How many clothes do you really need?

[hismama]

Hi everyone,

I find it really difficult to manage my clothes and feel positive about the quantity of clothes I own.

I always feel like I could do with way less and I'm really into the minimalism trend.

It's hard for me. Before Christmas I went through my wardrobe and I decided on a few things I could donate, including a red coat. Today I tried on the red coat again and I really liked it.

So my question is: How many clothes do you really need to be dressed well for all seasons and not get bored?

Thanks for advice xx

I think a lot of this depends on your lifestyle, for example if you wear a uniform for work 5 days a week you'll need less non-uniform options than someone who wears their own clothes to work.

If you can tell us a bit about your lifestyle, posters may be able to offer ideas of what works for them but bear in mind that people will likely have wildly different ideas about what is right or "needed" I'd say that it would only be an issue if you have a high quantity of never or rarely worn garments, more clothes than you have space for or are getting into debt from purchasing new clothes.

I have loads of clothes.
Just two years ago I donated 60 dresses to charity and it didn’t make a dent.
I’ve bought more since then.
It doesn’t matter
It brings me joy and I buy quality things that don’t cost a fortune,

Set yourself the goal of buying no new clothes (except underwear) for 2021 perhaps? I did this when reducing from five days a week working to four, and it worked.

For me I’d say 10 outfits for each season otherwise I get bored of them.

I have sooo many clothes.

I have often thought about having a complete sort out, I watched a programme once showing how you only need 14 items.
Whilst watching I was adamant I was changing my wardrobe, I never did, but I have too much everything, bras, thongs, socks, scarfs and I don't even wear scarves.

I did the same as a previous poster and gave nearly 100 items away, and I still had too much.
So sadly, I have no advice but I'm interested to listen in

I got rid of most of my clothes this year. I'd say 75%. Sold, donated or recycled.

I now have a capsule wardrobe or I am getting there. I did quite a bit of planning looking over a week, month and Season what I would do and how many out fits I would need. So for example I found I would usually wear the same thing at the weekends during the day for shopping trips or lunches out and 10 work outfits. House clothes (several joggers and tops) and one per season going out clothes. Plus shoes and coats. Occasion wear if needed.

I found by having few clothes that I wore more I am much happier because everything i wear is now a favourite.

I also if I buy some thing new keep the tags abs if I haven't worn it out the house in one or two weeks the likely hood is I never will do it get returned.

I also learnt to have Donate bag on the go and regularly cull worn tops and leggings etc even if they are favourites and get a new one. I am
Much more ruthless.

As for coats in have about 10 still warm/ waterproof /smart/ ski/ dog / denim/ arctic /summer parka

There are some great threads on minimalist wardrobes in the S&B section.

The best thing to do is stick with what you have and don't buy any more. The volume will gradually reduce as things get worn out. I get what you mean about the red coat. Also things go in and out of style and our tastes and requirements change over time.

I don't have much.

One pair of jeans from a charity shop.
Some skirts, dresses, jumpers, tops & 2 play suits. A few occasion dresses and going out tops. 5 or so vests. 2 pairs of shorts. That's it I think. It is possible!

I'm a sahm if that's relevant so I usually dress practically and no work wardrobe.

Ooh and my cardigans! 3 or 4 of those.

I had a full wardrobe and chest of drawers, then put away what didn't fit in pregnancy and I cope with 2 drawers and less than 10 things on hangers. If I worked from home I could ditch the hung clothes too.
Depends what you are doing, lockdown helps as no need for clothes for social events or for gym.

I’d keep the red coat, I really want one and can’t find one I love!
I’ve got far too much but I know it’s a safety blanket thing. I hardly had any clothes as a child, nothing in my twenties apart from leggings cheap t shirts and maternity clothes. Didn’t have spare money in my 30’s 40’s 50’s (due to 3 children!) and only now in my early 60’s can I afford to spent money on my own clothes.
But I still worry the money will run out so I buy extras of stuff. Eg if I find a pair of boots that are really comfy I buy another pair in case they wear out, it’s a throwback from previous clothes deprivation times I think.
Of course in the last ten months I’ve worn the same few things in rotation like most others I expect.
I’m trying to work towards a more sensible way of clothes ownership

I have 100 hangers
Everything hangs up (except underwear, pjs and sports wear)

1 in 1 out system

@Knittingnanny I am the same with buying lots of something I like.

I do think partly it comes from deprivation when younger. But also because when I was younger, short and fat it was really hard to find clothes that fit me. I'd say it's only really been in the last decade with online shopping, I've been able to reliably buy stuff that fits.

In theory, I could manage with 7 tops and 7 bottoms. Mix and match them all. In practice, I like certain tops with skinny jeans, different tops with slouchy jeans, like having smarter stuff and more casual stuff. Plus I do actually have to go into the office occasionally.

I've set myself a challenge of not buying anymore clothes this year (after pretty much buying an entire new wardrobe last year! ). Although I will probably need some new tshirts because the ones I got last year were a bit rubbish. But that is for spring me to deal with.

I live in leggings so I've got around 6 pairs a similar number of tops, 4 cardigans, 1 pair of jeans, 2 going out tops. 2 summer dresses.
If I see something I like, I ask myself if I want it or need it. 99% of the time i don't need it so I don't buy it.

SO happy I found this thread!

I'm in the blessed position of needing to buy all new clothes because my entire body shape has changed after having a baby - I fit in my old jeans but they no longer flatter, etc etc. I'm 11 months postpartum but due to staying at home so much etc I'm still living in breasting vests and leggings until I can come up with a whole new wardrobe but I REALLY want to prioritise quality over quantity (pre baby I was constantly buying cheap "because I wouldn't be this size for much longer" as I was always on a diet, but I no longer think like that).

Every time I try to make a list of what I really "need" I end up with an absolute massive list...

This last year I’ve realised I’ve hardly opened my wardrobe. My clothes live on a chair and are worn in rotation. Knickers socks jeans, vests coz I’m always cold, a couple of thermal tops, joggies, fleece and a jumper. Far too many other clothes

I have always been a clothes horse but my god even after a huge clear out I still have so much and alot less room. I mainly wear yoga pants, tank tops and now jumpers because I am working from home. I really miss dressing up.

I don't get bored of cloths so basically I can manage on 2-3 outfits for each season, + 2 sets of PJs. + maybe 4 work outfits. I used to buy clothes & now look forward to getting down to a true minimum wardrobe -- probably will take about 30 years.

Ive got loads of clothes, and quite a lot aren’t getting worn right now because they’re work/going out stuff so I’ve had a sort out and put everything like that away, there’s no point getting rid as hopefully when we get back to some kind of normal I’ll wear them again!

I’m going to try and not buy anything new for now but I’ve also got into such a habit of wearing the same stuff over & over that I’ve decided I’m going to try and just wear whatever is next in my wardrobe - and I can mix that with something else, but if I really don’t want to wear it, it goes in the charity shop pile

Have you tried Project 33?

You choose 33 items to wear for the next month and put the rest away.

It teaches you how many of each thing you need, what you actually wear, and what you don't miss.
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I have to many clothes but have reduced the colours i wear to 4 colours. Helps when shopping as I just focus on those colours. More stuff goes together so I find i need less.

If you don’t want to buy anything new; try to create a capsule wardrobe from what you already own.

Research capsule wardrobes, create your own plus keep a couple of extra favourite pieces but be realistic with it. Then donate/sell/throw the rest.

I have never bought much, I just buy very good quality stuff that’s not high fashion so it lasts for years. Highlights include a black tube style dress I have had for 25 years.

The last time I bought clothes was for a wedding in America which was August 2019. I bought an evening dress, a cocktail dress and a skirt and an amazing double layered silk top that had a layer of incredibly fine silk with butterflies printed on it. I also bought two pairs of shoes. I spent quite a lot but have bought nothing since.

In the summer I went through everybody’s clothes and we gave two bin liners full to the charity shop to sell and one full of clean but worn out clothing for their rag bag.

I don’t get bored of clothes it’s just something I don’t understand if I’m honest.