I want a wardrobe overhaul

[TomAllenWife]

I know this has been done before but would be interested to know what your rules are?

I used to think if I haven't worn it in a year it needs to go, however I've got lots of items that I really like (coat, blazer) that I haven't worn in a couple of years

I've got a denim jacket that's about 12 years old that must surely be not on trend (cropped, small)
Skinny jeans that I haven't worn in ages because I keep buying newer styles (wide leg, straight leg or crop)

Anyway just looking for tips
TIA

Does it fit?
Does it suit my body shape?
Is it in good condition?
Does it go with other things to make a great outfit?
Do I love it?
When/where will I wear it?

In addition does it look old, is it bobbly, does it have holes ? Time to go.

I think you also have to be strong and disregard the label as in "well it is a BRAND NAME so I need to keep it" regardless of whether you wear it or not. Sell it or donate it.

As we live in a seasonal country then it is normal not to wear something "in a year" eg it is a while since I wore my really heavy snow coat as the last two have been mild here. I wouldn't get rid of stuff based on that alone.

I’m trying to do this but I’m a sucker for dresses and prints.

Luckily (or not luckily) I’ve developed plantar fasciitis, which is cured. But certain footwear eg Adidas Gazelles, which I wore last weekend sadly have to go, doesn’t even work with insoles.

I think also for me, does it suit me? I’ve got a pretty Baukjen floral blue top which I wore for the first time this week and I love it. Have got a similar floral print top but in rust/orange colours, tried it but just don’t think it’s me…

I also have an old pair of H&M stretch skinnies which I tried yesterday. I might keep them but I have others I prefer better.

Dresses I struggle with, there’s one summer one I’ve worn once this year but know if I ditched it I’d miss it.

For me it’s also, does it fit, suit me, how often have I worn it? I live in sweatshirts these days so would be silly to ditch those.

I think it's about knowing you can only wear a certain number of things in a week/month/year and a lot of us need less clothing now we are going out to work less (I find things I wear mainly at home don't need washing so often). So it's kind of prioritising - if there's a finite amount of clothing you can wear, what are the things you always reach for and enjoy wearing and feel good in. There'll be things that are OK, but if you have things you prefer you'll end up never wearing the OK thing. You want a wardrobe full of excellence not OK.

Depends on space though as I don't have very much so I think very carefully about what stays and tend to get new occasion wear from Vinted or eBay and then get rid again rather than hoarding things waiting for another occasion. I kept a black cardigan for years in case of funerals but finally got rid last week as the style was 20 years old and you don't even need to wear pure black to funerals these days.

And depends on washing too as obviously fewer clothes the more washing.

Trinny says that we all evolve and you have to dress for the person you are now and not worry about giving things away that you might have got loads of wear from at one point in your life but is just not serving you today. Marie Kondo style you thank it for the good times and say goodbye. Our lifestyles and style evolve even if only subtly over time.

Oh I have lots of things with little holes in that I've kept lol

What are peoples thoughts on;

• dresses that are 'ok' for the end of a holiday when you've eaten loads
• my denim jacket
• skinny jeans? Are they worth keeping in any colour?
• a tiered dress that DP says makes me look like a pineapple but always gets compliments 😂
• a big warm coat that I've only really worn 4 years ago in NYC and takes up a lot of room, it's also a bit chavvy for my age

My thoughts in order of items in your list:

• keep 2 max: you can re-wear evening gear on holiday

-do you still wear it? What is your current go to autumn/summer jacket? How many outfits does it goes with? -mid/dark blue and black possibly. But any with rips, distressed, acid wash, grey, burgundy I'd get rid. Again keep 2 pair max (more if you still wear skinnies more than 1/2 a month) -keep only if you feel good in it -either get rid or vacuum pack away for the once-every-10yrs-cold that we get and you don't care what you look like

• dresses that are 'ok' for the end of a holiday when you've eaten loads

Do you like them? How many are we talking? Eat less on holiday?

• my denim jacket

If you wear it and like it then keep unless stonewashed 😂

• skinny jeans? Are they worth keeping in any colour?

I only have skinny jeans so you know what my answer will be.

• a tiered dress that DP says makes me look like a pineapple but always gets compliments 😂

but do YOU like it?

• a big warm coat that I've only really worn 4 years ago in NYC and takes up a lot of room, it's also a bit chavvy for my age

I think we need more info on chavvy but it sounds as if you really don't like it!

I agree with what PP poster said about how we evolve and also adapt to the current needs in our life. Bear that in mind. Sell things or donate to charity. We also have a "Free before the tip" local group in our area.

Agree with the poster who said that we only need a certain number of outfits so plan some outfits and just keep your favourites.

Stuff that's just OK won't make the cut. You deserve to wear things that make you feel great not things which are just OK.

Also keeping old stuff keeps you in the past, you want to dress for the life you have right now and not for the life that you used to have.

• dresses that are 'ok' for the end of a holiday when you've eaten loads

Keep if you use them

• my denim jacket

Keep if you wear it and enjoy wearing it

• skinny jeans? Are they worth keeping in any colour?

Get rid if you're not drawn to wearing them

• a tiered dress that DP says makes me look like a pineapple but always gets compliments 😂

Keep if you enjoy wearing it and plan to again

• a big warm coat that I've only really worn 4 years ago in NYC and takes up a lot of room, it's also a bit chavvy for my age

Get rid

Oh I am loving how brutal you are 😂

I like the denim, and I like the pineapple dress
I'll keep one pair of skinnies (black or dark???)

You're right I don't love the coat, I have soooo many coats it's ridiculous to keep one just in case.
I'm peri anyway so the chances of me being freezing are slim lol

I just thought I do sometimes wear if to watch DS play rugby, it's good for standing still
But I have layers that can do the same job

I think the make is 'gold digga' which is chavtastic and not my thing at all

Oh and the HOLES - get rid of @TomAllenWife !!! Nor do you need masses of stuff for being in the garden or decorating or all the other crap excuses we use. eg watching rugby 😆

The other thing I find useful is looking at something and thinking how old are you really? How much did you cost me? Why am I agonising over getting rid of you? Ive even been known to put my fingers across a label and think " really what does this look like?" when I am being swayed by a label.

Ask " do I already have something similar that I like to wear more?"

Ooh I love this! Have you ever had your “colours” done. This is where you find out the best colours to suit your tone. I’ve done this and it’s changed my life. I walk into shops now and immediately know what to go for. I also know my body shape so understand how to dress myself. I was clueless before. But it’s made such a difference.

Once you’re armed with this foundation, everything falls into place.

I don’t tend to follow trends anymore. I just try and stay updated and classic. I know it sounds boring, but a classic white tee (if white is your shade) and some jeans to suit your shape, and a black or navy blazer, just always looks timeless. Invest in the basics, look after your hair and nails, think timeless outfits and you’ll always look great. At least, that’s my hope! 😂