https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748346 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 16:18:59 +0000 Marlene 1748346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think about a year ago I finally addressed the concept of wardrobe churn. &nbsp;I was just so sick of figuring out how to get rid of all my ex-clothes that I really wanted to cut down on how much i was actually getting rid of! &nbsp;I actually started PLANNING what I bought and that cut down on what I was bringing INTO the wardrobe which, in turn, cut down on how much I was taking OUT. &nbsp;However, cutting myself some slack, I did gain some weight and started a new job....both of which required that I adjust my wardrobe. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748301 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 14:25:09 +0000 Suz 1748301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sterling</b>, this is absolutely right.&nbsp;</p> <p>I always shopped sales and outlets before YLF. In fact, (due to budget) that's what I had to continue to do for my first two years here. Then my work life changed and I had more disposable money for clothing and started buying in earnest. At first my only "plan" was getting enough clothes in my closet to function! But now that I'm at that point, planning is becoming more conscious.&nbsp;</p> <p>Seriously, when I started on YLF I didn't even know what a "wardrobe hole" was or how you would identify it. I mean...???? &nbsp; I didn't really see things in terms of capsules or even outfits.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now, I have to admit, I still love a bargain. If I am buying from someplace like BR or J. Crew (where a lot of my clothes come from) or even the Bay, I will wait and watch certain items and try to buy on sale.&nbsp;</p> <p>But this is one reason I love the NAS -- it is a pre-sale. The pre-sale allows me to start planning for the year ahead even as I buy on sale! (Genius.)&nbsp;</p> <p>But I think you need to identify your true essentials before you can go meaningful planning, and paradoxically, this often involves some experimentation and some failures.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748245 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:36:14 +0000 Anonymous 1748245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wanted to come back to this because I have been pondering <b>Suz</b>'s plan versus my lack of plan. &nbsp;I remain convinced it is my lack of a plan that leads to wardrobe churn. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm planner by nature, how can I not have a plan for wardrobe shopping? &nbsp;It makes absolutely no sense. &nbsp;THEN it occurred to me. &nbsp;I am a sales shopper. &nbsp;I shop the sales and buy depending on what I find and how good the price is. &nbsp;Thus, no plan and lots of churn. &nbsp;MUST STOP SHOPPING SALES. &nbsp;They are not the bargains I thought they were.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748128 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 23:50:42 +0000 Suz 1748128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Emily,</b> I absolutely was in that position. For about 20 years or more, I bought, truly, the bare minimum to keep myself covered against the elements. Mostly budget and partly I couldn't figure out how to shop.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then I lost a pile of weight and nothing fit and I came to YLF with <b>nothing.</b> My first year and a half I had no money so I bought all on consignment, but I wasn't in a place either physically (no good consignment shops here) nor stylistically to make good consignment choices. So I experimented like crazy and had a real mish-mash. Then my circumstances changed and I bought like CRAZY for a few years. Now I'm just settling down and figuring out how to move my style forward.&nbsp;</p> <p>So yes, you will get get there!!!&nbsp;</p> <p>I think you will start to give yourself permission if you start wearing the things that are easiest in your environment and most sensible for your climate/ lifestyle. For instance -- I live in a super casual town and have a casual lifestyle. So I put some money in premium jeans -- which I instantly started to wear and don't have to give myself permission for.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748055 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 19:12:53 +0000 Emily K 1748055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b>--It is odd to think of you as having been in this position! &nbsp;Maybe there is hope for me yet. &nbsp;Actually, I have been accumulating enough clothes--although many are placeholders--but there is another issue (as <b>Laura</b> suggests) of giving myself permission to wear the clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748046 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:49:49 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1748046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smittie, the price point issue is a good one to think about too. If you buy really inexpensive pieces everything may be too flimsy or not fit or just annoy you; if you buy above your budget comfort zone then you may never feel comfortable wearing them or not be able to afford enough pieces for laundry bottlenecks or filling different needs in your life. Probably each of us has a sweet spot but whether that actually corresponds to what we have available to budget is another thing entirely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748032 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:21:52 +0000 Suz 1748032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Emily</b>, before YLF I was in the same position as you -- I'd never really had a working wardrobe. It took me about 5 years to build up a wardrobe that really works and now I'm at the stage of refining. Maybe I feel more guilt than I need to about what may be, in reality, merely a reasonable rotation due to wear outs and style evolution. I think on some level perhaps I still subscribe to the fantasy that if I have enough, I should be "done" with buying. But it doesn't work that way with clothing and fashion is part of the reason but so is wear and so is lifestyle. Hmmm.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1748017 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 17:32:35 +0000 Emily K 1748017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my churn is more mental than physical-closet-based. &nbsp;I've never had enough clothes to constitute a working wardrobe, so dressing myself falls into one of two categories: &nbsp;casual daily uniform (which I grudgingly replace long after it is actually worn to bits), or social anxiety about not having adequate clothing for the task at hand. &nbsp;Churn! &nbsp;I'm trying to get past this (finally) by giving myself permission to build a larger, working wardrobe. On the other hand, there are a lot of compulsive shoppers out who must be feeling a very different kind of churn when they confront heavy credit card bills and bags of unworn clothes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747993 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 16:53:05 +0000 Anonymous 1747993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also jumping in to say that almost nothing wears out before I donate! So you're in good company Sterling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747990 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 16:47:30 +0000 Anonymous 1747990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a lot of churn; about 1/3 I'd say. I wrote it down once but can't remember.<br /> The churn was a result of:<br /> - 1. experimenting a lot<br /> - 2. wearing things too much and then getting sick of them.<br /> -3. buying things that were, in hindsight, maybe too expensive for my budget, causing problem 2.</p> <p>A couple of things I've done to reduce churn:<br /> -Figured out the key elements (essentials) of my style and stocked up on those at lower price points. So I have bought many mid-weight sweaters in the $60-100 price range. They'll last longer because I'm wearing them less. I will also not get so sick of them as there is more variety.</p> <p>-gotten to know my style better. I am much less likely to make big mistakes. I think, for instance, that I bought too much black over the past couple of years. Black is too sophisticated (or something like that) for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747950 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 14:27:40 +0000 Suz 1747950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sterling,</b> that's a very interesting way of putting it and helps me feel better -- <b>thank you!&nbsp;</b></p> <p>I think my current attraction to the "5 piece" idea may be that it refines the planning process even further and <b>instructs me to buy statements,</b> which I otherwise often ignore (due to my practical nature).&nbsp;</p> <p>I think in the long run, a closet that includes more high-quality statements (with a few trend items each season) will involve less churn (for me) because I will only turn over the trendy pieces; I won't "churn" the super high quality stuff even if it represented a trend and I won't buy it unless it's a trend I would wear past its "high trend" date, if you know what I mean.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747897 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:46:57 +0000 Anonymous 1747897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if <b>Suz'</b>s plan of editing out 1/4-1/3 of her wardrobe every year constitutes churn. &nbsp;It seems to me that her edits are part of overall wardrobe maintenance to achieve her style goal. &nbsp;In my case, I use the term churn because there is no real plan. &nbsp;I buy something and end up donating it (before it wears out) because I found something I like better. &nbsp;</p> <p>The difference is having a plan versus not having a plan. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747889 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:12:10 +0000 Style Fan 1747889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to keep my clothes for a long time and replace items when they are not wearable.&nbsp; I do have a few items that I donate before I even wear them because they were not right.&nbsp; I am slowly easing into a new lifestyle.&nbsp; I retired 5 years ago and donated the majority of my work clothes.&nbsp; Buying clothes for my new life is a bit of a mind shift.<br />I am trying to only buy what I will wear.&nbsp; I held back from buying a blazer that looked perfect because where would I wear it?&nbsp; I love blazers but I am not working so I don't wear them anymore.&nbsp; <br />Hopefully sorting out this change in lifestyle will decrease churn for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747867 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 05:29:20 +0000 rachylou 1747867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess because I'm pretty much a hoarder, I don't think in terms of churn. I think more in terms of 'rapid fall into distaste and therefore disuse.' One-hit wonders, so to speak. This is what I worry about. A lot of my classic-leaning purchases end up this way, I've learned... and my more gamine looks too, now that I think about it... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747866 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 05:24:42 +0000 Anonymous 1747866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Isabelle.&nbsp; I realized today that much of my churn is buying pieces that are just ok instead of spending more and getting what I'd really like.&nbsp; For example today I bought two pair of black pants (EF on clearance at the Rack)&nbsp; One is called cropped wide leg pants but is really culottes.&nbsp; I got home and counted 9 pair of black pants with these new ones.&nbsp; The EF skinny pants will replace a couple pair and I've included summer silk joggers and crops, two pair of black jeans (1 skinny, one coated and more straight leg), tuxedo pants, and wool slim and wool dressy wide legs.&nbsp; If I'd bought the nice EF pants to begin with, I'd probably not have a couple of the cheaper pairs.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747861 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 05:08:53 +0000 Anonymous 1747861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very insightful responses, thanks!</p> <p>Thinking more about this, I realize I want to overall make more mindful choices. </p> <p>I agree that there will be some mistakes when experimenting. It's unrealistic to think that one can always predict how a purchase will pan out. </p> <p>I would aim to have more of my clothes "get loved to death," rather than wear out from poor quality or the occasional but inevitable laundry/food stain mishap!</p> <p>From YLF I have learned the joy of having clothes that are great, versatile, &amp; make me happy. When I really love something, I am happy to wear it over and over. My goal would be to have a whole closet of only such great items. However, when I focus on finding perfect items, then I tend to drive myself crazy! I have to remind myself that there is no such thing as perfect. ;)</p> <p>And agree we have to wear clothing! It isn't indestructible, because it is literally protecting us from the elements. When I look at it this way, wardrobe turnover doesn't seem so shocking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747850 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 04:14:14 +0000 shedev 1747850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After a couple years of high churn, 2016 has seen unusually low churn. After winter, I&nbsp;donated 2 orphan&nbsp;sweaters. They were both in wearable condition. I wore out and replaced 1 pair of sneakers. At the start of the summer, I did 1in 1 out and donated 2 orphan pairs of jeans. The replacements have been workhorses. I lost a little weight, and donated a couple tops because I didn't like the fit. I wore out and donated 1 each pair of pants in fall. That is 7 pieces total. I expect to wear out much more things in 2017. My closet has grown by about 10 pieces this year.<br />I do my main edit at the start of the year, so that may significantly up my numbers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747792 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:48:57 +0000 Anonymous 1747792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admit to churn. &nbsp;I am going to try to get a handle on the numbers and reasons for churn. &nbsp;With the exception of the Old Navy tee shirts, I donate my clothes long before they have worn out. &nbsp;It is a rare, rare occurrence that something actually wears out. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747785 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:28:28 +0000 Carla 1747785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had a fair amount of churn recently, but I'm not carrying around any regrets. The move/relocation precipitated a lot of change in my wardrobe. In part because dressing for a Big City downtown head office is different than dressing for a small Northern Community Satelite office. In part because the hour long train commute, and city walking had an impact. And, in part because my new routine precipitated a slight, but seemingly permanent weight change that resulted in a one size shift in clothing.</p> <p>Only 1/3 of my current closet is from before the move (summer 2014). Jeans, jean jackets, flannel shirt, chambray shirt, leather jackets, wool coats, some button down shirts, a pencil skirt, a LBD - classics, remain.<br /> I have changed out skirts and dresses for trousers or pants. I have changed out most of my brights for neutrals and a more subdued palette. Almost all my footwear from before the move is gone! I can no longer tolerate a heel greater than 1 inch and generally need 12 hour shoes. </p> <p>The churn was greater because I made some mistakes as well. Overwhelmed by the sudden unrestricted choice available, and not quite sure where I might be going with my style, some experimentation was necessary. </p> <p>I'm still not completely sorted, but I have a kind of work uniform that I am happy with. Since I have about 16 months of work left before retiring, I'm making a concerted effort not to over invest in new work wear and October was the first month of a 'shop-your-closet' challenge that I Set for myself. I do need to build a dressy capsule, and grow my weekend/casual collection since this last has seen the most attrition from wear and tear and the least of any new additions. </p> <p>I am sure that when Retirement becomes a reality, 1/3 or more items will be bagged for donation! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747781 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:11:08 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1747781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i haven't done the tracking for myself, but I'd guess that my percentages aren't too far off of Zoie's. Suz, looking at your numbers it seems like your proportions are well within the reasonable range of wardrobe turnover. I calculated the percentages because I'm a nerd, and of the 52 items you mentioned, 6% are being repurposed (loungewear), which I wouldn't even call churn, although I see your point about them not working out exactly as hoped. Over a third were worn so much they are worn out. If you include the ones that you wore a lot before passing them on, 70 percent of them were successes. 10 percent had fit problems, which is not bad at all if you think about it. I'd doubt that anyone could get lower than that consistently over time. Only fifteen percent were items that didn't work out but for style reasons, not for practical reasons. Again, I think that's a pretty good percentage.</p> <p>I mean, there are so many factors at work here. Is it better to wear your stuff into the ground and then throw it away, or donate it while it still has some life in it so someone else can get some good out of it? What percentage of our clothing costs should be mentally budgeted to "everyone in modern society is required to wear clothes when in public" practicality, and what percentage to entertainment, self-care, or self-expression?</p> <p>Oh yeah, I also meant to mention that Danish (?) blogger who set up a whole four year repeating plan for purchasing wardrobe and household items, planned out by season, etc. she's a year or two into her plan and she's posted in recent months that she way overestimated how long things would last and how many items she'd need to deal with seasonal fluctuations and laundry bottlenecks, and has upped her numbers significantly. I think a lot of of us, in a reaction to all the consumerist excess, have gone too much the other way and expect clothes to last for a really long time, and they just don't, not if they're being worn regularly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747777 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 21:50:25 +0000 Suz 1747777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm.&nbsp;</p> <p>I guess a lot of this is personal. For me, wear out is usually....holes/ tears etc. in jeans (I truly do wear them so much that eventually this will happen)...and "icky" knits. Knits are notoriously hard to predict. Buying more expensive doesn't mean (necessarily) longer lasting. I rarely ruin things by staining them but have had a couple of laundry mishaps.&nbsp;</p> <p>If I'm sick of it after 5 seasons, I don't worry so much. If I'm sick of it after one, well, that seems more of a problem.&nbsp;</p> <p>If it's no longer appropriate, that is good information and I probably shouldn't be too hard on myself about it. Someone else will still enjoy it if it is not worn out.&nbsp;</p> <p>I almost never duplicate and when I do, I wear the duplicates. (It's to prevent laundry bottlenecks or because I love it so much I want a backup.)&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't replace or upgrade just because something isn't "perfect" -- whatever that means. That said, if I have worn a particular item to death and know it is a true essential for me and come across a better quality version of that item and can afford it, you had better believe I will buy it. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747766 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 21:25:54 +0000 Lyn D. 1747766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding along with Sally here!<br /> A fair percentage of my churn is new stuff that duplicates something I already have.<br /> . I really only need 1 long-sleeved my shirt for my casual lifestyle etc.<br /> 1-in 1-out can fix this but it's not ideal for the environment or my purse! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747739 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 20:05:53 +0000 Sal 1747739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't record wears or where my clothes go.... and there are so many intangibles:</p> <p>1) Did the item wear out because it was poor quality or did you get a stain that was hard to avoid?<br />2) Am I sick of it after one season or after five seasons?<br />3) Is it no longer appropriate because of a significant change (change in location/job/weight loss or gain/change in hair colour etc)<br />4) Did I duplicate or buy too many similar items that led me to tire more quickly?<br />5) Are we holding items to a standard of perfection that is unrealistic?</p> <p>We all make mistakes with new clothing (or thrifted) - I sure do. &nbsp;It is easy to think a new shape top will work but in reality it does not feel right, or the shoes are not as comfortable as predicted.</p> <p>And quality clothes that are in good condition are a worthy donation or a way to earn some pocket money. &nbsp;Totally worn out tees make good dusters or cleaning rags. &nbsp;</p> <p>For me, the easiest time to stop the churn is at the buying end by not overbuying and duplicating. &nbsp;I am fortunate though to have a washing machine, dryer and outdoor clothes line plus a drying rack. &nbsp;So laundry bottlenecks are easy to avoid.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747734 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 19:40:50 +0000 Suz 1747734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd agree with <b>Isabel</b> -- worn out doesn't really qualify as "churn" to me. I mean, technically, I suppose it is, yet surely it's reasonable to get rid of worn out clothing and purchase new unworn items if something is truly worn out. </p> <p>Typically, lower quality items will wear out faster, though, so a whole closet of fast fashion finds might have to be fully replaced each year or two, and that <b>does</b> sound like churn. &nbsp;</p> <p>I haven't properly analyzed what I mean by churn and maybe if I did, I would stop my hand-wringing. : ) &nbsp; I do know that I edit out about 1/4 to 1/3 of my closet each year. And buy an equivalent number of items. With a moderate to large sized wardrobe, that's quite a lot of purchases! I wonder if I can be more mindful of them, is all.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've actually kept some records over the past year, but hadn't looked at them until now. Here's my chance. I just spent a few minutes looking over my records, and....</p> <p>I "retired" (passed on or donated) a whopping<b> 52 items</b> this past year!! (And bought almost that many, though I'd have to review my count.) That's actually <b>more than a third of my closet.</b> &nbsp; :(</p> <p>Having said that, here's the breakdown of those items:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>19 were worn out, well past their prime. When I say worn out, I mean holes in knits, shiny, worn fabric on wovens, holes in jeans, worn down footwear that a cobbler can't revive, pilly, stretched out of shape knits, stains that won't come out, etc.&nbsp;</li> <li>5 did not fit well (3 of these were shoes that had seemed okay at first, but turned out not to work.)</li> <li>8 were what I would call "mistaken purchases." I only wore them a few times before realizing they were not going to work well for me. One of these I had kept in the closet for a few years before passing on because it was pricey enough that I felt I *should* be wearing it. But I wasn't, so I finally let it go. Most of these items were purchased on sale and all got at least 4 or 5 wears in their lifetime with me.)</li> <li>7 were older items that didn't work as well with my new hair colour. These items had seen serious wear in the previous 2-5 years, so I don't think they were "wasted."</li> <li>10 were well-worn items that were not "worn out" but I was tired of them or they felt dated. Most of these I gave to my stepdaughter.&nbsp;</li> <li>3 ended up as loungewear.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <br />On balance, I don't know if this constitutes a lot of churn or not. I guess I can work on eliminating the "mistaken purchases." I can't really stop things from wearing out except by wearing them less (which sort of defeats the purpose!)&nbsp;</p> <p>I can also work on ensuring a better fit in shoes. And perhaps the other "well worn but not worn out" category is the one I should be watching.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have to do a tally of purchases to date. I don't think I have bought quite this many items so my closet is a bit leaner this year.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747731 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 19:37:08 +0000 Andrea H 1747731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly, I think most of my churn *is* mistakes. &nbsp;I don't get bored with my clothes. &nbsp;I mean, I am always willing to buy new things ;), but that doesn't mean I love my old things less. The things I love, I ~love~ and I will wear them till they fall apart or they don't fit any more. &nbsp;When I look at what I'm getting rid of, other than stuff that's now rags or stuff that I decide I will never need again (i.e. purging all my biz cas clothing), it's 5% "don't like anymore/totally outdated", 25% "doesn't fit anymore", and 70% "never really looked great/never was comfortable/never could style." &nbsp;</p> <p>That 95% is avoidable and kinda sad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747729 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 19:08:24 +0000 Anonymous 1747729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Isabel, churn is primarily elective. &nbsp;I choose to buy new items when I already own perfectly good items in my wardrobe. &nbsp;I just choose to buy new pieces because they interest me and excite me. &nbsp;</p> <p>I do feel that clothes wearing out is churn to some degree. &nbsp;I say this because I bought multiples of cheap Old Navy short sleeve tee shirts. &nbsp;I thought based on the price I was getting a bargain, but those tee shirts didn't last even half a season and had to be replaced with better quality, non-Old Navy tee shirts, thus churn. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747726 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 18:29:34 +0000 Isabel 1747726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question. One thing that I realized with Suz's thread was that some people get bored with the same things and others don't . I don't get bored easily and "settle" into my items. I just don't need a lot of stimulation from my clothes. &nbsp;; )&nbsp;</p> <p>Trends also don't affect me very much. It is just my personality. So I think that churn is very individual AND time dependent. &nbsp;By time I mean the point at which someone is their life : working, not working, in a life transition, getting a lot of heavy use of their clothes....etc.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't see "mistakes" as churn per se, by experimentation of sorts. In order to branch out there are going to be mistakes. I also don't think that wearing out your clothes is "churn". &nbsp;Churn, to me, seems more elective. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/churn-vs-expected-wardrobe-turnover#post-1747723 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 18:05:08 +0000 Anonymous 1747723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading through the recent thread Suz started about reducing churn, I began to wonder about the definition of churn. I expect it will be different for each person, but would like to see how others define the term.</p> <p>In this era of fast fashion, it seems the word churn has a negative connotation. However, looking at clothing realistically, we all need to wear clothes for practical purposes everyday, to keep us covered, protect us from the elements, help us perform daily tasks of living. And it is more fun to wear clothes that make one happy along the way!</p> <p>Recently analyzing my own closet turnover over the past 5 years that I have been trying to understand my style, I was initially upset that compared to the estimated amount of money spent, relatively few of my items from 3-5 years ago still remain. When I see posts of others collections over time, I wonder if that means I am churning too much.</p> <p>My estimate of attrition rates within my wardrobe:<br /> 25 % Clothing items wearing out<br /> 15 % Mistaken purchases<br /> 25 % Tired of items after period of good use and pass on or consign </p> <p>Is this churn, or just normal turnover in this day and age of selfies, ever changing trends, and endless choices? Curious how everyone defines acceptable churn for their own situation? </p>