One for the ladies - downsizing your wardrobe, any tips?

sailorgirl

sailorgirl

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Help! Over the years I seem to have accumulated two wardrobes of clothes, one on the boat in the UK and one here in sunny Dubai, both dominated by a huge collection of t-shirts (from regatta sponsors, crew uniform and things I just fancied), far more than I could possibly store in my allocated lockers on the boat and probably enough to last me 3 or even 6 months without wearing the same one twice. Add to that work clothes (I retired over three years ago), posh frocks plus yet more items I only wear once or twice a month and I have a bit of a crisis - can I really downsize it all?

What have you found useful when cruising full time?
 
I've found increasing girth the greatest wardrobe-limiting factor. But then, being the wrong gender, I speak out of turn.

However, thinking outside the box, have you ever thought of netting? Rather than make impossible choices between what you can cram into your allotted lockers, evade the problem by storing clothes in under-deck and alongside-berth tensioned nets.

Good luck.
 
Cruising full time ???? If you mean without a bricks & mortar bolt hole where you can store all your accumulated clobber then
its bite the bullet & realise most of it has got to go.
When we made the move we went through similar situations and wife wanted to take far more clobber than we could ever accommodate onboard. She found it difficult to ditch good clothing.......................and 69 pairs of bl00dy shoes :D
I relented & she brought far more than she would ever need. After a few weeks living aboard onboard reality sunk in and she had another clear out and aimed most of it at the skip and charity shops.
Landlubbers over indulgence could not be allowed to interfere with our chosen lifestyle. The ''baggage'' of shore life had to go.

Hard & difficult decisions to make but if you want to liveaboard then there is no alternative.
 
Have you tried vacuum storage bags? Anything that doesn't need ironing can be reduced in volume hugely in these. We use them for overwinter storage of bedding in the soon to be vacated house. I guess the same approach could be used for woolens, fleeces and the like. Our little 12v vacuum cleaner has all the suck you need!
 
I'm in the same situation, in need of downsizing I mean, and I hoped that someone like you already has an answer, and could give me an advise like "On a boat You need t-shirts-X, shorts-Y, jackets-Z ...etc" so I could have a plan, now it seems there is none:). I was reading about capsule wardrobes but they seems not really relevant for a boat living, but only for short holidays, men here are saying that you have to get rid of everything, without understanding that woman has to have a choice.
But one advice I could give for so many t-shirts, how about sort them by color and stile. I am quite sure you will find that there will be few of similar item in each category, than choose ones you really like, then out of what is left choose what you really need, and you will be left with essential items. Well it's what I am going to do as soon as we relocate to the boat, so far I managed to get reed of some of my best shoes they went to my daughter and sister, 3 black sacks of clothes went to charity shop, but there is still a lot to go through:(. We will have a month or two between we move on the boat and actually leave UK, in wich I hope to figure out what else I can give up:)
 
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The first time we went off long term cruising/liveaboard I took far too many clothes with me.
I soon learned that all I needed was a casual wardrobe of things that don't need ironing. I suppose it depends of what sort of activities you are proposing but we are not 'formal' people and don't 'dress up' at all.
Also, it might depend on your proposed cruising area. We headed south asap so obviously only needed light clothing.
One thing I always have on a boat is a full length mirror (on the back of our cabin door usually)...call me vain but at least it ensures I can see how I actually look before venturing out!
I also highly recommend a set of large soft velcro hair rollers which are great for just shoving in whilst your hair is drying naturally to give volume and style.
Apart from that I don't really worry...I find that as soon as I get a tan I feel better in everything :)
 
It doesnt normally take long to find out what you really can live without. just dont get sentimental over stuff you just know you are never going to wear again.

Even after 15 years we still have a routine clear out, take lots of it to morocco, never gets wasted.

In reality its no difference to living ashore, your wardrobe (and all posessions) expand to fit the space...small flat, not much clobber, mansion, get staff!!

My wife always looks good!!!
 
Depends on the cruising area, a whole different wardrobe is needed between the Hebrides and the Canaries. So sail South.
 
First chuck out anything that is dry clean only. Then chuck out anything that is hand wash only.
One smart outfit is all that's needed and you may never wear that!

If you are going to warm and cold climates vac pac all the stuff for the temperature zone that you won't be visiting first. Chuck out anything that needs ironing.

Plenty undies,sarongs, thermals.

Deck shoes, flip flops, sea boots and one pair smarter shoes are all you will ever need.

That's it, be ruthless. Sort down to what you want to keep and then chuck of that half away!
 
This thread is rather sexist! :eek:

Downsizing is over-rated. Since arriving in India I've increased my wardrobe! This is because a) my weight fluctuates and b) clothes here are so cheap I'm building up a library of custom-made shirts and shorts to see me through the more expensive countries in the near future :)
 
demonboy said:
This thread is rather sexist! :eek:

Downsizing is over-rated. Since arriving in India I've increased my wardrobe! This is because a) my weight fluctuates and b) clothes here are so cheap I'm building up a library of custom-made shirts and shorts to see me through the more expensive countries in the near future :)
Click to expand...

And I'm sure you look very dashing - how about a self-portrait so we can admire those bronzed knees?
 
sailorgirl said:
can I really downsize it all?

What have you found useful when cruising full time?
Click to expand...
I'm not experienced enough to offer proper advice, but this is something i've been thinking about because of our plans to liveaboard. We both still work full time, so a 'working wardrobe' is a necessity still. I'm already coming up with a plan. Although, have to say, we will have somewhere to store everything that we don't want on board as we have lots of family with spare space so I will be able to come ashore and retrieve anything I'm missing :)

I would guess as start...
- ditch all the work clothes - hurrah! You've retired! Keep 3 items of formal dressy wear (crepe dresses don't crease) and three pairs of heels that will go with everything (perhaps black, gold, nude?). If you are ever anywere really posh, then hire.



charles_reed said:
Apologies, Chattin' lil for thread drift
Click to expand...

?
lol!
wasn't me! :D
 
Dress code

sailorgirl said:
Help! Over the years I seem to have accumulated two wardrobes of clothes, one on the boat in the UK and one here in sunny Dubai, both dominated by a huge collection of t-shirts (from regatta sponsors, crew uniform and things I just fancied), far more than I could possibly store in my allocated lockers on the boat and probably enough to last me 3 or even 6 months without wearing the same one twice. Add to that work clothes (I retired over three years ago), posh frocks plus yet more items I only wear once or twice a month and I have a bit of a crisis - can I really downsize it all?

What have you found useful when cruising full time?
Click to expand...


Generally don't do dresses - my legs would need shaving.

My grandmother maintained it was, one to wash, one to wear and one spare. Seems to work for me, but I'm really disqualified on gender grounds.

The Management insists that she likes the opportunity presented by choice. I just see it as confusion and a load of clobber taking up precious space for sensible, useful things like spares and tools.
 
Definitely get rid of work clothes. Keep a couple of old outfits for those lovely antifouling days, grubbing around in the engine, cleaning the boat etc. You will surely take more than you need. After a couple of years, give away what you haven't worn. Do keep a pair of hiking boots for rocky paths and wet winter walks. If you don't have an iron, linen clothes are out. It is better to take less - then you can buy more nice things on your travels!
Rose
 
For hot climes, a selection of t-shirts, shorts and sarongs should cover most things. Although you can buy sarongs at your destination and they might be nicer and cheaper there. I have a selection of long sleeved t-shirts which I use as cover ups if it gets cool, and on the bike early mornings and late evenings. Depending on the local sensibilities, a light weight pair of long trousers makes sense. Rob nearly got thrown out of an Omani embassy for wearing calf length shorts, and I only just got away with knee length shorts, but they weren’t happy. Sandals, flip flops (thongs) and walking shoes/trainers are good. Take more swim wear than you think you will need, you will live in it and the sun damages lycra quite quickly. Depending on where you are and your dress size, you may have problems finding swim wear that fits.

I also found that some long sleeved cotton shirts (men’s) really useful for covering up when sailing in the tropics. Even with a bimini, you want to cover up after a couple of hours.

A party skirt and a couple or three tops to go with it are a must. You will want to dress up every so often.

Most of my clothes can double for winter wear (just wear more) and I have a couple of snugs and a lovely, cuddly, furry shirt. All the dedicated cold weather/winter stuff lives in a vacuum bag in one of the v berth lockers.

It may sound as if my wardrobe is sorted, but I have a beautiful beaded black skirt I have never worn, a pair of kitten heeled, snaked skin patterned ankle boots that I haven’t worn for about 10 years and a couple of tops which I can’t bear to throw out. I love them, so they stay.
 
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