I feel like having a complete clear out and starting again

[Seesawmummadaw]

As the title says.

I have so many clothes that I don’t wear. Half no longer fits and half was purchased because it was the only thing that did fit! Some items I’ve had for 20 years.

My body has changed and I feel like I should embrace it and perk up my wardrobe.

I don’t need so much ‘stuff’.

Has anyone done this or thinking about doing this?

Oh I like this idea. Every time I go to do a clear out though I think things are too useful (eg thin merino jumpers that are boring but i layer in winter)or I get overly sentimental about then. Mind you I put away a couple of bags of stuff in the attic a couple of months ago and I can't remember what's gone, so maybe there's hope for me.

Do it! I think it’s surprising how few clothes you actually need, and it’s much simpler to get dressed when you like all your things. Stuff you don’t wear gives the illusion you have plenty of choice, when actually you have no more choice than if that stuff were not there at all.

You won’t miss any of it and it is and opportunity to get new clothes that go together and make you feel great.

I like the suggestion of putting the bin bags away in the attic, then getting rid of them (without looking again) in six months time. It eases the fear.

I've done it a few times. Everything that wasnt right in some way, no matter how useful or whatever. If it made me feel frumpy, didnt fit etc.

What you're left with is stuff that you like.

You can also do one in, one out.

This year for example I sold two summer dresses on ebay as I felt I was just too old to wear them now at 46. One was a turquoise scrappy dress with a huge skirt. The sort a two year old would wear. I sold it and replaced it with a floor length cotton peachy coloured Italian dress. I also got rid of cheap cardigans and replaced them with cashmere cropped ones.

It's good I think to look at oneself and make adjustments. Its needed every now and then.

I wouldn't save them either, get them gone.

And are you replacing?

Do it! I have a pile of clothes sat in the spare room to see if I miss any of them, but the reality is that all of them have been unworn for a long time so can happily go off to the charity shop.

My body has changed and I feel like I should embrace it and perk up my wardrobe

100% do this. I’ve decided when I can fit into the smaller of the two sizes I alternate between, I’m buying a few new bits that really suit me.

You can absolutely get away with less. I’m currently down to two pairs of jeans, I’d like a third but it’s not been too bad so far as I do a wash most days and I’ve been wearing dresses or a denim skirt with tights.

I've been doing this since January. I started with my winter work / weekend clothes. I ruthlessly got rid of 80% of my wardrobe - I had lots of things that were technically good but didn't fit me right or were years old & I was v tired of them. Then I had a load of cheap gap-filler stuff I'd bought when I changed jobs & had to dress a bit smarter than my previous role but I didn't have lots of cash in the beginning. So I had not so nice black trousers etc.
I replaced quite a few things in the Jan sales, plus i was working from home so didn't need everything to be replaced at once so it's a work in progress.

Once I'd cracked that it was time to look at my summer clothes. Same story there - lots were 5+ years old & I was SICK of them. So I sold loads online & invested the money i made into a sort of capsule wardrobe. Again I'm working on in the filling in the gaps over time.

It's v nice to look in the wardrobe & to like everything I see! Makes me feel v good to wear lovely things again.

My philosophy is quality over quantity. I watch out for sales / codes etc & buy only stuff I love. No more making do or buying random cheaper things because 'they'll do'

I expect these new items to last several years with careful additions each year

I did this a few years ago - donated over 50% of my wardrobe when moving house. I'm now a similar weight to pre-pregnancy but the shape of a lot of my previous clothes didn't work so well anymore. I did keep a few of my old sentimental favourites (which I could in theory still wear, but usually don't!) because they give me joy to look at.

But as PP say, it's liberating to be able to see what you have and know that they suit you. I now have a lot of higher quality stuff found in charity shops, Vinted, etc. that go together well. Good luck!

This thread has some really great tips on starting again from scratch to create a useful wardrobe:

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

Thanks all.

@ShangPie I’ll have a look, thank you

I have had a good clear out, and trying to replace with better quality, I must have 60 items on ebay and I still have more to list, I find if I put some of the clothes in bundles they sell well.

I REALLY need to do this, I joke that most of my clothes are older than my sister in law and although they may not be that aren;t far off...

I set myself a target of throwing away all my undies a couple of weeks ago and getting new and still haven't!

I did this in 2019 .
I realised I had too many clothes I did didn't wear and the rest I didn't want too wear.

I know own 10 dresses
4 jackets
5 shoes/boots/trainers
Some vests and long sleeve tops for layers