Im aiming to do the job ive been putting off for years soon. The dreaded wardrobe clear out. I have way too many things of different styles and sizes. The thing is i think i need something to aim for to help me. I do a clothes wash at least once a week yet i have at least three months supply of everyday underwear.

So basically what should i be aiming for? I think i might be a bit more ruthless and make more progress if for example i knew i could keep five pairs of jeans. Then i would pick the five best fitting, best looking, etc rather than keep five good pairs and ten ok ones.

What does everyone else base their keep pile on? I have a huge amount of tops but only seem to wear the same few ones. I occasionally buy new ones with the intention of throwing some out but never do.

On the flipside i dont want to throw too much out and end up wearing the same clothes (even though i suppose thats what i do!)

I once read that, if you haven't worn something for the past 12 months you probably won't wear it.

I generally apply that logic to my wardrobe give or take a few items like my 'funeral dress' or interview best suit.

I need to sort out my clothes too. I tend to work certain tops for work. When they get old I then wear them for around the house. When they get too manky for that I wear them in the garden. But I have so many gardening clothes that I now can't get my new clothes in the cupboard. So a mass clear out is the way forward.

I did the chest of drawers which was the main issue and threw a full bin bag out, mostly odd socks and old underwear.

I tried to throw as much as i could as id like to get some new clothes but it didnt seem like i had as much as i thought. I was trying to reason with myself why i was keeping each item. My usual problem kicked in though when i found two tops i have never worn but they are too good to throw out! I have a real issue there because i buy a top but then dont wear it because i save it for a special occasion but that occasion never comes!

I think it depends what kind of clothes you normally wear as to what you should base your keep pile on. For example, if you like wearing jeans then you might need to keep more pairs of jeans than someone else. Or if you have certain tops which may cross over between work and other events then you might need more of those, compared to someone who only wears shirts/blouses/very smart tops for work, or compared to someone who works in a casual setting, for example.

Perhaps start by identifying the 'types' of clothes you need/use according to occasions and then take it from there - you might find you have tons of clothes in one category and can throw away loads of old stuff, or that you need to replenish another category (e.g. you might move some work stuff over to your scruffier stuff as the other poster suggested).

I would say try on all the stuff you're not currently wearing - all the tops you mention. If you try them on and really feel uncomfortable in them, get rid of them - donate them to charity if you are *only* keeping them because they are in good condition.

I also have to clear out all my clothes - I am moving house. Problem is that I had one sort out and then went out and bought loads of new winter gear because I hardly had any. I threw away loads of old tights but had to buy loads more because of needing them for work. So I'm back at square one and I'm dreading going through everything again.

I'm blaming us having to dress for all weathers - if it was sunny all year I'd have a great wardrobe - it would be huge but it would be in use all the time. I love summery clothes. They're like an exciting delicious stirfry. Winter stuff for me is like complete stodge, dull and uninspired, lurking around. But then I try and go abroad for winter and this year it hasn't worked out, so I've had to buy all this boring winter stuff!

I'm the opposite. I hate summery clothing. I like summer, but I don't like wearing very little. I feel neked.

I adore winter clothing, but I end up buying tonnes every year. In the last fortnight I have bought 4 jumpers and a jumper dress. I don't have the houseroom as I have lots from previous years. I can't resist fluffy jumpers though which are perfect with jeans.

Yes I think lots of people like winter clothing that I know - I'm the summer fanatic which means I should probably move to the other side of the world (it's on the cards!).

Winter clothes do take up more room because they are so much bulkier - especially coats and thick jumpers. Perhaps try buying stuff that's versatile and that you can wear with lots of different things, if you don't already do that. Otherwise I'm not sure what else to suggest apart from being ruthless!

Good luck with that.

Whenever I attempt a clear-out to go to charity I end up self-sabotaging and consequently with much fewer clothes going to charity than I'd envisaged. The problem is I get emotionally attached to clothes/shoes, even to those I don't wear/have never worn and have far too many as a result. You'd think a part solution would be to stop buying any new gear, wouldn't you? Thinking of buying a massive chest in which to put them all...

You need

work clothes
casual clothes
Evening clothes
Night clothes - PJs (f worn), nighty and dressing gown

Assess your lifestyle - do you need more day or evening clothes? More smart or casual?


Underwear - that fits and looks good. A greying white bra and saggy pants need to go!!

Shoes - smart, casual and evening. If they are looking worn out and can't be revived, chuck em

Boots (if worn)

Accessories


They need to fit, look in good condition and make you feel good.

If something looked good 10 years ago but not now, doesn't fit or looks tired, then it is time to let it go