https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:48:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161142 Sun, 20 Dec 2020 02:22:03 +0000 Anonymous 2161142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought I'd have a slower year cause Covid too, but ended up buying a lot of at home wear and gear. Will write my end of year post sometime in the next few days.<br /> I recycle any clothes not good enough to donate or consign too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161129 Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:54:36 +0000 LaPed 2161129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz -- I think I remember your numbers sounding remarkably similar to mine!&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie -- thank you. I think I enjoy the analysis at least as much as I enjoy the shopping and wearing. :D&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161121 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 23:12:26 +0000 Angie 2161121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Carla,</b> you are right about how I manage the size of my wardrobe with hanger numbers and the one-in-one-out principle. I never go over my number, or have a too big wardrobe that way.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>La Ped</b>, great analysis, and how fab that your numbers stay the same no matter what! Good job editing, and no - you don't need to wear everything to death. There is little fun in that - at least that would be the case for me.&nbsp;</p> <p>Good shopping list too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161104 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 22:07:26 +0000 Suz 2161104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you for doing this analysis. I think this means you've hit wardrobe numbers sweet spot. </p> <p>My wardrobe is around the same size (maybe a bit bigger -- I need to update my count and of course it depends what I count! (I.e. gear or not gear...that is the question!). But, my point is, with a similar sized wardrobe, I "churn" at exactly the same rate. My numbers would be very similar to yours. And like you, I've spontaneously (i.e. without consciously planning it) added and subtracted approximately the same number of items per year for, I think, the last 4 years -- 4 years ago being when I'd finally managed to build a wardrobe up from basically nothing.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161082 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 19:38:06 +0000 LaPed 2161082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla -- I fell off the counting wagon for a while, so I was a little bit surprised to see that my shopping habits are fairly unwavering whether or not I'm paying close attention.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jenni -- thank you! I've decided that for now I'm okay with the occasional experiment, knowing they won't always succeed. Certain silhouettes seem like a good idea when I first try them on, and then in practice I never reach for them. Better to let something like that go to a new home than to try to force it to work.&nbsp;</p> <p>Minaminu -- I try to make a point of taking stock of socks in the spring because I always wear out a couple pairs over the winter. Better not to have the ones with holes taking up space all summer!</p> <p>Janet -- I think there's something to be said for the intuitive approach! I probably overanalyze things, tbh. If this year has shown me anything, it's that my buying habits probably wouldn't change very much if I stopped tracking, which makes me wonder if perhaps there's a better/more fun way for me to spend that time. But, then, I like numbers. :D</p> <p>Rachylou -- I'm always suprised, even though my numbers hardly budge. Really, it's the idea that I'm adding and subtracting an average of three pieces every month...&nbsp;</p> <p>Nemosmom -- I added a couple of three different long-sleeve tees, and feel pretty set for the winter, but probably won't duplicate any of them directly. And I'm *still* waiting for a restock of this greeny-brown one from Everlane (in Finds).&nbsp;</p> <p>Kkards -- I go back and forth on whether I should try to get my numbers lower. Like you say, it would certainly be possible. I think when I was younger and had less cash, I was more tolerant of flaws and would live with flawed items for longer. Being able to replace something when it's okay but not perfect is a luxury I quite appreciate, even if it's not in keeping with the New England mantra of "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."&nbsp;</p> <p>Nikki -- thank you! I have a really hard time letting things go straight into the trash, so setting up some systems to make sure clothes get re-homed or re-purposed is important to me. I have a 6yo kid, so the donation/consignment cycle is never-ending in my house. He outgrows things every time I turn my back!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161078 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 18:40:03 +0000 Anonymous 2161078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love that you sell online, consign, donate or recycle unwanted items. I appreciate your introspective year in review and concise goals. Happy New Year to you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161076 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 18:32:19 +0000 kkards 2161076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am always in awe of the how much detail the “counters” have...for the past couple of years I’ve been keeping track of the ins..but not the outs nor the wears...but maybe in the future.<br />anyway, as someone who does “count” for a living, i think if your finding that your numbers are generally the same year over year, then your at the right place, and to go lower would require a dramatic shift, and would clearly work, both upfront and in season.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161072 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 17:55:07 +0000 nemosmom 2161072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SQUEE! A numbers post!!! /nerd</p> <p>I am impressed that your numbers stayed relatively stable, despite the pandemic, and am intrigued by your 30% churn rate. Clothes do still wear out and need to be replaced, and of the new pieces you have shown on the forum, everything looks like it aligns with both your life and your style.&nbsp; Did you ever find your HEWI long sleeve tshirts? &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161042 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:58:29 +0000 rachylou 2161042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well thought!</p> <p>I feel surprised by your numbers. I’m not sure why. Lol. I guess it’s like with dd, she seems to skip around in age. Turns 28 without ever having been, like, 25 or 9... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161041 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:50:42 +0000 Janet 2161041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such good analysis! I’m not a numbers person so I rarely think about my wardrobe in such terms, but I’m always impressed with the discipline shown by those of you who do this so well. And I learn a little to apply to my own admittedly large wardrobe. It makes me take a more thoughtful look at my own purchases and attempt a more strategic approach. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161026 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 09:39:25 +0000 Minaminu 2161026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis and excellent plan for 2021! It's a great idea to do an audit for socks and hosiery, somehow I keep on loosing my socks! Love the idea of a fun item for summer, it's a great idea and I am sure it will be very useful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2161003 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 03:17:25 +0000 Jenni NZ 2161003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is excellent, well done. My purchase numbers are much less for the year but my goal was to reduce the size of my wardrobe and I was starting off a higher base of 170+. So far 10 in and 23 out this year so down by 13, currently at 161 counted items. Am aiming for around 150 so a bit more than you. Also have a dress-up cupboard and don’t count bags as only use one daily handbag, but there is a clutch of clutches as well gathered since I was 18! ( Which is a lot longer ago than when you were 18!)<br /> Even with 160-170 items do wear out for me or become so much less pristine that they are no longer my style since I am not RATE.<br /> I agree with Carla that it is kind of comforting to see that a careful and budget-conscious shopper such as yourself can still make some errors. Me too, but not as many as I used to so yay for that! And my removals for lack of comfort are still mostly shoes. This year’s 3 pairs though, all good!<br /> Thanks for your posts this year and happy Christmas xx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2160992 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:38:38 +0000 Carla 2160992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It doesn’t surprise me that you have found a kind of equilibrium in the size of your wardrobe. &nbsp;I think a few of us ‘counters’ found the same thing and discussed it last year. &nbsp;Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember Angie saying she had a certain number of hangers that are her max and she practices a variation of ‘one in/one out.’ &nbsp;</p> <div><br /></div><div>I appreciate your honesty in reporting the variety of reasons for editing an item, including that sometimes something bought with enthusiasm just doesn’t work out. &nbsp;Not everything gets ‘worn to death’. &nbsp;:-) &nbsp;Though I did my annual edit in October, I just pulled some (faded) cotton sweaters and pilled synthetics. &nbsp;After having acquired some quality cashmere and merino at thrifted (saturated colours! &nbsp;no pilling!) I couldn’t bear to wear the flabby and faded cotton sweaters or touch the synthetics! &nbsp;They weren’t ‘worn out’ but I just don’t want to wear them anymore!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I&nbsp;<i>spent&nbsp;</i>less this year (one third of my clothing budget remains unspent) but have acquired a surprising amount, since I abandoned online shopping for thrifting. &nbsp;I have yet to do the final number crunching, but believe the clothing count this year will be similar to last year. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to think about my ‘word’ and ‘colour’ for 2021, and set some wardrobe goals for 2021! &nbsp;Still organizing my thoughts....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-numbers-and-2021-goals#post-2160988 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 23:18:45 +0000 LaPed 2160988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did a new purchase count back in Sept and came up at 31. Since then I've added 4 more pieces (3 layering tops and a pair of Athleta leggings), and have one more thing to try on its way to me, so 35-36 new additions for the year. I had thought I might have a slower year due to covid, but life goes on, my clothes continued to wear out and fall apart, so my numbers held pretty steady compared to previous years. I just went through and tallied how many pieces I removed this year and came up with... (drumroll)</p> <p>...38. I don't practice a strict one in/one out, and in the past I have not been good at tracking the items I get rid of. This number shouldn't actually shock me, as my wardrobe stays very steadily at about 120 items no matter what I do (counting gear and lounge, but not counting underpinnings or outdoor accessories). But I am surprised nonetheless. I'm too lazy to get super granular here, but broadly:<b><br /> </b> </p> <ul> <li>Gear -- 6 out / 7 in</li> <li>Lounge -- 9 out / 5 in</li> <li>Everything else -- 23 out / 23 in (possible 24)</li> </ul> <p><b></b><b></b>This represents about 30% of my wardrobe. It also comes out to approximately 3 out/3 in per month, which sounds about right.&nbsp;Most of what I culled was due to wear and tear -- holes, fraying cuffs or seams, glue/paint/bleach accidents, shrinkage or stretching out, and fading. A few had to do with fit issues, especially low rises, plus a few older sleeveless tops that were just too big. A few had to do with style shifts, or pieces not working as well for my climate/lifestyle as I’d hoped. In the case of footwear, most (2 out of 3) were due to unforeseen comfort/fit issues rather than age. Some of these items have been sold online or donated locally, and some went to the transfer station to be recycled. Some are still in a holding zone because I plan to sell or consign them but haven’t yet. My go-to consignment shops are across the border in Vermont, so I won’t be able to take things there until travel restrictions ease. But they are laundered, lint-rolled and ready to go!&nbsp;</p> <p>My goals for 2021 are as follows:</p> <p><b></b></p> </p> <ul> <li>Find new lounge pants (I had three out of four pairs develop holes this year and have only replaced one -- pandemic problems!)</li> <li>Add more variety to my knitwear (colour, pattern, texture, silhouette)</li> <li>One pair of great “out-in-the-world” boots (low-heeled chelsea or lace-up; no zippers; olive, navy, or dark brown)</li> <li>Keep looking for a super-cozy fleece jacket or coat (hood, pockets, lining) &nbsp;</li> <li>Keep looking for a long/oversized blazer </li> <li>Socks/hosiery audit in the spring</li> <li>Maybe a fun dress, jumpsuit, or matching separates for summer (natural fibers only; has to be just the right pattern and/or colour)</li> </ul> <p><b></b>(Last post for a while as I head into the holiday break, but I will try to be good about replying to comments. Can't wait to see everyone else's analysis and goals posts!)</p>