https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:04:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1344004 Sun, 31 Aug 2014 19:54:09 +0000 Alassë 1344004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm really enjoying reading your posts, Ingunn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1343925 Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:17:53 +0000 Anonymous 1343925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ingunn, you have inspired me to start charting what I wear. I need to realize when I have enough of a type of item. I am so glad that your Ted Baker tee is getting lots of use. A penny dropped when you mentioned older pieces that didn't get much wear but that you keep for those occasions when they are needed. You also helped me see the value of hanging on to favorite tops that may not be fluid enough on their own currently but have value for layering when a close fit is needed. Thank you for sharing your exercise and thoughts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1343798 Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:59:28 +0000 Ingunn 1343798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, your hoodie is as versatile as mine, apparently. Isn't it great to have a piece of clothing like that? Wearing a hoodie was something I never thought I would like until I got this one. I found great inspiration in Angie's post about layering, too. It's funny how similar we think in these matters. I think I could move into your wardrobe and feel very much at home in it :)</p> <p>Sterling, I highly recommend it. I've learn quite a bit!</p> <p>Style Fan, the seasons have a huge impact imho. Lifestyle and climate are the most important factors for determining what I need, but I've never been really good at acting on this information (dressing for another life). This is about to change.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1343758 Sun, 31 Aug 2014 11:05:32 +0000 Style Fan 1343758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great idea!&nbsp; I am curious what I would come up with.&nbsp; I wonder how the seasons impact our clothing choices (long, long winter, mini spring, blink of eye summer, nice fall and back to long, long winter) and also how our life styles impact our fashion.&nbsp; I am adjusting my shopping to being retired.&nbsp; </p> <p>I am inspired to start a record like this.&nbsp; Thank you.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1343753 Sun, 31 Aug 2014 10:40:12 +0000 Anonymous 1343753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>GREAT!! &nbsp;Great analysis. &nbsp;I loved the way you approached your data and what you learned from your analysis. &nbsp;I am very dissatisfied with my Summer wardrobe. &nbsp;I will use your technique today to see what conclusions I might draw about myself. &nbsp;THANKS. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1343020 Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:41:54 +0000 Suz 1343020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay. Now on my computer.&nbsp;</p> <p>One interesting detail and another similarity: my cashmere hoodie (a YLF gift from MO!!) was also one of <b>my</b> most worn pieces last year!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie's post on layering a hoodie under a jacket was all I needed to find a million ways to wear that.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have not tracked as systematically as you (yet) -- until now it was by photo only and not really counting wears, per se. This coming year I am going to do what you have done. I have already listed my items so the main work of set up is done.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's perfectly natural that you wear your top three sweaters a great deal. In our cold climate they are much in use as layering pieces even with toppers in addition, and we have so many months per year that they are weather appropriate that simply by counting the months it becomes obvious they would be worn more than a sleeveless blouse, for example.&nbsp;</p> <p>By the way, when I track (even in my informal way) I have always counted the way you do -- wears are when I am going anywhere, doing anything. And I do count it as a wear if I change into it after doing something else-- assuming I actually wear it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342812 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:50:03 +0000 Lyn D. 1342812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This confirms my wish to find&nbsp;<b></b>the&nbsp;<b>perfect&nbsp;</b>hoodie- a definite HEWI for me but worth sourcing!<br />Thanks Ingunn, off to read about your other categories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342791 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:28:56 +0000 Ingunn 1342791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit, I dress for four seasons, but my summer is quite a bit shorter than winter. I know for sure that this means that I could never live with a very limited number of clothes, particularly in the outerwear and shoes department.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342789 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:27:01 +0000 Ingunn 1342789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, that's so interesting that we have almost similar numbers, regarding our widely different climates. You wonder about the numbers of wears on my sweaters. I suppose the way we count may differ. I count everything as a wear, including changing into something else after work. I also wear sweaters instead of light toppers a lot, and I layer them. But of course, this might also indicate that I could use a few&nbsp;more sweaters, maybe.</p> <p>Suz, this is not surprising. I feel that I can relate very closely to most of what you have shared about your wardrobe inventory, in so many ways. I think&nbsp;this amount of clothing&nbsp;is very much what I need and want, too. I'm looking forward to read your further thoughts, and I will also follow up on this with another post on jackets/outerwear and shoes. Finally, I hope to write a summary or conclusion to this process and share a bit of my plans for the coming season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342788 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:23:55 +0000 Alana in Canada 1342788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Susie and Ingunn. So interesting. And the plot is thickening what with the other fabbers' numbers being similar.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dunn dunn dunn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342787 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 21:20:35 +0000 Staysfit 1342787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ingunn, there seems to be some numbers in common with both Mo and Suz. I find that fascinating. How many seasons do you need to dress for? I am curious if that will have any impact on the number of items one uses? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342752 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 20:39:14 +0000 Suz 1342752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ingunn, I am on my phone and on a shaky train so can't reply with the detail I would like now. But will come back to this. For now I want to say that our numbers are so similar it is almost uncanny. My subcategories differ a bit but I have 22 knit tops/sweaters and 30 tops (I.e. Not sweaters). And this feels more or less right for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342689 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:43:02 +0000 Mo 1342689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like seeing that you have 34 shirts and 17 sweaters. &nbsp;I have an 'ideal' target number&nbsp;in mind of 36 and 15, respectively. &nbsp;I expect to have my most trendy items be tops, so a portion of my higher number will be one season&nbsp;(or two)&nbsp;trend pieces that come and go. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm shocked at the great number of wears of your top 3 sweaters! &nbsp;You must prefer them to jackets I assume? &nbsp;I'd be happy to get a dozen wears out of most of my tops in any year. &nbsp;Hopefully I'm getting closer to that reality.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342686 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:39:00 +0000 Gracie 1342686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What inspiring analysis, thank you for Sharing, Ingunn. I particularly like that you take the time why the top items got worn and why the bottom three were not favorites – great data to use for future purchases. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342683 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:35:14 +0000 Jen W 1342683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking about tracking as we head into fall and your post here has inspired me to start. What a wonderful analysis! Thank you for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342675 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:23:28 +0000 Ingunn 1342675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do excactly as Susie does, except for using a google spreadsheet instead of Excel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342673 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:15:32 +0000 Susie 1342673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alana, I'm obviously not Ingunn but I can tell you that I use an excel spreadsheet to track mine. I have all my items listed in rows (by categories) and then months in columns. I enter numbers because that allows me to count, add, calculate etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342657 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:49:24 +0000 Alana in Canada 1342657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ingunn, would you mind sharing more of your process for counting? Do you have a spreadsheet for all of your clothes and then just put a tick mark beside them when you wear them--or did you take pics and count that way?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342571 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:39:50 +0000 Ingunn 1342571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit, I can highly recommend this strategy. It takes a little effort but the payback has been great for me. I've come a long way in understanding what I actually need, wear and want with my wardrobe. It is a lot easier to be content with less for me now, too, which has been an important aspect to me for several reasons.&nbsp;</p> <p>Susie, I've had severap epiphanies connected to what I actually wear and why lately. It's really interesting! An example is that I thought I had too many sweaters, but my numbers clearly shows that I don't.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks, Elly!</p> <p>Una, that is a very good question. To be honest, I'm not sure if I've managed to track everything in the same way. My strategy has been that every time a piece has been worn to DO something or BE somewhere, it should be counted. That means that in the same day, I might have counted several outfits or versions of outfits.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342557 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:18:58 +0000 catgirl 1342557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ingunn, this is the opposite of my "method' of tracking - which is NONE - and I am so impressed.&nbsp; </p> <p>Question:&nbsp; do you count it as a wear any time an item is used, no&nbsp;matter how long?&nbsp; I have noticed I will wear work clothes, come home, change to lounge, then change to something if we go out to dinner, and then back to lounge.&nbsp; So I don't think of the "out to dinner" clothes as a real wear even though they are.</p> <p>Great work and insights! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342550 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:01:47 +0000 Elly 1342550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an amazing amount of work--- I can't wait to see the final analysis and what you've learned in action. I've missed seeing more of your creative outfits and takes and trends, Ingunn.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342507 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:21:16 +0000 Susie 1342507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like how you've broken this out, Ingunn, with the top three and bottom three in each category. I will soon complete a full year of tracking too. It really is helpful to see, in black and white, which items we truly wear. For me, it wasn't always pieces that I assumed I wore. I think it is particularly helpful to analyze WHY we like wearing/don't like wearing certain pieces. It's also good to be reminded of the categories where we have plenty and should avoid adding any more, like sweaters for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342439 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:45:56 +0000 Golden 1342439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very thoughtful analysis, I should try something like this! I think I have too much stuff that is not used enough and I keep getting more.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342435 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:35:37 +0000 ma 1342435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow this is great! I need to get motivated to do something similar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342430 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:20:05 +0000 Staysfit 1342430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad you shared. I'm in the process of creating a catalog of all my clothes so I can track how often I wear them, what I like and don't like about them, etc. This motivates me and shows how worthwhile such an undertaking can be if you stick to it. I have more clothes than you and my goal is to hone down my wardrobe to what is truly great, purge the rest, and then be mindful of what I add back in the future.</p> <p>I found your analysis thorough and interesting. You have a good sense of your needs and what works for your lifestyle! I hope you will keep this up and share again in the future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342404 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:24:16 +0000 Quietgirl 1342404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Informative! Thank you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-1-tops-shirts-sweaters-very-long#post-1342400 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:13:14 +0000 Ingunn 1342400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi all, I hope you are having as much fun with fashion as I am. </p> <p>Last year I started registering the numbers of wear for each item in my wardrobe very systematically. Now I have a year's worth&nbsp;of data, and it's interesting to see what I can learn from crunching the the numbers&nbsp;.&nbsp;</p> <p>In short, I've learned more about the colors and shapes I prefer and why. I've also gotten better at understanding how much I actually need and want to have for enough versatility in my wardrobe. This is probably the most important take away from this exercise. I've learned that I love sweaters even more than I realized, and I need quite a few. I love cotton, wool and silk and have almost no poly or blends at all.</p> <p>First up are the tops, shirts and sweaters. I have five categories, and I'm stating the number of wears behind the pieces. I also list the total number of pieces in each category.</p> <p> <div><b><u>1 Shirts &amp; blouses</u></b></div><div>Total number: 10. This is enough. I don't need more, so if I get any new ones, something must go.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three:</b></div><div>White button down (12)</div><div>Black watch plaid popover shirt (10)</div><div>Denim/chambray shirt (8)</div><div><br /></div><div>A white button down is an essential for me, and I&nbsp;wear other white shirts, too. The plaid shirt was an orphaned tunic, several years old, that I altered to a shirt. It is fluid, which makes it more current, and the pattern is classic. The denim shirt I now have is a bit too fitted for my taste, and I'm replacing it with a more fluid version.&nbsp;</p> <p> </div><div><b>Bottom three:</b></div><div>Abstract print silk tunic (3)</div><div>Gray collarless silk shirt (2)</div><div>Clear blue pinstripe button down, tailored (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>The silk tunic is easy to love and hard to wear. I still love the colors, and I'm keeping it for another year. The gray silk shirt is several years old and shows some wear. I'm thinking of replacing it. The pinstripe shirt is a classic that I really like, but doesn't wear much because I prefer more fluid silhouettes right now. I'm keeping it because classic tailored shirts have longevity.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>2 Smart casual tops, no sleeves or short sleeves</u></b></div><div>Total number: 9. Probably one or two too many. Definitely no need to add more to this category.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three:</b></div><div>Ted Baker floral top (15)</div><div>White/blue/black ikat patterned top (12)</div><div>Navy slightly cropped and fluid tank (8)</div><div><br /></div><div>The TB top was love at first sight, and I have worn it frequently over the summer. It is extremely versatile and easy to dress up and down because of all the colors, the fabric (not too shiny) and the shape (simple). The ikat top matches very well with my preferred color scheme for summer this season, which was white, navy and blue with accents of black. The navy tank is heavier and mostly worn in f/w.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bottom three:&nbsp;</b></div><div>Sparkly black top (4)</div><div>Black lace top (2)</div><div>Blue silk v-neck top (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>The sparkly top is very old, but still versatile for some occasions. Definitely a stayer. The black lace top is nice, but I'm not too happy with the neckline (jewel). I might replace it with something with sleeves. The v-neck silk tee is too wide/deep in the neckline for my comfort and should probably be purged.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>3 Casual tanks &amp; tees</u></b></div><div>Total number: 9. I think this is more than enough, and I don't want duplicates of anything. I'd manage just fine with six pieces, too.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three:</b></div><div>Gray v-neck tee (16)</div><div>navy v-neck tee (16)</div><div>Black slouchy tank (14)</div><div><br /></div><div>These are all in heavy rotation during spring, summer and fall. Close runner-ups are the white v-neck tee and a white tank top. Such basics are essentials for me. I prefer replacing them often to having a lot of duplicates.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bottom three:</b></div><div>Mint crewnec tee (3)</div><div>White basic tee (2)</div><div>Navy tank top (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>The mint tee is not my color, and I feel all wrong in it. The white tee is old and a duplicate that I never prefer. Will be demoted to dirty-work wear. The &nbsp;navy tank is worn and doesn't look good, will purge it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>4 Casual cotton/thin wool tops with sleeves</u></b></div><div>Total number: 6. Apart from my Bretons, this category is basically for layering. I'm considering adding a turtleneck in gray.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three:</b></div><div>Navy/white Breton, heavy cotton (21)</div><div>White/black striped crew neck tee (13)</div><div>White/cobalt Breton, haavy cotton (7)</div><div><br /></div><div>I love the versatility of my classic Breton. The white/cobalt version is not as fab, and I've added a white/navy mariniére in lighter jersey recently to wear in summer. The white/black striped tee is good for layering in fall, winter and spring.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bottom two:</b></div><div>Burgundy turtleneck (3)</div><div>White fitted longsleeve tee (2)</div><div>(not big enough category to list three pieces)</p> <p> </div><div>The burgundy is not my best color. The white one is only worn as a layering piece under my black sheath. I'm keeping both for now because I need the layering options.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>5 Sweaters and cardigans</u></b></div><div>Total number: 17. This is the largest category in my wardrobe except for shoes, and I wear most of it frequently.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three:</b></div><div>Heather gray cashmere hoodie (36)</div><div>Pale blue cotton/wool sweater (27)</div><div>Cobalt cropped cardigan (27)</div><div><br /></div><div>The hoodie was a christmas gift, and I've worn it practically everywhere - to the gym, dinner dates with a blazer on top, with skirt and dressy pants etc. Perfect for warmth and for dressing down an outfit. It feels very modern to me because of the sporty luxe appeal. The pale blue sweater was my best summer garment. Super comfortable, fluid, great color, easy to mix with anything from boyfriend jeans and shorts&nbsp;to pencil skirts. The cobalt cropped cardigan is a versatile layering piece and a very good color for me. I have many more more pieces in this category that have seen a lot of wear: Black, gray and navy v-neck sweaters, dark purple cropped sweater, black turtleneck.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bottom three:</b></div><div>Yellow cropped sweater (4)</div><div>Oatmeal cardigan (2)</div><div>Coral cropped cardigan (0)</div><div><br /></div><div>I like the yellow sweater, but not on me. It seems like&nbsp;a lot of yellow. The cardigan is very basic and boring. The coral cardigan has a classic shape and will stay because I do like it.&nbsp; </p> <p>If you've read this far, thank you for your patience. Any and all comments are highly appreciated. Thanks!</p> <p>ETA: Read about <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-in-numbers-part-2-skirts-dresses-and-pants">skirts, dresses and pants here</a> if you are interested in more of this.</p> <p> </div> </p>