If you are somebody who buy clothes on impulse without planning when you will wear the item of clothing and with what, then you are not alone. There are many reasons why we shop and often it isn't because we need to buy anything. Sometimes we buy clothes to cheer ourselves up or we see something lovely on somebody else or on a mannequin in a shop window.
This can be both wasteful of money and wasteful of wardrobe space. Think about it, how many pairs of jeans do we really need and how many classic white shirts will we wear in a week? Most clothes are washable these days and nearly everybody has access to a washing machine, so clothes can be washed, dried and ironed very quickly. Gone are the days of Monday "washing day".
Before embarking on a wardrobe weed, it is worth spending a little time working out how you spend your week. A pie chart is a useful tool here. Work out how much time you spend at work, at home, socialising and at what level you socialise. For example do you socialise informally with friends at the pub, go clubbing or attend smart dinner parties or fundraising balls? Once you have ascertained how you spend your time, you can start sorting your wardrobe. The aim is to match the quantity of clothes to the quantity of time you might be wearing them. So for example if you work a 40 hour week and are required to wear smart suits, a large proportion of your wardrobe needs to be allocated to work clothes.
Now you need look at how often you have worn the clothes you have. The general rule is that if you haven't worn something for 12 months, its time to get rid of it! Some clothes have sentimental value, in which case they can be packed away with moth repellent lavender, under the bed or on a top shelf.
It is important to have a structure to your wardrobe. You need some basics in a good neutral colour that suits you. If you are struggling to work out what your neutral colours are, a colour analysis is perhaps what you need. You will need two or three pairs of trousers, skirts and jackets (this needs to be altered according to your lifestyle pie chart) in neutral colours which can then be mixed and matched with tops, blouses and knitwear in a range of flattering colours. If you get it right, you will be able to make several different outfits out of a handful of items.
Once you have decided what to keep, make three piles with the discarded items. One pile of good quality, clean and relatively up to date items that you can either sell through a seconds shop or on ebay. A second pile of clean unstained items that can be taken to a charity shop and a third pile that is probably unsalvageable that can be recycled.
Alternatively why not arrange a "swop shop" with some friends. Your cast offs may be just what someone else is looking for! It could be a fun way to get together and you could end up with a whole new wardrobe too.
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