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Original poster

A complete new wardrobe of clothes with one caveat

60 replies

WhatLiesAhead · 06/02/2022 17:31

You can get a complete new wardrobe of clothes, all paid for, on the condition that you give up every single item of clothing you own in exchange. Would you do it?

My mum regularly used to say "oh I'd like to throw away everything and start again!" but I don't think I could. I have some things I really really like that I don't think I'd be able to buy now. Nothing terribly valuable, no designer gear, but some things I'd be sad to lose.

PS just pretend there's no issue with chucking clothes out, this isn't a "green" discussion

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 07/02/2022 08:33

No, like a pp I have many vintage items that would be difficult or impossible to source now - and some of these have sentimental value too.

BusterGonad · 07/02/2022 08:36

I think I would, I'm used to moving around and getting all my stuff into a 30kg suitcase. So I'm not overly attached to things but then again I do have a lot stored at my parents, I have some lovely navy suede boots and 3 faux fur jackets. 😬

crochetmonkey74 · 07/02/2022 08:41

I've always had a little daydream about this- a uni friend got her suitcase stolen off the train once and it had her ENTIRE wardrobe and toiletries in- she was very much a minimalist and didn't have a spare of anything- even shampoo.
She did get insurance money- in the meantime- her Dad gave her £200 to get everything again (it was 1996) and I was always fascinated by the idea- she literally had to go out and buy everything starting with pants and socks, all toiletries and make up, pjs, clothes. She only had her current outfit and her coat left

minipie · 07/02/2022 08:45

No - like a PP I find it hard to get clothes that fit me well so it would take ages to replace what I’ve amassed over the years. And a lot of the current fashions really don’t suit me.

Thecazelets · 07/02/2022 08:57

I would, depending on the budget for the new wardrobe. I have hardly anything I'd really miss, although most of it is good quality or mid-range. I sometimes think about doing this anyway (giving the existing lot to charity first I hasten to add). But that's partly because I've had a rough few years health-wise and a few things no longer fit me or I can't see me ever wearing again. I felt fine wearing short sleeved or sleeveless tops and dresses until 50, but not so keen now, for example. My job has changed focus too so I don't really have the need for lots of the go-to semi-smart outfits I used to rely on.

XingMing · 07/02/2022 09:03

Another one refusing the offer. Like others, I'm not in the first flush of youth but pretty much everything I've bought or inherited still fits so there's lots of quality that a shopper would struggle to replace without a millionaire budget.

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 07/02/2022 09:09

I’m older and I would love a complete new wardrobe. I’ve lost my way since retiring through ill health and gaining weight thanks to medication.
I need a complete makeover.

CharacterForming · 07/02/2022 09:25

Good question OP.

I have a large wardrobe built up over 35 years, but what with the pandemic, I'm a bit behind the times on the purchase cycle and most of my big ticket items are five years old or more, either bought new or second hand, and starting to show their age, so I think yes I'd go for it. Crucially, a lot of my most sentimental items from my teens have already been passed on to DD. My only slight reservation is that I have preferred colours which would be difficult to replace new if they don't happen to be on trend.

However I have a lot of good quality wool tailoring and a fair amount of silk, so it would cost a fucking fortune to whatever imaginary benefactor is paying to replace it. A fair amount would need to be bespoke I suspect.

Lunificent · 07/02/2022 09:37

I would as long as the new wardrobe was going to be gorgeous and very expensive.

EmmaH2022 · 07/02/2022 09:48

Interesting replies

The OP hasn't mentioned budget but I'm under the impression that more of a splurge will still get you quality clothes

My clothes are mostly cheap - and now very old - but I try to buy cotton.

My guess is the people saying no have some really really high quality pieces and also are proper fasionistas, not just like me thinking "free clothes..wow".

Floisme · 07/02/2022 09:58

If I were a fashionista I'd probably say yes. A lot of the clothes I wouldn't want to part with aren't fashionable at the moment.

Sgtmajormummy · 07/02/2022 10:05

I’m 54 and have spent the last 18 months living in clothes that take up less than a metre of hanging space and 2 drawers.
Admittedly there have been no special occasions or formal events (no tights!! ) but it’s made me realize I have boxes of clothes I just don’t care about.
So I’d say yes immediately, just to get a new set of clothes I could choose with care in the light of this revelation!

Anoisagusaris · 07/02/2022 10:07

I would. None of my older beautiful, high quality clothes (even mid price clothes 20-25 years ago were much better quality than you get today, plus I spent more on clothes back then) fit me now. I tend to buy cheaper things now as I find it hard to spend much money on items now that I’m so heavy.

AuntieStella · 07/02/2022 10:09

No.

I like my clothes

And even though you didn't want this to be an ecological debate, I couldn't get past that either. I don't do conspicuous consumption. And I'd be looking to replace all the items I've found over ute years and which work well for me

whenwilliwillibefamous · 07/02/2022 10:14

I've got stuff made for me by people who are now dead, I've got commemorative tshirts of various kinds, I've got vintage evening wear older than I am,
And
Right now
I don't like much of the clothing on sale! Seriously I've been trying to buy myself nice new stuff and ... Eeesh.

TollgateDebs · 07/02/2022 10:37

No, I have items that I know would be impossible to get anywhere near the fit, style, fabric, cut or quality and I am not talking about the initial cost of the item but that standards, clothing technology and even the care taken in production is rarely found elsewhere. I have some wonderful coats and nothing comes close imo, even if I spent ££££s on one item and I think my wardrobe is actually not replaceable, as I do not think I could find anything I love as muchto purchase or replace it with. Is it age or the age in which we live and how quality is now a long way down the list for many clothing manufacturers? I have the odd gems purchased recently but I am thinking of a dress I took a punt on and is wonderful and the other 9 that went back, so no, as this would be swaping apples with a peanut type transaction!

MenaiMna · 07/02/2022 10:49

Yes. I have favourite things, but they're worn out from being my favourite so that I'd just buy the same styles again of those few things and I wouldn't necessarily buy all new- Id try to be sustainable. Second caveat, no waste of my current stuff - give it to charity shops.

SallyWD · 07/02/2022 10:56

No way, I have some beautiful clothes!

ShangPie · 07/02/2022 11:00

Another nope here. I don’t love every single thing in my wardrobe, but I appreciate it all. Everything broadly works together in a loose capsule kind of way and it’s all good quality fabric/ fibre that would be very £££ to replace today.

Also, I am already doing a slow longer term version of this via Vinted. Things that no longer work for me get listed and I replace with items that should in theory suit using money from my sales. Trying to stick to ‘one-in two-out’ in 2022 to keep storage under control and really identify the gaps.

EmmaH2022 · 07/02/2022 11:02

@AuntieStella

No.

I like my clothes

And even though you didn't want this to be an ecological debate, I couldn't get past that either. I don't do conspicuous consumption. And I'd be looking to replace all the items I've found over ute years and which work well for me

My clothes are so old and shabby I think they are suitable to be dishcloths already😂

To be fair, being fat, most of them are "that will do" purchases made in the years I worked really long hours. If someone gave me the cash, I'd quite enjoy looking online for new stuff.

In the days my clothes were bought, it was a tight budget, not much time and limited options because of my shape. The last bit is still true but I now have a better idea what suits.

Cocomelonearworm · 07/02/2022 11:10

In a heartbeat. After two pregnancies most of my beautiful clothes don't fit me and realistically they probably won't ever again. I'd love a fresh start! My lifestyle is completely different now too so I don't need LK Bennett suits or silk blouses, I need flattering jeans and chunky knits!

I am skint though so will have to continue wearing the same 4 outfits on rotation for a while.

JMAngel1 · 07/02/2022 11:12

Noooooo. And when I think why not, it's because of the most flattering midi wrap black skirt that makes me look fab and it cost £5.99 from SheIn Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 07/02/2022 11:17

Certainly not. I've just bought a new goretex walking coat, and walking trousers. The only ones in style, size and functionality which works. Similarly £££ walking shoes. I wear this sort of thing nearly every day. If I chucked what I had, at least some of the replacements would have to be the exact same articles.

crochetmonkey74 · 07/02/2022 12:23

@ShangPie

Another nope here. I don’t love every single thing in my wardrobe, but I appreciate it all. Everything broadly works together in a loose capsule kind of way and it’s all good quality fabric/ fibre that would be very £££ to replace today.

Also, I am already doing a slow longer term version of this via Vinted. Things that no longer work for me get listed and I replace with items that should in theory suit using money from my sales. Trying to stick to ‘one-in two-out’ in 2022 to keep storage under control and really identify the gaps.

ooh I like this ideA!
HumbugWhale · 07/02/2022 12:27

Yes so long as there would be a stylist to help me buy things that fit well and suit me. Then I could swap my mostly black, ill-fitting wardrobe for something more interesting and stylish!