Numbers in wardrobe - YouLookFab Forum

Inspired by posts by so many others I have counted my wardrobe, as accurately as I can.

Shirts/ t- shirts/ tops 18
Sweaters 8
Tanks 5
Toppers (jackets and cardigans) 7
Coats 3
Dresses 10
Skirts 7
Jeans 5
trousers 3
Shorts 2
Evening/ occasion only items 8

I am short of toppers that match my tees and shirts. I have enough jeans and shirt combinations but when it is cooler I need toppers to combine with these tees etc....

My skirts are mostly not worn...I need to reevaluate this part of the wardrobe. It may be time to retire a couple.

I am happy with the amount of clothes I have....

I have excluded exercise gear and raincoats etc..

Since joining YLF I realise that I need to spend the money where I most will wear it.

My shopping list is

Black silky t shirt
Two new toppers
Flat sandals for summer,
New handbag
New casual dress x2
Trousers

While I have only three pears of trousers outside jeans these are worn all the time so an a new pair here will be very useful.

As we are hoping to travel to Chile and planning a renovation my budget is limited.

I welcome any feedback.

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I am jealous of people who can analyze their closet and actually conclude something. I can analyze until the cows come home, but I just get gummed up and can't make any conclusions, ha ha!

It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on what you need for your wardrobe, even down to knowing that you like its size. And good for you that you want to buy practical pieces that will get a lot of wear. I am slowly starting to be able to do that more and more.

The only thing I can think of is making sure that you have the appropriate clothes for your trip to Chile. Do you need to buy anything for that?

Sal

Thanks Gigi.

I am usually a bit impulsive so it will be a new thing for me to be more mindful. I don't over purchase but I do have too many in some categories. I have realised there are several pieces that I adore that could be enhanced with these basic additions.... A friend is a fashion designer who makes colourful patterned pieces so some of these need basics to be able to be worn more!

We will see how I get on though......

Sharon

Isn't it a fascinating exercise to actually count where the numbers are? If you don't wear your skirts at all, then it looks like you have very few bottoms available so I can see that it is sensible to have trousers on your list.

I spent today planning my S/S summer wardrobe and found that having what I already own written down was very helpful in clarifying what I actually needed to buy. The answer was not as much as I thought!

viva

Counting was very helpful to me, too. For a few days I obsessed over the numbers but now, I just focus on the general size of wardrobe that I'd like to maintain. What has really stayed is a better idea of where I should be spending, if I am going to purchase. And I think that will be good. I like that you have a clear shopping list to work from. Do you think it will be difficult to stick to it, or do you think it will be helpful to have it?

Melaine

(website)

Active Member

your numbers seem pretty practical! I was horrified at some of my categories. summer dresses were like 20! I am a thrifter and shop for anxiety therapy (not the best treatment option, obviously). I went shopping yesterday and it was a much much more productive trip because I knew that I needed to refrain from buying summer dresses, for pete's sake!!! The things that I bought actually ended up being things I could use rather than things that are easy to buy (summer dresses are an easy fit for my body and are "fun" to buy). I am also mulling over which dresses need to get the cut before I put things away for next summer. So yeah, the numbers helped me for sure. If counting your wardrobe wasn't helpful, Gigi, it is probably just because your numbers are reasonable and well-balanced, unlike me!

Joy

She I look at my casual lifestyle and numbers of items, I have no real needs. It's become a matter of what needs replacing and how to update, fighting against my "wants", especially at the change of seasons.
Like you, I'm over supplied with skirts (and summer dresses). I love wearing them all but, in reality don't have enough occasions to wear them.
It seems you have done a great job of identifying what to buy. Do you have a leather/faux leather jacket to wear as part of an outfit, not just as outerwear?

Thanks Sharon, this is the first time I have done this exercise. I do wear two of the skirts regularly, the other ones rarely ( once or twice a year)... I don't think my tops now go with them so I need to decide whether to get new tops to go with the skirts or hand the skirts on.

I agree Viva, it does make you focus your thinking. I am not sure if I can stick to the list or whether it will evolve....YLF has made me focus on getting pieces that work with my life and that are fun for me to wear.

Joy, I have been eyeing up a leather jacket. I am trying to decide what colour as they are a relatively expensive purchase here- black, cream, taupe. I am tending towards cream. Similar to yourself I also have a casual lifestyle but love my dresses:)

Suz

It sounds as if you have a solid closet, modest, not over full, yet containing mostly things that work for you and your life. And counting helped you identify where you don't need to duplicate. And what you need to buy. Sounds like toppers are a priority right now. But moving towards spring where you are, do you need them now, or would it make sense to wait until you purchase for fall/ winter?

Thanks Suz, you always offer wise words.
Our climate is temperate; at the moment I definitely need two layers inside and often a third outside. Light jackets are worn by me in all seasons, even summer, as we can have cooler days then and cooler nights. The colours can be different though and I think this is where I have come unstuck with my wardrobe.

shedev

Great wardrobe analysis. I think it is fine if your list does evolve. Gotta make room for those surprise delights too.

Category