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Original poster

Please tell me I am not the only one with clothes in my wardrobe that i don't even like!

19 replies

LargeLatte · 08/12/2012 18:41

I must've liked them once otherwise I wouldn't have bought them, but I keep looking at them, especially tops, and thinking 'I really ought to wear you'.

But why do they sit there taking up space when I don't even like them. Sometimes I do even wear them, out of a sort of wardrobe pity that all the other clothes are laughing at them.

Please tell me I am not the only one.

OP posts:

TheInvisiblePoster · 08/12/2012 18:46

I bought myself 2 new tops the other month, they arrived, I tried them on and I just know I will never wear them. I seem to have a habit of doing this recently. Shoes seem to be my weakness. I have 3 new pairs sitting In my wardrobe waiting to be worn.

Maybe we should have a MN swaps thread

mirpuppet · 08/12/2012 18:48

Get rid of them.

Original poster

LargeLatte · 08/12/2012 18:51

Invisible whilst I love the swapping idea I couldn't inflict these on another MNer because they a either lovely and thread bare, or just totally bloody hideous.

Mirpuppet, I have today, with great joy. But made me realise that this seems to happen quite a lot. Give it another few months and there's bound to be another couple of ugly lurked in there.

OP posts:

notnowbernard · 08/12/2012 18:54

I have just tried on a dress that has been in my wardrobe a year that I have worn once

An going out for a meal with DP

I have just changed into a top I have worn loads over 5 years and a trusty pair of black skinnies

You are not alone

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 08/12/2012 18:57

I've just charity-shopped tonnes of stuff that I didn't like
the problem is i rarely get time to go shopping without the DC, so when I do i just grab stuff because it's there and it fits and I need a replacement whatever, rather than because I've fallen in love with something

Fuckitthatlldo · 08/12/2012 19:23

Gah yes, and me. This makes me feel guilty. I start adding up the money I've spent on stuff that I've barely worn and am consigning to the charity shop, and feel sure I could have used the money to buy a new kidney or something

My aim with my wardrobe is to have, as a starting point, really good quality classics that fit me perfectly and will last. So I have a lovely little black dress, a well fitting, well cut pencil skirt, a beige trench coat, a really good pair of straight legged jeans e.t.c. e.t.c.

However the quest for these perfect items has involved a lot of trial and error. I have at least four white shirts sitting in my wardrobe for example, none of which fit quite right.

lljkk · 08/12/2012 19:36

I think it's normal.
I just bought some expensive red boots. Never in my life did I think I was sort of person to wear red boots.
Let's hope it wasn't a moment of madness!?

Original poster

LargeLatte · 08/12/2012 19:37

But even though those shirts don't fit well, will you wear them anyway. That's my worst sin - not that I but them in the first place, but that after they are in my wardrobe I wear them even though I don't even like them, because I feel like i ought to.

OP posts:

Original poster

LargeLatte · 08/12/2012 19:39

buy them. Never ever buy an iPad - infuriating.

OP posts:

Notcontent · 08/12/2012 22:04

I am the same. I have quite a few things that I really love, but also quite a few things that I don't really like but I still feel like I should wear them.

I have tried to be really disciplined in last 12 months and only buy stuff that I really love/need. I have wasted sooo much money in the past buying things I didn't love or that didn't fit properly...

Meggles76 · 08/12/2012 23:35

I am quite strict with myself these days. When I buy something I hang it in the wardrobe with tags still on. If I haven't worn it within a few weeks, I return for a refund. I also feel I have a style these days and tend to stick to it to try and reduce mistake.

thenightsky · 08/12/2012 23:40

i could probably throw away 85% of what is hanging in my wardrobe and not miss it.

BranchingOut · 09/12/2012 08:11

I regularly go through my wardrobe and get rid of anything that gives me a negative feeling. I work from one end of the rail to the other and if it gives me that slightly scratchy, uncomfortable, guilty feeling then it is on its way out.

I now just need to use one rail in my double rail wardrobe!

Clary · 09/12/2012 08:19

No I don't have this, everything in my wardrobe is worn or out.

If I don't wear it within a 6-month period (except maybe my ballgown or a very seasonal item like shorts) then I get rid of it. Same with things that don't fit - you won't like em if you lose weight anyway!

DonaAna · 09/12/2012 08:28

I still recommend the book 'You are what you wear'. It helps you to do a clearout and self-diagnose what you are doing wrong to avoid future mistakes.

One of the most common problems is that the wardrobe is too full - you are unable to browse what is in there and get stuck with clothes that are too small / the wrong season / color that does not flatter you.

I did a massive post-preg/mat wardrobe overhaul. It involved color analysis and quite a few wardrobe purges. I acquired new stuff gradually over two years and my wardrobe is completely changed.

The biggest change: at almost 40, I am not buying tat anymore. I know what styles suit me (if you don't, do a style analysis online or with an image consultant). I'm buying less clothes but they are better-made. I do not buy automatically into every trend but have a few key items each season (this season: a leather pencil skirt, a plum/burgundy long sweater, cowboy-heel ankle boots) that keep me up-to-date.

Get the book, do the purge, start the change.

marleybrodie · 09/12/2012 08:50

I used to be a random shopper but as I have got older and more sensible it's a wardrobe edit every time I go shopping.

I think of why I am going shopping eg holiday ,night out, weekend gear
Look at what I have got and what I need and what I have that needs something to make it work...eg preowned top that just needs a belt.

Write my list and keep focussed.

I am also of an age where I know my body shape and what works for me so that helps.

Oh and I clear my wardrobe out every 3 months and I am quite ruthless..

I still love clothes and buy lots but I know anything I buy I am going to wear.

Fuckitthatlldo · 09/12/2012 09:11

You lot are really inspiring me actually.

I only hold onto clothes I don't wear out of guilt at the money spent. But all they do is clutter up my wardrobe, making it more difficult to find and put together the stuff I really do like.

I need to work from the perspective of 'will I miss this if I get rid of it?' rather than 'is there any conceivable possibility that I will wear this ever?'

Am heading in the direction of wardrobe with a big blue bag...

Chandon · 09/12/2012 16:21

Twice a year I change summer to winter ( and vice versa) wardrobe.

In the winter, my summer clothes are in the loft. This means it is a bit exciting seeing "old friends" again in spring ( I forgot I had that lovely dress) and old enemies ( that top is still too short, I will never wear it, away it goes).

T is a grea idea to spend an afternoon emptying your entire wardrobe onto your bed and only putting back what suits you, is flattering or very comfy ( loungewear allowed). And get rid of the things you never wear.

It somehow is an uplifting exercise, and it is great to look into your wardrobe and see ony clothes that you LIKE to wear.

SantasBitch · 09/12/2012 17:12

I am overweight and I think if you are on the porky side, you do tend to shop thinking not "What do I like?" but "What have they got that fits me?" I have been clearing out my wardrobe this afternoon and have got rid of lots of shapeless T shirts (ugly, unflattering and depressing) and some elasticated waist skirts (I'm 47, not 87). I am eyeing up a taupe linen suit, which is "useful" for work, but not especially nice or flattering. I have ditched the jeans that fit at the waist but nowhere else too. I am dithering over keeping a longish bias cut skirt which is good for formal occasions, and quite flattering, but gets rarely worn. I have ditched all of the patterned wrap dresses recommended by a personal shopper, as if I am frank with myself, they look like an old lady's overall on me (the plain one is fine, but the patterned ones have to go).

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