Help! Trying to sort out wardrobe- Gok would have a field day...

[wardrobeinturmoil]

The shelves of my 3rd wardrobe are stuffed with jeans that are too tight, tops that are too short, pre-children skinny-ribs and all manner of stuff that doesn't fit me or that I have better versions of.

The thing is I'm emotionally attached to my clothes- I instantly thought about dates I'd been on, venues I'd been to wearing these lovely slinkier-me things. Sob...

Feeling really emotional now because I'm probably missing my pre-kids figure as well as my pre-kids social life.

How am I going to go about the inevitable cull?

take photos of the emotional items.

You can then put them in a little scrapbook complete with tales of the date you remember. "oh yes, I remember this... I had a swift fumble under the flyover with Frederick in this. You can still see the dirt on the back."

Oh SoupDragon- you made me laugh through the tears! so did you know Frederick too?

seriously though, I feel like I've lost my sexy former self in a roll of baby fat and frump.

Ebay what you can, and with the money you make go out and buy some new stuff that fits the new, curvier sexy you.

Nothing makes me feel fatter or frumpier than things that are too tight.

Never had a fumble under a fly-over but did know a Frederick, and once 'parked' on a cliff top for a fumble.

Have you thought about having a clothes swapping party?

I'm having one tonight after losing loads of weight and having an entire wardrobe full of clothes that just don't fit me.

I've got a load of friends coming round who are all bringing the clothes that don't fit / don't suit them and we're all going to have a good rummage around to find things that fit/suit us.

Anything left over will be ebayed or charity shopped.

"seriously though, I feel like I've lost my sexy former self in a roll of baby fat and frump. "

Don't we all!

I've got better at letting go of 'things'. I've realised that the thing isn't necessarily important, especially with clothes, and can get rid of them. provided I shove them quickly into a bag and get them out of the house before i change my mind!

Getting rid of old stuff that really isn't any use any more just makes way for new and exciting things which still have memories to gather.

Are you ever going to fit into these items again?

I tossed out a lot of clothes that were from my teens, didn't fit them pre-pregnancy so figured there was no way I would ever again.

I wish I'd kept a few key items as they would all fit me now.

All I kept from back then was a couple of very expensive suits which had been forgotten about and left at my Mums. I look ace at funerals now

If there's any classic pieces in there and there is any chance you could fit them again hang onto a few! I gave away an amazing leather jacket, lots of well cut/tailored black trousers and my biggest regret the denim jacket my brother bought me for my 18th. I have never found one since that fits so nicely.

I'm not saying to keep it all but there might be half a dozen items that really won't date and are special.

I second the clothes swap party idea - get a load of girlfriends round, have a few bottles glasses of wine and a gossip - brilliant fun and you will get rid of loads of stuff and gain new stuff. All you need equipment wise are wine glasses and a mirror!

I had an awesome time last night at the clothes swap party - funny thing is we ALL feel like we came home with more than we turned up with, and we still had 3 bin bags full of stuff to go to charity shops.

Not only did it make financial sense to swap clothes rather than give away / buy, but it was really (I hate to use this word, but no other will do really) empowering - trying on outfits and combinations I would never have normally tried.

I've got an awesome little capsule wardrobe based around a gorgeous brown skirt that I never would have looked at twice, and yet I can see me wearing it time and time again now.

Not to mention that I got 4 pairs of size 10 trousers that make me look amazing, but I never even would have tried on as I'm still used to being a size 16.

All you need is a couple of full length mirrors, a couple of bottles of wine and a bit of space. You don't need a changing room or anything like that - after the first glass of wine everyone was just stripping off . It does help if you wear a vest top and leggings though, as most things can be tried on over these.

I also got some really good ideas about how to wear clothes that I'd brought to be given away that can be given a new lease of life by wearing in a different way.

That's brilliant Naetha, you did well! :)