Tell me your wardrobe rules

[BettyCarver]

Ok I know there are numerous 'cull' threads already but I need to take things a step further and establish some basic wardrobe rules. I'm a terrible hoarder, guilty as charged of hanging onto those combat trousers just in case they make a comeback...

Anything torn, irreparable or obviously worn out, I'm happy to bin. Likewise I get rid of anything that doesn't fit any more. It's everything else I struggle with. Here's where my thinking is. I could:

• get rid of anything not worn in last 12 months. But what about posh frocks and occasional wear... What time frame for these?

• have a quota for each type of clothing... no more than X amount of jumpers. But how many is too many?

• factor in the cost of the item. It's certainly easier to bin a ten quid t shirt than a hundred quid dress even if I wear the t shirt more..

• have a strict one in, one out policy

Help! What wardrobe rules work for you?

The 12-month rule doesn't work for me as I often go back to old favourites and start wearing them a lot again. So it only applies if I haven't worn something for months and never wore it much - I think 90% of the clothes I've got rid of and not missed have been items I never liked very much and rarely wore.

I try to hold onto items that are well-made and quite timeless (at least in the sense that they are really "me" so I know I'll continue wearing them).

Also maybe conversely sometimes one new item can really bring lots of old ones back to life - for example if you have lots of tops with nothing to wear them with, a good pair of jeans or a great skirt might be just what they need.

I try to do regular culls rather than one big one annually these days. I'm not quite managing one in/one out but attempting something like that. I also feel a lot less guilty about buying something new if I'm doing it using money I have in Paypal from selling something else.

Culled all my clothes not so long ago as part of decluttering.
I keep a week's worth of various underwear items, nightdresses and so on...although I tend to wear and wash immediately.

Apart from that, only four of everything. Four pullovers, T-shirts, dresses, casual tops, trousers, jeans, skirts....you get the picture. A couple of classic dinner outfits, Christmas outfits, two suits (possible interviews or black for a funeral) and a couple of stunning outfits which can be recycled for wedding guest/posh dinner or whatever. That's it.

Everything is colour coordinated and can be mixed and matched so that a variety of outfits are possible. Most of my clothing fits in a very teeny tiny hanging space plus an underwear drawer and two shelves for folded casual tops/jeans/jumpers. So easy.

If I'm ever tempted to buy anything the rule is, for every new item in, one has to be removed (given to charity/sold or whatever).

I don't have a big collection of shoes either: work shoes, shopping/comfort shoes, walking boots, one set of heels which goes with everything and some trainers.

Makes life SO MUCH simpler......

I've been living in my joggers this past year. Am I the only one? If I got rid of anything not worn in the last year and a half, there wouldn't be much left.

"I've got rid of everything I don't absolutely love when I put it on."

I wouldn't want to wear things I love around the house to be honest so I need to keep some unloved clothes.

Try everything on - if possible with a critical friend to hand
Ditch anything that is just not quite right - too short, too long, pulls across boobs
If it’s separates do you have anything or much that go with it?
What’s left try the hanger turning test - if you wear it turn hanger round - if at end of season you’ve not turned hanger round so not worn then it goes
I also hang things that match together saves space, time and more likely to wear

No patterns. Ever.

Agree with you Gwenhwyfar. I have some lovely dresses but they're just not practical for my lifestyle (two small kids - a lot of time in muddy parks). I don't want to get rid of them as love them for shopping/lunches out etc. I put my nice clothes on then think about my plans for the day and end up getting changed into my second best denim shorts and a t shirt most days! I love the tips on this thread though will definitely try organising my wardrobe based on some of them.

Brilliant tips on this thread. I agree with lots of them - I would cull according to none of the criteria in the OP but rather;

1. KONDO (does it spark joy?)
2. Keep as many things as you want but remember keeping stuff costs time, space, energy.

Also, how many black tie functions have you attended in the last few years/ will you attend in the next year (apart from Covid).

1. If it's tight-fitting/pulls, definitely consider donating. You don't want to be under pressure to lose weight. And you certainly don't want it 'looking' at you, making you feel bad, every time you open the wardrobe!
2. Take all your stuff out of your wardrobe. See the size of the pile. Feel the weight of it. So much stuff. Just for perspective.
3. Yes, like with like.
4. Stuff comes back into fashion but normally there are slight changes so dated stuff can still look dated/off.
5. The hanger trick is good. Research suggests we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Food for thought.

I just can't get on board with the Kondo thing... I'm not sure holding any item of clothing in my wardrobe would make me feel that little thrill of joy, even clothes I love wearing.

Some great ideas on the thread though.

Interesting thread!
I just read BasicMadeira's post, I like her explanations although not all her points!
For example, I prefer patterned tops/dresses for practical reasons and because I am currently quite big and and one colour can look a bit like a broad expanse if not broken up!
I think the beauty of dresses is that they don't have to go with anything else other than a denim jacket, and trainers/boots/sandals, so I absolutely would buy a purple dress if I liked it. I'd be a bit more fussy about tops, but even then, in my case I almost always wear black jeans or trousers, so tops need to go with black, which gives me quite a lot of choice. If tops are patterned and bottoms are plain, then jackets/coats are easy, scarfs can be patterned or plain.
My only rule really is that as black and grey are my base colours, I don't have anything navy anymore. I also don't wear autumn colours except burgundy.
As far as decluttering is concerned, anything tatty goes. If I don't wear an item I try to work out why - and it's usually because I've got something else similar but nicer or more comfortable. If an item is aways second choice, then it goes, even if it is satisfactory in itself.

@Gwenhwyfar

I've been living in my joggers this past year. Am I the only one? If I got rid of anything not worn in the last year and a half, there wouldn't be much left.

"I've got rid of everything I don't absolutely love when I put it on."

I wouldn't want to wear things I love around the house to be honest so I need to keep some unloved clothes.

But you could still just keep the joggers that you love rather than the ones that are falling apart or you've always thought they make you look fat. Clothes you love doesn't have to mean just special occasion or going out clothes.

I sift, sort, cull my wardrobe a lot - every season at least. Also if I've had a run of new purchases, that normally indicates that my style is heading in a new direction.

I tend to buy 3 of an item, following the old rule of one on, one in the wash, one on the hanger for tomorrow. Not 3 dresses or jumpers! - more like, 3 patterned maxi dresses, 3 V neck merino jumpers.

Lots and lots of things are in storage either at the top of the wardrobe or in the attic, so that my wardrobe is only ever showing me things that are instantly wearable.

In storage:

1. Anything out of season
2. Anything that doesn't currently fit well but is achievable, i.e. within a few kg
3. Things I don't like much anymore but am not ready to give away/sell yet, they stay in an Ikea bag for up to a year then it's in or out
4. Sentimental things I will never wear but won't part with
5. An old plastic duvet bag with a couple of outfits (including shoes) specifically for painting and other messy work
6. Special occasion/purpose wear like formal, skiing, beach holiday/cruise, sports I'm not currently doing. Stuff I rarely use but have invested good money in and don't want to have to re-purchase in future.

I agree @Gwenhwyfar - I have 3 pairs of joggers from when I WFH this winter which are very warm, but now quite bobbly. I wouldn't bin/replace though as I do 2 days a week just me and my toddler and I'll wear them at home/on muddy walks this winter.

For me to "love" joggers they'd have to be something like Hush or Baukjen and I'm not risking those getting sticky toddler marks on them!

Pre pandemic I travelled a lot for work (5 - 14 days at a time) and so developed a work wardrobe comprised entirely of neutral colours that was easy to mix and match. My non-work wardrobe is full of very bright colours. I do tend to Iive in dresses / jumpers / jackets though which simplifies my wardrobe a lot.

My strict rule is if you buy something and do not wear it within a week then it must go back!

Also if you have an itch for something new but really do not need anything, then maybe buy a basic item in better quality - a cardigan, pyjamas, nice knickers or a good slip - tights or socks - things that will Definitley get used rather than an bad impulse buy!

So my rules are:

1. Do I love it/does it have sentimental value (if so, keep)
2. Do I have space?
3. Does it REALLY suit me? (I take photographs because it's only in photographs that you notice that a jacket is too short/too wide etc etc)
4. Does it work with anything else I own?
5. Do I already own something v similar that I prefer?
6. Do i want to wear it right now?

Basically if I'm trying to make something work, I've learned to let it go. If on the other hand I want to wear it right this minute, I know it's a keeper.

Anything tight or uncomfortable, or difficult to do up like dress zips has to go
Anything not worn for a year
Anything that needs lots of ironing or has to go to the dry cleaners
Anything faded, and badly "pilled" jumpers
Anything that is looking stretched or out of shape
All has to go

"But you could still just keep the joggers that you love rather than the ones that are falling apart"

No such thing as joggers I love!
And if there were, they'd be upgraded to wearing around others so I'd still have the ugly/old ones for home.

First step, get to know 'your' colours. Consider going to a consultant for this if you have no clue - I found it well worth it (life-changing in fact). There should be a whole range of 10 or 20 or more shades of different colours you can wear, not just 4 or 5, but of course you may have just a handful of favourite shades within that much larger range.

Second, get rid of anything that is not in your colours.

Third, when you look at everything hanging together in your wardrobe, it should all be a pleasing 'palette' that all blends and goes together, e.g. the blue and red and yellow and green clothes all look like they belong together. If something is not the right colour it will be 'off' and easier to spot. Maybe a navy blue will be 'too purpley' or a red 'too bricky' or a yellow 'too golden' or 'not golden enough'. It will stand out. Get rid.

I’ve become obsessed with decluttering videos and one common threat is to use ‘containers’ when sorting. So with your wardrobe, you need a black bin bag for stuff that’s only fit for the bin, a large cardboard charity donations box and another box for ‘storage’. In this box you’d put the items that you can’t yet bear to part with but that dont fit you unless you lose weight. If, after a set time, you’ve not missed the item or even more have forgotten what’s in the box, it gets moved into a charity box.
Finally you need a ‘seasonal’ box. I also have a ‘holiday’ box where all my holiday clothes are stored.
The on;y items left in your wardrobe should be items you regularly wear.

I cull anything stained or too worn/damaged.
I'm so fussy about what I actually buy and put in my wardrobe now that that's about it.

I am constantly reviewing my wardrobe.

It’s definitely about identifying the pieces that you wear and wear. Even though I only have clothes I love there are still things I always reach for and things that are worn less. So I’ve spent time trying to figure out the common denominator of the things I wear a lot and mainly it’s classic pieces in plain fabrics in my best colours. A short cut to this is not just having your colours assessed but your style too. There are tiny details in every garment, eg the size of the buttons on a shirt, that influences whether it’s right/perfect for you. It’s expensive but so is wasting thousands on clothes.

I disagree with your point about keeping more expensive items. How much you pay doesn’t change whether a garment is right for you. It just sits in your wardrobe reproachfully. These items are also easier to sell to at least get some money back or will fetch more for a charity.

I agree with a pp re wearing new things soon after you buy them. My least successful purchases are where I don’t do this. Even if I buy a duplicate and put it away, it’s never as loved as the original.

Also to realise that every new thing you buy is potentially something else to need to get rid of or to later torment you. The newness expires but you need to be sure the garment’s suitability won’t.

This is all so helpful. Can I ask, do you regret letting stuff go? I think that's my worry; I feel that at the point I bought everything I must have loved it and thought it was right, so why would I want to get rid later on?

I regret letting stuff go that I loved but it was out of fashion. I definitely bought stuff that I didn't love but did wear because it was useful for a purpose and I couldnt find something I loved that fitted the bill. Not sure whether i would have regretted not buying them.

This thread has made me think about all those pairs of PJ bottoms in my drawer that are falling apart or have holes in them, or ar over 6 years old that i just keep recycling and wearing - theyre only PJs but they need to go!

I have been thinking about having a full on clear out, work clothes especially, all seem dated. I was on mat leave from Mid 2019 - so all my work stuff that fits is from 2018 so quite old and out dated now.

I have regular culls, but do them seasonally - so cull summer stuff at the beginning of autumn and winter stuff at the beginning of spring. I found otherwise that I had thrown away stuff I forgot was useful in a particular way and annoyed myself. I also hang things in colours in my wardrobe. It helps me to see what goes together well and it looks cheerful.