How many items do you have in your wardrobe?

[TrinidadBird]

I would be the first to admit that I have a bit of a hoarding problem. Am starting with my clothes as that seems easiest. Would love to know how many things people have to wear / accesorise with. E.g. do I need both uni hoodies, or just 1? I have 1 warm winter coat and one medium fleecey one. But also an afghan coat, a denim jacket... I am starting an office job (smart but not super smart / business) and have about 15 wrap dresses... I know I need to get rid of some but don't know how many to keep!

I have tons of jewellery, none of it is expensive to be fair, but how much should I keep? 5 necklaces? 10? 1 for each day of the week?
If I keep everything sentimental I will not get rid of anything so I guess I just want to know what is "normal" 😅

How many things in my wardrobe?

Which one 🙈😂

Its going to be subjective and depend on your lifestyle really but,

For winter: 2 thick cardigans, 3 jumpers, 3x jeans, about 8 long sleeve tshirts, 2 pinafore dresses, 3 mini skirts, 2 long sleeve dresses and a lot of black leggings to go with the dresses and skirts. I also have some outdoor fleeces and a couple of pairs of thick cotton jogging bottoms.

For summer: 3 lightweight cardigans, 4 summer dresses, about 10 strappy/ tank tops, 3 short sleeve tshirts and 2 long skirts. I mix and match with my winter clothes depending on the weather.

Coats wise, I have: one winter thick waterproof, one summer thin waterproof, and one lightweight padded jacket.

I have a couple of necklaces and accessories but don't really wear them unless it's a special occasion. I also have two special occasion dresses- one for weddings, one for parties, and a wrap thingy.

This fits my lifestyle as a SAHM whose hobbies are art, PC gaming and reading, and who doesn't have any real need to dress smartly beyond looking neat and tidy. If you have a different lifestyle your needs will be far different to mine!

LOL. My wardrobe is a large one, sort of a "triple" with shelves in 1 third, the other 2 thirds are for hanging but there is nothing hanging, just loads of bin-bags of clothes 😳🥺 the shelf at the top is for scarves or bags but is just stuffed with stuff. Ditto the shelves down the side.

How many wardrobes do you have??

This is really really helpful, thank you so much! I might use this as a base. My parents were literal hoarders so never got taught any common sense rules about how much stuff I needed x

too many and most of them don't even fit

Two doubles and a single, shelves above one double, single half height with two drawers below. Then three drawers in dressing table for knickers, socks/tights, one for nighties. Half lift up bed to store boot, shoes and bags.

Massive wardrobe in spare room for mine and D's coats and jackets

I have a triple wardrobe thats rammed, I do really need to sort it as I always seem to wear the same handful of clothes. I would say at least 70% is not used regular, if at all

Agree it depends on lifestyle. I have about 5 pairs of jeans but I work from home and live in them most of the year. So would deem them all necessary.

On the other hand, have about 6 formal work jackets, 4 of which barely get used...

Wasn't it Trinny and Susannah who said if you haven't worn something for 2 years, you should consider getting rid?

Bits and bobs for new home towels wedding dress but that’s going to charity shop rucksacks for shopping coats now hung up. Oodie well Christmas one. Other bits as well got shoved in mine and drawers as well.

I really think it does depend on your situation and the range of things within your lifestyle.

I have a single rail in my bedroom with an attempt at a capsule wardrobe, and then a single wardrobe in the spare room that houses coats/occasionwear and out of season stuff I plan on keeping. PJ's and underwear are in a chest of drawers. I do tend to keep on top of it and love a good clearout.

Since I can see it from here ; my rail has 3 pairs of jeans, 2 trousers, 5 blouses/shirts, 3 t-shirts, 5 jumpers/cardigans, 1 jumpsuit and 2 skirts and then I keep out 2 pairs of sandals (shortly to change to boots), 2 pairs of trainers and 2 handbags hanging on the side. Jewellery I have one small jewellery box with 4 or 5 gold layering necklaces and a couple of rings in, then a couple of more valuable sentimental pieces put away safely that I don't wear day to day. Everything generally goes together and is fairly plain/classic in style.

In the other wardrobe I have 5 coats - waterproof jacket for proper cold weather, a trench coat, black wool coat, tan wool coat, grey wool coat. 2 Formal dresses and a dress suitable for a funeral. Then a small box of a few scarves, a couple of wooly hats and some gloves and whatever shoes I'm not currently using for the season in their boxes - boots, wellies, loafers.

I used to be a massive hoarder and I have no idea why because unburdening myself makes me feel so much better and I find having less so much easier. I clear out at the beginning and end of every season and don't think I've ever missed anything I've got rid of. It's also made me much more thoughtful about what I buy which these days is not a lot.

Why does there need to be a limit? Do you have space for it all?

I could be here all week counting all the clothes I have - my wardrobe is my pride and joy and the result of decades of collecting.

The idea of saying 'five coats is enough' just doesn't compute for me.

I never buy anything & still overflowing drawers & shelves. I inherit quite a lot from DC. They have bequeathed me 6 big hoodies so far !!

I've reread my post and notice that I come over very defensive

For me the point is do you use the clothes and can you afford it? I have quite a few of some things but I like wearing different things so everything gets used. If you've just got stuff in bags that never get opened then that is pointless.

Keep everything you actually wear - whether that be 1 wrap dress or 200.

If you haven’t worn something for two years you need a big justification to keep it - is it sentimental or a dress you wear to weddings that you will likely re-use at some point etc? If not - charity shop it.

I have an 8’ x 10’ walk in closet that is pretty full tbh. I just counted 18 summer dresses, and four winter coats. Winters are quite mild where I live - i wore one heavy coat last year, for 3 days when out of town. Time for a purge

You see I enjoy having a small wardrobe. It makes decision making so much easier, and I know I really like everything I've got. I've got about 5 winter jumper, 5 summer jumpers, a few winter and summer dresses, and a work 'uniform' of dresses that I cycle through. I'm ruthless about getting rid of things I don't wear.

I definitely have too many, I have a double wardrobe with two shelves in each and rails, a triple chest of drawers full and two under bed boxes. I'm just waiting for a day that I can spend sorting through it all. I plan on being brutal, anything I haven't worn in 18 months is going. I used to be quite good at staying organised and listing on Vinted and eBay but it's just overwhelming atm.

Mine is rammed. I don’t even like most of the clothes, my figure is a bit different since having DC so they don’t ‘sit’ right on me. I need to have a big purge and start again really but 9 weeks pregnant so will probably wait until I’m done having kids and know what size I end up.