Hi all, I hope you are having as much fun with fashion as I am.
Last year I started registering the numbers of wear for each item in my wardrobe very systematically. Now I have a year's worth of data, and it's interesting to see what I can learn from crunching the the numbers .
In short, I've learned more about the colors and shapes I prefer and why. I've also gotten better at understanding how much I actually need and want to have for enough versatility in my wardrobe. This is probably the most important take away from this exercise. I've learned that I love sweaters even more than I realized, and I need quite a few. I love cotton, wool and silk and have almost no poly or blends at all.
First up are the tops, shirts and sweaters. I have five categories, and I'm stating the number of wears behind the pieces. I also list the total number of pieces in each category.
1 Shirts & blouses
Total number: 10. This is enough. I don't need more, so if I get any new ones, something must go.
Top three:
White button down (12)
Black watch plaid popover shirt (10)
Denim/chambray shirt (8)
A white button down is an essential for me, and I wear other white shirts, too. The plaid shirt was an orphaned tunic, several years old, that I altered to a shirt. It is fluid, which makes it more current, and the pattern is classic. The denim shirt I now have is a bit too fitted for my taste, and I'm replacing it with a more fluid version.
Bottom three:
Abstract print silk tunic (3)
Gray collarless silk shirt (2)
Clear blue pinstripe button down, tailored (1)
The silk tunic is easy to love and hard to wear. I still love the colors, and I'm keeping it for another year. The gray silk shirt is several years old and shows some wear. I'm thinking of replacing it. The pinstripe shirt is a classic that I really like, but doesn't wear much because I prefer more fluid silhouettes right now. I'm keeping it because classic tailored shirts have longevity.
2 Smart casual tops, no sleeves or short sleeves
Total number: 9. Probably one or two too many. Definitely no need to add more to this category.
Top three:
Ted Baker floral top (15)
White/blue/black ikat patterned top (12)
Navy slightly cropped and fluid tank (8)
The TB top was love at first sight, and I have worn it frequently over the summer. It is extremely versatile and easy to dress up and down because of all the colors, the fabric (not too shiny) and the shape (simple). The ikat top matches very well with my preferred color scheme for summer this season, which was white, navy and blue with accents of black. The navy tank is heavier and mostly worn in f/w.
Bottom three:
Sparkly black top (4)
Black lace top (2)
Blue silk v-neck top (1)
The sparkly top is very old, but still versatile for some occasions. Definitely a stayer. The black lace top is nice, but I'm not too happy with the neckline (jewel). I might replace it with something with sleeves. The v-neck silk tee is too wide/deep in the neckline for my comfort and should probably be purged.
3 Casual tanks & tees
Total number: 9. I think this is more than enough, and I don't want duplicates of anything. I'd manage just fine with six pieces, too.
Top three:
Gray v-neck tee (16)
navy v-neck tee (16)
Black slouchy tank (14)
These are all in heavy rotation during spring, summer and fall. Close runner-ups are the white v-neck tee and a white tank top. Such basics are essentials for me. I prefer replacing them often to having a lot of duplicates.
Bottom three:
Mint crewnec tee (3)
White basic tee (2)
Navy tank top (1)
The mint tee is not my color, and I feel all wrong in it. The white tee is old and a duplicate that I never prefer. Will be demoted to dirty-work wear. The navy tank is worn and doesn't look good, will purge it.
4 Casual cotton/thin wool tops with sleeves
Total number: 6. Apart from my Bretons, this category is basically for layering. I'm considering adding a turtleneck in gray.
Top three:
Navy/white Breton, heavy cotton (21)
White/black striped crew neck tee (13)
White/cobalt Breton, haavy cotton (7)
I love the versatility of my classic Breton. The white/cobalt version is not as fab, and I've added a white/navy mariniére in lighter jersey recently to wear in summer. The white/black striped tee is good for layering in fall, winter and spring.
Bottom two:
Burgundy turtleneck (3)
White fitted longsleeve tee (2)
(not big enough category to list three pieces)
The burgundy is not my best color. The white one is only worn as a layering piece under my black sheath. I'm keeping both for now because I need the layering options.
5 Sweaters and cardigans
Total number: 17. This is the largest category in my wardrobe except for shoes, and I wear most of it frequently.
Top three:
Heather gray cashmere hoodie (36)
Pale blue cotton/wool sweater (27)
Cobalt cropped cardigan (27)
The hoodie was a christmas gift, and I've worn it practically everywhere - to the gym, dinner dates with a blazer on top, with skirt and dressy pants etc. Perfect for warmth and for dressing down an outfit. It feels very modern to me because of the sporty luxe appeal. The pale blue sweater was my best summer garment. Super comfortable, fluid, great color, easy to mix with anything from boyfriend jeans and shorts to pencil skirts. The cobalt cropped cardigan is a versatile layering piece and a very good color for me. I have many more more pieces in this category that have seen a lot of wear: Black, gray and navy v-neck sweaters, dark purple cropped sweater, black turtleneck.
Bottom three:
Yellow cropped sweater (4)
Oatmeal cardigan (2)
Coral cropped cardigan (0)
I like the yellow sweater, but not on me. It seems like a lot of yellow. The cardigan is very basic and boring. The coral cardigan has a classic shape and will stay because I do like it.
If you've read this far, thank you for your patience. Any and all comments are highly appreciated. Thanks!
ETA: Read about skirts, dresses and pants here if you are interested in more of this.
