https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:07:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-2117739 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:07:43 +0000 louterrence 2117739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have 5 for mix and match and I can make a lot of fashion styles in it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-2003914 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:36:26 +0000 babycoutureindia 2003914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a good questions and such a good thread of responses!</p> <p>&nbsp;I think about this a lot too. Clothes say a lot about us without even realizing it. Do you hoard clothes with an odd fear of parting with that shirt you’ve had for years? For me, clothes are a necessary evil. They can be an expression of my personality or a discouraging factor of my morning when it seems like I have nothing to wear.</p> <p>Most women love clothes. The style exudes our personalities and the outfit we choose for the day expresses how we feel about ourselves. A baggy sweatshirt means comfort or self-doubt and a cute top with heels means we are confident and ready to conquer the day. Or, sometimes, if I’m having a hard day, I force myself to dress up and curl my hair to will the confidence I need.</p> <p>Clothes can affect our energy level more than we give them credit. Our day can be transformed when we love reaching into our closets.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1944230 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 15:40:02 +0000 bj1111 1944230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have 12 black dresses alone. But because of sleeve length, hem length, level of formality and fabric weight, I’ve heavily worn only two of those this spring/summer and anticipate swapping in 2 for mtg /conference season and another 2 for autumn/winter when I can layer heattech shirts and leggings. Agree with others about finding the right metric/measure of wardrobe functionality. Number of items isn’t it for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1944183 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:22:49 +0000 Mainelady 1944183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t think there needs to be a finite number of clothing. I agree that if you know what you have and are wearing those items that fit well, are in good condition make you happy then you don’t have too many.<br /> I do think having a 4 season climate will often contribute to a larger wardrobe. I also think lifestyle may be a factor. Much of my wardrobe is work wear. When I retire, a few pieces will stay in my closet, but I will be parting with the vast majority of my wardrobe. I am eyeing only another year or two, more years in education, so really only planning to replace necessary items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1944067 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 06:29:33 +0000 anne 1944067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I've been reading this thread with interest!&nbsp; Like what Angie said about <i>serviceable </i>and <i>manageable.</i></div><div>Glad that you are making progress with having a more manageable warrdrobe<i>.<br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1944064 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 06:00:27 +0000 Grace 1944064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the following,</p> <p>Dresses - 28<br /> Skirts. - 22<br /> Slacks. - 13<br /> Tops - 15<br /> Shoes. - 9</p> <p>Whether one has to much all depends on the individual. You can have a huge wardrobe, but if you can afford it, have the storage space and it does not bother you, then it is not to much. </p> <p>Currently, I am expanding my wardrobe. I would love to double what I have. In the last 5 months my income has increased a lot giving me the ability to afford it. Also, I now have an apartment providing a lot more storage space than in the past. </p> <p>Over the last 8 months I have become a minimalist in other area of .my life though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943719 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 14:06:44 +0000 lyn67 1943719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Anchie, you made so logic and simple all this wardrobe math dilemma and you should be YLF awarded!!! You should&nbsp; record a trademark for that!:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943669 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:44:09 +0000 Elizabeth P 1943669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I have started to respond to this thread numerous times, and either get distracted (and lose my answer) or get babbling on and on about my ridiculously huge wardrobe, and realize that this isn't the place.&nbsp; So I think I'll start my own thread about my own issues, at some point.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, how much is too much?&nbsp; When you realize there aren't enough days to wear all your clothes.&nbsp; When you realize you have only worn your "favourite" pieces a handful of times.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is me.&nbsp; :(&nbsp; In particular when it comes to summer, I appear to really like summer clothes.&nbsp;<br /> No number, as I think a number has so many personal variables. Just reality.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Anchie, your capsule approach is really interesting.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943613 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 06:47:51 +0000 Jane 1943613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread! </p> <p> Anchie, I like your spreadsheet and thinking on numbers and capsules. I like the logic and I have wondered to lend structure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943591 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 04:46:24 +0000 SarahD8 1943591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic, Anchie. Thanks so much for explaining! I am learning a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943515 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 01:37:30 +0000 Anonymous 1943515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My enthusiasm for maintenance is the indicator for me, not just with clothes, but with everything. If I'm not taking care of it, it should go. Major hints with clothing are putting off repairs or laundering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943496 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:51:44 +0000 salt-sea 1943496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really good thread. Excellent points. I especially like anchie's spreadsheet with max #s of things and annual turnover, and the notion of a certain fixed number of hangers, which would really help with one-in, one-out.&nbsp;<br />I would like to optimize my wardrobe further but struggle in these ways:<br />1 - my 8/9/10s don't seem to stay consistent. Sometimes I think I love an outfit and then I wear it a second time and it slides down to a 5 or 6. I'm amazed at the steady assessment many Fabbers have.<br />2 - when I did a capsule-based assessment, I think the number of capsule needs I have seem more diverse and numerous than average. I live in a four-season climate, have a range of work clothes needs and a number of outdoor &amp; exercise hobbies. Maybe I just need to exclude all the 'gear' clothes for now to make this manageable. I think I need to sort out capsules and then take a look at numbers. I'll start a separate thread on capsules so as not to threadjack.<br />Thanks for the insights! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943471 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:16:13 +0000 Windchime 1943471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for starting this discussion; these wardrobe number threads are always so interesting! I have’t counted mine for a couple of years. What’s hard for me is letting go of things that used to be 9’s and 10’s but have now slipped to 6’s and 7’s...or lower. I want to keep bringing new items in to keep everything reasonably on trend, but it’s not always easy to figure out when to let go of things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943461 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 23:54:25 +0000 anchie 1943461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, my capsules are based around color. For FW one is black, other gray, and for SS one is navy other white. The third one that I called dressy is actually better called colorful one - this is where I add my favorite colors. So all 3 capsules go together and I usually mix them. Only the forth one that I called casual is really separate and stand alone, used for weekends and traveling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/4#post-1943456 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 23:37:23 +0000 jussie 1943456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchie: your method is fascinating! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943451 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 23:24:31 +0000 SarahD8 1943451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Anchie</b>, thanks! That's a really interesting approach and I can appreciate the logic of it. I have less need for clothing of different registers of formality since I work from home but I am intrigued to see if I can apply some of your approach to my own wardrobe. So, you have 2 "business casual" capsules for fall/winter and 2 more for spring/summer -- what distinguishes the 2 for the same season? Are they built around different colors, slightly different styles, different outfit formulas? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943366 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 19:07:56 +0000 Lynn 1943366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Archie this is very interesting. I like this approach. Since I retired I have discovered that I want to wear very different clothes for at home vs &nbsp;outside the home and the latter is different than what I used to wear to work. Also I seem to have different seasonal style personas. &nbsp;I think approaching these as completely separate capsules will be helpful. I will have to think about each of the capsule numbers. Your will be good starting points for my polished casual capsules I think. Thanks for posting.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943339 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:59:45 +0000 anchie 1943339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@SarahDB - I have split my whole wardrobe in 8 capsules. 4 capsules for spring/summer and 4 for fall/winter with different levels of dressines, 1 casual, 2 business casual and 1 dressy. Each capsule has 7 tops, 3 toppers, 5 bottoms, 1 dress, 2 outerwear winter, 1 outerwear summer, 4 pairs of shoes<br /> 2 handbags, 2 scarves. So for example for tops I have come up that I need 7x8=56 tops. Then I have arbitrary diveded them into different top categories - I love sweaters the best so 36 sweaters, 10 tees, 5 shirts and 5 blouses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943332 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:37:38 +0000 SarahD8 1943332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Archie, how did you come up with your max amounts? I’m always so curious about how people think about this stuff.</p> <p>Someone mentioned collectors and curators upthread...I think a lot of us are both. So there is a real push-pull! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943309 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:47:04 +0000 anchie 1943309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the spreadsheet with my numbers, hope it is self explanatory. It took me a while to fine tune the numbers. And I am still not able to stick to it 100%. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943291 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:15:14 +0000 texstyle 1943291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, after reading all of this yesterday I cleaned out my big "holding drawer" and bagged up more items to be donated - just one bag this time. This is probably the third time I've cleared things out over the past few years. I still didn't count officially but did a quick overview and I probably have about 170 items of "real" clothing (not work out gear, accessories, coats, etc.). Many of those items still don't get worn all that often, so going forward I don't plan to add too many more items, but may replace some for better, more wearable every day items. Thankfully after being on YLF all this time, I've learned enough about my personal tastes and needs (finally) that I'm not making as too many bad purchases these days. Like many others here I also enjoy a well organized closet that isn't stuffed too full.</p> <p>I must admit though recently we've had some fires in the region and that makes me realize that none of my clothing is really that important. One evening in particular we thought we may need to evacuate and what did I pack? Two pair of shorts and a couple of tees -&nbsp; that was kind of an eye opener. I was much more concerned about packing my passport, a few paperwork things so I could still work, and a bottle of wine. lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943248 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:16:20 +0000 Julie 1943248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You all make interesting points and I enjoyed reading the comments...</p> <p>Organization makes me happy, and I have really enjoyed keeping track of my wardrobe and counting wears etc for the last year and a half. I think because my life with an interesting/stressful job and two little boys, I like having perfect control over this one thing!</p> <p>I get stressed from having too many clothes to choose from.&nbsp;I like choosing which of my two pair of sandals to wear in the morning. Having 5 choices is just too much.&nbsp;</p> <p>And of course I don't like having stuff that doesn't feel quite right, or stuff that just doesn't go with the rest of the wardrobe. I had a pair of red cords that I really liked, but I had the worst time finding tops to wear with them. I let them go and felt so much happier.&nbsp;</p> <p>Following YLF helped me figure this out, and I feel content with my current wardrobe. For 4 seasons- mostly extreme summer and winter- I have 117 items including clothes, shoes, and outerwear, but not including gear (exercise/camping), underclothes, or accessories (plenty of scarves). Not minimal exactly, but I think I am more of a curator than a hoarder. I use bins to store off-season clothes and shoes, so looking in the closet is not overwhelming and just puts a smile on my face in the morning.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943161 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:15:22 +0000 Daisy Avalin 1943161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't counted, but I suspect from the pile of washing waiting to be done (for some considerable time*!) that I have too many clothes! &nbsp;I wash the stuff I wear regularly, but have found that a lot of the more winter-orientated stuff has not been washed/worn in almost a year if not longer. &nbsp;For instance, my fleece pyjama sets have not been worn in a couple of summers, so I could probably get rid of the majority of them and not replace them. &nbsp;</p> <p>I really need to do a proper weeding of the washing pile, and donate a lot of it! &nbsp;I think I have several longline chunky cardigans in there, which I haven't worn in a couple of years since I tend to wear hoodies now rather than cardigans for warmth.</p> <p>*Sadly, weather and time act against me when doing washing, as we don't have a drier so I line-dry everything and even in the heatwave we've just had I didn't manage to do a huge amount of washing because I worked extra shifts. &nbsp;Hopefully, if the thunderstorms go away I can get several loads done this week! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943152 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 10:24:13 +0000 jussie 1943152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here’s another great old post of Angie’s: <a href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/03/05/variables-that-affect-the-size-of-your-wardrobe/" rel="nofollow">https://youlookfab.com/2015/03.....-wardrobe/</a><br /> I noticed one of the comments says “I like having a smaller wardrobe- it’s like a puzzle when I add a new item to try to make it work in as many different ways as possible”..... this idea really appeals to me! I think having a slightly smaller (albeit still medium sized) wardrobe will focus me better to do this rather than having a higgeldy-pigeldy approach to creating outfits. I hope to think more in terms of outfit capsules rather than an exponential amount of possible options.<br /> Great thread, and my apologies for not replying personally to each person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943146 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 09:03:52 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 1943146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Finally tonight I had to do a count. I actually have less than I thought!</p> <p>I work full-time and smart casual through to business casual is acceptable attire depending on what I am doing. The weather in Wellington, New Zealand is pretty much the same 8 months of the year with a total of two particularly cold months and two warmer ones. It doesn’t snow. It is pretty windy on occasion though!</p> <p>I didn’t count shoes, underwear or base garments, socks, sleepwear, exercise clothes.</p> <p>So...</p> <p>Sleeveless tops - 6 </p> <p>Short sleeved (including shirts)- 7</p> <p>Long sleeve (including shirts) - 9</p> <p>Wool jerseys - 7</p> <p>Cardigans - 6</p> <p>Sweatshirt - 1</p> <p>Skirts - 13</p> <p>Trousers/dress shorts - 3</p> <p>Jeans - 5</p> <p>Dresses - 29!</p> <p>Jackets/Toppers/Blazers - 9</p> <p>Coats and outerwear- 8</p> <p>That comes to 103 items. I also counted a further 35 items that either need to be sold or passed on. </p> <p>I actually thought it would be higher. I know from dressing myself that having few trousers is an issue, especially because I hate wearing stockings once the temperature starts to rise in spring. So trousers and a short sleeve top + sandals is a good option. </p> <p>I tend to wear my dresses in summer and winter, same with the skirts. And I have a good mix of more formal and casual. I don’t need to add anything here unless I do Angie’s trick and send something on to a new home. </p> <p>Tops - I am lacking a longer sleeved white blouse. I have a short sleeve one and a lovely light merino with a boat neck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943010 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 23:45:45 +0000 viva 1943010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an interesting post and makes me excited about the late summer weed out I have planned. I did count once and then for about a year I really cared about the numbers. Now I care about what’s in there. </p> <p>I keep all of clothing - for all 4 seasons - in my large bureau and small closet. (We have no other storage.) I have to be on top of what’s there so that everything will fit. I probably have a moderately sized wardrobe, which feels right —- except for the fact that I have at least 15 t-shirt like tops (both graphic tees and nicer tees) and about 6 work appropriate tops, only 2 of which I really love. I live in the t-shirts in the summer (often under a blazer) when I’m not wearing a dress so I’m not too concerned about them. But I cannot seem to find woven tops for work that I love. I got rid of those I’d rate 7 or lower but I still have only about 6, some of which are on the chopping block. This is a tough hole for me to fill.</p> <p>So what wardrobe is too big? The one that causes you stress because of its size: too big to fit in your storage, too much to know what you have, too many things you don’t love. That’s how I’d define it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1943001 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 23:32:43 +0000 Becky 1943001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great topic. I have a moderately-sized wardrobe. If I got rid of everything I didn't love, I would get rid of a lot, but of course I do have to wear SOMEthing. Budget and shopping opportunity limitations make ditching all the 6/7 clothing at once not an option. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1942992 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 23:20:02 +0000 Angie 1942992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My answer to this question is here:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/03/10/maintaining-an-optimally-sized-wardrobe/">https://youlookfab.com/2015/03.....-wardrobe/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1942979 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 22:53:25 +0000 Dianna 1942979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a rather large wardrobe. I have never counted but I am sure I have more than 200 pieces. But it works for me. I used to feel a bit guilty but not any more. It is easier for me to get dressed in the morning. Very often I need more than one outfit per day, sometimes even more. Also, my weight tends to fluctuate and I keep 2 sizes of clothing depending on my weight. Sometimes I duplicate favorite items in 2 different sizes so that I know I can wear the pieces I love regardless of my current weight. Of course, it is not uncommon that one ítem wears out sooner than its duplicate in the other size, but that's another thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-clothes-is-too-many/page/3#post-1942932 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 21:14:53 +0000 DonnaF 1942932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went from a very small wardrobe (or at least it should have been small given all the outdated items) pre-YLF, to a pretty large one now. I think it is due in large part from hardly shopping at all from the time I was pregnant until DD turned 17 or 18. So in the last seven or eight years I have made up for all that lost shopping.</p> <p>When I start to think I have too much for summer or winter, my non-dominant seasons, I remember when I travel to places hot or cold and that I don't like to do laundry while traveling. I need to have enough clothing to get me through AND after I return home I don't want to see, much less wear, those items for awhile.</p> <p>It is one thing to buy for home, and another to plan for elsewhere. We've hardly had summer this year. . . </p>