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The mysterious art of wardrobe management

176 replies

OublietteBravo · 29/06/2021 09:16

Has anyone perfected the mysterious art of wardrobe management? Because I certainly haven’t, and I’m looking for tips.

Currently I swap from summer clothes to winter clothes around October, and then from winter clothes to summer clothes around April. I manage to motivate myself to iron about once every 18 months Blush. I mostly ignore anything that needs to be dry cleaned as that’s just too much effort. Oh, and I’m really bad at getting rid of clothes and shoes. Even though I’m really good at buying new clothes and shoes.

I’d like to get more on top of my wardrobe. But how?

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 29/06/2021 11:34

@OublietteBravo

I think I’m going to have to accept a certain amount of clothes that need dry cleaning. My job involves going to hearings - the type of formal clothes you need for that are inevitably dry clean only.

That said, I wish it was possible to filter out clothes that need dry cleaning when internet shopping. Why isn’t there a filter for this? I’ve often wondered.

Does it say what the clothes are made of on line ? Would that inform you as to whether they are machine washable or not? There are definitely suits which can go in the washing machine.
DoingItMyself · 29/06/2021 11:40

DoingItMyself method with clothes:

The first time...

Empty all wardrobes, cupboard etc of clothes, pile them on the bed. Even if the pile touches the ceiling.

As you pick up each item to find it a suitable storage place check...

Is it in good condition? No - into a bin liner. Yes? Ask
Does it fit?
Is it comfortable?
Do I feel great in it?
No to any of those and it goes in the bin liner, or into a carrier bag for things destined for the charity shop.
If it survives, it can go to an appropriate wardrobe or drawer.
Warning: Do not be misled by thoughts such as 'But it was so expensive!' or 'I might need it in ten years time.' Bin-liner or charity bag.
There will be 'keepsake items', like my wedding shoes. Move them to where you store keepsakes.

When you have been through everything and you have about one-fifth of your original hoard left, have a cup of tea then start again.

The second time...
Put clothes together in outfits.
Anything that isn't part of an outfit either goes into the charity bag(s) or you start your list - you'll need a few specific new items to complete outfits you already have.
When you've finished that, you might have shed a quarter of the items that survived the first sift.

And now you have neat, tidy cupboards and drawers containing only clothes that are in good condition, fit, and you feel good in. You should have also a brief list of a few extra things to shop for.

Have another look. Do you need to make major investments? Boots, coats, one or two good suits? Depends on your lifestyle. But you are now in a position to spend wisely if you have to spend.

The great advantage of this method is that from now on, every time you get dressed, you can feel absolute joy in what you are wearing.

Procrastatron · 29/06/2021 12:08

@SunshineCake yes, it catalogues your clothes and accessories so you can create and save looks

The mysterious art of wardrobe management
SunshineCake · 29/06/2021 12:10

Thank you @Procrastatron. Please remind me of the name so I can find it on the play store.

LBB2020 · 29/06/2021 12:21

@Purplecatshopaholic which hand steamer do you use?
I’d love to get better at managing my wardrobe! I buy so many clothes but always end up wearing the same old things that really don’t make me feel good and I’m terrible for keeping things for when I’ve lost that half a stone I’ve been trying to lose for years!

Procrastatron · 29/06/2021 12:23

@SunshineCake

Thank you *@Procrastatron*. Please remind me of the name so I can find it on the play store.
Stylebook I think there is a small charge (on Apple there is)
Floisme · 29/06/2021 13:12

Shock at 'I might need it in ten years' being misleading. I've just spent the weekend going through my cupboards because I want a lightweight, mannish shaped blazer and I used to have at least two linen ones, from Next in their golden era, a zillion times better quality than anything I can hope to find on the high street now. Both gone. So now I have to decide whether to look for a relatively cheap version that'll be a piece of crap or save up for one of comparable quality that'll cost deep into 3 figures (or try and make my own which will takes years and probably end in tears).

On the other hand I did keep some very pretty floaty frocks that still fit (cos roomy) and look totally modern again but which I have absolutely no interest in wearing because they're no longer to my taste.

Anyone who can nail this dilemma is a genius with superpowers.

Sooverthemill · 29/06/2021 13:26

[quote SunshineCake]@Procrastatron is it literally an app to help organise ones wardrobe?[/quote]
Yes it is. It's a pain in the bum doing all,the uploading unless you only have brand new clothes but once you've done it it's very simple. It's free

Sooverthemill · 29/06/2021 13:32

The thing about keeping clothes you like but don't wear is that they never actually look right 10 years later because your 'eye' changes unless they are stuff like vintage Chanel etc but my work trousers from 10 years ago despite being good brands ( lk bennett, reiss) just aren't right any more so off they go

Floisme · 29/06/2021 13:37

It doesn't always work but I've salvaged things that look absolutely fine years / decades later, or that have only needed a tweak to look current again. It wouldn't be such a big big a deal if the quality on the modern high street hadn't tanked.

Floisme · 29/06/2021 13:38

But I think trousers need longer than 10 years.

BikeRunSki · 29/06/2021 13:47

When I buy something new, it has to go with at least 2 other things I have; so a top needs to go with a skirt and/or trousers and/or cardigan/blazer.

I stick to a few colours - navy, grey, pale blue, purple, pink all seem to mix and match quite well for me.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 29/06/2021 13:50

My problem with wardrobe management is twofold - keeping on top of the laundry (not my strong point!) and having somewhere to put it all. I basically have one large chest of drawers, and half of a small rail. I only hang very smart clothes, not everyday stuff. I love buying clothes and have loads. It just doesn't physically fit! Sure, I could get rid of some of it, but there's loads that I want to keep. I just struggle to find anything because it's all crammed in. To buy a new wardrobe or similar I'd need to move two bookcases out of my bedroom - I have a plan to put the books in the loft temporarily, but it all takes time and I can't currently be arsed.

WhereDidIGoNext · 29/06/2021 13:58

@Floisme

Shock at 'I might need it in ten years' being misleading. I've just spent the weekend going through my cupboards because I want a lightweight, mannish shaped blazer and I used to have at least two linen ones, from Next in their golden era, a zillion times better quality than anything I can hope to find on the high street now. Both gone. So now I have to decide whether to look for a relatively cheap version that'll be a piece of crap or save up for one of comparable quality that'll cost deep into 3 figures (or try and make my own which will takes years and probably end in tears).

On the other hand I did keep some very pretty floaty frocks that still fit (cos roomy) and look totally modern again but which I have absolutely no interest in wearing because they're no longer to my taste.

Anyone who can nail this dilemma is a genius with superpowers.

Oh flo I have exactly the same issues…
ExConstance · 29/06/2021 14:07

Someone mentioned clothes for "hearings" above. I used to do that sort of work and had a number of suits that were dry clean only. Some of them were far too small for me to get into so I put them in the boot of my car intending to put them in a clothing skip, which I never got round to. 2 years later I came across them when clearing out the car, all screwed up and in a terrible state. I was by then a lot thinner so I had an experiment and doused them in Febreze and put them in the tumble dryer on very low with a tea towel soaked in fabric conditioner. Much to my surprise they came out looking very good indeed, and went on to give me another 2 years service!

Floisme · 29/06/2021 14:50

There's a poster - sorry I can't remember her name - who talks about the difference between meta and micro trends. (I think that's the correct wording.) The micro trends come and go in quite a short space of time whereas the meta trends might easily last 10 years or more and not come back around for another few decades. I feel I need to get better at distinguishing between them because to be brutally honest with myself, at my time of life there's probably not much point in hanging onto the meta stuff but I still hope to enjoy a few more rounds with the micro trends.

I think trousers would be meta. I've not kept any from the 80s - too many house moves and not enough space - but I've bought vintage from that decade and they're spot on again. But as you say Soover the ones from 10 or 15 years ago don't look quite right yet.

StyleDesperation · 29/06/2021 15:41

I need this thread! Even though I have so many wardrobe related issues this is the tip of the iceberg. Personality wise I'm so all or nothing that I'm paralysed by my wardrobe because I can't achieve "perfection" in one go.

WellTidy · 29/06/2021 15:44

Do you stay a constant size? I think if you do, you’re in with a shout at this, if, like me, your weight fluctuates, you need to cover too many bases across the seasons and it is harder to condense your wardrobe.

Justonedayatatime11 · 29/06/2021 15:45

At the moment I'm genuinely tempted to get rid of absolutely everything except the basics and start again. It seems the only way I stand a chance of sorting things, my wardrobe is completely out of control and I just keep adding to it Sad

Divebar2021 · 29/06/2021 15:52

I’m definitely not interested in capsule wardrobes although I kidded myself for a while that I was. I do have a capsule wardrobe buried inside my clothes..a bit like there is a skinny chick fighting to get out of my size 16 body. I have got rid of tons of stuff though in a Marie Kondo way but don’t take it to the extreme she does… I’m not getting rid of shirts because the button fell off for example. ( I also dont thank my handbag for its service at the end of the day ) I do like Stylebook but I’m a bit lazy about photographing everything.
I do swap my seasonal clothes and shoes around along with good quality items I don’t want to wear at the moment. I’ve put some classic trousers away - mainly because they’re Jaeger and lined and no one seems to line their trousers anymore. As I’ve lost weight I’m having some of my clothes altered or tweaked. I’ve just found a fantastic seamstress who has done some alterations for me on a dress. I’ve just taken 3 more to have the fit improved. She makes costumes for that West End so I’m going to think about what I would like that I can’t currently find. The dry cleaners can be worth the effort… I took a wool coat at the start of summer and he de-bobbled it for me and it looks so much better.
Sorry for the utterly haphazard way my post was written but this is what I try and do with my clothes:

  1. wash, dry and iron when needed ( and not always after every wear)
  2. cashmere sweaters steamed with a hand steamer between wears. Sprayed with a Wool & Cashmere spray by The Laundress
  3. wardrobes divided into formal and casual. Jeans folded on a shelf. ( look at Pinterest for folding videos). If I had room I would hang jeans with a fancy folding technique I learned.
  4. hanging tags available from Amazon to divide the sections of your wardrobe. I have them and will use a labeller on them. ( yes I am this sad)
  5. larger handbags stored on Perspex S shaped hooks from JL. Smaller handbags in baskets on a shelf. 6). Ironing slightly as and when I can - it would be beneficial to create a routine for this I think
  6. clothes uploaded on Stylebook and outfit ideas stored to pre-empt last minute “ what shall I wear” for events. The calendar function is really good too if you’re disciplined about recording what you wear. 8 ) seasonal clothes stored away
Sooverthemill · 29/06/2021 16:13

@Justonedayatatime11

At the moment I'm genuinely tempted to get rid of absolutely everything except the basics and start again. It seems the only way I stand a chance of sorting things, my wardrobe is completely out of control and I just keep adding to it Sad
I actually think that's quite a good idea! Expensive though
Justonedayatatime11 · 29/06/2021 16:21

@Sooverthemill I know, but otherwise it's only going to get worse!

SunshineCake · 29/06/2021 17:04

Thanks again @Procrastatron. I've typed style book into the play store but it isn't obvious which you mean.

StyleDesperation · 29/06/2021 18:07

@SunshineCake it's only available on apple I think. I don't have an iPhone so had to use my ipad.

SunshineCake · 29/06/2021 18:24

Ah good call. I don't have an iPhone but do have an iPad. Thanks!