size 10s to save for when I got thin. I am now thin! But I have loads of stuff that I don't like and will have to ebay, loads of stuff too big to charity chop/ebay and just too many tops and things. I would love to have a half empty wardrobe with just nice, current things. I'm wroking on it and hopefully will achieve this by next summer - should the guideline of getting rid of everythign you have not worn once at the end of the season apply?

[4plus1]

I very rarely get rid of any clothes at all! As soon as I do they always seem to come back in to style again. My mum was exactly the same and as a result a rummage in her attic can turn up great finds. I will be keeping lots of clothes for my own dd.

[APixieInMyTea]

branching out With a 4 week old baby and a 18month old toddler, living in my dressing gown is exactly what I'm doing

[Meggles76]

This thread made me go and take a look in my wardrobe and see what I wear.

I have jeans which I wear with Ts, long cardigans, and ankle boots

I have smarter trousers for work that I wear with fitted cardigans and jumpers.

I have a tea dress that I wear with tight and ballet flats

I have leggings that I wear with tunics and knitted dresses and my beautiful new riding boots

I have a nice black jersey dress for nights out but also wear skinny jeans and blouses for such occasions - with a nice navy blazer I have.

I have a couple of dresses one summer and one winter that are suitable for weddings and christenings

The rest of the time I am in my gym stuff. Trackie bottoms, hooded sweaters etc..

[MrsC2010]

I desperately need to do this. I have changed size over the years, and also feel guilty spending money on myself. So I go out,. see something nice but pricey and walk away. I then end up spending £30 in Primarni or something instead on things I don't love. As such, I have tonnes of clothes but never anything to wear.

I have just told the husband that I am going to cull the whole bloody lot, and then put together a small wardrobe of decent quality stuff.

Working on that list at the mo!