For me, I might put something on and then promptly take it off for these reasons:

1. The color doesn't fit the season (for instance, I don't enjoy pastels in winter). When the seasons change, I usually find myself reaching for the item again. That might be why you aren't wearing your light-colored jeans.

2. The length of the top doesn't work with the rise of the bottoms (this is a biggie for me). The solution was to buy higher-rise bottoms to work with the shorter tops. I've got that sorted, and now I'm happy as a clam wearing my shorter tops.

3. The vibe is one that doesn't feel like "me" when I put the item on. Here, I have to discern whether it is the item itself that has the incorrect vibe or whether the problem is the particular group of pieces I have combined it with. Sometimes changing the supporting act for an item makes all the difference.

4. I don't have the appropriate underpinnings. The solution would be to buy the appropriate undergarments (e.g., a cami with a particular neck or in a particular color), but if I can't find the appropriate ones, then I have to decide whether I love the item enough to hold on to it until I can find them.

5. The item itself is seasonally confused. So...in the case you mentioned, with the wide V-neck sweater, it might feel too exposed for winter wear (not enough fabric at the neck). The solution would be to use an accessory (like a scarf) or layer with another item to cover up the exposed skin so you feel warmer.

I'm dealing with no. 4 right now. I have an ivory turtleneck that I really like, but the material is somewhat sheer. I am OK wearing a nude bra underneath, but the whole reason for wearing a turtleneck is that it is COLD, and that means I need another underlayer. I have two nude camis, and one is a silk one that is slightly loose on me, and when I tuck in the turtleneck, it poofs out at the waist a bit due to the cami. The other nude one looks great with the turtleneck, but it is really tight and doesn't feel good. So what should be a workhorse usually sits in my dresser. Maybe I could remedy the situation by having my cami taken in so that it isn't so poofy.

Ugh, so true, it is so hard to avoid purchasing these items (maybe impossible). I think the ideal would be to go shopping with a really, really specific idea, like “”I need a dark blouse to wear to work. It must be the right length to go with my high waisted blue work slacks. It must also fit under a blazer. It must be washable.” Etc. But shopping that way is awfully tiring- so hard to find something that checks all the boxes. And then I often eventually realize there was a box I forgot all about: “it has to also go with that sweater!” Or, “the neckline has to work with my clip-on badge!” Whatever it might be. Always something comes up later, grrrrr.

Hey FashIntern it was the other NZer Sal that has the bird of paradise T-shirt. I wish I had it though, I love the colours. I only made a joke about feet in this thread, what's new?
I mostly do have POTO items for shoes, however. For me the shoes are the most important item and I have to pick the colour and style carefully from my 44 possibilities! But generally that is just me being fussy at the time. Except I keep POTO-ing my only pair of mules at present. They are quite old, 2011, and while in good nick I wonder if I am getting tired of them after nearly 8 years.

I mostly move the items out of my wardrobe and to friends daughters or charity shops and then try not to feel too guilty. I also don’t have an especially varied social or work life. I do find the guilt of being wasteful gets to me

I’ve a small wardrobe and ‘only’ 60 pink coat hangers and 6 or 8 skirt hangers, so that’s my limit at the moment.

The number one reason why I put something on and then take it off has got to be the waist issue... top too short or too long for the bottoms...