hollyUK
member
Reged: 06/08/2007
Posts: 328
|
|
I thought I would spend an hour sorting through my clothes (current wardrobe and a load of stuff in the spare bedroom). I'm still here hours later. In the past I've tried to sell some stuff, but thought that this is just too time consuming for the amount of money you get for it on ebay.
I have put on weight and am currently around a 22/24 on top and a 20 on the bottom. I have clothes ranging from 24 down to 16 floating about in my house. I've just been out and bought a few items to see me through and need space for them.
I need a good talking to as i just can't seem to make the decisions I need to in order to part with this stuff. Quite a bit has labels still on from bargain buys that just didn't fit properly or things I was going to slim into! It just makes me feel so bad and wasteful!
Not sure what to keep and what to sell - would you just keep what you could fit into after loosing a bit of weight or just get rid of anything that doesn't fit right now and wait and see what life brings? I just need a push from someone - wish you guys could come around and help me out!
I have a mountain of work to do and just want to sort this out.
|
anon7
member
Reged: 27/03/2007
Posts: 13
|
|
Hi Holly
I think you need to be really ruthless. If you haven't worn the item during the past year, get rid. Do you have a second hand dress agency which will pay you for quality stuff in good condition or free ads in your local newspaper? The decluttering experts say to sort into 3 piles, 1 for selling, 1 for charity, 1 for the recycling bins. No point in feeling bad and wasteful - it's done now. Never, ever buy stuff that doesn't fit at the time of purchase - there that's the good talking to you wanted. Go on now,be ruthless. You'll feel so much better when it's done. Best of luck. x
|
Jae
member
Reged: 21/04/2006
Posts: 691
Loc: Scotland
|
|
Hi Holly,
Been there, done that. I kept putting things away in the hope that I might fit into them again. I had a little black skirt in every size imaginable. A suit I bought that cost a lot of money and that I only managed to wear twice, among other things. Some of them I had had for ten years or more. One day I decided that even if I did ever get back to a size 10 (I wish) my body would not be the same shape or proportions as things have naturally 'gone south', and even Gok's magic underwear can't do the trick at the moment. I asked my daughter to help me and subsequently emptied almost my whole wardrobe.
If you have a daughter or younger female relative try getting them to stand opposite you as you pick out the items one by one. One look at their expression as you hold things up will tell you whether to keep or ditch.
My next step is to buy some new clothes that I can feel good in NOW, but again it's hard to know what to choose so daughter will be drafted in again.
Good luck and remember you can always donate the things you don't want to a charity shop or some worthwhile cause.
--------------------
Jae
(You can only reach for the future by letting go of the past)
|
Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 3448
Loc: South London
|
|
Hi Holly
I would suggest firstly putting everything which is past its best and looking sad into black rubbish bags. Put these bags in the hall by the front door. They can go for rags in the recycling bins at your local dump or supermarket.
Then go upstairs again and sort the clothes into piles; tops, skirts, trousers, shirts etc. Sort through the piles one at a time. Have a large bag to hand! Look at each item and ask yourself does it fit you? It the answer is no, put it straight into the bag.
Then you should be left with a selection of clothes that actually fit you. Look at the clothes and see what goes with what, so you have pulled out a few outfits. Try them on and see what you think. Rehang these flattering and fitting clothes in your wardrobe and then you can look and see what items you need to pull more outfits together. Put everything else into black bags.
This will take sometime, so set aside 1/2 a day for each part. Take all unwanted clothes from your final sort to a charity shop. I personally would not bother with ebay. If you bought the clothes in a sale, you got them at a cheaper price anyway.
Don't keep clothes in the hope of slimming into them, that is just soul destroying. Just have happy clothes which you like and suit you in your wardrobe.
Good luck - just get stuck in, you will feel so much better when you have finished. Keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.
Foxie x.
--------------------
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told "I'm with you kid. Let's go." Maya Angelou
|
debenjane
member
Reged: 11/01/2008
Posts: 577
|
|
Holly, I did have a sort out just yesterday.
The British Heart Shop sent round big sacks and will collect on Thursday, and out of the blue, I found myself in the wardrobe just chucking out anything I hadn't worn for a year. Some still fitted but I hadn't worn it so out it went. Boy did I feel good afterwards. Of course I dont have many clothes left ( hate shopping always feel too fat ) but those I do have at least I know I will wear. Oh and I am trying to shift the weight so I may feel better about shopping soon.
JUST DO IT, GO ON, NOW!!!!!!!
--------------------
|
hollyUK
member
Reged: 06/08/2007
Posts: 328
|
|
Well I'm still at it!
I've not got anyone to help - no kids I'm afraid!
Anyway keep thinking I've done at least half, then find some more! However I can see light at the end of the tunnel now.
I only have about 5 items to actually throw out as rubbish - I do look after my stuff!
I have loads for the charity shop (am up to four bags so far!). I've put a few really good things to one side to sell - a manageable amount. Also I've put some slightly tight stuff in my other wardrobe - I'll give myself about six weeks and if I haven't lost any weight I'll throw it. The winter stuff I've semi-sorted, but have stashed some stuff to sort when the autumn comes.
Realistically it's probably going to take me another hour to complete and tidy up. At least all the stuff left fits! I seem to have quite a few T shirts, so I may revisit those in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the encouragement - I really needed it! At least now I can really see where my gaps are and can do something about it. I've still got quite a lot of clothes - but you know how it is, too much of some things and not enough of others!
|
Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 3448
Loc: South London
|
|
Hi hollyUK
Give yourself a big pat on the back and pour out a large glass of wine you have definitely earned it!
WELL DONE YOU!!!
Foxie x.
p.s. Was it really as bad as you thought it was going to be?
--------------------
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told "I'm with you kid. Let's go." Maya Angelou
|
hollyUK
member
Reged: 06/08/2007
Posts: 328
|
|
Well I still have more to do, but I've broken the back of it so feel better. My main wardrobe looks tidy and I can see everything that fits me!
I plan to start doing about 30 mins a day de-cluttering when I am at home until I get on top of it all.
|
Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 3448
Loc: South London
|
|
HollyUk - if you carry on like this, I can see you having a regular column in W&H!
--------------------
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told "I'm with you kid. Let's go." Maya Angelou
|
hollyUK
member
Reged: 06/08/2007
Posts: 328
|
|
Like the diary of a de-clutterer!?!?
|
diane_s
member
Reged: 19/03/2008
Posts: 32
Loc: Sutton Coldfield area of Birmi...
|
|
Just a tip. When you go out to buy new clothes try to have a few well fiting mix and match separates. Sometimes less is more. It maybe worth being a little more choosy in what you buy. Be adventurous try on different styles that you maybe wouldn`t usually. Things can look good on the hanger but don`t look good on. Other things look better on than you would have expected. Sometimes we can all get a bit set in our choices. You don`t always have to spend a fortune but
by being a bit more open minded you start to be a bit more adventurous and maybe plesently surprised. I went in T.K. Max today and pulled out loads of things.20 mins later I had two lovely summer skirts, 2 tops, a lined fitted jacket. and a modern twinset in cream and black. Sometimes its worth trying different styles on. Our bodies change shape. What we could wear 5/10 years ago do not suit us now.
What did I pay? Most of it was on clearence rails. £75 in total. The two skirts and Jacket, and twinset were all designer ranges. At normal prices they would have totalled £380. Tamworth store has some really lovely things at the moment. If anyones looking for evening wear/holiday wear. Smart/casual wear it is worth having a good look around.The home dept. upstairs is really good too at the moment. I don`t know about you all but I do so like a bargain. But remember a bargin is only a bargin if its used and makes you feel good. Di S.
|
hollyUK
member
Reged: 06/08/2007
Posts: 328
|
|
Good advice - thanks Diane. I am a little larger than I used to be now, so it's harder to find nice stuff that fits well. I tend to do mix and match anyway. I don't usually do skirts but I found two on Saturday at a local shop (really summery ones) and picked up some cheap and pretty T-shirts that matched well, so I have a few options.
I'd really like to find some nice smart trousers for work that are really cool. All the linen type ones I've seen recently seem to be quite heavy and warm!
|
diane_s
member
Reged: 19/03/2008
Posts: 32
Loc: Sutton Coldfield area of Birmi...
|
|
The places I tend tolook for light weight trousers are T.K.Max, M&S PerUna. And Next. I used to work for Next often as a personal shopper. They had light weight linen trousers every year when I worked there. I haven`t been in recently but all of the above are worth a look. DiS.
|
cococat
member
Reged: 01/03/2008
Posts: 32
Loc: Cambs
|
|
Holly, M&S are working with Oxfam and for M&S clothes donated to Oxfam they will give a 5 pound voucher to be used within one month when next spending 35 pounds at M&S.
Guilt free giving I'd say!
Well done and keep it up, I've blitzed my wardrobe this last few weeks and have kept only thing that flatter me and I love to wear. It's a bit lean but I love it 
PS - Check out the M&S website re the Oxfam thing, I only saw it in the changing room at M&S and haven't checked out the T&C's
CC x
|
ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 1100
Loc: Somerset
|
|
I've had a bit of a turn out recently - the best stuff went on ebay and anything else that was in good condition to the charity shop. I've still got a lot I can't get into at the moment but I live in hope and there are some things I just can't part with. Once I've sold a few items I usually have a look around ebay for new stuff that will be good for this season - I've found most sellers are willing to get a tape measure out and tell you what size their item really is as I'm never the same size in two different stores. I've found some lovely bargains and selling is really easy - only problem I've had is that one of the last items I sold hasn't reached the seller yet so am waiting to hear if she wants a refund or if we try to get the post office to trace the parcel.
|
Chatelaine
member
Reged: 23/08/2007
Posts: 2592
Loc: A village somewhere on the Con...
|
|
It always amazes me how easily some women can get rid of their clothes and go out and buy new ones!!  
If I had to adhere to "I haven;t worn in in the last year, so I'll sling it", then I'd largely have only my birthday suit to wear. 
Finding clothes nowadays which I really like and are really me, especially where I am living now, is very difficult. Have everything from the simplest up to designer gear. Wouldn't dream of getting rid of any of it!! Unless it is really worn, or has a few too many paint stains..... and even then, still useful in the garden, or when painting again.... (an old house ALWAYS needs work!)
I know that many people claim that you will never shrink into your clothes again...... Wrong! It can be done!! For I am doing it. In my experience it pays to hang onto those things which you really love, and use 'm as motivation to loose weight. I have! And it works!! 
Good Luck Holly!!
--------------------
|
Psyche
member
Reged: 23/01/2007
Posts: 1996
Loc: Bicester OXON
|
|
No there aren't any further terms and conditions. If you donate an M&S garment we give you a £5 voucher to be used in the month stated on the voucher when you spend £35 or more. I was told that this has now been extended to bras which are really needed in the developing world - think that's the latest PC phrase. I get confused even though I work for Oxfam (on Saturdays).
--------------------
Psyche.
another day................another handbag!!!!!!!!
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
