I had an epiphany thanks to Shannon!

It’s amazing when one post makes a lightbulb come on in your head! Shannon's post about purchasing mistakes hit home for me. As I was looking at my wardrobe tonight, I began pondering whether I should keep a top I bought recently. It’s a nice, office-appropriate top and was a good price. I was planning on wearing it Tuesday with a grey blazer and black ankle trousers, but for some reason wasn’t really EXCITED about wearing it. For me, that’s a bad sign. I am definitely on team wear! Black and white are my go-to “colors”, so it fits the bill there. It also looks nice under a blazer (not too long, simple collar). It’s black and white, but I already have 2 black and white tops. One that I love and one that I like. So, why get another that I only “like”?

But then it dawned on me why I bought it. I realized I’ve been buying a lot of just okay items lately, simply to increase the item count in my work capsule. Which, sadly, is only at 25* items (spring/summer clothes). List below:

2 dresses
3 blazers
1 denim jacket
2 pr trousers
2 skirts
10 tops
2 cardigans
3 pr jeans
* I just recently had a mini-purge: moved 4 tops, 1 cardigan to the donation bag and replaced 2 pr trousers with better fitting ones.

I fear that this just isn’t enough clothes for a full-time office worker (business casual, jeans okay on Friday). I think there’s been a bit of desperation on my part to build a bigger wardrobe, but I’m not really getting anywhere. I replace just okay items with better items, but the count never goes up.

Then I found this post on Into Mind: http://into-mind.com/2013/09/0.....l-edition/. I like the way the 20 pieces she includes are very different from one another (unlike in the Vivienne files). Now I’m wondering if I actually have enough if I wear everything regularly. Maybe I’m okay? I’m not trying to have capsule this small, I just have a hard time growing it.

9 years ago

Anonymous

You are definitely okay, Henley. No need to panic. Some people prefer to work with fewer clothes and just replace them more often when they wear out. Far better to wear what you have and learn what you like and don't like than to run out and buy a bunch of mediocre stuff to beef up your numbers. If your wardrobe grows larger over time, that's fine too, but I know I usually make bad decisions out of desperation.

Right now I'm working with a very small wardrobe and I'm amazed that I haven't needed to add much to it, even for special occasions. There is usually something in there that seems appropriate so I just wear that. I'm not even against having a few more things, but I can't seem to find much out there that really tempts me. Like you, I add a piece or two, but then need to retire a few and my numbers stay the same. It seems to be working out okay for me so I just wanted to reassure you. Everyone is different, and just because a style book or magazine says you need X number of pieces doesn't mean you have to follow it exactly. Angie has examples of very small but exquisite work wear capsules that have inspired me greatly.

Liz

Veteran

I'm a full-time office worker with about the same number of clothes you have (less, actually), and I'm doing just fine. It's the right work-capsule size for me. I like wearing them all, and just wear what I have. I don't mind repeating clothes. (I could describe to you how my coworkers dress, but I honestly don't remember which item or outfit they wore the day before or the day before that, so I figure they don't remember what I wear either.)

So, there's no need to feel pressured to add more items just to have more. Add when they feel right.

Staysfit

You and I have the opposite problem! I would not be overly anxious to add items to your wardrobe unless they are exactly what you want and need. It's far better to use and love what you have.

@Claire - thanks for the encouragement! I love most of what I have and remix the pieces often. I guess it's when I feel I "should" have more: more variety, more colors, more pieces I start making bad decisions. I'm going to return that top today. Now, I do have a few wardrobe holes that need filling. For example, my fall/winter capsule only has one work dress and I'd like to have a second.

@Liz - I repeat like crazy...even during the same week. And it's funny, I only notice when a coworker repeats if it's a dress (because they're easy to recognize). Other than that I know their style, but couldn't tell you if they wore the same thing every day!

Sal

I actually think that looks a perfect size wardrobe, assuming that the jackets go with the tops and there is some versatility.

There will be some pieces that will get well used in a wardrobe of this size, but you can gradually update as they wear out. I think keeping it approximately this size will mean that pieces wear out as they become dated, whereas if you have too many more they won't get enough wear.

10 tops gives you a great number to have a couple of standout pieces and some low key basics that get worn and worn.

@Staysfit - wise words! I have worn out several items which creates a whole new stress: having only few items and some of them getting raggy.

@Kiwigal - yes, it's all very mixable and I don't really get tired of the pieces. But they do wear out fast!

Suz

(website)

Sounds smart, Henley. Far better to love what you have and wear it often than to buy simply to fill out some imaginary scheme. But it is also a good idea to keep tabs on the items that are showing wear and look to upgrade them before they fall apart -- otherwise you wind up in a bit of a panic. Plus, you need enough to prevent laundry bottlenecks.

bj1111

I work in two offices on back to back days. I have been known (only hubs) to wear the exact outfit on back to back days, especially if i like the outfit or i can be bothered to prep.

No one has noticed...at least no one has said anything. So it's all good.

That said, my work outfits have gotten pretty thin. Mostly because my style has changed a bit.

@bj1111 - sounds practical! I'd absolutely do that!

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