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?

" from 2018 so quite old and out dated now."

3 years ago is too old for you? Really?

To be fair, I think a lot of pre-pandemic office wear looks kind of 'off' at the moment, which is why the charity shops are full of it. But I also think we're still living through strange and quite extreme times (As an aside, have you seen young women dressed up for a night out lately ). My guess is that there will be a few more swings of the pendulum before we reach an equilibrium and until then, I'd be inclined to hang on to anything that's well made and that still fits, that's assuming you still like it and that you've got the space.

But I say that as someone with very few or no wardrobe rules

I wore an outfit for an interview in July 2020 - my office is casual but I'm about to go to a conference and I pulled the same outfit out last week. It really doesn't look right! The brogues look clumpy and the cropped slim fit trousers seem like a strange shape. It's probably partly seeing absolutely nobody in office wear for over a year.

I have summer and winter suitcases and swap them around October and May. It’s so nice to rediscover things from the previous season. It’s not a lot of clothes as I’ve been quite strict though I could do with some more in my colours, I still wear too much black.

I do half yearly change overs, and normally am completely ruthless with unworn items (unless its specific occasion stuff like ski clothing), but this year, I haven't lead a normal life so not doing it.

Some fashion magazines are talking up the return of glamour, sequins, sky high heels. Some are predicting the flat shoes and looser clothes and more casual dressing for work are here to stay . It feels like all bets are off.

I also switch around every April/ May and October. I love getting things out again. My memory is t what it was and I ‘discover’ forgotten things every yr!!

When you cull - do you bin, donate or sell? If you sell , which app or service do you recommend? I have some things from j Crew, Boden, whistles etc? It looks like eBay is not my friend for these sorts of brands. Would love a recommendation.

Wardrobe rules... Wtf? Life is too short for wardrobe/closet rules.

One in one out policy really helps stop the build up.
Keeping to a certain colour palette so easier to mix and match

When I cull, I sell on ebay anything that is likely to go for £5 or more (it mounts-up). I give some to charity and bras in excellent condition (I’ve lost nearly 7 stone, so gone through sizes quickly), I send to a charity that distributes to women in poverty (mostly in Africa).

I also, put the outgoing season’s clothes in suitcases until it’s time to wear them again, so I can see the ‘wood for the trees’ in my wardrobe. It’s tough in there at the moment because there are some really chilly days (North East, today and tomorrow are perfect examples), followed by lovely warm sunny days. I have bought some autumn/winter stuff, but it’s too soon to move the spring/summer. First world problem writ large!

I was ruthless a few years ago and got rid of virtually everything.
I now only have 4 coats/jackets
4 trainers
2 boots
2 shoes
2 sandals
20 dresses
5thin long sleeve tops for layering

I have 100 identical wooden hangers
Everything except pjs and underwear and swimwear and sports gear hangs

So 1 in 1 out. My oldest item is 37 years and I haven’t worn it for a few years but I know I will again. Mostly classic clothes and so no need to have an if not worn for a year rule

I have lapsed a bit during lockdown as I had to get more casual clothes and won’t get rid but will work my way back to 100 over the next 24 months or so

@Soontobe60

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.

Why do you have holiday clothes?

After Christmas every year (I’ve done this the past three years) I turn the coat hangers so they face forward and then as I wash and wear items I hang them normally so I have a clear indication of what I’m wearing, this also makes me look at the clothes not worn and encourages me to perhaps wear things I like but are not always drawn too. Then periodically I I have a bit of a cull based on what’s not been worn.

Mauve l think it's usual to have holiday clothes if you go abroad....eg l wear short shorts on holidays in the sun that would shock my neighbours if l wore them here in rural lreland. Also some sun dresses l keep for the sun holidays/ short skirts etc. So having them altogether is handy for packing. I have same ones for years.

@BettyCarver

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?

Think about your statement in terms of past boyfriends

@junebirthdaygirl

Mauve l think it's usual to have holiday clothes if you go abroad....eg l wear short shorts on holidays in the sun that would shock my neighbours if l wore them here in rural lreland. Also some sun dresses l keep for the sun holidays/ short skirts etc. So having them altogether is handy for packing. I have same ones for years.

Aaahh I spend months away each year I don’t have holiday clothes or work clothes or home clothes I just have clothes- so I suppose that is a rule in itself. Find your style and go with it?

I also follow Project 333 (33 items of clothing for 3 months) which forces you to chose the things you really love. I don't stick to it rigidly but it helps decision making in the morning.

@poolblue

I think it's important to have regular culls of clothes OP and you seem to be doing really well. I'm retiring at the end of August and have a wardrobe full of formal dresses, jackets, trousers and blouses. I've gone through them all and kept some, sent some to charity and binned the worst. Now I need to work out what I'm going to wear to suit the next stage of my life. Don't want to fall into the sweatshirt and jeans combo and am very keen on colour so it's going to be an interesting autumn. Anyone got any tips?

I think with these wardrobe goals you might get a lot out of Trinny Woodall’s Closet Confessions series of videos (Insta, youtube, Trinny London site).

Stick with it, she’s a bit kooky and, obv, with that figure and budget she buys things beyond reach of normal women. But her advice is spot on, especially about prioritising colour. Her wardrobe is a glorious rainbow!

There are some things I never buy - pyjamas, floral dresses, anything made of cashmere or wool. I have a pair of PJs and never wear them unless I stay at a friend's house. Allergic to wool. Hate florals.

I have cleared out my wardrobe recently as I've just survived a long period of barely any money to spare for clothes (dreadful, drawn out divorce). Anything worn out goes to charity to sell to the rag man. Anything wearable I sell or donate.

I like to know why I'm not wearing something, so I don't waste the money again. Quite often it's something that doesn't fit with my style (I'm quite pared down and aim for simple elegance - don't always achieve it!). So I try and learn from that. I'm getting better, but not perfect!

I've never regretted getting rid of anything. I tend towards minimalism, less us definitely more for me.

Some great rules and tips on this post. My rules are:
Natural fibres as far as possible
No autumn colours
No patterns apart from dots, stripes or small florals
Limit on height of heels
No writing on anything and brand logos not on display if possible.