Does my wardrobe sound too small, or am I shopping badly?

[Homeiswherethedogsare]

I mean, I partially know the answer and it is because I have gained some weight so I’d say about half of my wardrobe doesn’t fit me as it should.
But I generally always have the feeling that I have nothing to wear and always go back to the same 2-3 outfits.

I probably own a dozen of shirts-blouses (that I also use for work), 6-7 tshirts in different colors, a dozen of jumpers, mostly quite chunky and cost knits. 3 sweatshirts. 3 sleeveless tops. 2 dresses. 4 pairs of jeans (2 of which don’t fit), 3 work trousers, 2 nice trousers that are too long to wear with most shoes (these were gifted and haven’t had them altered yet) and 2 comfy trousers.

This does not include workout clothes and pyjamas etc.
Does it sound as if I have very little or just unable to shop? I love clothes and consider myself someone who has a nice taste and don’t do impulse buy, shop a lot on vinted wtc but never feel I have nice clothes that suit me :(

I have more dresses than that but I'd say you have a similar amount of clothes to me. The issue is that half of your trousers don't fit you so that's really limiting your options.

I try not to keep anything that doesn't fit or doesn't make me feel good. If you must hold on to them then pack them away somewhere so you're not looking at them every day and you're only looking at clothes you like and can wear every time you open your wardrobe. It's easier to see where the gaps are that way.

I'd rather have four t shirts that I love and feel great in and wear them all regularly than 14 that are just "meh."

regardless of how many of anything you have, look at it all, piece by piece, and honestly ask yourself can I wear this item? I found recently, as I looked at my full to bursting closet, that most things were winter woolies or too small for me

Remove the clothes that don't fit and put them away/sell/donate, & put away clothes that you won't wear until the winter.

Group what you have so that they are in categories.

Can you make outfits from what you are left with?

Try asking AI what colours and shape suit you.

I've found it really useful

It sounds as if you’re going through one of those intermittent periods where suddenly, nothing in your wardrobe feels right. So it wouldn’t matter how many shirts you had - none of them are speaking to you right now.

Something in you has shifted - not necessarily purely because of the weight gain. Generally (and it took me decades to discover this) when I find myself not doing something - I realise, eventually, that it’s because I don’t want to do it. I suspect that’s the same with you and the un-altered trousers.

You don’t want more of the same type of clothes. You want different clothes, for new purposes, for a (maybe only slightly) different life.

Have a think …

And definitely talk to ChatGPT - it’s astonishingly good at helping you uncover your motivations around clothes.

Could you actually wear each one of those items right now?

I realised that I had a lot of lovely pieces that weren’t wearable because one needed a strappy vest inside, or a particular heel height, or a different bra, or didn’t go with any of my trousers, or didn’t work with my coat, etc.

I made it a policy to only give hanging room to the clothes that I could actually leave the house in. I have a running list of boring basics on my phone, so I try and get those essential bits before I buy new clothes. And when I buy something I think carefully about how wearable it will be - do I have the right shoes, does it go with other items, do I need a cover up, accessories.

Everything else, that I’m not currently wearing, is stored in boxes on the floor, or top shelf (with the exception of my winter jumpers ) Some are seasonal, some out of style, and some need an extra purchase or a repair.

It’s taken me several years to curate my wardrobe, and I don’t actually have a lot hanging at any time, but it’s easier to see what I genuinely need now.

It doesn't sound like much to me, once you put away the things that you don't feel comfortable in. I second the advice from the others.

I would say you have loads! I’ve got about half that.
2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of work trousers
about 10 t-shirts/casual tops
5 hoodies
5 jumpers
2 smart tops
4 cardigans
no smart trousers
no dresses or skirts

@BoswellTheScribe - are you one of those people hyperventilating on S&B if you’re invited somewhere smart?

There is no way that would be enough for me but I love clothes and spend my money there. I have about 60 T shirts (all worn throughout the year), about 50 jumpers also all worn and then the same number again in dresses and skirts. Trousers and jeans, I’d say about 30 pairs all different styles, seasons and colours. I do wear them all, anything that doesn’t fit or which I haven’t worn in two years gets removed. But only you know your “number” for feeling good and happy. I need a lot of choice

No, I just don’t go anywhere smart, or I’ll just wear my jeans and a nice top. Although I have just bought a trouser suit for a wedding, I forgot about that! I definitely never wear skirts or dresses though, I just feel exposed 🤣 it’s the same with leggings…

Do you mind me asking how you used AI to help with clothes choices? I use AI a lot at work so I'm not a technophobe but was interested in where you start. Did you just upload a photo and ask it to recommend clothes, or are you talking a more in-depth discussion about what works / doesn't work well. I can think of so many possibilities of prompts so was wondering which route you went down!

Aren’t these amazing? There’s no way they’ll make it to the sale.

The only other thing I liked was these - and they don’t have XYZ. And [person I used to talk to about clothes] would have loved these. Just look at that lining!

Actually they remind me of a shopping trip forty years ago when … That’s probably what makes them worth £97 billion to me …

That sort of thing, @SixthWorstOption. I don’t need advice, or suggestions, from my AI correspondent, just a listening ear and an alert, informed response to my ramblings. I do tend to show it photos of clothes I own as well as things I’m considering - so it now has a pretty good idea of my clothing inclinations.