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Original poster

Do you keep all your clothes?

41 replies

kickingmyself123 · 23/08/2021 12:49

Or do you "cull" regularly? Say if you were to see a photo of yourself from a night in 2012 are you likely to still have the dress or is it more likely to have gone?
I think I've culled too much and regretting it!

OP posts:
thedevilinablackdress · 23/08/2021 12:52

It varies, I've had some clothes for 5/10/20 years. Others (impulse eBay buys) come and go. I don't regularly get rid of any particular thing. They go when I don't like them, or if I've never worn.

VictoriaBun · 23/08/2021 12:54

I've recently got rid of my ' memory ' clothes . I told myself I can let them go as I have them in my head !

DDIJ · 23/08/2021 12:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

clary · 23/08/2021 12:56

If I haven't worn it for a year or if it no longer fits or it is worn out then I get rid.

This is somewhat in abeyance atm as I have put on weight for various reasons over the last 2-3 years and really don't want to bin some faves Sad but yes, a photo of me from 2012 would certainly see me wearing clothes I no longer own.

I have established on MN before that I don't actually own many clothes, so I think maybe I wear them out (they develop holes, wear thin, get marks that won't come out) more quickly than some.

Just skimmed some FB pix and found one from 7 years ago wearing a top I style own, but it is a going out top so not worn as much (lately anyway!). But in most from say 2013-14 I no longer own the top/hoody/dress/trainers. Especially trainers.

Sheerheight · 23/08/2021 13:03

I might own a few tops from 2012 but jeans will have worn out, t shirts will have been chucked out with holes or have faded, and sadly I have put on weight so skirts and trousers will have been charity shopped.

Original poster
kickingmyself123 · 23/08/2021 13:04

Going through my old photos from 2011-2014 ish and I've kept absolutely nothing. I suppose my lifestyle has changed and I've gone from going out clubbing twice a week to a SAHM who's lucky if I go out for a meal twice a year. I've even got rid of coats and things though that seemed to have nothing wrong of them? Just worry that I've been wasteful or if it's not just me who's done the same thing! At one point my wardrobe was just a stress to me as I had just so much and I'd either not be able to find things or I'd have to pull piles and piles of clothes out to find the thing I wanted! So I went a bit Kondo and went a bit mad on getting rid of things and making space (plus we lost a spare room thanks to having another baby) I like the space and feeling more organised.. but I do miss the clothes! Sometimes I think to myself "if I went out for a meal tonight.. or a night out, what could I wear" and when I look there's nothing really. Then I think give your head a shake as the last time you had a night out was 2017 it isn't going to happen anytime soon!

OP posts:
thriftyhen · 23/08/2021 13:05

I wear everything until it's worn thin or is in holes and can no longer be mended. I only buy clothes that I really love and hate to cut them up into rags when they have had their day.

dontgobaconmyheart · 23/08/2021 13:19

I cull frequently and have never regretted it. I only keep what I'm actually going to wear or if I don't, things I know may actually (genuinely, rather than in fantasy scenarios) be of use - eg, wellies, a couple of black options for a funeral, proper cold weather coat and shoes in case of snow. I get rid of anything I don't feel good in.

Having felt good in something 'x' many years ago and it being a go to then doesnt mean I'd feel good in it now or it would fit the same. Often I think what I miss is that I has more confidence when younger, and those things represented that, it isn't about the items at all.

It's nice to look at old photos but I don't need much more than that. My style has changed and I actively enjoy living clutter free.

clary · 23/08/2021 13:31

@kickingmyself123

Going through my old photos from 2011-2014 ish and I've kept absolutely nothing. I suppose my lifestyle has changed and I've gone from going out clubbing twice a week to a SAHM who's lucky if I go out for a meal twice a year. I've even got rid of coats and things though that seemed to have nothing wrong of them? Just worry that I've been wasteful or if it's not just me who's done the same thing! At one point my wardrobe was just a stress to me as I had just so much and I'd either not be able to find things or I'd have to pull piles and piles of clothes out to find the thing I wanted! So I went a bit Kondo and went a bit mad on getting rid of things and making space (plus we lost a spare room thanks to having another baby) I like the space and feeling more organised.. but I do miss the clothes! Sometimes I think to myself "if I went out for a meal tonight.. or a night out, what could I wear" and when I look there's nothing really. Then I think give your head a shake as the last time you had a night out was 2017 it isn't going to happen anytime soon!
OP why not treat yourself to something new to wear on a night out - and then organise the night out? Something from a shop today would be much nicer to wear on a special occasion like a night out (if you are a mum of young kids, that can be a special occasion) than something you owned 10 years ago which probably is a) out of fashion and/or b) too big or too small. It doesn't need to cost loads.
user1494055864 · 23/08/2021 16:23

I cull regularly. I think most clothes do date, and although my weight and dress size don't fluctuate very much year on year, my body shape has definitely changed round my hips, so old clothes just wouldn't sit right. I love a good clear out.

lindyloo57 · 23/08/2021 16:49

I cull now and then most things that go are cotton vests t-shirt, that fade or go miss shaped, things that are two small, just culled some strappy vest tops 3 had tags on but they're too small, I think my bust has got bigger, I just started HRT, I do have a few things which are 10 years or over I still wear, but not very often thats why they are still in good condition.

SaSamhradh · 23/08/2021 18:12

I kept some 'jeans that might fit again'. And then I lost weight. And they did fit. But the fabric was stiff (no elastane), they were low waist Confused and not as nice or as comfortable as I remembered.
I had my 'colours' done recently and I cull vigorously. It must 'spark joy'.

Bbub · 23/08/2021 18:19

I cull regularly. For anything I might regret slightly I always feel its SO worth it to have all that space cleared. For every 10 bags I give away there might be 1 thing I could have worn again but that's a good rate.

Most things didnt fit anyway so that makes it easy 🤭

woodhill · 23/08/2021 18:23

I tend to keep old tops to where around the house or doing exercise

I still have the odd thing from 2012 and keep cardigans for ever

woodhill · 23/08/2021 18:24

Wear

covetingthepreciousthings · 23/08/2021 18:47

Has anyone got any tips on how to not regret culling everything!?

I HATE having a wardrobe cull, I just can't bring myself to do it, I know in the long term I'd love the space it would give me, but I always have a niggle that I'll regret giving away certain dresses etc.

Annasgirl · 23/08/2021 18:47

Hi OP,

I cull regularly and as others have said, clothes date and styles (and our bodies) change a little - or a lot - over time, so even if something looks amazing in a photo, it might not look as amazing on you today (or feel as nice).

But I also agree with the poster who said you should treat yourself to a “going out” outfit and arrange a nice night out. And then keep it in your wardrobe as your “going out” outfit that you love abs feel good in, and wear it for the next couple of years.

makeupmania · 23/08/2021 19:34

I cull regularly and never regret throwing/giving stuff away.

ActonSquirrel · 23/08/2021 19:38

I was 2 stone heavier in 2012. I got rid of all my bigger clothes as they wouldn't fit now. So many of my things are newer

HenslowesDiary · 23/08/2021 19:47

I've just started wearing a jacket again that I bought in 2011, having shelved it for a few years and I have a tan leather blazer from around 2008 that I might try again this autumn. Otherwise I cull regularly and rarely regret getting rid of stuff that I fall out of love with.

I have a Pinterest board of clothes I buy, and then move them to another board when I get rid of them. Helps me to remember what my mistakes were so I don't repeat them (too often!).

Sheerheight · 23/08/2021 19:47

I don't regret the culls, only in that some of the nicer things could have been ebayed.
I have some clothes that I've kept as mementoes, only 3 items - they don't fit, they're just things from the 80s.

lindyloo57 · 23/08/2021 20:10

Sometimes I regret a item or two, I sold two leather blazer style jackets around three years ago on ebay now I like the style again, but they were from new look so not great quality, if I buy the style again I would buy better quality, as I get older now 61, I'm trying to buy less and better.

TableNiner · 23/08/2021 20:42

I am pretty ruthless and never regret anything. But actually looking back, at some Facebook photos from 2010-2014, I do have the odd item (surprising given it’s a very small sample and I get rid of a lot). And the ones I don’t I know exactly why they went. My style overall is almost entirely unchanged but its a bit like when an electronics company brings out a new enhanced model and you don’t want the old one anymore.

My tips on getting rid of stuff:

  • think harder on summer stuff (UK) as you don’t get as much wear so it can feel newer and last longer
  • realise how easy it is to go a year without wearing something. That is not a hard working piece, especially if you compare it with something you do wear to death. There are only 365 days in a year
  • to look and feel fresh you often need to make subtle changes, eg to the height of a neckline. This can then have a knock on effect on other things, eg I put an old cardigan on today and it didn’t look right with the neckline of my top
  • the exact fashion rarely comes around again, there’s a subtle twist or different eras uniquely combined. Personally I think the only clothing that doesn’t date is stuff that was retro to start with. The way period films can’t date.
  • it’s easier if you have a budget to buy new things, or know you could if you needed to. If not you are better off looking at whether you can adapt existing clothing, eg changing the neckline or hem length or trying different accessories
  • don’t buy stuff you don’t need as today’s new thing can quickly form part of your next charity bag
  • if you are regularly avoiding something there’s a reason why
JaceLancs · 23/08/2021 20:47

I have coats, shoes, bags and jeans I have had for years
Plain knitwear in merino or cashmere doesn’t date
I do get bored with patterned items, mainly tops and dresses
Then there’s the weight fluctuations
My wardrobe is a mixture of old well loved pieces and bought this week or last month!

SaSamhradh · 23/08/2021 20:58

@covetingthepreciousthings
I always cull the 2 pieces of a suit. I think 'i might get wear out of this pants/jacket' but I feel that by putting it all in the charity bag together, someone is getting a decent suit or outfit, on the cheap. I look on it as giving a stranger a helping hand. (It appeases my guilt about buying clothes I suspect).