In response to Ingunn's Posts (TOPS)

I really liked how Ingunn evaluated her clothes and the lessons learned from it. Here is my evaluation of the tops I own and have worn over the past year.
I apologize for the formatting. I had issues.

Sleeveless (Appropriate for Summer only)
Total Number: 4 (all sleeveless tops are woven)

I feel my most authentic self in sleeveless tops. I only own four tops in this style because I don’t want to duplicate the same exact silhouette over and over again. Three of the four were purchased in 2012. One was purchased in 2013.

The two that are worn the most frequently are duplicates: sleeveless wrinkle resistant oxfords in pink and blue (worn 13 and 7 times, respectively). The fit and weight of these two blouses is perfect in every respect. They are fitted and feel perfect every time I wear them. I label them a “best buy.”

The one that is worn the least frequently (2 times) is very stylish, but it is cream in color. The color always looks dirty to me.

Short Sleeve (Spring/Summer/Fall)

Total Number: 7 (all short sleeved tops are woven)

Finding short sleeved tops is a challenge for me. Climate dictates that they are an essential for me, but I don’t see them in stores as often as I would like. Four of the seven were purchased in 2014. I definitely need more short sleeved tops and will continue to watch for them. All are worn sufficiently to keep.

The two that are most frequently worn (10 times each) are made of linen or silk, but are on the short side (ending near my waist). I would wear them even more often if they were just a tad bit longer.

The four worn next frequently (5 - 7 times each) are either silk or polyester. They are longer and very fluid. Two of the four are Pleiones and although I love the style, I don’t want any more duplicates. Color note: my least favorite is a cream color.

The fuchsia linen blouse is the least worn (5) because it is so boxy, I don’t feel fabulous in it. I reach for this blouse only when I want to change things up a bit ... never because I love it.

Long Sleeve KNIT (Winter only)

Total Number: 6 (Knit)

Three of the six are black, two are stripped, and one is cream.

The black are worn the most (13, 10, and 2). The top that was only worn twice is relatively new and just hasn’t been in rotation long. It is obvious that I reach for black, long sleeve knits quite often (either v neck or crew neck). I should plan on replacing in 2014-2015.

The top that is worn the least is not the cream knit (7). I wear the cream knit sweater on a casual basis (almost like a sweat shirt). I don’t feel fabulous in it, but it fills some sort of wardrobe gap for weekends.

The top that is worn the least often is a grey/pink stripe knit (4). I don’t know why I so rarely reach for this sweater. In my mind, I have decided it is not “comfortable.” It has a stiff “feel” to it that is not inviting.

Long Sleeve WOVEN (Winter only)

Total Number: 9 (Woven)

I have the most woven tops, but I only routinely wear three of them.

Fitted white dress shirt (12)
Square blue silk dress shirt (12)
Fitted chambray shirt (12)

The ones I wear the least include the following.
Square pink silk dress shirt (1) (love it, but am “saving” it)
White fitted dress shirt (1) (ADORE, but am ‘saving” it for special occasions)
Square grey silk dress shirt (4).

For the number that I own, I really only reach for three of them. I probably wear the square blue silk the way others would wear a tee shirt.

Tee Shirts (Spring/Summer)

Total Number: 5

I never feel fabulous in a tee shirt. I own basic colors: two white, one black, one cobalt, and one red.

White tee shirt (28)
Black tee shirt (14)
Red tee shirt (11)

I am getting rid of the red tee shirt because the neck is so wide that I feel over exposed. I have no intention to purchase more tee shirts. Ever.

Tank Tops (Layering for all year round)

Total Number: 2

One white and one yellow.

I wear them under blazers or cardigans. Never on their own. These are a wardrobe staple and I will always own this type of garment. No need to buy more or update though.

Athletic Tops

Total Number: 5

I own three short sleeved tops (all white) and two very old sleeveless tops. I wear all five constantly. I want very much to replace the two sleeveless tops with newer versions because I am so tired of them.

9 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

Are there any picties to look at, as they haven't uploaded right, just saying...:-(

Anonymous

Pictures. Had not considered adding them. I have pictures of all of the items in IPhoto. Let me experiment with learning how to add them. I may try using power point.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Excuse my ignorance, there is no need for picties, at all...I was just not up to date with all these new wardrobe evaluation posts of some of our YLF members. I thought the nrs in the brackets meaning which picties to look at:-)).Oh well, sorry, my fault-and not yours, Sterling:-)).

Otherwise, great analysis, and loved to read your epiphanies. It really helps to see how others work their numbers out, so am now off to read Ingunn's and others threads in the thema, too. Appologies, again:-).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Great analysis, definitely. Sounds like cream is not the color for you! Thinking through these issues, and figuring out what's getting worn and what's not, and more importantly *why*, is so key for planning future purchases, I find.

Ingunn

How fun that you have started your own process! I'm humbled:) Great analysis!

Cream is not your color, and you've proved it. No need for more in that color for you. Isn't it interesting how much clarity one gets from taking a close look at what's in there, and finding out the why's and what's? It seems to me that you've created a favorite uniform for yourself. I think that's great. Knowing what you like is so important to avoid wasting money on pieces you will rarely wear.

Suz

It definitely sounds as if you might banish cream from your wardrobe and never miss it! And you've identified some key reasons for not wearing specific items, which is always helpful going forward. I wish there were a way to tell some of this in advance -- it can be difficult to recognize that the "feel" of a fabric will end up bothering us. Sometimes I know it right away, but other times I don't figure it out until long after the tags are off. Oh well. I guess purchasing "mistakes" of that kind are probably inevitable and they don't add up to a lot over the course of a life.

Alassë

Great analysis! Isn't Ingunn inspiring?

So based on this analysis of TOPS, I listed the characteristics I love and those I hate. This list will form the basis for future shopping expeditions. I intend to keep the list with me and use it as checklist before making future purchases. My goal is to buy versions of those pieces that are proven winners in the best quality possible.

Meanwhile, I began to purge those items that were not worn over the course of the past year. Realizing that a piece didn't work for me (and why) makes the purge process really easy.

My next step is to perform the same analysis for bottoms. Then I want to compare the two lists be see if what I like for tops works with what I like for bottoms. I have this strange feeling that for some reason my tops don't work with my bottoms and I don't know why that is. Perhaps the answer will reveal itself.

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