Has anyone done a clothing declutter to be left with not much that you actually like?

[Honey1975]

We've recently moved house & have had ikea pax wardrobes fitted which I love.

Thought I would take the opportunity to get a bit ruthless with my clothes. I've got rid of some things but am finding there is very little I actually really like at all!
Alot of it is old, cheap tat in colours (black) which don't do anything for me.
I'm in my 40's and have put on a little weight this year so things just aren't looking so nice anymore.

I want a fresh start and to be more careful with future purchases but what do I do in the meantime? I can't get rid of all the stuff I don't like as I'll have nothing left!!

I need smartish clothes for work and then I just want a few nice casual outfits for home.

Any tips welcome.

I think Konmari is a bit misleading. As an old old person, I have accumulated lots of clothes. Most are cheap but I have kept an awful lot of things that cost a lot or I loved when I bought them, plus lots of vintage hand me downs from one aunt in particular. In the way of fashion, some are out of style and some no longer suit me, but I keep most of it regardless, because just when you think "that should go", the shape suddenly looks right again. AND, because you are a bit older, it no longer matters that it isn't this season, because the shape is perfect.

I don't think it's a matter of things going from fashionable (or vaguely so) to unfashionable it's more that certain pieces become ubiquitous and in the long run what once made it special sort of wanes with everyone having it and it becomes a bit stale. There are some that can be easily reinvented and adapted but others are quite pronounced and can only really be what it once was, if that makes any sense at all.

Things often termed as "classics" are susceptible to that as they're presented as safe choices, often termed 'chic' (as if that's somehow universal), and that appeals to a lot of people but they will have a pronounced style, then the ubiquity sets in which makes it too obvious of a choice and the 'safe' aspect then gains a negative connotation.

I think there is a distinction to be made between staples and classics. Jeans, white t-shirts, etc. are staples but they move with the times in terms of cut, finishes, materials, etc. In contrast, something like a Burberry Trench remains a trench and it really has to suit you with the changing of silhouettes regardless of fashion, same with crisp white shirts, they either suit you or they really don't.

I think rather than "investing in the classics" (I don't suit crisp white shirts, white t shirts, "well-cut" trousers, trench coats etc) you need to have a few of everything and ideally good enough quality so it washes well again and again.

I've found oasis is my first choice for clothes. I rhink the quality is very good for the price and the clothes are really hardwearing and not too short/trendy to be difficult to wear for everyday.

I don't buy classics as I find them boring, buy what your drawn to regardless of fashion/classic status!

My friend is a fashion writer. She believes that at some point in the 80s, some fashion journo/editor decided that these ridiculous things were deemed "classics". I do not own a trench, white shirt, classic leather bag that goes with everything etc etc and know very few women under 40 who do.

I try to go through my wardrobe at the start of most seasons and bag anything that I didnt like wearing from that season last year. I keep it in the bag for a few months before giving it away. Sometimes I'll decide that one or two things were really useful and I need to keep them.

I sort of started again a few years ago, read loads of articles about sorting your wardrobe out and did the following

1. Worked out the events I needed clothes for, work, watching children play sport, socialising.
2. Estimated how many outfits I'd like ideally, work 4 days would like 6-8 outfits (don't all need to be different clothes, just different looks.
3. Worked out a colour scheme I liked, navy, grey, black, pale pink, pale blue etc.
4. Worked out styles I like, mine was french classic with a twist, sounds a bit naff, but helped sitting on Pinterest narrowing it down, and there are loads of questionnaires on line to help define style.
5. Put together some silhouettes, so skinny jeans with vest and cardi, or vest and layered jumper. Work, above knee shirt / dress & ankle boots.
6. Started shopping online, putting pinning to Pinterest.
7. Then shopped

Some people do look great in classics. I only take issue when people start dishing out advice like, 'Everyone should have this.... in their wardrobe. It's umpty million pounds but it's a classic and you'll wear it forever.' Especially when it's a blogger who probably hasn't even paid for it herself.

Same with the advice to build your wardrobe around neutrals 'because they go with everything.' Firstly, no they don't. Secondly, even if they did, that would only be helpful if they suited you in the first place.

I had a clear out and ended up that what I pared back to is pretty much a capsule wardrobe with some of the 'classics', but that just happens to be the core foundations of what I wear day in day out. Black pencil skirt or shift dress would never be my style, but my everyday staples are shirts, skinnies and merino wool / cashmere sweaters

The stuff I wear everyday is already in a basic neutral palette, so my closet resembles a capsule wardrobe by chance rather than design - the stuff I wear most is mix and match tops and bottoms and goes with lots of other stuff I own, mostly in black / light and dark grey / navy and a few black + white spotted and striped tops. Almost all of it is from uniqlo!

Focusing on what I do wear all the time meant I could be quite considered about new bits to add in - what would work with what I already had, what pieces would make me feel super stylish to add to my basics

I splurged on a couple of 'upgrades' to stuff I already had but which was tired and knackered - cliché but the new expensive black trench wasn't a 'I must buy this because it's supposed to be a classic' but rather a 'I've worn my high St black trench one to death for 10 years, if I'm going to replace it I'd like to treat myself to a really good quality one'. Same with my leather handbag, and upgrading my faux leather leggings and skirt to spendy but gorgeous genuine leather ones.

Pinterest has definitely been my friend, as I've been more considered about what I buy, and only buying stuff that goes with what I already have, and that I can style loads of different ways

I have done several big declutters over the years and not regretted much.

I don't have that many items of clothing and operate a sort of loose capsule wardrobe principle.

My colours are:

Dark denim
light blue
red
pink
purple
green - mostly dresses only
ivory or white

Nothing black. Everything else pretty much goes together!

I love 'classics' and they are the backbone of my wardrobe. I find it really useful to have a few of these basic items in neutral colours. Then can then get topped up with some funky stuff if you've got the time, money and inclination to go shopping,

I dress quite smartly overall but can get away with smart casual at work so there's quite an overlap between my week and weekend wardrobe. These are my most used items:
-comfy flats
-blazers,
-white blouses
-smart and casual trousers, a couple of skirts and pairs of jeans.

• merino and cashmere jumpers

In addition, I'll treat myself to some more interesting things on a budget, e.g. Fashion jewellery, patterns accessories and clothes.

I also went through a phase of wearing dresses for work. That was easy - several dresses in the wardrobe, 2 pairs of shoes and a blazer/cardigan for a colder day.

I decluttered and then went with a totally different strategy.

I went to oasis , warehouse , Zara and mango in the sales and pulled off the rack everything in my size and tried it on. I also order funny looking shoes from next clearance online. I get funky patterned shoes for £10 a go.

The result has been brilliant. I now wear styles and colours I would never have dreamed of trying on. You suddenly realise you can wear and like so much more.

The only constants are skinny jeans / trousers other than that I have no boring basics.

Definitely non of those bland stripy long sleeved tops or boring boxy t's. I now enjoy choosing an outfit to put on , wish I'd done it years ago.

I only take issue when people start dishing out advice like, 'Everyone should have this.... in their wardrobe. It's umpty million pounds but it's a classic and you'll wear it forever.'

I couldn't agree more with this. A beige trench coat does not suit everyone, I've seen many a woman on my commute sporting one and I'd think yes it's a classic but the cut/ length isn't working on most.

Same for a white shirt, I had to sell one from Thomas Pink a few years ago because despite it being a 'classic' the tailored style was looking dated. And don't even get me started on cashmere... you'll wear it forever? Not when moths get to them! High maintenance, heartbreak when holes appear, need dry cleaning.

Going back to the OP - for work, what suits you? Me for example, I don't have time to figure out outfits most days, so in the colder months I rotate between 3-4 dark knits or jumpers (black, navy, burgundy) with slim navy or black trousers, a couple skirts, opaques, boots or loafer, then add colour with a different coat, scarf, bag or shoes. It's boring yes but it's things I can wear again and again and it's professional. Occasionally dress up a bit with a nice dress.

I don't think it only applies to the camel coat type of classic either. A lot of modern so-called staples don't suit everyone, leather bikers for example. I have clearly learned nothing from my Hobbs jacket debacle as last year I came that close to 'investing' £300 in one. Luckily I found one in a charity shop first and slowly came to the conclusion that they were too busy and fussy for me. (Not before I'd also bought an M&S pleather one but at least that was £50 pissed away as opposed to £300+)

But yes, back to the op. I think what I'm mainly trying to say is, it's a slow process so take your time. And I think there's a lot to be said for buying mostly cheap and cheerful while you work things out.

Wearing ‘classics’ doesn’t mean you have to get every single on them. I’m a classics person but don’t own a trench coat or a biker jacket. I feel more comfy in slightly stretchy, tailored blazers and white blouses that don’t have buttons across the front.

I'm currently putting off the big clear out because I know I will feel (a) guilty for buying stuff and not wearing it (b) stupid for buying it when I knew I wouldn't wear it in real life (c) guilty for ordering online realising it was wrong but failing to return it (d) stupid for buying classics every woman should own which look shit on me.

I have to remind myself that I'll feel better about it after it is done.

My wardrobe is a mixture of classics and random other stuff that I bought usually on a whim
My idea of classics are more like neutral basics
Mainly plain knitwear in merino or cashmere in black navy charcoal cream grey etc
Well fitting jeans or jeggings in black, grey and dark indigo
Plain work trousers in navy grey and black
I have 3 wool jaeger coats in exactly the same style a royal blue one a red one and a grey one
Plain cashmere scarves n gloves
Then I buy different stuff to mix and match with

I recently discovered Zara when I was in Spain a few weeks ago and am converted!

I'm a size 18 and have always thought there was no point looking in there as nothing would fit me.
I was wrong and it's so reasonably priced.

I came home and had a massive cull of my wardrobe and am starting again.
Sick of dressing in boring stuff, am 40 in a couple of months and life begins and all that....

It's actually quite liberating to get rid of stuff and only keep what's actually decent. Mix and match seems to be the way forward
for me with colourful bags and accessories.