https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:42:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327271 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 23:41:01 +0000 Sal 2327271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Minaminu - that's always a bit frustrating when you have to buy a workhorse under pressure.&nbsp; Hope something works out.</p> <p>Angie - I agree - yoga gear does last brilliantly!&nbsp; And those older pieces still have a place - I only hand them on if I know in my heart I won't wear them again.&nbsp; Infrequent wear is still worthwhile.</p> <p>Robin - I don't think tracking is for everyone.&nbsp; Only do it if you want to.&nbsp; I started as a way of looking at my clothing during Covid for three months but decided to do one year - I am keeping going because I don't mind doing it.</p> <p>sabimct - I think if you want clarity on purchasing it can be useful - a bit like some people track their eating.&nbsp; Happy to share my spreadsheet if that is useful.</p> <p>star - I agree re neutrals.&nbsp; I thought I wore dresses more than I actually do.&nbsp; I could reduce some footwear and dresses and tops too - but I am not going to - rather just slow down my purchasing in this area.</p> <p>Cardiff Girl - I agree.&nbsp; I was hit with the reality of some things getting a lot less wear than I anticipated....&nbsp; I don't mind repeating for work or casual weekend but I do like variety for dressier occasions but my life is not very dressy........</p> <p>Jenni - yes 30 wears is more than you think.....and when you like the "fun" stuff it's a challenge..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327269 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 23:19:53 +0000 Anonymous 2327269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of that resonates with my tracking experience so far. I've learned too that my coats, bags, and shoes get A Lot of wear. Probably cause they can be used daily instead of having to wash. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327238 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:31:18 +0000 Minaminu 2327238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>very wise!!!! Completely agree with the point 1 in changes (If something gets a lot of wear and is on it's last legs, then proactively replace it), I managed to ruin my 2 office blouses in the very same week and I am now stressing out, taking back from storage spring blouses and looking for replacements!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327229 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:14:13 +0000 Angie 2327229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NICE <b>Sal</b>! I'm glad you benefited from the exercise, and could draw useful conclusions from it to apply in future :)</p> <p>This resonated the most with me personally:</p> <p><i>"I do have a pattern of keeping hold of older workhorses but wearing them less."&nbsp;</i></p> <p>It's when something else new takes their place as a workhorse, but it's hard to part with old favourites!&nbsp;Like <b>Suz,</b> I tend to wear my new stuff more than my older items, even when I love the old stuff.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also wear my gear almost daily for yoga practice - but it does not count as fashion purchases to me (it's a wardrobe BASIC, which I don't include). I want to keep the capsule to the absolute bare minimum. 3 yoga sets is plenty to prevent laundry bottlenecks, and as you say - it lasts for years!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327226 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:11:48 +0000 RobinF 2327226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looks like tracking has helped you clarify where and how you want to spend your clothes budget, makes sense. I have never tracked (I am an accountant by trade so you would think it would interest me but for some reason doesn't) but I agree with you about wearing older favorites less as time passes. Newer is just more fun :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327221 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:46:46 +0000 sabimct 2327221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The concept of tracking is new to me, but very interesting.</p> <p>I don't have the bandwidth to do it right now, but as I read these posts in this thread, I was immediately wondering how the items in my wardrobe would shake out.</p> <p>Excellent food for thought! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327218 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:27:05 +0000 Star (Lise) 2327218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been tracking wears for two and a half years and it has made me realise I really can manage with way less clothing than I do have.&nbsp; &nbsp;Also that I wear more neutral colours than I had any idea of.&nbsp; I am practicing '1 in 2 out' and am committed to having a smaller wardrobe that serves my real needs and preferences in the future.&nbsp; Nearly all of the pieces I am letting go are ten years plus in age but because my wardrobe is so huge are still in good condition.&nbsp; Tastes change over the years for sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327214 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:42:55 +0000 Cardiff girl 2327214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tracking wears really means that you are confronted with the reality of what you wear not what you think you wear or what you would like to.l find this really interesting.l track my wears and like you it’s mainly gear,jeans and the like that gets the bulk of the wear so it makes sense to put more budget that way but l still struggle to spend more on jeans and less on sparkles! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327212 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:00:45 +0000 Jenni NZ 2327212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very good thoughts! After tracking for 7 years now your point 5 (same as Suz’s point 2 I think) is so true. I don’t wear the older favoured things as much when I get the new things. I still like them but I morph what I’m wearing the most.<br /> This caused me quite a dilemma for a while for older things that had not reached #30 wears. I was not reaching for them and so they would never get there and would just get older and older, if I was thinking I want to wear this new thing! (Because I liked it but also to get early wears in on it!)<br /> So perhaps a year or so back I made a more deliberate effort to wear older things on my lists perhaps mixed in with new if I could. For example a thin green merino from 2014 had limped to 11 wears by end 2021. With this new strategy it has had another 12 wears in the past 18 months.<br /> I totally agree with being careful about statement shoes. Although I wanted fuchsia sandals I am pleased I restrained myself because that way I got to wear the silver sandals I had bought for my daughter’s wedding over 3 years ago again instead- and that was only their 6th wear. They cost $124 so are certainly not at pennies so far! Fancy shoes are expensive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327207 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 05:35:02 +0000 Sal 2327207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Lisa - I struggle a lot more in winter - although the last few years I have felt better about it.&nbsp; I don't own many jeans - I spend in the mid range here ($150-$250) but if I wanted premium it would cost me upwards of $400 per pair which feels like a lot...</p> <p>Jaime - I think I meant to say that I want to spend on pieces that I wear a lot/regularly.&nbsp; My goal is to wear something out as I am tiring of an item - which might be only 2 years for some things and 10 for others.... I think thrifting for me is a good option for statements and tops, so I spend less and am ethical.&nbsp; But for shoes and gear and pants - newer is fine because it will get the wear.</p> <p>Suz - I agree - looking overall is the ideal and I know my occasion wear or some tops won't get to 30 wears - but jeans and shoes will.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327205 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 04:21:13 +0000 Sal 2327205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I wrote point poorly&nbsp; Jaime - I meant to say that don't wear out too quickly (active wear, jeans, footwear)....&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327204 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:45:08 +0000 Suz 2327204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sal</b>, I started tracking again this winter. .I have been interrupted in this for the past month due to a number of unusual situations at home (not least, my recent accident), but I do plan to resume. The tracking I did during the winter and spring very much confirms some of your own lessons:&nbsp;</p> <p>1. Essentials (esp. practical casual essentials like jeans and coats and certain kinds of footwear) get a <b>ton </b>of wear and are worth spending more on since I wear them so often. If I am going to wear them so often, I may as well feel 100% in them. Of course I can often find bargains in these areas as well and I never turn that down. But -- being trendy on the bottom -- it's vital for me to keep bottoms and footwear up to date.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also wear my gear a lot but I don't really include it with my "fashion" purchases -- despite its being clothes and there being some crossover with daily wear. I tend to lump my non crossover gear purchases with "health and fitness" and put it into that category of my budget.&nbsp;</p> <p>2. I wear my newer things a lot more than my oldest things, even if I still love the older things. However, it is nice to keep them for variety and to try styling them in different ways. Assuming I have room.&nbsp;</p> <p>3. Tops, skirts, dresses&nbsp; -- like you, I want more variety here and more statements, and that means I might tire of the item before it wears out. But I think of it all as an average -- if I wear the jeans 75 times, and the boots 100 times, it's fine that I only wore the top 20 before I retire it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Some of my statement items <b>do</b> get over 30 wears, especially if they are coats or footwear. Or bags. Others don't -- but if they fall into the category Brooklyn has called <b>icons</b>, I don't worry about that at all. If I love it deeply and will keep it for a decade (or more) then who cares if I only wear it 2-5 times a year?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327195 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 01:33:49 +0000 Jaime 2327195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting that you found it is more worthwhile to spend more on items that will wear out. It makes sense even though it seems like it shouldn't, if you know what I mean! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327190 Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:31:31 +0000 LJP 2327190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would absolutely agree with ALL of the assessments you made in “Lessons “ , with the exception of denim , which I just cannot bring myself to spend on. But I agree with all the other categories and lessons learned as my experiences are the same .<br /> I am far more inspired by and interested in winter style and hence don’t post much during the summer months . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-year-of-tracking-wears-and-my-lessons#post-2327187 Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:01:42 +0000 Sal 2327187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi All</p> <p>I started tracking 1st June 2022 and so a year was up at the end of May. I started tracking accessories but stopped - I don't really overbuy accessories and it felt like too much effort.&nbsp; I did track clothing, footwear and sports gear.</p> <p>I did estimate data prior to June 2022 - but I did this after six months so I feel by then I had a handle on true wear. But one year does not necessarily predict the next year - weather, vacations, work patterns and closet orphans all change.</p> <p>I do have a handful of pieces that did not get any wear in the calendar year: a pair of heels and a dress or two.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>My most worn pieces (over 50 wears) are almost all active wear, footwear or jeans.&nbsp; I did upgrade most of of my knitwear over the last year due to wear so I would expect a couple of sweaters to join the list over the next year or two.&nbsp; But tees don't get there often (wear out too quickly) and other things just don't get worn as much.</p> <p>I don't think the data is that interesting to anyone except me but some of the learnings might be:</p> <p><b>Lessons</b><br />1) For me, active wear/gear, shoes, jeans and pants, and coats/jackets are all worth their money.&nbsp; These pieces don't tend to wear out too quickly- and in the most part I don't get tired of them quickly.&nbsp; Spending more for something I love, of good quality and ethical manufacture is worth it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />2) Tops, sweaters, skirts and dresses are much more of a mixed bag.&nbsp; I have more variety here - but some are lightly worn.&nbsp; I do tire of some of them before they wear out.&nbsp; I need to be considered in purchasing these pieces.<br />3) I do not own many statements with over 30 wears.&nbsp; There are a couple - but they have to be several years old to get there.<br />4) It is hard to get cost per wear to "pennies" or "less than a dollar".&nbsp; I do have things that get there but they were either workhorses for several years or thrifted cheaply.&nbsp; It's a phrase used by influencers but I don't really believe it given I have a moderate size closet.<br />5)&nbsp;I do have a pattern of keeping hold of older workhorses but wearing them less.&nbsp; The three finds below have a lot of wear, but I don't wear them as much now (more like 5 times a year). This is a bit of a trend - new things are favoured but I still like the older, but don't wear them as much.</p> <p><b>Changes I have made or am making<br /></b>1) If something gets a lot of wear and is on it's last legs, then proactively replace it - or at least think about doing so.&nbsp; Why is it a workhorse and do I already have a replacement or not?&nbsp; My jumpsuit was my most worn one and done piece - it's quite worn and was used casually for errands or at the end of a hot day at home.&nbsp; That's a real need for me though!<br />2) Be wary of occasion footwear.....it does not get much wear.<br />3)&nbsp;Statements are a great thing for me to add second hand.</p> <p>&nbsp;4) I plan to add another swimsuit - I have two (one very utilitarian).&nbsp; My beach swimsuit gets a lot of wear - and it is a place you want to feel at your best.&nbsp; A second one will be fun.</p> <p>I haven't taken many WiW for the last few weeks but will share a few later in the month - I am not feeling that inspired with my winter style at the moment but I do have a new dress which I am yet to wear.</p> <p>Thanks in advance!</p>