Wardrobe is maxed out, help required please.

[ilovechocolate07]

I've lived in this house for 8 years and have decent sized wardrobe space. Despite numerous clear outs and feeling like I buy less than I ever used to I'm still frustrated by how full it is. I always see a reason to keep hold of something, usually memory based, fear of needing it later on (not sure if it's ADHD related or not) or slimming into it. Often these things don't fit or are out of style. I'm stuck in that 'if I lose a few lbs I'll wear it' funk and have a job that I can't wear nice clothes to but I need to be smartish.

I can't bring myself to count things but I have 2 full rails that are approx 70cm each, 3 full wardrobe shelves, a shoe rack wedged in the bottom, 3 full Malm drawers of pjs and leggings etc. The only thing under control are my underwear drawers.

Please can you help me to work out what is a normal amount of clothing to keep hold of and and tips and tricks for managing/storing summer and winter clothes when not using? My mum never bought herself new clothes so I have no idea how to go about this and I'm embarrassed to ask friends.

I don't know that there is a 'normal'. My wardrobe is far from ideal, I also need to clear it out. Have you tried the Marie Kondo Joy stuff? The concept is that you keep anything that brings you joy. That doesn't mean you need to necessarily wear it, but if you have a piece of clothing attached to a special memory it is okay to keep it. That might help you feel less guilty about keeping things you don't wear while giving you permission to throw things out (or donate etc) that you no longer feel positive about.

Growing up were you short of cash, or not always bought the things you needed/wanted? I'm a bit of a hoarder and I think it's linked to that. I have to actively remind myself that I don't use the thing and if i ever did need it in future I could afford to buy a replacement. It's not easy, don't be hard on yourself.

personally i think the keeping stuff that brings you joy is a load of crap. Many of the clothes i wear most dont bring me joy at all.....gardening clothes, keep fit leggings etc etc. but they are my workhorses.

what worked for me was wearing my wardrobe - going through it and literally wearing everything (bar a few really posh dresses) - so a new outfit each day till i'd done. If it didnt fit, or i hated with a passion it went to charity shop. I found quite a few things lurking in the wardrobe that i had forgotten about and now love.

I use an app called Stylebook, every time I buy something new I download the photo and details from the retailer and put in the app. My intention is to load all my older stuff as well but to do that I need to photograph it all.
I'm finding it so useful to keep track of things and to remember what I've bought. There's a facility to record outfits you've worn and cost-per-wear.
It's really helped me figure out what I own and what gaps I have in my wardrobe so I know not to buy another black t-shirt but I do need a pair of black jeans.

Dreamingofsun!! What a great idea, I’m going to start that tomorrow. And if I hate it, feel uncomfortable or don’t have the perfect match for it, off it goes into trademe! (Nz)

I have a lot of stuff, generally adore most of it. I love clothes and hate the idea of cutting back. I do however, need to start wearing more of it

Thank you for the great ideas! @Possimpible Yes, we were poor. I was bought the odd nice outfit but in teenage years I had a lot of things passed on by older cousins and any birthday money was also my clothing money for the year. Nothing in my wardrobe brings me joy, more of an anxiety that I can't explain.

@dreamingofsun I know for sure that I wouldn't entertain wearing a lot of things I there so I guess that's a sign to bag them up.

@WetsuitRevolutionary Funny you should say that about the black tshirt. I have a thing about white ones. I have 3 in the go and ridiculously I have a new one in the wrapper still that I'm 'saving' for an unknown reason. The app sounds good!

@nzeire I think I could wear a new outfit every day for at least a month with the amount I have. I have favourite outfits that I wear often. Might be time to get rid of the size too small skinny jeans.

We should post photos!

I’m generally good at clear outs and buy less than I used to. But I struggle with the “but what if I need it one day/it’s fashionable again/fits again?” thing. But I try to remember it’s not actually the end of the world if that happens. It has actually happened - and I was able to find the thing again on vinted and get it for a few quid. So my rule is only keep it if it’s really unique and not replaceable with the same or similar. If you’ve sold off things you don’t want, you’ve made money and gained wardrobe control - so it’s worth being a bit ruthless.

I recommend the book The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. She suggests outfit 'formula' and there is advice on clearing out. At which point, vinted is your friend. Post a few items every week to keep your sales wardrobe current and to the fore.