Too many clothes... But struggling to part with them

[LillyLeaf]

I have way too many clothes. I used to work in fashion and have accumulation so many clothes over the years. Some of them don't fit as nicely as they used to, some I know I won't wear again due to them not feeling current or don't suit me anymore, or feel 'too young' but every year I get them out, look through them and put them back in storage bags. I don't know why I'm keeping them. I want to put them on vinted or charity shop them but I'm rubbish at deciding what to do. Another thing putting me off is having to wash everything before selling or donating!

Any advice would be great.

Do you need the money? If not bag them up and donate. Just keep the ones that fit and you really like.

I suggest that you send all the things you either don't like as well as the clothes that no longer fit you and see what you are left with. You could set yourself a month so you could launder a bag each week to sell or donate.

Hang all the clothes in your wardrobe one way so that when you wear and rehang it is facing the other way. You can then see what you do not wear and could decide if you are going to sell/donate. It is a ballache sometimes to wash, iron, take pictures and post but then if it pays for a holiday 🤷‍♀️

It's very wasteful just to store them. Take them out, sort through what you want and sell the remainder.

This was me about a month ago - the amount of clothes i had was disgusting! I spent a full day sorting through keep, charity and vinted and have made over £300! I only washed what needed to be washed - if they were clean and no smell they just went. So glad i’ve done it and its motivated me to get other areas of the house decluttered.

If they are clean but smell musty hang by an open window or on a washing line on a windy day and the musty smell will go

Why are people washing and ironing clothes before selling? I sell items that have been hanging in my wardrobe which I put after washing but I don’t rewash if I haven’t worn them.

they are of no use to you. Sell them and let someone else enjoy.

They are clean, just musty from being in the loft. I could really do with the money. They are mostly high st brands but everything I would sell is still nice and in good condition. I think once I start it should be fine. Just seems hard to start.

When I'm sorting I tell myself that I'll wear something 'just in the house' etc but I never do, I wear clothes that I love or feel comfy in.

I'm making it harder than it is.

This gives me hope, thanks

They've been in the loft in storage bags so don't smell particularly fresh.

Yes it's hard to start. Hopefully you can as you'll feel better.

I'd feel cheated if I bought clothes and found they had a musty odour - even clothes hung in a wardrobe or closet for a few weeks following a wash will need a refresh.

I sell the odd item online and everything leaves my home washed, ironed if necessary, and folded neatly. Footwear is cleaned within an inch of its life and sprayed with hydrogen peroxide inside. Bags are cleaned inside and out, and given an all over sprucing up. I don't even try selling stuff that has stains or marks that won't come out.

Start by identifying items most likely to sell quickly. This might include fashionable items or items in fashionable colours or patterns, seasonably appropriate casual items, summer wedding season items, plus seasonably appropriate workwear.

Wash, dry, iron, and take photos. Keep them hanging in a place where they can remain aired. See how you do, and maybe you'll be encouraged to keep at it.

Maybe try a car boot sale too?

If they are clean in the wardrobe don't bother rewashing unless they seriously smell. Anyone who buys them will wash before wearing anyway...

Go and pick 5 -10 items you def dont want and photograph them on a hanger.
1.Front
2.back
3.Label
4.any detailing

Just take pics.
Tonight while watching tv list on vinted it'll take 10mins max

Tomorrow take pics of another 10.

tips

• Listing from 7-9pm gets quickest sales IMO
• list as very good unless heavy heavy wear or obvious damage.
• keep all amazon packing / delivery packing so you can reuse...
• you dont have to mail same day i have a lululemon tote I chuck packages in across the week and drop them off at the corner shop on a monday morning on my way to work.

I've made 1.5k in 2 years on vinted. Most of it goes back on the platform for more clothes for me or the kids - mostly the kids

Starting is the hardest bit.
Now I can actually slide clothes freely in my wardrobe I wear a lot more of it!

Great advice 🥰

I’m in the same boat OP. I love vintage fashion and really struggle to part with things. I’ve been listing on Vinted and making a dent slowly…

I suggest getting some crates/bags and separate out anything for winter (jumpers, sequins etc) - and put that away to sell from October. It won’t sell now. Focus on spring and summer stuff now.

Force yourself to wear each item once. If you put it on, if you feel or look crap in it, stick in in the Donate box/bin/bag.

Don't bother listing anything you won't get £5 for. As soon as you have a carrier bag of donations, drop it off at the charity shop.

Thanks everyone. Great advice. I'm made piles for selling and donating (from the first bag of clothes I've brought down from the loft) and will photograph in the morning and upload them. I've just got to not overthink and crack on.

There is definitely some emotional attachment to clothes (and don't get me started on my child's clothes, he's nearly 5 and I haven't parted with a single item, but that's a whole other thread).

When you start making money it’s addictive!!!!!

you just need your first couple of sales and you’ll be hooked

This is what I'm hoping will happen.

@LillyLeaf well done. Report back.

What I'm doing now is photographing and then putting everything for sale in one box so I can grab it when it sells.
If anything doesn't sell in a couple of months I'll donate. It's already out of the wardrobe and no longer mine!

Take good pics and upload one of you wearing it when it fitted you well if you have it

I've listed 13 items, more to go, but it's a start.

And I've sold something, only for £3, but I've sold!