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Original poster

Decluttering - should small clothes stay or go?

59 replies

Waytoomanycoasters · 30/08/2024 11:34

Help me out here Mumsnet, can't tell if this is a hill I should die on or if I'm kidding myself.

We are decluttering our house to move. I have a boxful (this size www.rapidracking.com/en/rra/heavy-duty-trunk-on-wheels-190-l-strata-a572563?srsltid=AfmBOopfzISGxf9rcdHpM486xANqwkqjuSvDBaKR-7a9JZ0n3WOJwrz0Eks) of clothes from pre-children which do not fit me, and also that I wouldn't wear right now anyway as there's business wear and I'm currently a SAHM. Family, friends and OH are all suggesting I get rid of them as they've been up there for 5 years and I should let it go.

But...my body now is a result of 2 pregnancies, a pandemic (oh yes the COVID pounds are still there!), a stint of depression after a bereavement and having next to no energy as our youngest has only started semi-reliably sleeping through the night a few weeks ago. I've been a zombie. Since she's been sleeping better my motivation for exercise and eating healthily is already coming back. I've started doing a little workout in the mornings, I've joined a weekly exercise class, started intermittent fasting. I feel so much better. Also we've said that next year when the little one goes to school that I'll go back to the office, so in my mind I'll be buying a whole new wardrobe next year either way...either because we got rid of it all and now I need new stuff, or because it still doesn't fit and I'll need clothes for work.

I've gone through and culled anything which is just not my style anymore, or anything where I really don't think I'd wear it again or fit into it. The box is what's left. It's all either one or two sizes smaller than I currently am. Which according to my DR is obese.

AIBU to keep the clothes? Also, in case it's helpful...I bloody hate shopping!

YABU - it's unlikely you'll get back to the same size, even if you do your body will have changed shape and fashions will have changed so just let it go

YANBU - keep the faith! 5 years isn't such a long time when you consider all the things that have been packed into it. If you keep at it with the diet and exercise you'll be so proud of yourself when things fit you again!

190 L Heavy Duty Trunk on Wheels

190 L Heavy Duty Trunk on Wheels

http://www.rapidracking.com/en/rra/heavy-duty-trunk-on-wheels-190-l-strata-a572563?srsltid=AfmBOopfzISGxf9rcdHpM486xANqwkqjuSvDBaKR-7a9JZ0n3WOJwrz0Eks%29

OP posts:
Original poster
Waytoomanycoasters · 30/08/2024 12:05

My mother is sincerely enjoying this thread 😂

I really won't enjoy shopping whenever it happens. I've been shopping when I was 9st and shopping when I was 15st. Am currently in the middle. It's no more fun regardless of which size hanger you're aiming for.

But would seem I am being unreasonable based on the majority replies. Booooo!!!

OP posts:
Spinet · 30/08/2024 11:56

I can't believe the box of clothes you don't fit into makes you feel great when you look at it. It is just punishment.

You will find even when you lose weight that your shape has changed and fashion has moved on even if you think the clothes are classic, and the clothes may fit but they will probably fit weird and look somehow odd. Start saving up to buy some new clothes instead. I bet you won't hate shopping for your newly slim frame.

If the clothes were expensive or nice fabric you could sell them instead of charity shop or whatever.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/08/2024 11:51

I would probably let them go, unless you love them. Styles change, even just sleeve length, waist height, shoulder fit, and things become unwearable even if you can fit into them no problem.

Just going back after maternity leave I was surprised how many things just looked...non-current.

Changethetoner · 30/08/2024 11:47

Clothes to Slim Into boxes are sad. You will feel so much better if you let it go, and if/when you need new clothes you can get more. The chances of any of the clothes being at all suitable, or fashionable is low, and the benefit of decluttering is high. Do it!!!!

MereDintofPandiculation · 30/08/2024 11:46

I have a number of dresses from the 1990s which I couldn't get into because of tight fitting bodies with side zips. About 5 years ago I managed to shift three quarters of a stone, and now I can and do wear them again.

Original poster
Waytoomanycoasters · 30/08/2024 11:43

ComtesseDeSpair · 30/08/2024 11:41

I’d probably keep just the very best / most expensive to replace pieces and the ones you really like and think you’d struggle to find a nicer replacement for, and then re-evaluate in a year’s time when you have to either fit into them or accept you need to buy new and bigger. Office culture has changed a lot in the past five years: unless you’re a senior professional doing a lot of in-person client meetings etc, you’ll likely discover that opportunities to wear formal business clothes are much reduced from when you were last working, so keeping everything not worth it.

Edited

This was my suggestion but haven't a single person IRL who thinks that's reasonable.

OP posts:
username44416 · 30/08/2024 11:43

Just get rid off them. Organise a capsule wardrobe and get rid off anything you no longer wear or can't fit into.

ComtesseDeSpair · 30/08/2024 11:41

I’d probably keep just the very best / most expensive to replace pieces and the ones you really like and think you’d struggle to find a nicer replacement for, and then re-evaluate in a year’s time when you have to either fit into them or accept you need to buy new and bigger. Office culture has changed a lot in the past five years: unless you’re a senior professional doing a lot of in-person client meetings etc, you’ll likely discover that opportunities to wear formal business clothes are much reduced from when you were last working, so keeping everything not worth it.

menopausalmare · 30/08/2024 11:41

For the last 10 years, I've been moving my small summer clothes up and down from the loft in the vain hope that this'll be the year I'll diet into them. This summer I broke the cycle and gave them away. I haven't noticed they've gone (except for extra loft space).

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