AIBU to think we all have too many clothes?

Had wl surgery 3 years ago so had to replace my entire wardrobe including shoes, went from a size 26 to a 12/14, went down 2 shoe sizes. I was working so needed reasonably smart stuff. Had some stuff in the loft from years ago and some ‘one day it will fit’ stuff.

I’ve recently retired so have no need for smart heels/suits (basically living in the garden). I’ve been ruthless, sold lots of very large clothes on Vinted, charity shopped crazy amounts. I’ve kept some smart trousers and jackets-had a bit of an obsession with jackets 🤦🏼‍♀️ It’s ultimately not too difficult to sort through stuff, but it is hard to get rid, fallacy of sunk costs etc. Lack of storage is not the issue!

I have attic space, so I sometimes don’t bring down all the clothes for a season (think 1 box of 3 left up there). I’ve started enjoying rediscovering clothes that I haven’t worn for a couple of seasons.

Ive been on a ruthless cull since Covid, its a process

Get rid of anything too small, too big, torn or stained
If you have multiples choose the 2 nicest, get rid of the rest
Then things you dont like/ dont suit you/ never going to wear again
Look at whats left
Pack half away into zip boxes/ mothproof containers
Label with the date
If you havent worn them in a year then you dont need them
I have recycling, charity and nicer bits go on Vinted

Now look at whats left
Do any repairs, get winter boots and shoes reheeled if needed and clean , ditto winter bags
Look for gaps
I need a new winter coat , boots and gloves this year
Buy this rather than random stuff

Same. The trainers get swapped for boots and layers get added.
i might have summer/winter clothes if I had more space

I don’t have winter or summer stuff separated (due to nowhere else to put than in my drawers) as it is all in my bedroom so probably looks like a lot. I do occasionally have a clear out and if I don’t love something and wouldn’t buy it again tomorrow, then I put to one side. If nothing in this side pile gets worn in a month or so it goes to charity. I also adopt a one in one our policy.

I put away summer clothes (by which I mean I move them to a wardrobe in a spare room). I’ve just done it - shorts, dresses, vests, lightweight trousers, sandals. All things that won’t get worn here in the winter.

So your goal is to start wearing uncomfy clothes??

A family member recently started living on a houseboat and it is quite amazing how little you really do actually need.

Why do you need a podcast? You said you don’t like much of the stuff, so just get rid of that!

I love clothes and would happily buy and buy and buy. However, I swap my clothes twice a year, winter/summer and put everything I don't/won't wear on vinted. Vacuum pack what's left and out of season.

When you are not stock size ie 6 feet tall with 34 inch inside legs, you buy what fits in every colour! Same with footwear...I'm size 10.
I cull my wardrobe regularly and know exactly what I have. Everything except knitwear is on hangers. I don't wear dresses or skirts. Anything I haven't worn that season goes to charity ( or sold on tall FB selling group.
I am late 60s so have no formal clothing....lots of wide leg trousers and trainers.

I had a lot of clothes. I haven’t been shopping properly since 2021. The children always need something. I need a whole new wardrobe. I loved having lots of choice. I need to find that interest again. Comfy clothes are hard to get out of once you’re in a rut.

One in one out policy! Whenever you buy something an old thing has to go( vinted/ charity)

I agree and I have nowhere near as many clothes as many of my friends. In fact I would say I have 1/3 to 1/2 of theirs.

That said, I just don't get to wear them. I have a leather jacket I have never worn, I have about 5 summer dresses, but only wear 2 of them, and I know I have winter dresses that I didn't get out last year.

I am either in my work attire, or in my gym gear or rarely going out. I just don't get to wear them.

I decided I think in 2022 to try to go to retirement (next year) only buying new underwear and no new outer clothing. Not quite achieved it, have bought I think one summer jacket when the old one was threadbare almost, and two pairs of jeans since.

Reducing the clothes you have can be done by most people I expect.

I don’t have enough clothes, I just don’t go shopping anymore, and I hate ordering to send back.

I guess it depends what you wear in the summer. I don’t wear many shorts but the ones I have are linen, which wouldn’t work for exercise shorts (plus I own actual exercise shorts). Otherwise it’s linen maxi dresses, or cotton mini/midi dresses with thin straps etc.
Anyway I don’t own many clothes. I lost 4 stone about 3 years ago and had to get rid of all my old stuff, and have only really replaced with the minimum since.

For me, I find it easy to be ruthless about chucking things out that I don’t like now because I’ve bought lots of things I really do like on Vinted over the past few years. And I don’t even resell on Vinted, I take stuff to the charity shop. So for example I now have several winter jumpers in colours I like and the right shape to go with other things. If I realise that one I’ve just bought or one that I’ve had for years doesn’t quite work, I’ll charity shop it. I don’t worry about whether I might miss it in future as I’m confident I’ll be able to buy something else I like better for maybe £8 all in. So I don’t need to feel guilty about wasting money, or about the environment as it’s second hand.

Also I like to think that the clothes that have sat in my wardrobe for years unworn will go to someone who can use and appreciate them, that’s another way in which getting rid of clothes can be a feel-good activity. And it you have the patience for reselling you can even get money for them!

I don’t. I live in fleece fluffy thick leggings and fleece body con tops in the winter. They don’t last for a second year. I have summer clothes, some items I have years but I don’t have loads. I declutter regularly.

I haven’t got too many clothes but I’ve had a ‘one in, one out’ policy for years.

Brighter things brighten up grey winter days though!

I don't have too many clothes. We don't all. Stop buying clothes unless you actually need them.

Agree with buying less but better quality. I recommend reading this https://www.waterstones.com/book/less/patrick-grant//9780008663971?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaignid=626889&awc=37871789857415a504c2db9c4440671fc736eaec168e33&utmsource=626889&utmmedium=affiliate&utmcampaign=adstrong

I put all my heavier jumpers and Autumn coloured clothes in the wardrobe in my spare room during summer. I tend to wear brighter things for summer that look odd worn in winter.