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My (analytical) wardrobe epiphany

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't hesitate to admit I am an impulse, recreational shopper. I decided to counter all of that emotionally-driven activity with a good hard analytical look at my wardrobe as well as behavior. The below chart is what I came up with. Can you see it?

Key findings:
- In terms of need, 50% of my wardrobe goes for casual attire. Suitable for life on a ranch with three large dogs, a cat and horses. In terms of spending, I estimate 30% of my spending goes here.
- 37% of the time I am wearing work clothes, a uniform of dark wash jeans or pants and white button downs. 15% of my budget goes towards these items, and that might be high. There is spillover from casual attire here with the bottoms/jeans.
- Only 13% of my days require smart casual attire. And, if I'm honest, they don't "require" this kind of attire. I could easily wear super casual clothes on these days, but I don't because I enjoy dressing up a little more. This is when I get to wear my coated or colored or embroidered jeans and sky high footwear.
- However, here's the problem: a minimum of 50% of my budget and probably also wardrobe count goes to the smart casual capsule.

So I basically shop recreationally for an imaginary lifestyle.

Do you have any tips/advice/strategies to recommend? I have a few I've been mulling but I would like to know if you have any ideas.

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Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

catgirl

Veteran

I don't know that you're shopping for an imaginary lifestyle if you wear your smart casual items when you can! Especially since "required" is not the same as "chosen'. Those items are probably going to cost more than a true casual capsule to begin with, right?

What a great way to approach your ratios, though. I should try it.

jayne

Veteran

I feel your pain, or maybe not pain exactly! I also spend too much on the part of the wardrobe needing the least.

I have been really trying to force myself to use what I have and ONLY purchase to a list. This has worked for the big ticket items and I am almost at budget. so I budgetted to my real life and gave less to the imaginary life. BUT, I have my allowance that is not my clothes budget. Used for whatever pops up in a week, like coffee out with the gals. That money is, I notice, being spent a little less as planned. IE to clothes. And allowng myself a small budget for FUN items has let me keep the major budget under control and focused. Does that make sense. SO like I have a small part of my allowance now for the fantasy life, but it is no longer coming out of the big budget so the cost is coming down. Of course, that means the fun items are cheaper than they were before, but since they should not really be in my wardrobe at all, I guess it is a compromise!

harmonica

Veteran

Impressive analysis! Will have to read more carefully later

Mo

(website)

Veteran

No tips but just commisseration that my wardrobe life quite closely mirrors yours, ratios and all! I don't think I spend quite as high percentage on the 'optional dressy' stuff though. My waiting and stalking shopping style is likely why.
I did decide this year to stick with 2" and under shoes after finding heels not so practical in snowy dress up situations time after time. The idea is they will get way more wear than the oh so cute but much less practical 3"+ heels I have. I'm trying to buy more for my lifestyle, with a toe in imaginary land still.
Likewise, I decided (even though I'm in FL heat right now) that any more dresses this year will need to be sleeved. Again, a slinky cocktail dress sounds great while I'm here sweltering but once I get home and we are dressing up for dinner at a nice restaurant, the pants come out because a spaghetti strap dress is downright ridiculous in the weather, even with a heavy coat over it.
Guess my only tips would be to merge your 'dress up' and everyday worlds as best you can with your shopping dollars and really stop to think about spending on those special occasion/fancy items.

merwoman

Veteran

Is there any coincidence that we have both Science and Math Fashion on the same day?
CL - I love your analysis, my useage is similar. I think long and hard about smart casual purchases. Would setting an actual dollar limit help - or perhaps analyzing what investment items are needed to fill gaps or be replaced?

Glory

Veteran

What a timely post. I find that I shop for a lifestyle that I do not have. And, then the items hang in my closet making me feel guilty. I don't have any solutions but I do like the idea of having a list and try not to impulse buy. Likely just one or two nicer outfits per year would do the trick.....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You know, I thought I had really weaned myself of buying for my fantasy life since joining YLF. I think most of my closet (apart from a few pairs of jeans) was for my fantasy life, in the past.

But while I HAVE improved...I haven't improved enough. I'm still doing it. Or lusting to do it. Or doing it less but spending more when I DO do it (I'm looking at you, John Fluevog pumps that have only been worn 3 times...).

I need to analyze, the way you have done here, to figure out my actual spending.

I also need to cut myself some slack. And I think you can, too. I mean...as long as you DO wear the clothes, even if you don't wear them as often as you might wish...and if you're getting lots of pleasure from them...then what is the harm? I mean assuming you are not struggling to find things to wear in your more casual capsules.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My thing is I need to get in the habit of repeating outfits. I don't have to always wear the latest and greatest.
I love Isabel Marant and Etoile Isabel Marant
For example
https://totokaelo.com/store/pr.....digan/grey
But I have a Pendleton cardigan from last year with a vaguely similar design. Also an original 70's era Cowhican sweater that is also similar.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Is more of the $ percentage going to smart casual because you are overflowing with too-dressy clothes, or is the price of the items driving up the percentage? I personally don't have a problem with paying a bit more for the nicer things I know I love to bits.

Also, as Una said, you ARE wearing the clothes. It'd be different if you bought stuff that you couldn't wear at all, IMO.

Queen Mum

Veteran

My initial reaction while reading your post is that of wondering if the percentage of our spending needs to match the percentage of our wearing or if some capsules are going to cost more just by nature of the capsule.

For instance.. you say you spend 37% of your time working, but only 15% of your spending is on work clothes. I'm guessing given your line of work, you choose to not invest in pricey pieces for work wear. And when it's basically a uniform, then you really only need a weeks worth or work wear at a time. Even though you don't spend as much time in smart casual wear, you probably want more than what you'd wear in a given week., and you are probably willing to spend more $$ on each piece of your smart casual capsule than your work wear.

Does any of this resonate with you?

shiny

Veteran

Be careful of building a wardrobe for an imaginary lifestyle-- because you just might get it! I am serious. I wasn't joking when I told Gaylene that once I'd added cocktail dresses invites for cocktail parties poured in.

It's possible this is some version of LOA (if anyone is into that); I don't know. All I can tell you is that it's magically worked for me. Maybe it's as simple as "oh, I have an outfit for that type of situation" so when an opportunity floats by, I am way more apt to raise my hand -- and with gusto. Or maybe the heart is screaming so loud: "this is the lifestyle I want to live" and the universe truly does respond.

P.s. Coco I adore that you spreadsheeted this all out! Can we see a pie chart? I love pie charts!

Anonymous

Here is my accounting tidbits for whatever is worth. I was thinking along the same line as Rae. You need to calculate a number of items bought at each category as well. That way you can see if it is the dollar amount what is skewing the percentages. Also, are you counting items that serve double duty in each category? Perhaps you should. Your total adds to 100%, so I'm thinking you did not.

Gosh, if I had the power to hire, I would hire some of you in a heartbeat. You guys are much better analysts that some of the people in my office. LOL.

I wish I could offer advice on the actual purpose of the post. I do not think along these lines since I seem to use my entire wardrobe as a whole. I think it has to do with the fact that I don't really have super casual or overly dressed occasions as often, my lifestyle is more like midrange stuff. I can dress things up and down as needed.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Wow CocoL! You are far more analytical than I could ever be in any life I could imagine!

My question to you is whether your work uniform of dark jeans and a white button up is a required uniform or chosen one. I'm assuming it is probably required, but if there is any way you could deviate it at all, you might feel better about the whole dilemma.

There are so many great points made already that I won't repeat them. But I will say that if you have the money for it, and if it makes you really happy, then you should cut yourself some slack and enjoy your shopping!

I think there is also incredible wisdom in what Shiny said about having the clothes is an open invitation to the universe to create opportunities for you. Also, since you have fab clothes, why not try to plan more activities to wear them. You'll have a great time and feel justified in your spending. Hope this helps:)!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

You've inspired me do analyse my wardrobe! I have/had a similar problem & had lots of clothes I hardly wore. My suggestions - work out a minimum number of clothes/outfits you need to keep you happy in the dressy category & do the one in one out on this section. This will force you to be really picky when you buy something new. The other thing is to try to buy items that can bridge more than one category e.g. washable silk tees rather than cotton ones or funky flat shoes rather than heels. Good luck!!!

shiny

Veteran

Coco, if your work wardrobe is required -- that doesn't COUNT. That's like counting in a nurse uniform or scrubs or police uniform... what happens when you take that cost out and put it under the same budget line item as, say, commuting costs?

Vildy

Veteran

"Be careful of building a wardrobe for an imaginary lifestyle-- because you just might get it! I am serious. I wasn't joking when I told Gaylene that once I'd added cocktail dresses invites for cocktail parties poured in. "

This has never in my life happened to me.

merwoman

Veteran

This post is becoming so "fields of dreams"! Agree with Dana on Shiny's statement - that having suitable attire can make opportunities happen. And maybe what happens is that you are confident and positive and open to the experience!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your wise and thoughtful responses.

I think what bothers me is that the sheer volume (not to mention cost) of my smart casual clothes exceeds my opportunities to wear them.

On the other hand, I *could* wear some of my smart casual clothes casually. So I am going to try and migrate one capsule into the other. That was another a-ha from doing this analysis.

I love the LOA aspect of this discussion. Being sensible and analytical, I never believed in LOA. However, owning a restaurant has totally changed my mind about LOA. It is real! When the restaurant is full, it gets busier. The business attracts more business. When it is empty, we see people pull into the parking lot, pause, and pull back out. The negative energy is attracting more negativity. Even though, if truth be told, the food and service will be excellent when we aren't busy. We have time to fuss over you then.

Rae -- it's both the volume of clothing and the cost skewing the smart casual percentage.

Caro -- I'm thinking exactly along your lines! For my smart casual capsule, be ultra picky. I am eyeing much higher end items for fall that are not discounted. But I didn't think much further than that other than to be picky and maybe buy fewer but better items for this capsule. Your suggestion to practice one in, one out, is a great one for this capsule. (Whereas when it comes to other capsules, not so important.)

When I first did this analysis, I included sleepwear. That is truly the most neglected category. Given that you wear something every night, doesn't it make sense to have some better items rather than demoted loungewear (which is my habit). The last time I purchased any sleepwear was over 2 years ago, and it was a couple of $29.99 pj sets from TJ Maxx.

catgirl

Veteran

What is LOA?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think law of attraction?

Anonymous

I don't see a problem with this Denise. I mean, you are probably not feeding the horses in expensive clothes anyway. You probably have what you need for the farm and for work and enough of it to get by without doing laundry every other day, right? If it's not as much fun to spend money on these categories then why change your percentages? Does any of your smart casual wear (minus the heels, of course) eventually make it's way down to these categories, either when it's worn out a little or not your fashion crush any longer?

Most of my dollars are spent on "going out of the house" clothes as opposed to "at home clothes" because that's where I will be seen the most. By people who care anyway, lol!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I think that if you spend 50% of your time in casual, 50% of your budget should go to it (just as a random example). Of course it will never be exact, but the closer, the better. I try to nudge myself in this direction. In my house, I analyzed the floor plan and discovered that a large percentage of the main floor was going unused. I turned the little-used room into a gaming room for my kids, and voila: the percentage of space and the percentage of time spent in it evened out, and suddenly I felt our house was bigger.

I love the LOA part of this discussion. I do believe in that too. It just seems practical, as Cocolion says. Busyness attracts busyness, success breeds success (of course I also think failure breeds success, but that's another topic). Angie knows that I also believe that you can dress to become the person you aspire to be. 100% that works. Others will see you that way and before you know it ... voila.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Vildy, i'm with you on the LOA thing. And i've had the clothing to prove it

Denise, you read my mind - " For my smart casual capsule, be ultra picky. I am eyeing much higher end items for fall that are not discounted." i was thinking, "yee haw! bring on the luxe smart cas pieces Denise!"

i don't know about an exact match between time spent in part of wardrobe (lounge, business, smart casual, etc.) and percent of budget. i like to have nice, flattering sleepwear, but i don't know about spending 1/3 of my clothing budget on it.

Yes, i'm exaggerating to make a point. But i know when i've worn uniforms for work i spent the least amount needed to look presentable and saved for the fun stuff on my time off. And if your casual duties require just a coton tee, and you like to wear silk tunics on your 'me' time, i don't see why the budgets should match.

But it is a personal decision, adn everyone feels best approaching this from different angles. That's why i love these types of discussions! It opens my eyes and give me new ideas for looking at what i'm doing

Have fun Denise!! And stay cool, oy! steph

Keix

Veteran

A variation on Laura's principle: if you spend 50% of your time in casual, 50% of your WARDROBE should go to it. That will probably be cheaper than 50% of your budget, and it should be since smart casual costs more (and you probably enjoy it more on a fashion level). It sounds like your casual wardrobe is filled out well, so there's no need to allocate more $$ to it; however, you may have too many smart casual items to wear each of them as much as you want to.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm really impressed with the analysis that went into this, and you know what? I have the same problem with buying and spending more for an area of my life that isn't all that prominent or realistic.

Yet...

I agree with what Shiny is saying. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to create a bit of space for something, even though it wasn't all that realistic, and how later on - it turned into something that blossomed.

I'm very curious and intrigued by what you've noticed in terms of your wardrobe spending.

You were saying:

"...because I enjoy dressing up a little more"

I know this sounds a bit contrary, but I would go with it, instead of boxing yourself in. Now granted, it's important to dress well for the life you're in - but at the same time, if there is something you really enjoy or something that is possibly moving you in a different direction, I wouldn't shut it down in an effort to zero-in on 'what is.' Not sure if that makes sense, or if I'm explaining it all that well - but I don't like the idea of someone who likes to dress up thinking they should close that off, or narrow it down somehow, because it's not practical.

My suggestion is this:

Go ahead and buy things that you enjoy for your imaginary life, but not at the expense of the life you already have.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I can only suggest that if you are worried about overspending on smart-casual wear that you are ruthless about returning/on- selling items that have sat unworn in your closet for a certain pre-determined period of time. That way you can spend the $ on more practical stuff for everyday wear.

christieanne

Veteran

Admittedly, I am not analytical when it comes to my closet. But here's my two cents:
If you look at your casual wardrobes and work wardrobes and have enough/right items to get dressed as you want to each day then why worry about the rest of it?
I would only be concerned or think my priorities were not correct if the work outfits were inadequate or if you are spending on things that will never be worn.

Does that make sense? You could always try to create a few more opportunities to wear the fun clothes - it isn't really an imaginary lifestyle if you live it right?

Marley

Veteran

Denise! This is so analytical that I can't even wrap my brain around it! How long did it take you to figure this out? I'm impressed, but I'm afraid that I can't be of any help - I look at that chart and I get cross-eyed!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Nice analysis! I don't see a huge problem with your spending. Smart casual clothing gives you pleasure, both in terms of spending and wearing. You spend half your budget on them, but you do wear them -- they don't just sit in your closet. And clothes that you wear for working with horses are by necessity going to be not your favourite or fanciest duds. As long as you have enough of those, you have enough, you know?

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