More clothes than I can possibly wear, but still like shopping.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Just that really, got wardrobes full of nice clothes that I don't want to get rid off, but I love shopping. I don't spend a lot and love a good charity shop as well. Anyone else the same and if so how do you manage it?

[Floisme]

I don't. Clothes are a hobby that give me enormous pleasure and help satisfy my creative instincts. I've been collecting them since I was a teenager going round jumble sales and vintage shops (just 'second hand' back then). Some are well over 100 years old now and, although I won't wear them again, I consider them an art form and a source of social history. I didn't know that when I started off though - I just thought they looked amazing. Funnily enough the people who admonished me ('More clothes Flo? Haven't you got enough?') never told me off for buying books and yet I have more of them too than I can ever read (even in a lockdown).

I don't spend more than I can afford and I do think about ethical concerns and buy mostly second hand. When I buy new, I try and choose an independent shop. I've started (re)learning to make my own.

[Ninkanink]

Yes to everything Flo said. Style & beauty/fashion is a hobby and creates a lot of joy in my life. I do operate a capsule wardrobe for day-to-day and one for work but that’s not because I feel there’s anything wrong with having more clothes than one can wear - it’s just what works best for me and helps me not to feel overwhelmed. However my appreciation for beautiful things comes with a counter-balance of the same caveats mentioned by Flo.

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

This is me. I keep hoping that if when I lose lots of weight, i'll be forced to get rid of loads . I had a problem in that lots of things weren't really suitable for how I live. Found Adore Your Wardrobe online, and did a free course thing where I edited clothes so that the numbers in each category were more balanced. In an ideal world, I'd have less clothes, but better quality, with more of a handle on what I'd actually got, instead of having a root for something, then thinking, 'Oh, I'd forgotten I had this!'

[Imtoooldforallthis]

I struggle with the whole buying better quality as I can never seem to get the right fit. I'm happy to spend money on shoes, and wool cashmere jumpers, but trousers and jackets never seen to fit me right. Perhaps that's more me being short and dumpy than specific makes.

[Terralee]

I have lots of nice clothes I can't wear as they're too small. So while I'm losing Weight I'm having to buy clothes that actually fit. As a result I have too many clothes but don't want to get rid of them.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

I also have a few that don't fit as my weight fluctuates, hence why I have a lot of shoes.

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

I have clothes in various sizes, but won't get rid. I'mtoo, do you have access to someone who does alterations? There's a fab lady near to me, she makes stuff fit, which is well worth it, as I will actually wear it then.

[Tempnamelady]

🙋🏻‍♀️ This is me. I love shopping, but I am very selective these days, mostly high end high street and I often wait for sales/e bay. I’m currently wavering over a pair of Valentino shoes and a Monica Vinader ring 😅

[Leah00]

I'm the same OP. As long as you're not spending more than you have I don't see the problem. I do wear everything eventually, and get great happiness from shopping and like having a range to choose from every day.

[Anthilda]

Me! And no particular style. I love clothes and shoes in all styles. I've still got clothes from my teens and I'm now in my 30s.
I just cant let go of most of them. Each has a memory. I do need a clear out n I will get rid of some but most will stay.

[Thedevilofsmallthings]

If you enjoy, afford and can store the clothes then it's not really a problem, just like any other hobby.

If you collected vinyl records for example no one would say 'What's the point of that when you can stream? Bet you hardly listen to all those records, what a waste!'
More likely to be admired for your cataloguing abilities.

[Floisme]

Oh some would say that I'm sure. I read yesterday that Marie Kondo only keeps 30 books at a time.
It was on Twitter so it must be true.

[CloudsCanLookLikeSheep]

This is me.. I shop therefore I am. My weight tends to fluctuate so I have my fat wardrobe and thin(ner) wardrobe.

I just have a clear out every season and send the old stuff i no longer want to the charity shop. I'd rather do that than donate cash and it justifies the shopping habit!

[Maybethemoon]

Just fuck the planet then.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/13/the-guardian-view-on-fast-fashion-it-cant-cost-the-earth

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Having lots of clothes doesn't = fast fashion though - that's buying loads of cheap shit from boohoo, wearing it twice then throwing it away. By definition, if you have a lot of clothes and love fashion you're probably doing the opposite - buying nice things and keeping them. I definitely think mindless shopping is bad but if your hobby is collecting lovely things in the form of clothes then I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It's only bad if you feel suffocated by your amount of stuff, or if you keep buying things you never wear.

OP I also love clothes (used to have a whole separate room for my wardrobe, those were the days) but after kondoing I have a much smaller and more selective collection. I love beautiful and unusual vintage things, and really good quality designer stuff (which is usually vintage too), but I try to shop mindfully which means not buying much. Instead I have long wish lists on sites like Vestiare Collective and Etsy that I can go to when I am thinking of getting something new, and I 'collect' outfits on Pinterest to give me inspiration. I've also got back into sewing so I can make my own versions of things I see online. If you have trouble getting things to fit I would really recommend finding a good tailor (I used to have one in London who altered all my vintage dresses for me) or learning to do and basic stuff yourself like taking in seams or shortening trousers.

[thebabessavedme]

my wardrobe delights me, dressing up delights me, collecting and buying delights me I come from a family of women who all have loved clothes and had/have a very individual style so I think its been bred into me, I'm delighted that my dd, from a very little girl is also the same, as an adult she is incredibly creative with her style and likes to collect as I do.

[Ninkanink]

Yes loving clothing and collecting items for their beauty and interest in fashion terms is generally the exact opposite of fast fashion - no one buys a shit load of cheap tat in nasty fabrics if they’re truly appreciative of beautiful clothing. I buy maybe about 10 new items of clothing per year, and each of those will last years.

[ZaraW]

I can't take Marie Kondo seriously when she got everyone decluttering their homes and then goes onto selling "carefully " selected items with big price tags.

And as for the thirty books that was ridiculous. I still bought the book though.

[Lovemusic33]

I’m the same, I’m going to spend this afternoon going through my clothes in hope it stops me buying anymore. The annoying thing is I wear the same things over and over and don’t really touch what’s in my wardrobe but I always find things I like and I make up a scenario in my head where I might need a item (a smart dress incase I get invited out).

I ordered some new tops yesterday from TU because I talked myself into needing some that cover my arms more 😂.