I need a wardrobe clear out - tips please

[MozzchopsThirty]

My wardrobe is fit to burst!
I'm going to tackle it today.
I've got a coat I've had for 14 years but haven't worn for about 10! But because it was expensive (north face) I keep it

I know I need to get shot of things that don't fit, I don't wear or I don't like

What tips or rules do you abide by for wardrobe clearing?

Be honest about everything - that’s what helped me most. Until I was in headspace to be honest there wasn’t any point have a clear out because of the dreaded ‘what if ‘ reasoning.

I realised that I had a category of ‘everyday nothing special’ things which I hadn’t worn for ages simply because they needed to be ironed/needed to be worn with things which needed to be ironed etc. I decided to realise that I keep passing over them in my wardrobe for this reason and to listen to that. Gone. To charity. Someone else can iron them if they wish !
It’s also informed any new clothing buying.
I’ve also done this with colour and shape. On the hanger I like certain colours/styles. They simply don’t suit me/go with other things and are never or very rarely worn. Gone. To charity.
I’ve ended up with certain ‘uniforms’ (categories of stuff which suit me) for various uses and I’ve really thought about what it is that makes them comfortable/pleasurable to wear. I now only buy new things which follow certain ‘rules’. Within those rules I can buy quality and experiment a bit with colour/cut etc.

I have a sort out every spring - which coincides with me getting summer clothes out of the storage boxes in the attic and putting winter clothes away - and then I'll have another sort out in the autumn when I reverse the process. When I put stuff away I'll separate out the items I haven't worn, and then I'll look at them again when I take them out six months later. Its only at that point when I might decide to get rid of them - and that also has the advantage that if I want to sell them its the start of the right season to do so. What I get rid of tends to be named brands on e-bay or to a local dress agency and the rest to a charity shop. I find the sort-out also reminds me what clothes I've got before I rush out and get tempted by similar items in the shops...

I can see whay it makes sense to get rid of stuff you haven't worn for a year -but. Occasional wear? I have a long black coat that is my wedding/funeral etc etc coat and I shall wear it to my aunt's funeral next Thursday but i don't tend to wear it at other times. The same with dresses. I have a lovely navy lace dress which is reserved for weddings etc.

Also beware the post-clear out urge to shop! Or maybe thats just me.

2 charity bags already 🙌🏼
3 items for eBay (one new with tags I'm ashamed to say)

well done op!!

The ‘one year’ rule is for essentials - tees, jeans, trainers etc. If you would normally wear it for everyday wear and you haven’t in a year then it really isn’t an essential. So either determine that it’s not worth keeping, or if it is, get rid of an older and more worn-out one and start using the one you’ve had hidden away. If the reason you haven’t worn it is that it no longer fits or that you haven’t got anything to wear it with pr it doesn’t actually suit your lifestyle, then get rid. It frees up your space for things you can love and wear now. Things don’t bring you joy if you don’t or can’t wear them.

@MozzchopsThirty on eBay when you’re listing your items it gives you options to change from auction to BIN and for you to pay the postage. You can also allow offers (with a set minimum that you are willing to consider), but I don’t generally do that unless it’s been up for at least a week with no watchers.

Here is a thread that might be helpful in that it’s a really good, organised approach to building a wardrobe that actually works for you:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3797652-thanks-to-s-b-i-m-finally-winning-in-the-pursuit-of-elegance

And here is another where the aim is to ‘shop your wardrobe’ so rather than buying new things, you work with what you already have. People post their daily outfits and there’s lots of outfit inspiration:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3814185-outfit-of-the-day-shopping-our-wardrobes-continued

Well done on your progress so far!

Look at all my empty hangers

Also second Flo's point, I year is way to soon to part with things, unless falling apart, I have trouble with shoes, don't you find styles change so much, heel styles from slim, chunky, pointed, rounded, and so on, I have some ankle boot from 5 years ago hardly worn, suede lace up front style, which seem to be in at the moment,but because the heel is cone shape I feel frumpy in them.

Shoes change the whole mood and style LindyLoo57. I wear basics almost all the time (and I'm ancient) but shoes change everyday essential basics to style statements, and so it really is worth buying a couple of on trend pairs (one winter/one summer) every single year. Not black courts, or walking boots, or birkies obviously, but a new colour or shape of everyday wearable shoe does more updating than almost anything else.

I agree shoes, boots and maybe handbags, need to look current , I think I will put some of my older style of boots and shoes on ebay, and if they don't sell will pop them to a charity shop.

It's max £1 selling fees today so I've got out a pile of clothes to list.

I've just booked someone to paint our wardrobes so everything needs to emptied so I'm watching this thread carefully.

Well done OP.

Thanks for this thread OP. I've been inspired - especially by the pp who said if it's not perfect or why don't you wear it etc. I've been ruthless today and have filled a big charity bag. I now have a wardrobe filled with things I love

Now. Shoes.