Can't chuck out of clothes

[Mummyoftheyear]

I've kept old clothes and like to buy new stuff. My wardrobe is so full to bursting that I just wear what I can see. / my new stuff. I have the same problem with ... everything. (Children's toys, etc.).
Help!
I've begun to put summer clothes in the loft, etc. but realise that I neither have the space nor the need to bring them down again. Who needs 7 winter coats.
I can't chuck them as I still LIKE them. Equally, I don't want to Ebay ( time and sad about selling something I like for a lot less than I originally spent).
Stuck in a rut - and a depressing mess.

You need to be harsh with it all.
Does it fit? No? Get rid.
Is it flattering? No? get rid
Will you have occasion to wear it again? Will you wear it to this mythical occasion or buy a new item? No? Can you flog it on eBay and recoop some money?
Is it bobbly? Is it stretched? Does it rude up/annoy you while wearing it?
Do you have 10 black teeshirt? Analyse them... Do you wear the same one every time? Get rid if the spares.

Ebay - need to get into the mindset that you've had your £50 worth of wear...anything back is a bonus

There are a few shops in my local town who will buy clothes buy weight. I made £10 for a black bag of clothes I couldn't eBay/charity shop.

As Gin says, you need to decide some strict criteria for keeping it.

1. Have you worn it in the last 12 months? No? Get rid. If you loved it, you would have found a reason to wear it, no matter how 'attached' you are to it.
2. Does it fit right now? If not, get rid, If you suddenly become the size you've always wanted, you'll celebrate by buying new clothes
3. Do you have duplicates? I am a lover of duplicates (because I so rarely find something I love), but even I don't need more than two or three of the same dress/top in different colours.

Take to a clothing agency if it's decent stuff.

Have you got a friend who will be honest and go through it with you?

I'm a bit like this, I try to limit the amount of new stuff I buy because I already have enough clothes.

the fashion industry needs us to be incredibly wasteful in order for it to make a profit

Stop buying new stuff unless you actually need it .

Do a wardrobe audit as mentioned above - I bet you'll feel great afterwards, it's amazingly cathartic !

I'm the same, but post pregnancy nothing fits.

I don't want to get rid of clothes that I still like, but my wardrobe is busting open! If I use the 12 month rule 99% would have to go!

I'd like to apply the one year rule but I can't because I have items that have gone unworn for over a year only to be put back into service because I fancy wearing them again.

Even worse...I've always made and altered my own clothes, this means that even items which don't fit could, potentially, be altered or made into something else!

I hear ya , Lazysuzanne!

I've just been through a massive wardrobe clear out using the rules above. The thing I've learnt is it does take a lot of time and you have to keep going back and weeding again. I am week 6 of belaying stuff, probably close to the end / absolute boredom threshold. But in the past I thought - just sort through, done in an afternoon. It is much easier to do half an hour and then go back a week later when you can see what you have worn, and do another half an hour.

Brilliant tip from Brillenbar. How about you start with tights, socks and underwear? Once you get the space it will be addictive. Then Tshirts and maybe jumpers or something you don't feel so attached to/ aren't so easy to alter. And then work up to the other stuff gradually.
That said I do have 7 (at least) winter coats and I do wear them all ... but I haven't bought another this year!

If you still like them, why aren't you wearing them?

there must be SOME THINGS you need.

mine are:-

• decent trench/rain coat with or without hood
• jacket for this autumn weather where it's neither hot or cold
• smart knits for work preferably to cover my arse
• sheer camisole (or sort of see through) in nude to go with new Massimo Dutti backless sweater (its nice)

but you really really really need to make a list or just go through your clothes - I was like you a hoarder. If they're in bags you're not wearing them.

Here's an example of some of The stuff I like to wear and wear on regular basis:-

• Warehouse knitted navy and cream horizontal striped dress (nautical)
• wear above with navy blue/suede slouch Office boots
• Next studded leggings (studs down sides)
• Warehouse shorter sleeve fitted dress with elastic belt and zip down back from half way down...
• H&M skinny jeans
• Oasis blue sort of textured knit (the blue is light aqua)
• Zara navy blazer (cotton) with black nautical (can barely see anchor) buttons

etc

don't wear e.g. * Asos printed slouchy cotton jacket - great but don't feel overly confident in it even though super trendy SIL loves it.

Do that with some of your clothes and you can pare them down.

well I've just gone through some boxes of stuff that I put away a couple of years ago, some of it was 'too big' or 'dont like' bagged up & destined for the charity shop, but several items I thought 'oh, that fits me now I'll put it back in the wardrobe'

And there's still a whole load of stuff which I'm sure could be ebay'd when I have the inclination, I mean it's be daft to give it away if I could make a bit of money

it feels like 2 steps forward & one and a half steps back

Lazysuzanne don't forget Gumtree too, I find Ebay very hit and miss re moneymaking for clothes, (used to be good a bit rubbish now) or take it where they weigh and buy off you.

In fact my SIL prefers Gumtree for selling her stuff.

well done you!

Thanks MissDD:o

Chucked a load of stuff out from my garage yesterday but just put summer stuff into loft. I know that I need to streamline my clothes further. It's like a jungle of black stuff. Lol

I'm the same. I have some lovely clothes that I don't want to chuck out as if I just lost a stone they would fit me! Find it hard to find flattering clothes as am a big boobed apple, so the clothes I do have have been hard won. My dilemma is do I give up my too small clothes or try ( again) to lose weight..??

( sorry I have no good advice for you....)

Me too. I have a lot of stuff that will fit if I manage to lose a stone and I'm trying. I hate throwing clothes away, as I can never remember what I've got rid off and spend ages looking for it!