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Original poster

Has anyone just thrown out their entire wardrobe??

25 replies

MyNameIsMrsGrumpy · 30/12/2019 21:13

Just that really...I have far too many clothes I never wear anymore than 6 things. I live in 2 pairs of jeans and about 3 tops/5 jumpers.

I’m debating on just (charity shopping/selling/rags) getting rid of it all and starting again??

I have jeans from 12 years ago I will never get into again...dresses I will never wear again. I used to buy clothes that didn’t fit and say I’d slim into them, they are still sat in bags on the wardrobe floor.

Nothing really fits right as my body shape and weight have changed in the past 18 months due to health issues, and I’ve gained a bit of weight which is unlikely to come off anytime soon due to steroids I’m still taking!

Would it be complete madness? Or a good idea??

OP posts:
Miseryisabutterfly · 30/12/2019 21:15

I think it’s a good idea. Start fresh!

UpToonGirl · 30/12/2019 21:21

Yes, I did this at the start of summer. I was really struggling each morning finding something to wear (despite having overflowing drawers of clothes) so I charitied about 95% of my stuff. I did then go any buy 4 dresses which I have been wearing on rotation with a few of my cardi's that I already had.

As I say started in summer, when the weather got colder I just added tights and boots instead of sandles. I do probably need to streamline my coats as I have quite a few but mornings are so much easier now! One of the best things I've ever done. I have just bought a few more dresses in the sales to add to the collection but will keep my collection to less than 10 dresses.

Some may find it boring but having just a few items has really worked for me - especially dresses as they are so simple.

countdowntonap · 30/12/2019 21:25

Every six months (summer/winter) I throw out any item I haven’t work for a year or don’t love. Took a couple of years to really refine my items, as thought I ‘loved’ some pieces but in actuality they were never going to be worn again. I find it really therapeutic.

happytobemrsg · 30/12/2019 21:54

I used the KonMari method to get rid of lots of my clothes. I really streamlined my wardrobe

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 30/12/2019 22:03

I want to do this but I also think I should try and sell some on eBay. Is it worth the hassle though? eBay is such a pain in the arse and hardly makes any money anyway.

Original poster
MyNameIsMrsGrumpy · 30/12/2019 22:08

I don’t know about eBay, I haven’t used it to sell for a few years now.

I’m just fed up with all this stuff I have and never wear, if I streamlined it all I’d have more space and less choice.

I’m going to start in the morning!

OP posts:
ferrier · 30/12/2019 22:13

Before getting rid of items, sincerely thank each item for serving its purpose.

Just spat my tea out at this Shock

RagingBall · 31/12/2019 00:16

Definitely try to eBay the stuff that's never been worn.

Then send everything that doesn't fit to charity

Then get rid of anything you don't like/doesn't suit you/looks scruffy

Then look at what's left, make a shopping list of essentials and build on it when you can

SpeckledyHen · 31/12/2019 06:27

I did it years ago following weight loss and having my colours / style done . Everything was wrong so I started again . Brilliant but expensive, however in the long run I have saved a fortune by not making mistakes.

gingersausage · 31/12/2019 07:06

It’s beyond pointless keeping things that don’t fit. You wouldn’t keep a broken kettle or a pair of curtains that were too small for any window in your house or an empty shampoo bottle. People seem to develop strange attachments to clothing that they don’t to other old junk.

If you need money, definitely eBay stuff. With clothes though, I do find it quite tedious for not much return unless it’s a sought after or branded item. If you just want rid, stick it in the Salvation Army clothes bin - at least that way you know it’s going to do some good.

The thing then though is not to go racing out and buying a load more “stuff”. Live with your capsule wardrobe for a month so you can start to see what you need. Have a 2 lists and write down every time you see that you like and every occasion you didn’t have the “right” thing to wear, then cross reference the two.

baileysandamincepie · 31/12/2019 07:28

gingersausage beat me to it - why on earth is this even a question? If clothes don't fit/are too old/out of style then of course get rid, pass on or resell.

You can only wear one of each item at a time so a small wardrobe makes sense to many. If you love clothes and fashion, many people like more choice. But either way, despite constant warnings about the death of the high street and the rising environmental cost of fashion and consumption, there will be no shortage of new clothes available if you do find you need to add more to what you decide to keep.

PurpleFrames · 31/12/2019 07:44

Do you have clothes swapping events in your area? Could be a good way to replace for free

Sheepskinslippers · 31/12/2019 07:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 31/12/2019 07:52

I do this quite regularly. I go through everything and if I wouldn't wear it to work the next day or for anything the next weekend then it goes. One bag for charity shop and one bag for things that really need to be thrown out/recycled. I usually keep a few things that I am not sure about but they usually don't survive the next cull! I used to hang on to everything but I'm much more ruthless now. I also don't keep anything I buy online unless it's perfect and send a lot back. DDs school have a summer and winter fair when they ask for clothes to sell so I give quite a lot to them as well.

Hepsibar · 31/12/2019 08:16

I am so in the same situation but there's no way I can do it as cant afford to replace it, so stuck with the same hideous stuff.

If you can, go ahead and good luck to you!

BigButtons · 31/12/2019 09:08

I started doing this -again- last night. I really feel i should eBay some of it, but can't be arsed with the hassle.
I am pretty strict with the criteria. If I find I am not wearing something I ask myself why, doesn't fit? Wrong colour? Impulse buy? Simply forgot it was there? Can I see myself wearing it? etc.
My fashion sense has changed enormously in this last year. I used to love very bright colours and now not so much, so I have loads of clothes I no longer like.
I have wasted a lot of money, but now I am far more ruthless and will not buy anything unless it's an 8/10 or above.
I am going for the less is more school of thinking: Fewer clothes, better quality cut and fabrics.

viccat · 31/12/2019 13:47

I need to be more ruthless with mine... I do a clear out regularly but then end up keeping things that are still wearable even if I don't love them. But I have enough clothes I love that I should just get rid of the rest - what's the point of wearing something that's just "ok" anyway.

I've sold on some Facebook groups and Depop this year. Less on eBay. Selling online is a lot of work for not much profit when you spend time taking photos, uploading, listing, then packing parcels, going to the Post Office... easier to throw everything in a big bag and take to a charity shop! I now only bother selling good brands that hold their value but not something that will make £5 including postage.

candycane22 · 31/12/2019 14:09

I intend to in 6 months time when I am a size 6 Wink

StCharlotte · 31/12/2019 18:28

No but judging by the massive pile at the bottom of the stairs, it would appear my DH has!

DelphiniumBlue · 01/01/2020 00:01

I try to do it fairly regularly. One thing I've noticed is somethings don't get worn because I've got another garment that is either similar, or for a similar purpose, that I prefer. So the rejected item might be perfectly nice in itself, but something else is just better/ more flattering.
So should the less favoured item be binned/ recycled, or held onto untilll the preferred item bites the dust? Marie Kondo would say get rid, my mother's daughter says it might come in handy one day, and there's an ecological crisis ,don't you you know!

CointreauVersial · 01/01/2020 02:21

Oh yes, "it might come in handy one day".

This is why my wardrobe is exploding. I have so many items that fit and are "OK" but I just don't reach for them every day. And I'm incapable of throwing them out.

More power to you, OP, if you are able to make a clean sweep.

Aderyn19 · 01/01/2020 11:38

Word of warning - I have ditched things that I was bored of and then regretted it. So I would say to keep anything which looks good on you, but get rid of everything that doesn't.

flopsytheflatcat · 01/01/2020 11:46

Yes. I've thrown it all out. I'm also going to not wear jeans in 2020 so have got three dresses which I love and will rotate. I wear them with chunky boots and tights. In the Summer I'll get a couple of maxi dresses (as my legs are hideous Grin)

Sooverthemill · 01/01/2020 12:04

@Aderyn19 I kind of agree. I had a couple of things put to one side for charity shop from 2008 (!) which I hadn't work and know and behold if chunky cardigans aren't on trend now so am going to try them and see if they are keepers. They are good quality so I'm happy!

DarlingCoffee · 01/01/2020 14:14

If you’re going to throw out a lot of your clothes I would recommend you try thrift.plus/ as you can sell them on this site and then get credit to buy new clothes. I’ve used it a few times and would recommend as you also are able to donate to a nominated charity this way.

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