Overstuffed and Undersized

Alright, so I love thrifting...and I wear all of my clothes. I even incorporate some of my lesser liked things into my DIYs. I just have one problem. My drawers and closet are stuffed and overflowing. I don't know what to do! I have way too many clothes. I wish I had friends I could lend them to or something (so they'd always be there if I needed them again) but none of my friends are my size! This MUST be some sort of sickness...because I have donated three bags of clothes to Goodwill in the past two months and I'm still having this problem.
I'm not a shopaholic or anything. I only get new clothes every couple months, and it's usually only two items or three. I think this has just accumulated over time or something. Please, can anyone help?

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13 replies since 6th January 2012 • Last reply 6th January 2012

Reply #1:

make a pocket that hangs on your hanger that you can put more clothes in to save space Happy I came up with this idea a while ago and finally I can share it Happy

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Reply #2:

you should do a tutorial for that panda

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Reply #3:

Maybe put them in bags and switch bags every 2/3 months.
I know someone who has 7 bags of clothes she is switching between.

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Reply #4:

Panda, that's a super good idea, you should do a tutorial for it...
Dragonfly, that's a good idea too, I think that's what I'm going to try while I wait for her tutorial. Happy
Thanks everyone. Happy

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Reply #5:

I love crafting and thrifting as well, so if I'm not careful I also run out of room. It's helped me quite a bit to list stuff on Ebay or on a clothing swap site (I use big wardrobe.com) as it's a lot easier to get rid of things when you are getting paid for it, or know it's going to a good home.

I also clear my closets out regularly, and figure if I haven't worn it in the last few months, then it might not be worth keeping.

I also keep a picture diary of my clothes. This helps me remember what I have, and what I actually like/looks good on me. It also makes it easier to get rid of things when I know I can at least keep a picture of it.

I also tend to buy/make a lot of things for other people. This means I still get to shop and craft, but at least it will be leaving my home.

You can also try making a thrift/craft fund out of a cute jar or piggy bank. If you limit the amount you can spend, then you can't buy as much.

Hope some of those help.

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Reply #6:

I used to have that same problem.

A few solutions I used were to get new storage systems. I actually cleared out a bookshelf and started storing pants and such on it.

Donating more might be a good idea, but if you aren't so willing to get rid of pieces, you can turn them into a quilt so that everything you like that you don't wear often enough to justify keeping can be turned into a big patchwork of things you still like--and it'll keep you warm!

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Reply #7:

I believe I will get started on it now Happy

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Reply #8:

I am overloaded on clothes I've been given that I plan to reconstruct but haven't gotten to yet. I have two plastic bins full in the hall closet- along with 2 garbage bags. (I also keep all my jackets in that closet and it's packed full) I have a bin in my closet, a shelving unit full of fabric drawers that are full. I'm bursting. My only means of support is to check the weekly ads for different storage units and purchasing them when they go on sale.

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Reply #9:

Mmmm pairing down seems to me like your best bet. Take a look at your clothes: how often do you wear them? Do you really need them? If you are wearing all of them SHOULD you be wearing them? I've held on to things because I loved them but eventually gave them up because they were too worn, or didn't fit right. I try to keep good quality pieces that will last in both durability and style. The cheap, trendy pieces (even if I still like them) I use and then give up when their time comes.

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Reply #10:

I use vacuum bags to store clothes that are taking up space but I still want to wear. They're great as you can fit loads in and then suck the air out and stuff them under the bed.

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Reply #11:

I recently cut my closet overload in half! My closet was mostly t-shirts, so i tried on everything i own again. If it didnt fit & i liked it still, i kept it in a box to re-construct it later to fit me or i put it in a bag to turn into a tshirt quilt later. If i didnt like it anymore i threw it out to sell or giveaway. I kept the re-construct piles in the top of my closet and off the clothes rack. Now half my closets empty! Who knew it took up so much space! When i'm bored now, i take out one of those shirts to reconstruct. I've re-made about 15 in the past 2 months! lol
If your closets too full, i'd suggest trying on every peice of clothing u own again. Especially if you havnt worn it in a year or it doesnt fit, get rid of it. And try getting rid of something for every item u buy. It is hard ...it took me multiple clean-outs to get rid of some "sentimental clothes". lol Also try to 'season' out your clothes; store out of season things. And organize your closet somehow to find things better. My closet now has dress/skirts, long-sleeves, short-sleeves (tshirts), tanks-summer shirts. All seperated. And my jeans/pants are in a clear bin on the floor. My purses/coats/scarves are on coatracks in my bedroom and out of my closet too.

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Reply #12:

Reminds me of the song thrift shop

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Reply #13:

I don't allow myself to go to the thrift store unless I'm making a donation.

Just a thought...

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