YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Closet review and a cry for help

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Closet review and a cry for help https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:30:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php viva on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713921 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:17:59 +0000 viva 1713921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Smittie: I think you are onto something with the dress/tops analysis. I think dresses have become such a nice go-to because I can avoid the whole "ugh" issue when I turn to my tops. I did a closer review of my tops and am trying to take a very focused approach to finding a couple of new ones this fall. Suz: I did have two quick turnaround fails this summer (which I had forgotten about): the gold-toned Bass loafers (cheap) and a pair of Kit and Ace pants (bought on clearance and non-returnable) and both went right to consignment. The K&A pants still had tags on, which killed me -- that almost never happens. In the last 6 months, my consignment place has gotten more and more picky, and I have been consigning much less. I have only brought in stuff twice since May, and both times only a small bag. So, this avenue for me may be closing off. Angie: Thank you for helping me feel normal. I know I need more knitwear, definitely going to work on that. I still have a hard time thinking about more outerwear. I feel like I have too many coats as it is. But I will try to remember what you are saying. And I need snowboots this year, for sure; I got through last winter without them, and I don't think I can be so lucky again. I might need two pairs: one rugged, and one work-worthy.  (PS I am excited you will be helping Beth. She is so wonderful, and so are you - you'll have a great time together. You will love her dogs, you will love the 60s mod style in her home, and you will LOVE her dressing room, which I covet.) Barbara Diane: I am reviewing those tops more closely. I agree I need to understand what's happening there.   Karie: I don't count wears. I don't think I have it in me, although I do see the value. :) Staysfit: I think Kkards is exactly right. My numbers are meaningless except that they help me understand myself. What's more important is the learning around the numbers. For me, the discussion around tops has been enormously helpful. But to be honest, I also made a pact with myself when I went in to count: I was not aiming for any number and I was not going to feel bad wherever I landed. It's very easy to get competitive (even with oneself) and I was not going to go there. Your wardrobe is impeccable, and your taste and style are very well-honed. Do you wear what you have? To me, this is the important questions to be asking.  Lisap: I'm not surprised we have a similarly sized closet, although it would be interesting for our wardrobes to go out to lunch because they are each unique. So same size, different vibe. Kind of like us.  For me, the POV thing is a big part of what I am going to try to bring to my shopping this fall, and it's tied into the style moniker thing: glam gamine (for me) which sounds so silly in some ways, but definitely is the defining element of those tops that I love. So there is something to it.  Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713540 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 01:11:56 +0000 Suz 1713540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Angie. And I totally love that last point and have FULLY embraced it.  Some items in my closet that are NOT workhorses but that I feel ABSOLUTELY ZERO guilt about owning.... Actually, forget it. I'm going to start a new thread.  :) Angie on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713537 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 01:07:47 +0000 Angie 1713537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A few more things:  <ul> <li>Tanya and Staysfit, you both have very large wardrobes BUT you absolutely wear your clothes, enjoy fashion, love dressing up, don't save things for good, and live in a 4 season climate. You also make informed shopping decisions and are very organized about what you have and want. I LOVE that you love your stuff and are uncomplicated about it. Do NOT get caught up in numbers. Situations are different. Rock on. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Suz, you are absolutely justified! You have MORE fun with fashion each year, and I love that you are making up for lost time. You'll continue to go back and forth with wardrobe numbers as you settle with what feels right with your new glorious hair. </li> </ul> May I remind EVERYONE that you mustn't expect each wardrobe item to be a workhorse. There is no sense or fun in that.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713536 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 01:06:02 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1713536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm interested in the idea of a POV approach to fashion. I'm too undisciplined to identify with certain style elements all the time, but I definitely have a more limited set of certain colors or types of items that are appealing to me at a given moment. Tops are the easiest thing for me, and since they tend to be cheaper than other pieces, I feel better about having a lot, and I also feel ok if I end up sending some to consignment. My consignment is easy. I live in a college town so they will take  mid-to-high end fashion pieces. What doesn't sell they give to a women's charity so I feel win-win about that. And what they don't like, I take to the church charity shop half a block from them. I think you need more coats, too. Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713528 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:51:21 +0000 Suz 1713528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Staysfit, if you enjoy and wear your fabulous clothes, do not worry a bit about it. It's your hobby. Enough said.  Because, what KKards says.  Everybody's situation is different.  I think the reason all of us get caught up in the numbers is often that in some way our wardrobes are not working for us. So we try to break down why.  In my case -- I have a LOT of trousers and jeans. I wear ALL the jeans, often (except the full length flares which I only wear a few times a year but derive great joy per wear from, so keep.) I wear the trousers, too, but less often, with less joy, and more frustration. Most of them are black. Because...that's the colour you can find trousers in!! I wish I had some other colours. (I do have navy and charcoal but it's too similar).  So counting helped me learn that.  As well as -- I have a lot of tops and don't love many of them. ;)  kkards on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713490 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 23:14:54 +0000 kkards 1713490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ here's my thoughts....(for what it's worth) 1st--its hard to compare your numbers to someone else unless you both have the same lifestyle...for example if you work in an office with a business casual dress code then you will have different needs than someone who works from home or someone who wears a uniform, live in a 4 season climate, again different needs than a hot climate....etc... 2nd--numbers are just numbers....the real question is does what you have work for you? if not why not...if it does, good for you, now how do continue to make it work for you? Anonymous on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713474 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:40:43 +0000 Anonymous 1713474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't think you should feel shame at the size of your wardrobe Staysfit! Anonymous on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713470 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:29:48 +0000 Anonymous 1713470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Staysfit.  You have a gorgeous wardrobe.   Staysfit on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713466 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:17:44 +0000 Staysfit 1713466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am going to hang my head in shame. I must have a supersize wardrobe. I think I have twice as much as this, even after my big cull and as careful as I am to practice one in and one out. I think I should do two out for every one in for a while. Anonymous on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713445 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 21:14:14 +0000 Anonymous 1713445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This wasn't boring at all and I think I have a very similar sized wardrobe.  I have never counted - mostly because I would have to do a lot of work to pull out all of my out-of-season clothes right now and am not interested in doing so - but the numbers look pretty bang on to mine. I think I have more in the way of outerwear, but I don't wear everything I own in that category anymore.  Regarding tops - I hear you.  My collection also looks like it came from a thrift store (in more ways than one).  I know why - and it's likely the same reason for all of us - but what do I or you do about ? I have no idea.  I think it would be great to figure out a key silhouette and FIT and stick to it.  Chasing trends is exhausting and that's the category where it's most likely to happen.  I had a very enlightening and interesting conversation with an indie/somewhat trendy/very popular women's clothing store owner last week at our trade show. (She buys non-clothing things from me for her store.) Anyways - that's a separate conversation and off-topic here - but one phrase she said stuck with me: " we don't participate in a foot-race for the next  new thing".  I think I can use that in so many ways . That 's where your term POINT OF VIEW is so bang on. Thank you. Anyways - I am happy to know that you and I share a similar size wardrobe - but I'm also still determined to pare mine down. WAY DOWN.   And lastly, I too am jealous of your consignment situation. There are a couple of decent shops here, but you have to take things in with dry cleaning tags on them, and cannot bring in just one or two things at a time. The amount of work and cost going in takes the incentive away for me.  I simply donate - and tons of it - and hope that the good karma  around that will come back to me at some point .   Colette on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713430 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 20:12:11 +0000 Colette 1713430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm very impressed at your analysis. But I am surprised because I thought you had a much larger wardrobe. This just reinforces that I still have a lot of work to do on my wardrobe, more than I thought I did. I still don't get enough wears out of my clothes and it's no wonder because I clearly have a lot of clothes, most likely too many for my current needs. (Still afraid to do an actual count because I know it's high.) Nothing other than sleepwear, undies and very small percentage of gear 'earn their keep' as Suz said. But I do hang on to stuff way too long and need to just let the losers go like you do. I did decide after my last huge purge that I don't want a larger wardrobe, just better so I'm trying to adhere to the one in/one out philosophy. Regarding tops, I feel the same way you do. No matter how hard I try mine are kind of a hodgepodge, with plain t-shirts still taking up a big chunk of space. T-shirts are my default when I can't figure out what I like or what to wear. And I find myself saying 'what was I thinking' a lot in the top department. Anonymous on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713421 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 19:51:53 +0000 Anonymous 1713421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I went back to look at your numbers. Even I think you could use more work shoes. Your outerwear seems a little low to me too. I am OK with very little outerwear but you have a more public-facing job. Karie on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713392 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:57:35 +0000 Karie 1713392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great wardrobe analysis. I counted items about a year ago and really need to do it again. Like you, I try on way more than I keep. Since joining YLF I've gotten very fussy, which is a good thing and results in far fewer items being consigned. I know I have a lot more tops and skirts than I do pants, because pants (other than jeans) are very hard for me to fit. I end up altering almost every pair. Have you tracked how much wear each item gets? That's the thing I really want to do this year (I operate on the school year calendar). Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713379 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:40:19 +0000 Suz 1713379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So glad Angie chimed in here!! :)  Now I feel justified in my encroaching 150....    ;) In all seriousness, I still feel a little unjustified because some of those items really have to go as they are not earning their keep.  I agree with Angie by the way that you need more sweaters, coats, and shoes/ boots.   :)  Barbara Diane on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713376 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:33:32 +0000 Barbara Diane 1713376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like you are doing better than you thought. Well, time to get rid of the tops you avoid. Or figure out why you avoid them. See if they have fatal flaws, or need to be worn with something you haven't thought of, or need a little something to pull them into a great outfit. And figure out if in spite of your numbers you have holes in your tops. Sometimes the ones I hesitate to purchase become favorites, and sometimes they become mistakes. I'm trying to figure it out, but I doubt I can reach purchasing perfection. It's a journey, not a destination.  Angie on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713375 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:28:19 +0000 Angie 1713375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ps. I am also always short on tops. I find it MUCH easier to buy bottoms.  Angie on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713374 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:27:17 +0000 Angie 1713374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good job, Viv. ALWAYS good to edit and review. (I'm helping your friend Beth do the same thing early Sept, and she's very excited. We chatted and prepped on the phone yesterday).  My total is about 125 - 130 which includes everything accept undies, lounge wear and yoga wear. As a fashion professional, I could easily have more and it would not be wasteful.  FWIW, here is my 2 cents:  <ul> <li>Your knitwear numbers are extremely low. You live in Maine! </li> <li>Your outerwear numbers are low too. You live in Maine! </li> <li>For a shoe gal, you are light on footwear. Not nearly enough boots for a working professional living on the East Coast. </li> <li>The growth in dresses accounts for fewer items in separates. Your biz casual work dress code accounts for fewer jeans. Makes sense. </li> </ul> Actually Viv, you can easily move to 160 pieces with your lifestyle and 4 season climate. It would still be a moderate sized wardrobe.  Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713370 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 18:16:33 +0000 Suz 1713370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think also sometimes you buy and do take tags off and maybe wear a few times but then decide it is not good and it goes to consignment? That was another impression I had, and I am so jealous, because my own consignment store is useless to me -- they will never take the stuff I bring them and the higher quality it is the less they want it!! The only luck I have there is with shoes and raincoats. Mind you, they also have nothing that I want to buy, so it sort of evens out. I guess.  Anonymous on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713357 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 17:56:54 +0000 Anonymous 1713357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We are all Befuddled by tops. For me, I'm just as confused by sweaters so I think you and Suz are one up on me. Some random thoughts: Maybe it's ok to have random tops as long as you like them. Do you like them? I like my work-appropriate tops but don't like anything for weekend wear. Every T-shirt seems to have its own quirky problem :). The tops situation might be why you're opting for dresses---this is certainly my plan, after I get sweaters in decent shape. I had the same impression as Suz, that you bought a lot more stuff and had a lot more churn. Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713349 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 17:15:00 +0000 Suz 1713349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wish I knew how to use a spreadsheet. I'm really clueless with them -- have never learned anything beyond entering data and I don't know how to work with it.  However, my simple notations also seem to give me a picture, which is useful.  I have more tops than I need, I think. But I say that until a season turns and suddenly I am wearing different ones.  viva on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713346 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 17:06:29 +0000 viva 1713346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz: Yes, I think that is true. I try MANY more things than I keep. So you probably imagine that I have more than I do. I return a lot. And, as far as the dresses go, I don't know that I need more pumps. I'm holding off for now -- still considering them, but waiting. Booties are a common choice for me with dresses once it turns colder, so I don't want to rush.(Thanks to you.) Tanya: I've never had a lot of success with Pinterest but you've got me thinking that it might be time to try again, so I will. I'll also watch Finds more closely to check out what people are looking at. I definitely need to focus more effort there. Thanks for your tips. Staysfit: You might find a review to be helpful! I am not a continuous tracker, but a periodic review for me is really valuable. Staysfit on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713338 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:44:42 +0000 Staysfit 1713338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, it may be time for a closet assessment. I have been on the forum for two years. Probably exactly two years. I think my closet has lower numbers, but maybe not. It may only have a redistribution of what I have where! Tanya on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713330 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:26:15 +0000 Tanya 1713330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your closet numbers look very reasonable to me - my wardrobe is very large so to me your looks to be on the same. As always, all is relative.  The amount of churn and shopping mistakes sounds very normal, too. When it comes to tops and sweaters, I have opposite issue from you, I find that I have way too many. That is probably because they are the easiest item for me to fit, I like a wide variety and some of them can be picked up fairly cheaply.  I sometimes treat them as accessories. So, I would do a good review of what you have and separate them into three groups - the ones you love, the ones you like and the ones you don't care about.  I would analyze for similarities withing the group, paying attention to color, fabric and cut.  I would also make a Pinterest board of tops for upcoming season and note the similarities there.    Once you have a better feeling of what appeals to you, I would try to make some lists of types of tops (and colors) that would fit in your current wardrobe the best, maybe three more basic ones and three statement ones.  For example, I know that you would love a white high-neck blouse with Victorian influence and a silk print in teal.  I would use the list as a shopping guide. Hope this helps. Suz on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713314 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:04:01 +0000 Suz 1713314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, first off, that sounds like a very reasonable number of items. (She said, with a similar number herself, ha!)    :)  Actually, i just totaled up again and I have more like 140-150. Gah!! Time to prune.  Anyway, across four seasons and for multiple roles, I'd say you're doing really well.  Also -- two "mistakes" per season does not sound like an exorbitant number to me. On the contrary! It's a great average.  It sounds like I have been misinterpreting what goes on in your closet. I think you try items, show us, think about them -- but return -- so they aren't really part of the wardrobe. I forget or don't know about the returns so thought you were buying more per season.  FWIW, I bought an equivalent number of new items this season. And a couple were "fails" while a few others met the need and were used, but were not "10s" in my own mind. They were the best I could do. Guess what type of item they were?  TOPS.  I think in summer we expect our tops to do a lot of work for us, perhaps. They need to provide interest yet not be so interesting that we tire of them, if that makes sense.  The other thing I notice is that dresses became much more important to you this year than in the past -- perhaps because they make dressing for presentations quite easy? It makes sense that you want additional pumps if you are wearing more dresses.  viva on "Closet review and a cry for help" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-review-and-a-cry-for-help#post-1713295 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 15:30:43 +0000 viva 1713295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenn and Suz inspired some wardrobe work today. Jenn inspired me to count again, and Suz inspired me to think about my shopping/churn. What I discovered both surprised me and did not surprise me. #1: my wardrobe is still midsized: no surprise. #2: I hang onto things: somewhat surprising. I have some churn, but much less than I thought. In a way, this does make sense, because I know I have been bringing less and less to consignment over the last two years. A review of my closet bears that out. But ultimately, I was most surprised to see the real evidence that, while I have struck gold in some areas, I am really stuck in others. So, here are the numbers.... (for the record, I am not counting undies, sleepwear, gear, tees, or accessories). Total without outerwear and shoes is 97; with is 130. tops: 27 (mix of old and new, some I adore, some I avoid. This is where I make the most mistakes, and where I hang on to things I don't wear. Apparently I don't know how to buy tops unless they are really really interesting.) sweaters: 15 (all are dark, mostly variations on black and grey. almost all are more than two years old; several are more than 7 years old, one favorite is more than 10 years old. only two are from last year -- black and olive. I consigned the pink one I bought on a whim while traveling.) cardigans: 3 (all 3 are more than five years old). dresses: 16 (major growth here, 9 of these purchased in the last year) bottoms, non-denim: 15 (JCrew fits me well; 3 pairs of Teddies purchased in the last year -- all the others are more than 3 years old; this list also includes 2 pairs of ponte pants/leggings I am inclined to ditch -- not the Kit and Ace ones, but a pair from the Loft and a pair of Lysse leggings I did not wear last year)) denim: 8 (one pair of JCrew cropped flares from this summer; 2 pairs of AG stilts bought a year ago, the rest older; I have tried a lot of jeans but not kept them) shorts: 3 indoor jackets: 9 (one brand new JCrew Ludlow jacket bought on deep discount - $90 -- otherwise, the white blazer is new this summer, the rest are several years old. still trying to decide if I should keep or consign the Reiss jacket) skirts: 1 (still hanging on to one old black wool pencil skirt ... just in case....) outerwear: 8 (4 wool, 1 puffer, 1 leather, 1 rain, 1 travel) boots: 12 (2 tall, 1 Frye harness, 1 cowboy, 8 bootie -- bootie collection exploded over the last two years) sneakers: 3 (Stans, Tims, tan suede) (not including gear here) pumps: 4 (blue wedge - actually wear; black heels, wine okalas, spectator Any Liu) oxford/loafer: 2 sandal: 4 Here's what i bought for the spring and summer: 5 dresses 4 pairs of pants 4 tops 1 pair of shorts 4 pairs of shoes Of these, I regret one top purchase and one dress purchase (just not getting enough wear). I am wearing (or will wear) all the shoes. The top I regret does not work well on my body and was very inexpensive; I will consign it next year. So, not bad overall. I expect to wear all the other items next summer if they still fit.  Looking ahead to fall and winter, I have a couple of brand new items waiting to be worn (plaid long vest, new black JCrew blazer, new PG booties) and many pieces in my wardrobe that I am very excited about. Still, I would like to refresh my knitwear, and maybe swap out some of the darker sweaters for one or two really nice other colored items. (I think this is what my birthday gift will be this year.) Also, I need to try to get a handle on what is happening in the "tops" area. It is the least cohesive and least satisfying area of my closet, by far. it's like a flea market -- a bit of this, a bit of that. I don't seem to be able to sustain a point of view across my tops AT ALL. If you can provide help there, I would appreciate it! This has been really helpful to me. I hope it hasn't been too boring. I'd love to hear all your words of wisdom!