How many clothes?

[relaxed2atee]

I've got a very large built in wardrobe and a fluctuating waistline which has lead to me hoarding a lot of clothes.
On last count:
10 coats
25 jackets
68 tops
15 jeans
15 trousers
25 jumpers
20 cardigans
15 blouses
10 dresses
10 skirts
This list doesn't include sentimental things that I keep in the loft, another 2 boxes of clothes in the loft, any undies/nightwear/sports/gym clothes.

I have a job which I can basically wear anything so I don't have a 'work wardrobe' and I don't go out out very much so that part of my wardrobe isn't big.

I would love to charity shop 75% of it, but am finding it hard to part with things.

What are the 'magic' numbers I should be aiming for? I'm not interested in a small capsule wardrobe as I have a creative job so need/like to express some individuality even though I wear the same things over and over but it might help me to have a 'target' number to aim for.

Please help!

Just realised my figures are very accurate as I know the total was 280 items

Another edit....I do go out a lot, but nowhere swanky!

How about sorting through what doesn't fit and what you have not worn or items which have seen better days and then see what you have left?

I've already pretty much done that rose

If you love all of them & they fit I would just keep. Saying that I have a ridiculous amount of clothes.

Do you realllly need 20 cardigans? I mean, could you cut down on repetitions, so keep four different ones, such as
1x black
1x wool
1x long
1x one you love
And the same with Jeans - how adventurous can jeans reallly be anyway? So
1x high waisted
1x black
1x mom style
1x skinny

I mean, you only can wear one item of clothing at once.

If you feel uncomfortable about giving the clothes away straight away, why don't you put them in a box for 6 months-a year, and if you don't use them, then they go.

I have a similar quantity in my wardrobe and I was very aware that I wanted to do something about it but had no idea where to start.

I did a bit of reading up about capsule wardrobes, but it was far, far too big a leap to take. I was quite interested in Project 333, however. Just having 33 items to use for 3 months. Project 333

At the same time as reading up about that, I discovered The Vivienne Files and her ideas of capsule wardrobes built around the core colours in art works. The Vivienne Files

I realised that I could combine the 2, giving me a creative challenge in 3 month blocks without having to throw away all my clothes!

I have now done this since September and using my own colour palletes rather than ones necessarily suggested on the blog, I have had great fun! My 'new' season wardrobe starts on 1 June and I am really looking forward to it.

I have gently refined what I have kept after each 3 months and anything not in use is kept in vacuum packed storage bags in colour blocks.

Sorry this is quite an essay, but it might help you try and find a way of looking at it all that is not quite so bleak as all-or-nothing

Some good advice above.

Well done you for making the first step and counting it all. I've done this recently and wasn't brave enough to count it

I'd cut all your numbers in half as the first step so it doesn't feel so brutal - so 12 jackets, 30 tops, 12 jumpers etc.

Try everything on. Does it all fit? Is everything in perfect condition? Have you worn it in the last year? Do you never ever get around to wearing it because it needs to be altered/is uncomfortable etc?

Marie Kondo is often mentioned on decluttering threads - might be worth a read. In brief, you put all your clothes in the same place, go through them and see if they 'spark joy'. You have to be quite hardcore about this - it can't spark 'ok might come in handy' or 'I'm going to slim into this one'.

I've found having some space between the hangers in the wardrobe really helps to see what's there.

I've tried the MK method....the problem is 'sparking joy' is a very hard bar to hit.
I have to be practical, black jeans, for example, are not ever going to make me excited....but they are great for my lifestyle.

I am trying not to buy more clothes - trying to be less 'fast fashion' but the problem is I do like a lot of my clothes, I just never get round to wearing them, the weather in this country doesn't help!

Merlot that sounds really interesting, I'll definitely have a look at that

But do you love everything you have & does it all suit you?

Turn the hangers the wrong way around and turn them around as you use the items. Wait a year then get rid of everything that is still the wrong way around.

If you have room in your loft then put everything that doesnt fit you now in the loft if you cant bear to part with it. Then you can work with what fits you now. Maybe think about limiting your shopping for a long while.

There’s a quiet joy in the black jeans. It’s just that joy is in having something comfortable that fits and washes well to support all the fabulous tops you own.

Sort of like the quiet satisfaction of knowing you have the right bra/undies/tights/socks that feel good and look right under you favourite outfit.

I never get rid of anything I like, but a lot is retired (some of it for years) and a surprising amount comes back out. Fashion works on a roughly 20 year cycle, so I'm rediscovering clothes I bought in the late 80s. If it still fits, and you like the cut/colour, and have space why chuck it so you can buy another version of the same? (Disclaimer: this isn't infallible.)