Too much clothing?

I feel like I just have "too" much clothes, but I still keep getting new ones. I have maybe 10 denims jackets, loads of shirts, 60+shoes, but only use a fraction etc. Pants bother me the most, since I have alot of pants I like and want to wear, and my ideal obviously is worn in, "rugged" pants, so I somehow feel guilty towards all the pants I dont have time to wear in.

How do you guys handle this? I remeber GS talking about certain strategies with seasonal wear, and so forth...

I take an "honesty" day every couple of months or so and get rid of/donate stuff I don't wear regularly enough.

See my signature.

i for sure don't have 60 pairs of shoes (actually, only a tenth of that), but i feel like i have a lot of clothes, and in the end i always wear the same. maybe that's because in the past i mixed too many styles (with bad results).

PS to superbobo

so do you want me to call woolrich to ask for that flannel arctic parka you saw?

My only real "whoops" is jeans and shoes. I have an old article from GQ stashed away with a $4000 wardrobe that I keep not so much because the clothes are nice but I really like the compartamentalized approach to dressing and try and use it as a reference (x shirts, y pants, z jackets, etc.). They only have one pair of jeans though - I have 5 or 6 and I'm still looking for the perfect pair Adding: I tend to live in an apartment for 8 or 9 months at a time and then move so that's another reason I'm trying to minimize it.

I think the key to this is finding a family or place that makes you feel good giving your clothes to. I never used to give stuff away with ease. I think the benefits to others were not proximate enough. I could not see or feel the results. Not that makes it unworthy, but now it is easier when I actually get joy from it- more joy than having a full closet of stuff I never wear. I just give all my stuff to a family my mom knows through being a school teacher and they are the most appreciative people I have ever met. Also, the children get a chance to wear clothes "in style" that they otherwise would not (you could debate if this is good, but a little fitting in never hurt anybody).

Originally Posted by SuperBobo

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60+shoes

My problem is not only that I dont wear everything, its that I want to but dont have time Too many pants, too few legs. I agree on giving stuff away, I need to get better at that. Ive also somewhat learned to limit my buys when items are not "perfect", but still get carried away, especially thrifting and end up with alot of weird so so items (that of course should be returned to thrifts)

Originally Posted by bluemagic

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Not as fun as it sounds, loads are sneakers that are boxed away, and probably wont be seeing light til I get an equally big footed son. But I easly got 30 pairs of boots, shoes and sneakers that deserve to be worn.

I used to have a similar problem. I would find a shirt that fit like a dream and just buy it in 5 different colours. I ended up having a ton of clothes without much variety.

I finally deceided that what I was doing was stupid and I downsized and sent all the extras to charity, only keeping what I truly liked most and wore the most.

Now when I buy a new piece, I determine whether or not it's a basic that I simply need to bulk up my wardrobe on, a replacement for a dying and worn out piece, or if it's a new piece that will add to my overall look and will actually wear it.


10 denim jackets is pretty pointless. Find your favourite one, sell / donate the rest. You'll be able to fill in holes with new style jackets that you might not have yet. Also this teaches you to be pickier with purchases. Don't spend $100 on three separate items that are similar; instead, spend $300 on one unique and very enjoyable piece. It'll serve you better in the long run.

Originally Posted by SuperBobo

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How do you guys handle this?
I'm buying more closet space...

^^Many good points, and I have been pondering the same issues myself, but somewhat come to the conclusion that I like to variation, but in certain boundries. Thats why I have so many chore coats for instance, I love the style but would get sick of wearing the same one or 2 jackets everyday. But buying slightly different duplicates are one of my problems, you´re right about that.

I wish I had this problem...

Originally Posted by robin

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I'm buying more closet space...

QFT

I don't like being organized, I like to have choices. When you buy good pieces you never give them away or let them sit around unworn. If I don't love it or it's not a beater I'll use, I don't buy it.

this is a subject that's always on my mind.

I have a really specific aesthetic so I tend to buy the "same stuff"

I always ask myself "how many checked buttondowns do I need" and swear off them, and then end up seeing one "I have to have"

If I were to make a 2009 resolution it'd be to wear more, buy less. I'm pretty sure I said that at beg of 2008 and that didnt really work out too well.

So now I dont think about it much, I know i have a few lifetimes worth of gear but if I see something I like then it's coming home with me, to sit in the closet next to 20 identical pieces just like it

at some point you just resign yourself to the fact you're a clotheswhore and as long as you're financially able (aka not charging it all on credit cards) I suppose there's nothing wrong with our addiction