Unintentionally Unfancy

Sadie

I too have been intrigued by Unfancy's blog as well as other posts dealing with capsule dressing, closet minimalism, and wardrobe challenges. At the start of the year (and influenced by a lot of lurking here) I got real about my wardrobe and got rid of items that didn't fit well or play well with my closet, etc. I also started tracking what I wore. I have found that I wear about 30-40 items per "season" - despite actively trying to wear everything in my closet and avoiding repeating favorites.

#s winter 30, spring 37, summer 48, fall (so far) 19- these numbers reflect everything I wear (for casual activities, dressy activities, travel, etc)

I currently have 103 items in my closet- the things I use for "dressing on purpose" (excluding lounge/workout wear but including scarves and shoes). I have been quite happy with my choices and feel that I have enough variety. An additional bonus with the smaller closet is that I know what I have on-hand and it is easy for me to visualize my choices for a given day/event and to mentally put an outfit together before I have to get down to the brass tacks of dressing. I should mention that I lead a pretty casual life style (I telecommute daily and only rarely have meetings) and live in a climate that is pretty non-seasonal (hot summers but mild winters so I keep everything out in my closet year-round). However, my husband and I do travel a lot (about half international and often to climates very different from the one I am experiencing at home, requiring a very different clothing capsule) and have a fair amount of evening events that require dressing-up. (And I notice that Caroline excludes special occasion and travel wear from her counts.)

So the end result is that I have been doing a sort of unintentional "unfancy" challenge for about 10 months- and I wonder if any others are in the same situation? I know a number of you track your wears- how many items are you wearing in three month blocks?

9 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from shemarie

Alassë

Veteran

Great read and great job, Sadie! I have similar seasonal capsules.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's really interesting, Sadie! It sounds as if your closet is now working really well for you. I would love to see some of your outfits!

I have only just started officially tracking wears. I did it by estimate before, but I'm finding the tracking really interesting.

One thing I've discovered already is that my favourites get a LOT more wear than my non-favourites -- but -- I actually wear almost everything, and not by "forcing" myself to wear it. There are just some items I only need occasionally, and others I need a lot! I am grateful for them all.

9 years ago

Sadie

Active Member

Suz- I too find I wear my favorites a lot but that's probably because they are versatile (and maybe that's why they are favorites!) I am trying to wear everything but some items just get fewer wears - for example some tops I have worn 2 X and one I wore 15 X. I think some items are more versatile or more comfortable; others fit a more specific need (ie dressier pants and dresses) so not all items will be capable of being worn that often.

As far as outfits- I have to figure out how to take a photo that doesn't scare children and pets!

9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm working on somethiing like that as I find it easier to think in these seasonal (4 season) blocks and then step back for the big picture.
Or even, the "40 hangers of the month" club.

Meaning, taking into account the amount of repeats within week and of specific outfits--for which I have moderately high tolerance and not super-variety-craving--I'm looking at temperature/weather seasons moderated by indoor workplace temps, then about how many items I really wear, and why, then if, moving on to next hotter or colder season, if I still can and want to wear something, maybe that means I can pick which items make the best transition and have a bit fewer one-season wonders, or alternatively overduplicating single-season items, and so on.

My purpose includes not only closet un-crowding and ability to know what's there, but also wardrobe agility. I don't have a need to minimize total items per se, but I want to avoid going too deep into similar items that don't get fully used, and then feeling that they were wasted resources, and then feel bad if I want to update when they no longer seem right. That's a bit different from just "loving" everything you have, but also realizing you can only use so many items. This is mostly for everyday items and not as much an issue for having selected capsules for special occasions and realizing they won't get as much use. Still, I'm looking harder at how even those could multitask, for the same reason that I don't fully trust my ability to have any one super-dressy outfit for 10 years but need to think of special occasion wear more imaginatively so those items can be refreshed at intervals, too.

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Great inspiration here. Thanks, Sadie! I'm so averse to counting and numbers--based analysis. I feel I should just do it, though.

9 years ago

Meow

Veteran

I've been trying this approach but can't seem to stay disciplined. I just bought the same sweater in 2 different colors - which is back to my old habits and something I was trying to avoid. BUT... the sweater was on sale and I've been looking for it for quite a while and the other color was also one in my color plan - which I actually HAVE a color plan this year- so at least there's some progress. I'm impressed with all the counting you're doing. I should try that. How do you stay disciplined?

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Interesting Sadie! Well done.

I am not a counter per wears but I have a similar sized wardrobe to you. Our lives sound similar ( although less travel for me!). I love my current sized wardrobe, it allows me variety but I do get a chance to really wear all my clothes. Yes there are some favourites that go from the clothes line straight back onto my body...and others that might get two wears per season......but that is okay! I am just trying not to add new things that only get two wears per season (except evening wear)...

I have done a few WIW and plenty more that I have not posted. It has helped me refine my eye for proportion...I have a good eye for colours that work together and suit me but I have realised how length changes can affect a look and been bake to tweak a few things. I need to get more confident with posting them, but it is a bit scary at first!

9 years ago

Sadie

Active Member

Sarah- I hear you on the duplicates (I am always temped by the buy-one-get-the-second-for-half-price sales)- only to discover one item proved a favorite/workhorse, while the others in the cohort languished- so I am trying to only buy the one linchpin and ignore the others. Oddly, the smaller I make my wardrobe, the easier it is to stay disciplined, as if it makes it harder for new items to "join the club". I have had a frightening cycle of purchase and return this year though, so my discipline is evident in my numbers, but not in my shopping behavior. I have become ruthless about tracking orders, "tags on" status and return by dates, though, and only order on-line where I can return in B&M stores.

Kiwigal- I do take pictures- funny how an outfit can look so different in a photo from how it looked in the mirror! We need a "beginners WIW" forum, LOL!

9 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

My wardrobe is a little smaller but still not minimalist (don't think I ever will be). I have been tracking since April this year & have found it very enlightening. It's made me reflect on the "versatile" aspect of clothing too.
I can't give you a number for a 3 month block but I am wearing everything in my wardrobe - how often depends on weather & occasion of course

9 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I enjoyed reading your thoughts about capsule dressing and keep planning to participate in a similar challenge, but I get distracted and thrown off track so easily:( I'm trying to create a small section in my closet devoted to that season so that I'm not visually confused by everything hanging together. I won't restrict myself from grabbing something else if I want or feel I need to switch things up. I also will not limit shoe or boot choices as I have troublesome feet and don't want to add more grief to an already difficult chore of finding shoes that look good and don't hurt my feet.

I can see how this would really simplify dressing everyday without spending so much time thinking about it ALL THE TIME. I haven't quite been able to switch to fall clothes yet because our weather has set records and we have enjoyed an extra long summer with very warm temps. But the rains have begun and I will attempt in earnest to try this again!

9 years ago

Elly

Veteran

So far this fall I have worn 25 pieces including belts and shoes-- I don't track but I can calculate in my head. That said, the last of my fall orders haven't come in yet, so I don't have my complete Fall wardrobe settled (I will wear it into winter). In the next week or two I will phase out all the short sleeve shirts I've been using as an under layer and switch entirely to long-sleeves. I have 1 pair of pants on order, 1 pair of jeans that I recently bought and haven't worn yet, and 2 pairs of dress slacks and a skirt that get used only for events (although I hope two wear 4 of 5 unused bottoms this month). I have 2 pairs of new shoes coming, and 1-2 pairs of transitional shoes will become indoor only shoes or will be put aside till spring. I have 2 shirts, 1 layering tee, and 4 sweaters coming, plus 1 sweater I haven't worn yet and 1 old button down that I'm hoping to refresh with new pants.

I'm very concerned about keeping each garment highly usable (not too concerned about versatility) and don't want things to grow out of control. I'm really not much of a shopper, like to keep a budget and tend to have yearly fluctuations in income. So far having a few more pieces that in seasons past feels really good.

In summer I had 22 pieces. It was frankly not enough. I work in a smart casual-type office with some safety and practical limitations and attend a lot of museum openings and gallery events, like to day-trip on the weekends along with spending time at home, running errands, and in gear. I work more than FT hours, and commute 1.5 hours a day.

Spring is hard here because there isn't much of a dramatic shift-- I wear winter clothes, then sub in short sleeved under layers with toppers, then we are at summer.

Last Winter I wore about 24 pieces, and it also felt too small.

Fall was another season where I had a similar number of pieces, but did spend over a month wearing gear doing field work.

Everyone has their own number-- some of us come here to build a wardrobe and some need to re-imagine it!

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

Good for you for getting control of your wardrobe! Mine is way out of control at the moment. I think my work wardrobe numbers mirror yours (except the Fall and Winter numbers are reversed). At the moment, it's my casual and lounge wear that is exploding beyond reason. I am stuck in lounge wear for the next few weeks, and will likely have very little need for work wear until Feb, but I have used that as my excuse to beef up waaaaaay more than necessary. I should be using it as my reason to not shop!

9 years ago

shemarie

Active Member

Great analysis and post! Congratulations on making the smaller/capsule wardrobe work for your lifestyle! I like her blog/system for inspiration and think I've unintentionally begun to do the same thing, primarily like you to reign in the neverending shop/order/return cycle.

My climate and lifestyle are quite similar to yours, but I'm discovering quickly that I do NOT shop for my predominate season, though I'm getting better about shopping for my "actual" lifestyle versus my imaginary one. (i.e. I found it easier now to talk myself out of yesterday's great AT sale as I have little need for dressy/business casual items, despite the great deals and beautiful pieces). I've also become much, much more picky about what "gets in." At least it's progress.

I'm very impressed, too, that you've cataloged the numbers and have been able to maintain the process of tracking wears. That's my next step and you've given me great motivation! As for the "WIW for Beginners"...hopefully someday I'll feel confident enough...

9 years ago

Category