How to Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear
Published on - October 6th, 2009 (Modified on - November 16th, 2009) (by April Dykman) This post is from GRS staff writer April Dykman.
A couple of years ago, I had a Great Closet Clean-Out. My clothing racks and drawers were overflowing at the time, and some of it still had price tags. Hoping to accomplish that European knack for owning less and looking better, I donated, consigned, and gave away about 75 percent of my wardrobe. Today it’s 100 times more functional.
These are the best tips I picked up while going through the process, gleaned from fashion gurus, designers, and style bloggers. These tips are applicable to women and men, whether you’re a high-power attorney or a stay-at-home parent.
1. Make four piles.
The Great Closet Clean-Out is your first step. Tim “Make It Work” Gunn, fashion guru and author of A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, advises you to divide your clothes into four piles: throw out, give away, repair, and soul-stirring. Get rid of clothes in the first two piles and take the clothing in the repair pile to a tailor.
It would be great if you could do it all at once, but letting go of the goofy tie you wore to graduation or the bubble-gum pink prom dress that you’ll never wear again takes time. Try to let go of personal attachments.
2. Think “meat and potatoes.”
Take a look at what you have left after purging. Make a list of any gaps in your wardrobe to keep you on track when you’re shopping. Jessica Schroeder, the fashion blogger behind What I Wore, says:
I like to take stock of what I have in my closet and think of pieces that can extend the lives of those clothes already hanging out in my wardrobe. Maybe its a new belt or scarf or tie — think of small ways to get maximum use out of what you already have.
If you don’t know how to identify gaps, look to wardrobe essential lists and see what you might be missing. I’m not usually impressed with most “must-have” lists, but Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen has great advice for both women and men.
3. Identify your dominant season.
You Look Fab gets the credit for this tip, which has helped this Texan curb her winter coat habit. Blog author and style consultant Angie writes, “It’s important for the largest part of your wardrobe and seasonal fashion budget to reflect the dominant seasons where you live.”
In other words, if you live in Iowa, you won’t get much wear from a collection of flip-flops. Some people live in places with four seasons, and in that case, it’s best to buy equally for the seasons.
Angie notes one exception. If you routinely travel to a climate different from your hometown, you’ll need to consider that when allocating your clothing budget.
4. Consider your lifestyle.
Your lifestyle dictates your clothing needs. Maybe you are a busy mom, are pregnant, or work from home. Age makes a difference, too. Someone in their 30s has different needs than someone in their 50s. If you buy the majority of your clothes for a fantasy version of your life, instead of the reality, you’ll end up with a lot of clothes to store and nothing to wear.
Jessica says, “When shopping, I’m always thinking, ‘Would I wear this today? Does it work with the pieces already in my closet?’ If I can immediately scream ’yes!’ to both questions, it’s a go.”
Also, reconsider items that only work for very specific occasions. The more pieces you own that can be dressed up and down, the more wear they’ll get.
5. Identify your personal style.
If you like soft fabrics and loose cuts, don’t get suckered by a shiny J. Crew display of wool turtleneck sweaters that would itch and bind. Instead, ask yourself if it fits your personality. Know what styles make you feel good. Look to your soul-stirring pile from tip #1 to identify the shapes and colors you gravitate to the most.
6. Repeat after me: Fit and fabric.
Before my Great Closet Clean-Out, I owned 15 pairs of jeans. I wore three pairs. Those three were high-quality denim and fit fantastically. The others were made of stiff fabric and didn’t do my figure any favors. Avoid buying 12 pairs of blah jeans by keeping in mind fit and fabric:
- Only buy clothes that fit well. No gaping, no pulling, and no sucking in your stomach. No buying clothes that will fit you once you lose 10 pounds. If you lose the weight, have them altered. If the size on the tag bothers you, cut it off. Do not make excuses for a bad fit. Be brutal.
- Have clothing altered. Most alterations are fairly reasonable in price, or maybe you’re lucky enough to have a friend or family member who sews. (Hi, Mom!)
- Buy long-wearing fabrics. A nice merino wool sweater will last year after year with proper care, unlike an acrylic one which may not last the season.
Remember that price doesn’t dictate style. If the perfect pants in the perfect color are $30, they are a better buy than the trendy, designer pants that cost $200 and work with nothing else in your closet. The bracelet I get complimented on the most was a trinket my mom bought me from Target. Jessica mixes thrifted clothes with vintage with self-sewn with Payless — and it works.
On the other hand, don’t be swayed by low prices. A piece that sort of fits but is on the clearance rack is not a deal, no matter what the price tag says.
Finally, if you buy an item and decide you don’t like it once you’re home and standing in front of your own mirror, return it as soon as possible.
7. Don’t buy something only because it fits.
What the —? Didn’t I just say it’s all about fit? Well, yes. But just because something fits doesn’t mean you should buy it. Only buy items that make you feel like a million bucks. That’s the best way to ensure you’ll actually wear what is in your closet.
If it doesn’t make your heart sing, it’ll probably never see the light of day. Even a white t-shirt has the potential to make you feel good when you put it on. It’s much better to wear something more often and look and feel great than to own a ton of so-so clothes that you only sort of like.
What about you? Do you have clothes you never wear? Or, if your wardrobe is streamlined, are there other tips you’ve used? How do you pursue fashion on a budget?
J.D.’s note: I’m not exactly a fashion maven, but I’ve always had a terrible habit of buying clothes I never wear. When we moved from our old house in 2004, I had stacks of shirts I had purchased but never taken from the packaging. I thought they were Good Deals. My current year-long clothing purge is helping me to see that what I need is not new clothes, but far fewer clothes; I wear only a small fraction of my wardrobe…and keep more of my money in my high interest savings account. Photo by Jessica Schroeder of What I Wore.
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Clothing is my Achilles heel when it comes to spending. I too know the shame of items that sit in the back of my closet with price tags still attached! I find that if a piece of clothing is going to become ubiquitous, I’ll pretty much tear the tags off and wear it as soon as I get home–or at least the next day. Anything I don’t wear in a week, I should probably just bring back to the store for a refund.
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@jeremy: That’s a great trick. I’m going to remember it next time I go shopping with my mother. She’ll hold up an item from the clearance rack, I’ll give a lukewarm response, and she’ll say, “But it’s only $3!” My thought is, “Why would I PAY money to look bad?”
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Here’s my clothing advice: Don’t buy any. I have the same clothing as I had in 10th grade. I don’t gain weight, so I never need new sizes. And the same clothes I wore then haven’t worn out. A couple years ago I bought a black dress shirt because I joined a gospel choir.
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Outstanding post. It’s rare to see a blog dealing with fashion from a practical perspective, but its a welcome point. Do more with less basically just means… buy less in the first place!
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@Simon #53 – If I wore the same clothes I did when I was in the 10th grade, I would be walking around like an unkempt teenager. I’m 31, not 15. The rest of us do get older, have careers that require more than a pair of jeans and shorts, maybe get pregnant, gain and lose weight, wear clothes out and dress in a way that’s appropriate to our age and lifestyle.
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My style has changed a lot over the years, so my occasional closet purges can produce weird and/or funny things, like vintage polyester shirts with huge collars or strangely colored sneakers that were never worn for athletic pursuits. Over that last 5 years or so, though, I’ve stabilized my closet and it now holds a fairly conservative but fashion-conscious wardrobe. What I’ve learned:
1. Buy the best shoes you can afford. The plasticky leather and rubber soles on cheap shoes look like crap new and look even worse with age and wear; high-quality leather looks great new and gets even better as it ages, assuming it’s regularly conditioned and polished. Reputable shoe makers will recondition your old shoes, which gets you a pair of like-new shoes at a fraction of the cost of a new pair.
2. Fit is more important than brand or price. Know your body, and know how clothing is supposed to fit. Shirts and sweaters are often cut in a gigantic “relaxed fit” that makes a man look like a flying squirrel when he raises his arms, each trouser leg could hold two limbs, and suit jackets are worn two sizes too big. Don’t pay for a bad fit unless it can be tweaked by your tailor, but do be willing to pay for a good fit. It can be hard to come by.
3. You get what you pay for. This goes for shoes, suits, shirts, jackets, and everything else. I can’t count how many times I’ve bought a cheaper item of clothing only to realize that no discount can make up for shoddy materials, inferior construction, and third world labor practices. There are great American brands like Samuelsohn, Alden, Woolrich, Filson, Oxxford and others that cost more but make a great product with terrific value per wear.
4. One in, one out. I don’t always obey this rule, but it has kept things under control when applied. If I really want that new sweater or whatever, I have to get rid of an old one. If there are none that really need to go to Goodwill, then I probably don’t need to buy the new one.
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Being a guy, I have a simple way to not buy clothes I never wear—I don’t buy clothes.
I have no taste in clothes, and therefore, I simply ask for clothes at any gift-giving time of the year. Namely, my birthday and Christmas. That way, I know what I get will look good on me (or should) and I never have too many clothes–cuz I only get them two times a year.
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@Dave/Yourfinances101 Exactly. We should hang out. I don’t buy clothes either. I get my brother’s old ones sometimes, and the occasional new pair of jeans at Christmas keeps me going.
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I love this one. I’ve read that we wear only 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Certainly true for me, and I’ve whittled down my wardrobe significantly in the past year. And I’ve discovered I’d rather own two pair of really great pants than the mish mash I used to have. I got pants that fit well and have an enduring style. They cost a bit more, but it was well worth it.
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Im Indian but live and work in the US. My problem is that I need to maintain 2 wardrobes with 2 entirely different esthetics-Western and Indian- and ideally I would like be well dressed in both. My job requires me to have a lot of evening wear. What I now do to stay on budget is to keep a very basic professional Western wardrobe for work and buy saris for evenings. The latter are extremely forgiving-much more so than Western clothes, esp if one is over 40, and you get a lot more for your money, in terms of fine fabric, than anything you can find at a mall-plus they last a lifetime. There are now extremely avant-garde designer saris out there, so one can be cutting-edge. Western fashion is unforgiving for women over 40-little fits or flatters-and is not particularly interesting either. As you have to get sari blouses custom tailored, they fit beautifully. Its hard to go back to pret-a-porter after one has got used to custom tailoring…..The New York esthetic is particularly dreary-I am dreading the day when some brainless skinny woman will pressure me to buy a little black sari….. I usually pay full price and buy relatively few items, but the best quality I can afford-I am not super dressy, but at least professional. I express my dramatic side in the evenings.
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Why would you buy clothes you don’t wear? I don’t get it. I donate the worn out stuff, but it all gets worn out.
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Same here. As for some of my silk saris, my mother gave them to me over 30 years ago, and being 100% handloom silk of a quality that cannot be found today, if properly stored and maintained they are as good as new and still wearable-you get new accessories periodically so they can be worn indefinitely. They never go out of style. I think the fashion business itself is the greatest problem here…it makes everyone feel driven to keep up by buying more stuff. I’ve more or less opted out without totally sacrificing looking stylish, which has taken some thought. I dont buy fashion mags anymore-it is just depressing-and a waste of money.
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All these tips seem easy…on paper. But how do you tell if something is quality or not? Last winter I bought two pairs of shoes. Within less than a year, both needed repairs. They cost over 100$/pair so they should have been good quality (got them on sale though so I paid less). Obviously you can’t go by price alone. I know from experience that sweaters from H&M are generally lower quality so I usually get my sweaters from elsewhere…but quite a few of those have had seems come undone too. Seems to me that no matter where you go you end up with cheap, Asian-made stuff just with a different label.
Only go with colors that suit you. Sounds great. How am I supposed to know which colors suit me? I’ve actually tried determining what “season” I am but I really can’t tell if my skin has more of a peach tone or a pink (or something like that). All this is easier said than done, especially for a guy.
One particular thing I’ve been pondering lately, is that I’m turning 30 next month. I’ve been thinking about what this means for my clothing needs. I mean, sometimes you see someone wearing something that is sooo not their age and it looks ridiculous. However, that person probably has no clue and thinks it’s stylish/trendy or whatever. Or maybe they just got stuck wearing what they wore during a particularly good period in their lives. I don’t want to become one of those so I’m wondering whether there are clothes that look ridiculous on me because I am getting older, clothes that aren’t “my age”.
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I am a stay-at-home mom, so casual dressing is the norm. My trouble with shopping for clothes is that I tend to shop only when there is an urgency (sometimes, but not always, due to procrastination since clothes shopping always seems like a chore). Examples: right before a holdiday party, a wedding, or a week before a last-minute trip when I discover that I have no clothes that will work in a different climate or that are presentable. On top of that, I still try very hard to watch the spending…I am faced with a time limit and a spending limit which means hasty choices on clothes that are not worn too often and that are usually of a lesser quality. The result: the total opposite of ‘maximizing’ a wardrobe.
Also, there are not too many clothes retailers in close (less than 30 min. drive) proximity, so I sometimes do the online thing, which is even worse! Not only can I not see, feel, or try on the clothes live, but I also have to pay shipping, both at the point of purchase and also at the return when I decide that the 6 1/2 shoes just won’t fit. Can you say “frustration”!?
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this was a great post! I especially liked the suggestion that you shop for the climate in your area. I live in FLorida – it’s hot for most of the year. There are displays of wool sweaters and overcoats at the mall right now – and it is going to be 93 degrees today with high humidity. For me, fun sandals and accessories are the best investment to change up the “shorts and a top” or “skirt and a top” ensemble that dominates my dressing.
I have downsized my closet dramatically – but have a kept a small box of old clothes in the attic of sentimental items. I will never wear them again (was I ever that small?) but it is a fun part of my past.
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To JonasAberg,
Get a personal shopper-I have one-all good stores like Nordstrom provide this service-its worth it and in the end saves time and money. A personal shopper will help with style decisions and can provide guidance on quality. I buy clothes in batches about twice a year and I find my clothes suit me better and last longer-I simply dont have time to troll the mall every weekend.
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I have found I will pay extra for things like “wrinkle free” so I don’t look like I slept in it. I used to just buy “cheap stuff” off clearance racks, but i found alot of the sweaters shrink, or stretch out. I stay away from dry clean stuff. I like as little maintenance as possible. And with my kids I found alot of clothing overkill also, now I limit them to 7 pairs of jeans and 15 shirts. After all it seems like we wear the same clothes over and over anyhow and the rest of it just takes up space.
Just as a fun note, when I was at a garage sale this summer my 12 year old son was what I thought patiently waiting for me to get done looking. When we got in the car he said mom that lady had 34 pairs of shoes!
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Maharani
I highly doubt there is such a thing as personal shoppers in my town. I’m not even sure people do that on a professional level here in Finland at all (perhaps in Helsinki).
They do sometimes offer consulting sessions at various stores but that is mostly so they can sell their own stuff.
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I actually find the superfluous clothing I buy all happens when I think “I need a pair of black slacks to fill this gap in my wardrobe.” So I make it a habit NOT to shop to “fill gaps in my wardrobe.” But then, I’m weird when it comes to clothes; I don’t think I’ve owned 15 pairs of jeans in my entire life.
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This is a good post.
I think getting close altered is a beautiful idea (when applicable).
I know a lot of folks who have gone out and spend buck wild money when they could have just gotten what they had altered.
Now… I don’t gain weight… so I’m with Simon and Dave
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Interesting thread, though not very applicable to those with professional jobs. I’ve heard and seen the “stay at home moms” and “comfortable” arguments: this seems to mean jeans/sweats and t-shirts/polo shirts. Not much help in an office.
The responses mainly seem to be from those who feel buying clothes is sinful/extravagant/ridiculous/a waste of money. Yes, I could wear the same clothes I did 20 years ago (they haven’t fallen apart!), but that would reveal a severe lack of judgement and growth. (Unless, of course, I had the ability to shop for quality classic looks in my teens. Which I didn’t.) Also, JD mentions quite frequently that the best way to Get Rich Slowly is to increase your income: you might be great at your job, but you also need to dress for your next position. While it is possible, I doubt that wearing clothes from high-school will help. Remember that Oscar Wilde said that “Only shallow people don’t judge by appearances” (my paraphrase). To believe otherwise is adolescent.
Sorry for the rant, here’s something constructive:
– Figure out your classic uniform: slacks, skirts, shirts, dresses, that won’t go out of style.
– Only spend $$ on accessories to keep current: shoes, bags, jewelry, and haircut.
– Buy basics (layering camis, t-shirts, etc.) as cheaply as possible (Gap, etc.).
– Spend $$ on anything that is tailored (jackets).
– Skip “wrinkle-free”: that says it’s not quality and it won’t look good. You’re better off getting cotton instead of a polyester blend that won’t wrinkle.
– Don’t do trends, do the trendy colors in accessories: the Pantone color charts for each fashion season can give you an idea on what to buy (cheaply) to make your look look current.
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Thanks, Mimi (above)…some great advice!!! Yes, we all have the need to “dress the part”, some more than others. Don’t think so much thought needs to go into hands-on jobs like elementary school teachers, librarians, gardeners, or S-A-H moms, but a higher quality brand will certainly take its punishments. And since business attire doesn’t go out of fashion so quickly, it makes sense to buy those in higher quality as well.
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Mimi: Great tips, I think your comment might be the most helpful one here.
Jonas, I can relate and I’m female. I have no idea what colors are good, how to find quality, etc…just keep trying.
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I went on a no-clothes shopping hiatus last year that lasted 8 months. It gave me a newfound freedom from shopping, impulse shopping and buying things I didn’t need. It helps every few months to assess your closet and take an inventory. Also I take JD’s tip and if I bring something in, then something must come out. And there is always one or two things that I haven’t worn much that need to go out.
Jessica’s blog is great for getting ideas on mixing, matching or repurposing. She wore a dress as a top once with a belt (another great way to remix what you have). another one of my favorite fashion bloggers Katy who blogs at kansascouture.com also had some great tips on re-wearing summer pieces for the fall. You could wear sleeveless dresses with turtlenecks and leggings … lots of options.
There are also some great books including “nothing to wear,” which is a classic one on building a wardrobe. rachel zoe, the lucky style guide and issach mizrahzzi (the guy who founded Target).
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I see myself in this article. Lots of clothes purchased for the Fantasy Me: High-Powered Businesswoman Me, Rock Star Me, Hot Babe Me. Stuff I never wear IRL because it feels so NOT me. I think I’ll purge the closets this weekend.
In the meantime, have you seen this?
http://www.theuniformproject.com/
The Uniform Project is an “exercise in sustainable fashion”. The girl is wearing the same dress every day for a year (there are seven identical dresses), changing only how she accessorizes.
Proof that you only need one good piece in your closet, if you have a lot of ingenuity and accessories, and can stand to wear the same thing every day. I’m often surprised at the creativity she shows. Check it out. It’s also a charitable project for a good cause.
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I found this post from the lovely blogger who runs kansascouture.com helpful on layering with summer pieces – http://www.kansascouture.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-10T19%3A34%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7
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I am horrible about keeping clothes I don’t wear, for two reasons.
One, my mom is a seamstress. Even when I can’t or don’t wear something anymore, it’s hard to chuck something your mom made for you from scratch.
Two, my husband and I have been together since high school. It’s a lot easier to chuck the prom dress and the high school “memories” clothing when you are no longer with that guy.
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I am always hearing to “buy quality”, but I am constantly ruining clothing with mystery stains or clumsy falls. It’s hard to shell out for a nice item knowing you’re going to ruin it after only a few wears. I spent a lot on a gorgeous work blouse, dark blue, and it just came out of the washer with bright pink splotches all over it. I have no idea what happened. It was only soaking in a little Woolite.
For me, I really think cheap junky clothing is the way to go.
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As a short, fat woman with small breasts, I unfortunately can’t hold out for “items that make [me] feel like a million bucks.” Pants are always way too long (in both the crotch and the cuffs, so just getting them hemmed won’t help), tailored tops (including blazers) always have darts too low for my small breasts so the fabric puffs out in weird places, and many, many tops are too low-cut because I don’t have the bosom to fill them out. Of course, I am working on losing weight, but in the meantime, I have to go with whatever I can find that’s easy to care for, fits OK and looks OK. And forget the thrift store!
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Hi Jenny–Have you tried plus-sized petite pants and tops? Talbots has a good selection (they call it “woman petites”). Petite sizes have a shorter crotch and inseam.
I can’t do thrift stores, either. I’m short and slim, but with curves. I’ve tried and tried, and even if I find something I like, it never, ever fits. :/
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April D – Thanks, yes, the only pants I can buy are “plus petite.” Unfortunately, they tend to be much harder to find (and much more limited as far as style, color, etc. goes). It’s harder to find tops that are plus petite, at least in my budget. But maybe I should give Talbots a try.
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I have a lot of clothes that I don’t wear…I should definitely donate them or something. However, I am lacking on the occasional items that I need…like a business suit!
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My friend is short, petite, curvy and heavy-busted but she looks amazing. Her secret: Dress Barn. They have fantastic prices with a variety of patterns, colors and styles to suit almost everyone. She frequents their clearance racks and mixes/matches things together – try a long striped skirt with a fitted blazer on top. Keep it fitted and avoid buying pieces that are too tight and you can’t breathe.
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If you find something that makes you look like a million bucks, that’s the 20% you wear 80% of the time, is something you realize you’re going to wear to bits and look for more…
Buy two.
In my experience it’s often jeans for women and dress shoes for men.
Another tip: shoes last longer if you don’t wear them every day. At least alternate days. This lets the moisture evaporate and preserves the shoes. Cedar shoe trees help the process along and keep your shoes well shaped. If you buy fancy dress shoes, the trees are a good investment.
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Great advice, thank you! I’m in the process of moving to a smaller apartment, and while I sold a lot of my clothing at a yard sale, and gave a great deal away, I can benefit from further purging. This inspires me to either take the fix-it items to the tailor or let go of them. I can’t keep moving garments around if they aren’t wearable.
Also, Gwen (#9), that is a great idea!
An editing item: Having grown up in SE Iowa, I feel it is important to note that Iowa does indeed have four distinct seasons, one of them being a long summer of BRUTAL heat and humidity. If you are to survive a summer in Iowa, save one pair of flip-flops.
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This is quite a good read. I’ve read through all of the comments, and I also have an odd situation, which leads to way too much clothing. I haven’t changed size since 9th grade, maybe even 8th. I still have clothing that fits from then. However, IT MUST GO. I am at least 8 years out of high school, with some of my clothes being 12 years old! It is no longer appropriate for me to wear and it is all worn out. I am moving into the professional workforce, and am in need of good clothes. I know how to shop, I know what looks good on me, but I don’t have the time! I need to purge, but I also need to be dressed. I have a few things that are newer and can stay… but not that many.
Further complicating things, I am an accomplished seamstress. I can alter anything, including wedding dresses. My rule for myself is to look at it and think: “will I alter this?” because some things it’s just not worth it to take it apart to the extent that I might need to in order to make it fit right. I also tend to buy things I cannot make, or things in a nice fabric I don’t have access to without undo spending.
As a seamstress, I have affection for my clothing. I have things that were my deceased grandmothers. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of clothing that I can and will get rid of. I mostly wear skirts, so I have stopped buying pants. I’m not going to wear it, so why buy it? Maybe you too have a category of clothing you buy because you think you’re supposed to, but you never really wear.
I think I’ll ask one of my friends to come over and help make sure I get this done and make sure I get rid of the things that are old. I’ll purge in time for Thanksgiving sales regardless of how hard it’s going to be.
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I buy far fewer items, and am far less impulsive, than when I was younger. For more than a decade I’ve been thinking about “paring down” and did a little bit and a little bit, but now I’m convinced that minimalism is what I want. I really don’t want to have a lot of clothes; I pretty much look much the same (and am happy with that “look”) from day to day. I can dress up or dress down a using accessories, and I don’t change shoes for “going out” versus daily activities (except gardening), so I’m going to get rid of the 90% that isn’t working and practice looking good using only the 10%. I can pass the unused on to someone else. Thanks for the push.
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I wouldnt mind seeing an article that took clothing more seriously. For example-I have a job that requires me to look good. I budget money carefully and read this blog for tips etc, have an emergency fund and save 30% of what I make, but it is no good advising me to shop at thrift stores or goodwill for clothing. It is simply not appropriate. What I now do is work with a wardrobe consultant who shops with me-I love clothes but detest shopping-its so inefficient-alters anything that needs it and sews custom pieces from scratch. Now the clothes I do buy fit properly and work together. In the end this is what will stop me buying clothes I cannot wear.
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Hi. I have a real problem with buying clothes. My dad had money, but he would only spend it on himself, not his wife and four kids. He forced us each to wear 2 outfits per school year. All the other kids knew which one we would be wearing the next day, because we’d wear one on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday, and the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When we got desperate, we’d mismatch them, trying our darndest to make them look a little different. Needless to say, we were objects of ridicule FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL! So now I’m a hoarder. But at least I shop at Goodwill and consignment shops. Our local Goodwill has awesome clothes. I hang 4-5 blouses on each hanger. You know how I do that? Well, you get pretty resourceful when you’re desperate. I put a blouse on a hanger, then I put a VERY THICK rubber band on the hanger to hold another hanger, and I made my own cascading hangers. They take up much less room than those plastic things they advertise that are supposed to make more room in your closet. I tried those. My idea is better and cheaper. Just wanted to share what causes me to hoard clothes. Thanks for letting me share.
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I have a tendency to shop for my dream wardrobe! Clothes that look great, but I can’t wear everyday. *sigh- I will work on this. Thanks for sharing the tips!
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I’ve finally stopped fighting it and am happy in my comfort zone. I used to try new trends and colors and it all ended up in the back of my closet. 90% of my clothing is my “uniform” of black dress pants, fitted black Tshirt or sweater, and depending on the season something over the tshirt. I usually have 3 pairs of black pants (different styles/weights/lengths) and a dozen black tops(again different styles, weights and sleeve lengths). Depending on the season I add a jacket or 3/4 sleeve cardigan on top. Again depending on the season I wear black dress boots, pumps or slides. For the layer over the black base, I stick to jewel tones (fusia, royal blue, purple, turquoise) in plain or geometric fabrics. No fussy stuff, no flowers, just classic lines and good quality. All my jewelry is silver and I only have a few pieces. Add in some scarves, wraps, belts and purses and I’m set. Now I only shop when something I have wears out. I seem to have found the right amount of clothing and only buy to maintain now.
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I have to admit that the last time I felt totally in control of my wardrobe was when I was about to enter the 7th grade. I am now almost 52. I realize that the reason I was so in control and my closet looked so great was that I didn’t own very many clothes. I had spent the whole month of August getting my clothes and closet ready for my first weeks in Junior High. I got rid of everything that didn’t fit me and also everything that screamed little girl instead of soon-to-be teenager. My closet was a mix of hand-me-downs from older cousins, a few new school clothes and even some made over or should I say made smaller dresses that my tiny mother had outgrown. I laundered, sewed, ironed and sorted till I was ready and my closet looked great. I wasn’t the most stylish 7th grade girl in Junior High, but I’m quite sure I was the most organized, which made me feel awesome! But as soon as I started babysitting for money, my love of buying more clothes began. Through the years this buying hasn’t stopped, to the point of my walk-in closet becoming more of a lean-in closet. My poor husband has been so patient with me. I’ve so longed for that streamlined closet of yester-year, so today I will be ruthless. I am purging! If it doesn’t flatter my post-menopause figure and doesn’t make me look and feel fabulous, it’s out of here. I don’t care how much it cost. My peice of mind is worth so much more than all these clothes. I can’t wait for the feeling of being able to walk down the middle of my walk-in closet and pick out something to wear. Something that fits and looks great, is laundered and pressed and ready to wear instead of digging through piles and tubs only to have to relaundry the item because the wrinkles won’t even press out. I will feel like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders! Well gotta go get started! Good luck to all you ladies and gentlemen out there. Be ruthless!!!!
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oh my god, i am definatly one of those who buy things and neer wear them, it;s such a guilty feeling losing all that money, that’s why i decided not to remove price tag or lose the recite after actually purchasing an item, cuz im most likely to return them in like a week….:(
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I buy clothes that fit my personal style. My mantra when shopping is do a quick run through of the store. If nothing pops out from the racks when I’m just walking past then there’s nothing in there worth buying. That and I buy classic pieces. I have clothes that I’ve worn since I was 15-16 (I’m now 23) and the clothes that I buy I share with my Mum as we are the same size. The fact that the clothes look good on someone in their 50′s and someone in their 20′s and are still stylish is a big selling point for me and I’ll wear the clothes until they are either too stretched or beyond repair.
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Thats the best thing I ever did. I have ‘nt bought any new clothes in two years. And it feels pretty good. And I still have too much. But I’m working on getting rid of some stuff I never wear.
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My wife and I are clothes junkies and our only insurance for not overspending on clothes is setting a clothing allowance each month. That has been really helpful for us and it leads to fewer squabbles about spending too much on clothes.
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This reminds of the time I was desperately short of money and realized that my closet held $3,000 in unused clothes and that that money could have been in my checking account instead. I still make mistakes but have gotten much better at buying only what I’ll use. This means a black dress, pants or jeans with different jackets and sweaters and a few good quality shoes and accessories.
As someone mentioned above, I don’t buy fashion magazines anymore as they just encourage you to buy, buy, buy. Where on earth do people get the money to buy like that, anyways? Skipping the cost of the magazines alone has saved me over a thousand dollars over the past ten years.
I love cashmere sweaters and find the good ones to be worth their $250 cost as they look and feel luxurious and can last five or six years with heavy use. Lately I’m buying new ones for a fraction of that cost on eBay–Lord and Taylor, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Charter Club all make good quality cashmere sweaters. They go with jeans or dressier clothes, and as they get older I wear them with yoga pants and over nightgowns around the house. Agitate cashmere in the washing machine for one minute, then air dry–no need to dry clean.
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I love this article!
I had no idea even how to get started on purging all my clothes. I ended up taking clothes out I had not worn in years because of whatever reason and I put them on bins. I just need to go get rid of them now.
I ended up dividing my clothes in four categories: Work (business casual), home (jeans and tee’s), lounging and gym clothes. This got rid of 90% of my clothes. I found that I bought things because they fit or because they were at good price, not because I liked them or did both fit and price.
I gained some weight and was living in the illusion that I would be able to fit after my baby. Now I look good in bigger clothes and I feel better about myself when I change into something that fits instead of feeling sorry for not fitting in my old clothes.
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One thing I don’t see mentioned is major weight changes. I’m afraid my weight goes up and down by 30 lbs or more, depending on the stress in my life. As a result, I have clothes in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10. No matter what, 80% of my clothes don’t fit.
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Having grown up in Iowa, I can say, we DEFINITELY had four seasons back home. It can get very hot in Iowa, as well as very cold. I’d say you probably have some of the most extreme temperature differences in the U.S. there, in fact. Winters can involve -60-degree wind chills. Summers typically have a couple of 100+ degree days.
Not only are temps extreme from one season to another, they can be pretty extreme from one day to the next! In February or March, it is entirely possible for the high to be 15 degrees one day and 65 degrees one week later, and back to below freezing a few days after that. I was born in the middle of a very early blizzard at the end of October. On my 9th birthday, temps hit 91 degrees!
When I was in Iowa, I frequently wore sandals or flip-flops in the summer.
But, I do understand what you’re saying. Since moving to Atlanta, I have to remind my mother not to buy me any very heavy sweaters for Christmas. I almost never wear them (except for when I am visiting back home!).
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