Shop your wardrobe!!! Digging out neglected items…a thread to share successes!

[MakemineaGandT]

Since Christmas I’ve been trying to ‘shop my wardrobe’ and wear things that have been neglected for far too long. The plan is that if I wear them for a day and they don’t feel good, I’ll ruthlessly get rid. So far I’ve ended up falling back in love with things I haven’t worn in a long time and haven’t got rid of anything! Today’s success was a blouse I’ve had at least ten years which I stopped wearing as it is a bit see-through and ‘difficult’, though I’ve always liked the neckline on it (high, lace edge). I layered it under a crew neck jumper today and it looked great - so it’ll be on rotation again!

Similarly I’ve worn some long suede boots recently which must be at least 15 years old. Through all the skinny jeans years I stopped wearing them as they felt like wellies over the skinny jeans, but I put them with a midi-length dress the other day and they looked right again.

I love clothes but am trying to reduce new purchases by getting more pleasure from the ones I already own. Anyone else managing to do this? I definitely couldn’t do the ‘no buy 2024’ thing, so this is my compromise effort!

I have a photo on my phone of various items-mostly BNWT- laid out on my bed. When I think I need to shop, I have to remember to check it. Shamefully, it’s usually occasion wear.

Like a few previous posters I was just about to buy a dress in a sale online and realised it was in the wardrobe tag still on. At least it shows my taste is consistent.

JMAngel1

The amount of times I’ve bought white lacy tops that look exactly like the other five I already have.

I’ve found my people 😂

I've stopped buying pretty much, as all my wardrobe is now on the Whering App. And i realised I was buying the same things every year.
However I am still susceptible to Bargain Cashmere & Muslin, because of the lack of ironing. I love my new white Muslin Dressing Gown & my Crush Cashmere navy slouchy crew neck.

I’ve just bought some jeans that I had already bought and returned last month. I also bought a short shirt dress in exactly the same colour and material as an oversized shirt I have and dont wear. This weekend I sorted out my wardrobe. Still cant find my missing black skirt. Still feel overwhelmed by all these things. I have a drawer of bras I also sorted.I wear 6 on rotation. Then I have loads of wire free/ soft bras I bought last year when I had an issue. None of them are flattering, but the issue might come back. I have some fancy bras with matching pants, that are not comfortable enough for everyday. I then have about 10 more bras, that are useful at times, or would be if I put on weight or lost weight, or needed a racer back etc. The worst is a front fastening bra, perfect in every way except that I cannot open it. I managed it once. I look at that drawer and think how much the contents cost, and I despair. And every drawer and cupboard tells the same story. But I have a friend, very stylish, who has 2 bras, both grey rags, neither of them the right size, and that is worse.

No surprises, but as I was getting rid of some stuff, I realised my Tu cardi was a bit bobbly so I ordered and received an anti bobble shaver last night! Needs batteries.

I have a row of striped bretons- approx 15 currently as I culled many.

What a great thread! I have an enormous amount of clothes due to an incurable charity shop habit. I have also fluctuated in weight over the last few years - only by a size, but it has meant that I've had to temporarily archive stuff into the loft which I then end up forgetting I have.

Recently I dug out my box of archived jeans and found two pairs that fitted me. One pair is wide leg, but has a slightly low rise, but if I choose the top carefully they are perfectly wearable, so I'm pleased about that.

I need to get better at getting rid of stuff. If I wear something and hate it, then it needs to go! I think it's possible to justify keeping things that are a bit tight/loose, or are a bit out of style......but stuff which is bobbly/falling apart, or is the wrong colour for me - bye bye.

Definitely ditch the tired. I don’t know about wrong colours. All through the winter I was drawn to a classic way of dressing, I wanted navy and cream and felt I should buy quality basics, and some investment pieces, but now I’m thinking I should dress for my lifestyle which is about being outside, so actually , athleisure in muddy colours seems the way to go. I’m 64 and still don’t know who I am. I have the Curated Closet. Might be time to read it.

The black wide leg trousers I put out for today worked well, they are long but worked well with boots and tucking my top in helped them stay up. Will be keeping them until I loose weight for sure.

For tomorrow I have got out a laura Ashley merino jumper dress. Currently got out a black smart suit type jacket to wear with it but might swap for a khaki more casual jacket, will try both in the morning.

Yes @FinallyFeb !

I need this thread, although I am a little late to it.

Today I am wearing a Jaeger silk blouse that was sent to the back of the cupboard. It most likely is not the most fashionable thing ever, but its nice and bright but does have a tie bit at the front, but I am going with it.

Would someone be able to help with with how to wear another blouse I have though please. I have had it 10 to 15 years and I have never worn it. I could never bring myself to part with it though. Its an odd colour for me to pair, but it is a Karen Millen silk blouse. I do suit this colouring being fair and suit autumn colours, but I just don't know what to wear it with. I don't wear smart wear much these days, so I am at a loss of how to get some wear out of it. I will post a photo of it, if anyone would be kind enough to recommend how to wear it, or if I should pass this one on.

It would help if I added the pics.

It has this sheer part of the sleeves and top of back, I took a photo of the back as well.

Sorry I should have said that I am in a country that is hot right now, so I can wear the blouse as it, no layering needed.

White linen wide legged trousers? I like that soft beige with white.

I think it would look lovely with burnt orange skirt/trousers or khaki green.

Thank you both.

I did try it with white crop jeans but it didn't look right, I think full length linen may look a lot nicer than with a heavier jeans fabric.

I did not even think about an orange/khaki pairing. I am going to wear this blouse somewhere now, thank you for the ideas.

The jumper dress today was a huge success but I am worried about when I need to wash it, its so fine and fluffy.

I've got into bed without putting anything out today but I am thinking about a teal blazer I've not worn for over a year that I tried to pair with the dress, but sleeves were too short. Maybe I will wear with jeans and a simple black top under.

I’m washing clothes much less than I used to. We all wash our bodies so much that, barring food emergencies and mud, clothes can take several wears. I’m also wearing a jumper dress, and this is its 5 th outing.

Yes I had a thermal on under which means it doesn't have any pit smells but I am mucky its only a matter of time.

I’m mucky too, and blessed in the bosom department which catches my spillages. I looked at the frumpy thread yesterday. It said nothing to me about my life, but it mentioned a brand of luxe athleisure called Varley, so I looked them up, muted neutrals and quite a neat fit on the bottom half. I’m busy with mucky stuff today but I thought I’d see if I can achieve the Varley look from my wardrobe soon, although I might need to buy some sage green leggings( but not from them!) Today I’m wearing an oversized blue striped shirt, which has been festering in my wardrobe unloved for some time. I put a white tee underneath and blue leggings. It’s good. I feel quite dynamic and sporty.

I'm not loving my look today but I think its more the skinny jeans that are taking from it, rather than the jacket. I can't find my bootcut jeans at the min though! I guess pictures would help but I need to tidy around the mirror first!

Well, today I planned to wear a blouse i haven't worn for ages, but at the last minute swapped it for an old favourite. Unfortunately I was getting dressed in rather a hurry, which is never good if you are experimenting. Will try again tomorrow.

I used to do this all the time especially if I was stressed or in menstrual pain.