Clothing dilemma

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 02:36 PM

I have a LOT of clothes. I don't BUY a lot of clothes, but I seem to end up with everyone's hand-me-downs.

The FRUGAL part of me says KEEP them. Because I can wear them all for warmth or to work around the house/garden in, even though most of them aren't suitable to wear to work.

The ORGANIZATIONAL part of me says GET RID OF them, because it would be nice to be able to actually put stuff in my closets without having to shove the mountain of clothes apart to squeeze something in there.

I have not been able to find a happy middle ground. I either need to keep them or toss them.

Suggestions, anyone?

**ri*smom** · 12-26-2008, 02:44 PM

I have this problem too. I say pick a reasonable number of the better "work" (as in working in the garden/outside, etc.) clothes and bless someone with the rest. I've gone through (during the Fall Fling, incidentally) everyone's closets and paired it down just to the number of clothing items each person reasonably needs--dress, everyday, work/play clothes--and donated or handed down the rest. Seriously, it has reduced the piles of clothing waiting to be washed, folded, mended and I can't say I've regretted not having the completely useable pieces we parted with. I have managed to ruin some of my shirts--because honestly, I'm a clutzy slob--and the Goodwill has always come through for a couple dollars. I don't work outside the home though, so my duds aren't that fancy.

**ri*smom** · 12-26-2008, 02:46 PM

I also wanted to add:

My frugal and organizational sides are always at war. On a daily basis. Sort of a system of checks and balances I guess.

**Patty A** · 12-26-2008, 04:31 PM

Have you thought about taking out the ones you know you will use and wear right away and then boxing up a few to hang on to for awhile that you really want. Then donate the rest. That way its a win win all the way around. You have replacements for ones that will wear out, with one box of stored clothes, and the rest that you donate can go to someone else that needs something.
Its always nice to have a few to "back you up" in case you need them.

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 04:38 PM

Patty,

Yes, I've thought about storing them, but to be honest, I just don't need more clutter. I have trouble figuring out where to stuff things NOW, and would probably end up forgetting that I have them!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-26-2008, 04:53 PM

Pick out your favorite ones, a few extra ones and get rid of the rest. Donate to charity or give to friends. You'll probably never wear them and you'll get rid of clutter.

If you've ever read The Simple Living Guideby Janet Luhrs, there is a chapter on a woman who had two pairs of pants. She was on the mission field, someone needed a pair and she gave one of her pairs away. She was able to make do with one pair. For most of us, we have way too many clothes. It's freeing to get rid of them, just like it is to get rid of other clutter.

It's amazing how the little amount of clothes you really need or use.

**ladykemma2** · 12-26-2008, 05:45 PM

the reward you will get from getting rid of clutter outweighs the "i might need it some day".

the truth is you will not wear it some day. someone else needs it, let it go to the universe.

i had to put a stop to being other people's trash can as well.

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i had to put a stop to being other people's trash can as well.

This so accurately describes it! I don't know what it is - maybe because I'm not worried about my house making the cover of any fashion magazines - but both my mother and my sister bring me stuff that I don't want, but with an attitude of how generous and considerate they were to think to bring it! I have free-cycled more of their crap than I can remember!

**Thrifty Mom** · 12-26-2008, 06:19 PM

I too have way too many clothes. Unfortunately they are in a range of sizes. Right now I am in the mid range, hoping to move quickly to the smaller end of the wardrobe. I did stash a whole set of "outside" back up clothes & you know what? I forgot I had them. This has got to be the year to thin stuff out. I have three closets full. I have at least 5 pairs of khaki pants, more black ones than that. Each pair needs a different pair of shoes because of the style, length etc. Its MADNESS!!

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 06:26 PM

Shoes are actually something I don't have a lot of. Well, I have about five pairs, but they are all running shoes (and identical to each other, but in heavier and heavier states of wear).

I saw a little trick that I thought was cool, but required too much concentration for me. You hang all your clothes with the hanger "wrong side round". Then, as you use each item, you put it back with the hanger "right side round." After six months, you look and see what clothes are still hanging wrong side round, and you put those clothes in a "maybe" box. In another six months, if you haven't worn them, they go to charity. My main problem is that I am literally WEDGING things in there, so I can't be that organized yet.

**Patty A** · 12-26-2008, 06:37 PM

I totally understand the that when you save and save you run out of room! I can't tell you how many times I have "weeded" the closet. Like you I I have become other peoples "trash can" to, but I have learned quickly to go throw it and weed it in the beginning. That way I don't have to deal with a ton of stuff I know I will never use. I love the hanger idea, but what about those "special occasion" clothes. Those are the ones I have a tuff time with. Like "fancy" clothes that you only wear once in a while........how do you decide on them? I have tried all kinds of ways to decide how I want to do that stuff and still haven't found a way I want to do them. If anyone has ideas on that, please let me know!

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 06:43 PM

Well, the hanger trick covers an entire year, so I guess the thought is that if you haven't had a reason to wear it in a year, you probably won't. I have a couple of special occasion jackets. I will probably keep them, and just hang them in their own little area, so they don't get mixed up with other items. Maybe put a tag with the date on the hanger and, if you let them sit for two years, consider donating them? If I haven't worn it for two years, it is probably out of style or doesn't fit anymore!!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-26-2008, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

Well, the hanger trick covers an entire year, so I guess the thought is that if you haven't had a reason to wear it in a year, you probably won't. I have a couple of special occasion jackets. I will probably keep them, and just hang them in their own little area, so they don't get mixed up with other items. Maybe put a tag with the date on the hanger and, if you let them sit for two years, consider donating them? If I haven't worn it for two years, it is probably out of style or doesn't fit anymore!!

Why wait two years.....just go through the closet and what you haven't used in a year get rid of. Donate them ...... you'll feel great about it. Be ruthless, you won't regret it, I promise.

As to those who always drop things off, go through it immediately. If it's of no use to you, donate it to charity. They can always use something. If it's absolutely no good, put it in the garbage. We can fill a houseful of things that are other's junk if we keep everything. I'm ruthless when others give me items. If it isn't of use, I get rid of it. I detest clutter and find when things become cluttered in my home, I seem to lose something - peace of mind. I'd rather have one thing than ten of something and make do with that one thing than try to find places to put tons of things that I won't ever use or even need.

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 06:52 PM

I agree, homesteadmamma, but I think she was talking about special occasion clothing, that maybe you would only wear once or twice a year, if you had a special event, but that you can still fit into and still love. I have a black velvet jacket that I had no occasion to wear for a couple of years, but I wore it to a Halloween wedding this year, and was happy I had not tossed it. If it still fits, and you love it, even if you don't have a reason to wear it much, I'd vote for keeping it.

**JerryG** · 12-26-2008, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

I agree, homesteadmamma, but I think she was talking about special occasion clothing, that maybe you would only wear once or twice a year, if you had a special event, but that you can still fit into and still love. I have a black velvet jacket that I had no occasion to wear for a couple of years, but I wore it to a Halloween wedding this year, and was happy I had not tossed it. If it still fits, and you love it, even if you don't have a reason to wear it much, I'd vote for keeping it.

I have a wicked black velvet dress (I rarely wear drssses) long sleeve, below the knee I bought like 18+ years ago. It still fits. I rarely ever wear it but it's my "go to" for dressy occasions. I bought it for <18 dollars years ago and yes it's a classic.

I too am the 'If I don't want it, give it to Jerry" - I've donated a TON of other people's clothes that they could not get rid of. I resent it however, I've gotten a lot of great clothes. So - as far as storage, I have bags under my bed for jeans that don't fit cuz' they are the most expansive. Shirts get tossed easier. Not so much jeans and expensive dresses.