Culling Clothes/Shoes/etc: How do you decide which ones to let go?

[DrowningEveryDay]

I seem to have a problem deciding which ones to keep and which ones to let go.

How do you do it?

[isseywithcats]

i look at the item and if i havent worn it since i bought it or havent worn it in about 12 months and its in good condition it goes in the charity bag, if its not in good condition and the above criteria follows it goes in the bin,

[BaldricksTrousers]

I had really good luck with the Marie Kondo method.

I literally piled all of my clothes on the bed, and held up each one. If the item didn't "spark joy," I put it in a pile to donate or sell.

This included items which I felt guilty over because I spent good money on them and never wore them. Any negative feelings and into the pile they go.

It's been a year and my closet is much more streamlined...and I don't miss any of the old clothes I got rid of.

[Nellyphants]

I have a rule to get rid of at least 2 things a week. It means that something I wanted to keep/thought I wanted to keep last month I’m ready to get rid of now.

[applesisapple5]

I'm with Baldicks; Marie Kondo that shizz!
Does it 'spark joy' which for me means does it fit? Has it gone fusty with age? Am I just picking it up to get to the thing I actually want to wear?

[MatildaTheCat]

An item of clothing needs an actual purpose. If it hasn’t been worn for a year you probably don’t need it any more.

Also be ruthlessly honest about items you loved but no longer work. And items which you have never really liked and therefore never worn...out.

If things are really in good nick consider eBaying them. It’s very easy and does reduce the guilt.

And think of all that space you are freeing up

[TheNoseyProject]

I have all of my clothes hanging, so I turned all the hangers backwards. then as each thing was worn it went back as usual. so I could see after a few weeks what was being worn and what wasn’t.

[StepAwayFromGoogle]

I've literally just done this, OP. If I haven't worn it in 12 months or feel meh when I look at it, it goes to charity or in the rag bag. I feel so much better for it!

[causeimunderyourspell]

I do the 12 months rule too. On stuff I particularly agonise over, such as stuff I spent a lot on, I might give it another month and then get rid if I've still not worn it. When I cleared out my clothes after having my 2 los, it pained me, but I knew I'd never get into/feel right wearing certain things again so I got rid. I'm pretty good though, I kept on top of it - now I never have money for clothes for myself so problem solved!! It only goes in the bin if it's got too many holes these days

[HighwayDragon1]

When I buy a pair of shoes I throw two pairs away. There are two bonuses here - the shoe collection is halved and I get new shoes

[halfwitpicker]

I need to do this.

I have so much stuff it's not even true!

[DropZoneOne]

I have all of my clothes hanging, so I turned all the hangers backwards. then as each thing was worn it went back as usual.

I do this. Really easy to see what doesn't get worn at all.

[Nellyphants]

I think like a lot of people I know exactly what gets worn, about 20% of my wardrobe. It’s the ‘guilt’ of getting rid of stuff that I spent a lot of money on. I spend much less these days but still have a bit of a backlog

[HildaZelda]

I'm quite ruthless when it comes to clothes and accessories, but it absolutely kills me to get rid of shoes

[DailyWailEatsSnails]

I put almost* all my clothing in bags one spring. Very nearly everything came out of the bag to get worn within 9months! I was surprised, but there it was. Even though I seem to have tonnes too much, I do wear it all.

*not socks, pants, nor some special sports clothes.

[Andthen]

What do you do though when, over the course of two years, you go up two dress sizes and then lose weight again? I do this regularly and end up with clothes in sizes 10-14 all of which "give me joy" but only when I can wear them (or am too big to wear the smaller clothes)

[MmeButtox]

Same Andthen... if I smugly chucked the lot I'd have to keep rebuying entire wardrobes

[FeckinCrunchiesInTheCar]

I try the items on and I ask myself: "Would I be happy if anyone I haven't seen in years and years met me, and I was wearing this?"
If the answer is "No", then it goes to charity or the recycling.
Works for me.

[IntelligentYetIndecisive]

Take out all of one thing. Take shoes as an example.

Look at them. Ask yourself

When did you last wear them?
Did you enjoy wearing them?
Were there other opportunities where you could have worn them?
Why didn't you wear them on those occasions?
What could be done to them to make them your 'go to' shoes?
Are they too expensive to keep repairing?

If you don't wear them because they're uncomfortable, they cut, chafe, aggravate your corns or bunions and you don't have to wear them, then get rid. Life's too short for them.

eBay, FaceBook - return them if they're brand new and you kept the receipt.

If they're waiting for repairs, why aren't they at the menders?
Why haven't you bought the polish/Scotchguard/waterproofer/Scuff Stuff/dubbin/special cleaner?

If your heart's not in it, you're procrastinating over them for some reason, then get rid.

If you have to wear them as part of a uniform, you're going to have to experiment with hosiery, padding or toe 'condoms' or find another pair which fits the uniform code and doesn't have you crying by the end of your shift.

If they fit and you don't have to wear them, but they bring back bad memories, they are a faff to look after (suede, fancy buckles, patents etc) you can only wear them with a certain kind of hosiery or padding or you avoid wearing them for whatever reason, then get rid.

Specialised footwear (ski boots, diving flippers etc) which are worn once a year at best, go in their own easily accessible storage area.

Anything you're not going to keep has to go in a black bin bag straight away.

You have to be ruthless and keeping them in your sight line only leaves you guilt tripping yourself over how much money you've spent on them, you haven't worn them 'properly' or you need to give them another chance.

Nope.

You should only keep items you're happy to wear.

And repeat with the next type of clothing.

[Hillarious]

Hmm, I'm a bit of a hoarder. However, DD (21) is delighted. She is heavily complimented on her 80s retro wardrobe. It's saved her a fortune in clothes.

Meanwhile, anything I wear doesn't look 80s retro, just like something that's been stuck in the back of my wardrobe.

DD's never forgiven me for getting rid of two old pairs of Levi 501s.

[megletthesecond]

If it fits it stays.
Always comes round again or can be used for something like kids fancy dress. Or just gets worn around the house.

[noeffingidea]

I ask myself the following -
Do they still fit?
Are they falling to pieces?
If they don't fit (which doesn't really apply now ny weight has stabilised), or they are disintegrating they go into recycling. Otherwise they go back into the wardrobe. It's not really an issue for me though as I only buy clothes that I need, not buying for the sake of it.

[DrowningEveryDay]

How about items that need repair - like a jacket that needs relining? Would you bother?

[TenGinBottles]

If it has more than two holes in it and I don't like it enough to mend it.
Shoes - when the soles come away from the main part of the shoe or are worn through.

[bionicnemonic]

Would I buy it if I saw it in the charity shop?

[Notcontent]

Bionic - that’s a good test, which I use as well!