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Original poster

What do you store out of season or too big/ small/ don't currently work for my lifestyle clothes?

19 replies

Reification · 02/12/2025 18:08

I need a storage solution other than putting things not in current use into the suitcases we rarely use and having the rest overfill the wardrobe. What do you store what you are not wearing but don't want to get rid of in?

I have too many clothes atm partly due to having lost and gained a lot of weight (lost seven stone five years ago, unfortunately gained five back, obviously want to lose at least half the regain...). Added to that there's summer versus winter etc. clothes and the fact that I have a "hands on" full time job but have changed settings/ client groups a couple of times, and what works at work is slightly different...

Is it just a matter of cardboard boxes?

OP posts:
Cloverforever · 02/12/2025 18:23

Do you mean Where do you store, or How do you store?

EveryDayisFriday · 02/12/2025 18:29

I've lost 5 stone and all my fat clothes are gone, bagged up and in the clothes bins at the tip. I keep a bin bag at the bottom of my wardrobe to dump clothes that are damaged or no longer fit.

Summer/ winter clothes are stored in a ikea storage box on the top of my wardrobe.

Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 18:37

Cloverforever · 02/12/2025 18:23

Do you mean Where do you store, or How do you store?

Hmm good point - I guess I mean "in what" do you store... Not where as in which part of the house, so more how...

OP posts:
sharkstale · 02/12/2025 18:38

Storage boxes under the bed

Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 18:44

EveryDayisFriday · 02/12/2025 18:29

I've lost 5 stone and all my fat clothes are gone, bagged up and in the clothes bins at the tip. I keep a bin bag at the bottom of my wardrobe to dump clothes that are damaged or no longer fit.

Summer/ winter clothes are stored in a ikea storage box on the top of my wardrobe.

Yes I did that, kept the weight off for 18 months then changed jobs (meant to be for a better work life balance but that didn't turn out to be the case), got stressed, perimenopause ramped up, changed jobs again after two years (again trying to get the balance right, this time especially with changing family responsibilities and kids needing me around differently) got more stressed - went back up the clothes sizes...

I've got rid of my thinnest (size 10 and the smaller 12s) clothes - a lot to my daughter - and I got rid of my fat clothes (up to size 22) when I thought I was maintaining the loss, but now I'm an 18 again and have the generous size 12s through smaller 16s (generous 16s still fit) which I kid myself want to believe I'll get back into.

I bought some really nice things on vinted and a few splurge expensive purchases which I currently can't bring myself to look at but want to believe I'll wear again...

Ikea bags you say? Sounds like a plan...

Editing to say: actually I misread and you said ikea storage boxes, not bags! Maybe ikea bags would work for me though instead...

OP posts:
Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 18:51

sharkstale · 02/12/2025 18:38

Storage boxes under the bed

This makes sense - there isn't that much space height wise but I will measure and see if there's something with wheels which I could order, which would roll in and out...

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 02/12/2025 18:53

@Reification i use the orange and white IKEA storage bags. They also do some good under bed storage boxes.

bellocchild · 02/12/2025 18:59

IKEA trolley bags. Lots of handles.

TheDandyLion · 02/12/2025 19:07

Those ugly plastic laundry bags with the check pattern on them.

IDontHateRainbows · 02/12/2025 19:08

Suitcases in the attic. Storage boxes in the top of the wardrobe. Dunelm do a fabric 'Storage Trunk '.

DramaAlpaca · 02/12/2025 19:11

Plastic storage boxes under the bed.

TooTiredToTrot · 02/12/2025 19:13

Vacuum storage bags (get the ones that have the plastic bag bit inside something more robust if you can) as they compress the most amazing amount of stuff down to a really small area just by sucking all of the air out. Total game changer!

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 02/12/2025 19:16

Top of the wardrobe in checked clothes storage bags. Shoes under the bed.

Might be worth getting shot of some, because style does change and such a big graveyard of clothes may be weighing you down somewhat (apols for unsolicited advice.)

Lovelynames123 · 02/12/2025 19:16

TooTiredToTrot · 02/12/2025 19:13

Vacuum storage bags (get the ones that have the plastic bag bit inside something more robust if you can) as they compress the most amazing amount of stuff down to a really small area just by sucking all of the air out. Total game changer!

Came on to say vacuum bags to maximise space. I have an ottoman bed which is great for storing things I don't need regularly

Lovelynames123 · 02/12/2025 19:17

TooTiredToTrot · 02/12/2025 19:13

Vacuum storage bags (get the ones that have the plastic bag bit inside something more robust if you can) as they compress the most amazing amount of stuff down to a really small area just by sucking all of the air out. Total game changer!

Came on to say vacuum bags to maximise space. I have an ottoman bed which is great for storing things I don't need regularly

Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 19:17

TooTiredToTrot · 02/12/2025 19:13

Vacuum storage bags (get the ones that have the plastic bag bit inside something more robust if you can) as they compress the most amazing amount of stuff down to a really small area just by sucking all of the air out. Total game changer!

This is something I think I may have had a vague unconscious idea must exist! Do you use an actual vacuum cleaner to remove the air? I have a few small compression cubes for packing for holidays but no vaccume bag arrangement - I will look this up!

OP posts:
Lordofthewing · 02/12/2025 19:40

I use vacuum bags and then shove the bag into a suitcase in the loft or just chuck the vacuum bag in a cupboard. I have a small portable suction/mini vacuum device that sucks the air out of the bag.

Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 20:00

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 02/12/2025 19:16

Top of the wardrobe in checked clothes storage bags. Shoes under the bed.

Might be worth getting shot of some, because style does change and such a big graveyard of clothes may be weighing you down somewhat (apols for unsolicited advice.)

You're probably right...

OP posts:
Original poster
Reification · 02/12/2025 20:11

Lordofthewing · 02/12/2025 19:40

I use vacuum bags and then shove the bag into a suitcase in the loft or just chuck the vacuum bag in a cupboard. I have a small portable suction/mini vacuum device that sucks the air out of the bag.

Edited

thanks

OP posts:
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