https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:34:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687734 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:23:27 +0000 Mo 687734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess if I want the math to be more consistent, I'd have to purge down to 28 pairs Turnover average of 7 yrs. Not sure I'm willing to do that - ha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687732 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:20:19 +0000 Queen Mum 687732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>true Mo... some shoes will have a longer life span than others, so it might balance out. Even here in SJ I have an equal number of summer and winter shoes. I don't think that's all that odd. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687731 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:17:55 +0000 Mo 687731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good point, QM. It's just mathematically how it worked out . . . but I suppose I wear them for about 5 or 6 years on average if I think about it. Could be I have a few too many right now? lol<br /> Maybe if I ever stick to living in just one dominant climate, that would change. How many people need as many sandals as snow boots, really? I'm an odd duck there for sure. I would expect my Frye boots to be with me 15 years from now, but some sandals to bite the dust in 3. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687720 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:58:44 +0000 Queen Mum 687720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ha- I love how you think. My brain works the same way. I agree that allowing for 2 purchases per month is more realistic than 1. I went with 12 items for the year as a bit of a diet.. not intending to keep with that number long term.<br /> It's funny- my numbers are all right about at half of yours, and my turnover goal is at half of yours too.<br /> I'm wondering about your shoes though. Do you see yourself wanting to wear your shoes for 9 years? (not a criticism, just a question) I kindof see shoe styles turning over faster than that. I could be wrong... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687694 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:23:53 +0000 Isis 687694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very cool analysis! I'm inspired to do some counting myself!</p> <p>The thing I really like about limiting numbers / month instead of budget is that it automatically stops one from being blinded by a sale price or a thrift price..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687662 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:28:43 +0000 Mo 687662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A quick reply - yes, the 150 is both Tahoe and FL clothes. The whole lot of it. I did not put in lounge, exercise, or sleep wear. Or layering camis and leggings. Everything else is there, from shoes to sweaters to skirts. As for bags, and scarves, I have less than 6 of either lol. </p> <p>I keep everything in one 4 foot closet except for jackets and coats which go in the spare room closet. I've never switched out by season. </p> <p>To be fair, I am not at the 150 just yet. I have 1or 2 items too many in most categories. But I'm close!! And hope to be there by the start of 2013. I've been really getting on my purging if it's not worn. </p> <p>Glad this may help some of you. Natalie, I can do SYC/SYB but I find it doesn't move me forward in my wardrobe much. I just get purge shy and simply don't end up adding for that time period but I don't streamline either; gradual updating is as important for my closet since I tend to hold on to things past their time. </p> <p>Gotta run - I'm off to lap swim this morning!</p> <p>As for my jumbled chart. It's supposed to be the total number I decided I could scale back to in a category, like skirts and dresses, and the ratio within that category. To scale back I decided I could live with half as many skirts as I could dresses, or 2:1 ratio. The buying plan is for 2 new skirts and dresses each year, which if all items last equally (we all know the don't!) I'd have a whole new selection of dresses every 8 years, and new skirts every 4.5 years.<br /> It helped me to see the turnover/replacement rate because that's a huge issue for a reluctant purger </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687656 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:22:49 +0000 Suz 687656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so great. Thank you for posting it. I have watched you become more and more analytical and thoughtful about your purchases over the past year and I believe it shows in your satisfaction with your wardrobe. </p> <p>I'm still not in the place where I'm "replacing" (since I'm still building up the basic wardrobe, and still have trouble figuring out just what should be part of that -- it is AMAZING what a task that is proving to be for me) but I love this formula and your thoughts. </p> <p>I have never counted actual numbers. I should do that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687647 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:14:29 +0000 Kirti 687647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Mo, you are so organised and focussed! I also think the 2 item/month policy sounds pretty reasonable and doable. All the best! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687641 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:56:10 +0000 Anonymous 687641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Same question as golden. Is the 150 your entire wardrobe? </p> <p>I have 4 very distinct seasons with winter being the longest, so trying to wrap my head around that. I do move warm and cool clothes out of my closet seasonally but I think I need a spreadsheet to track usage</p> <p>I am trying the 2 a month too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687605 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:57:58 +0000 goldenpig 687605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, you are so thoughtful and wise! Thanks for writing this all out, it's so helpful to see actual numbers. I may have to copy you somewhat, even though my wardrobe is twice as large as yours. (Does that 150 items include both summer and winter clothes? Seems like you'd need a double capsule!) I like the idea of buying two items a month (rather than one a month)--seems much more achievable. And I love the idea of spending around $100 a month/$1200 a year. I am going to track things for the next couple of months to see if that would even be an achievable goal for me. I am a miserable failure at SYC so I don't even want to make any promises about that anymore. I have slowed way down with purchasing though so that's a start! Good luck with your closet goals, you definitely have the willpower to succeed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687581 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:49:57 +0000 jayne 687581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the choice of buying 2 per month is more manageable than the 1 per month. That is also closer to the 30 you have purchased so far this year. Have you done that analysis were you figure out the lifestyle wardrobes? You know, dates, or job, or parties...depending on your lifestyle? That helped me alot and also accepting that I have 2 distinct seasons, deep winter and green winter (oh sorry i meant spring/fall)...and occasionally get a week or two of summer.</p> <p>then I gave myself the right to have some clothes just for winter, just for green winter, and just for summer. Now when I go into fall, i will figure out which items are used for that season and track usage to see my use patterns. At the end, I should know what size wardrobe will work for that season. It will be the biggest depending on when the deep snow and real cold comes. A rough guide is about 30-50 items per season, 3 seasons = 150 items. Plus the party wear capsules that don't get counted, gear capsules, etc etc...</p> <p>I figured you should have 2 capsules because of the different places you live, plus perhaps one for deep winter in Tahoe. I assume, florida winter is about the same as tahoe summer? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687553 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 03:57:57 +0000 Lyn D. 687553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are so right about how things can become clearer when actually typed out in front of you for assessment.<br /> I am starting to come around to this concept of limiting the number of items purchased rather than simply trying to S.Y.B. It seems somehow more responsible to try to shop in this way, and it might even mean spending less too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/goldilocks---wardrobe-size-and-management-that-just-right-for-me#post-687534 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 03:22:24 +0000 Mo 687534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since we are really hashing this all out this week on many threads, I thought I'd share I have been trying to both streamline my wardrobe, and buy purposely, this last year. </p> <p>I scratched down a rough plan of purchasing 12 items plus 2 accessories per season for 2012. Also allowed a budget of $1000. Haven't followed it to the letter, but am not that far off course, either. I will be closer to 30+ items bought, with more accessories than I'd planned, and also had an extra $500 windfall towards the budget.</p> <p>At the same time, I've been trying to purge to get down to 150 pieces. That has been the harder part. I have done very well with one in one out, but started with around a dozen to two dozen items more than my ultimate goal number. I still want fresh things in my closet each season, so I'm going to have to buckle down on what needs to go to make room for them.</p> <p>After almost 2 years here I know my past years shopping habits and budget enough to know how much I can cut back and what's just wishful thinking. I feel I can happily follow a plan of 2 items per month and not feel needlessly restricted or that I'm shopping out of control either. This also allows a complete turnover rate of around 6 or 7 years for most categories. A lifespan I am comfortable with.</p> <p>(EDIT: my chart didn't translate well, but you get the rough idea. For me, putting it on the computer instead of scratching it down on a random tab of paper was a big step towards realization)</p> <p> Goal of 150 items and purchase plan of 2 items per month for 2013</p> <p>Wardrobe Amounts Buying / replacement rates</p> <p>Dresses 16 / Skirts 9 = 25 2 dresses / 2 skirts<br /> Ratio 2:1 8 yrs / 4.5 yrs</p> <p>Pants 15 / Shorts 5 = 20 2 pants / 1 shorts<br /> Ratio 3:1 7 yrs / 5 yrs</p> <p>Jackets 13 / Coats 7 = 20 2 jackets / 1 coat<br /> Ratio 2:1 7 yrs / 7 yrs</p> <p>Sweaters 15 1 cardi / 1 pullover<br /> cardis/pullovers 7 yrs<br /> Ratio 1:1</p> <p>Shirts 35 2 tanks / 2 s.s. / 2 l.s.<br /> 12 tanks/12 short sleeve/12 long sleeve 6 yrs / 6 yrs / 6 yrs<br /> Ratio 1:1:1</p> <p>Shoes 35 2 summer / 2 winter<br /> 9 yrs </p>