https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:28:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083893 Wed, 11 Dec 2019 12:47:40 +0000 Aquamarine 2083893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just can’t deal with counting wears. I know instinctively what gets heavy use but I have so many items that I may wear only a handful of times each season (but I am glad I have). This could be because of changing lifestyle (I work from home mostly these days and my social life has changed dramatically since my kids have grown up).&nbsp;Maybe I am an emotional shopper or I buy for the lifestyle I wish I had/used to have, so I would feel very guilty if I were to track each item’s usefulness. Lately I feel as if I am on the cusp of major life changes and my wardrobe is on (or should be!) the cusp of great change.<div><div><br /></div><div>Kudos to all of you that are so organized and disciplined to do this!&nbsp;<br /></div></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083870 Wed, 11 Dec 2019 10:23:24 +0000 rachylou 2083870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is such a hard one. I think I could destroy something in a month... if I wore it every day, for 30 wears. But I don’t know if it’s reasonable or not to expect to destroy something in 30 wears like that. My extra long Puffy is well over that. I’ve had it maybe 3 years and worn it almost every day for at least a little bit. It’s a little worse for wear but still serviceable (and yes, I’ve been trying to replace it for a year). My H&amp;M bell sleeve sweater is I think a year and half old, maybe 10 wears on the outside and I worry it’s on the verge of pilling...<br /> It’s true I haven’t stored it nicely, and keep tossing it here and there, but that still seems sort of pathetic... I mean, if you got one new garment a year in the Middle Ages you were filthy rich! Of course, you were old at 25 and quite possibly dead from cold and starvation, but you know... you died in the garment you inherited from grandma... I guess I have to meet myself in the middle and say 20 days of wear, and give myself permission to call it quits on an item... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083850 Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:42:22 +0000 Gigi 2083850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm more interested in cost per wear than how many times I've worn something. I like to feel that I've gotten my money's worth.&nbsp;</p> <p>If I did look at wears, I think 30 would be a pretty good number. The analysis you gave (once a week for over half the year) wouldn't pertain to me because I probably wear stuff for at least three years on average. So for me it would be only 10 wears per year over three years, which I think is more manageable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083747 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 18:57:39 +0000 Sal 2083747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha Suntiger!! Sounds like a small sea creature.....,</p> <p>I do agree with your philosophy - I mostly stick to it too but am over represented in summer party dresses! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083673 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 14:34:44 +0000 Anonymous 2083673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not tracking wears, but think most of my things get to at least 30 wears- as long as I buy things that fit my life and climate. That's why I came up with Pupy (potential uses per year). Summer and winter workwear, gym wear, and sleep wear has the highest- since worn 5-7 days weekly. Casual, mild weather things, and specialty items like holiday wear, have low Pupy value. So, to get a lot of wear out of things, I buy very little in those categories and more in the things I can wear daily! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083665 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:54:31 +0000 nemosmom 2083665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I only recently started tracking what I am wearing (mostly to figure out if there is a pattern to what I reach for, and to create FFBOs for days when I am rushed), so I am not really accurately counting numbers of wears.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also track new purchases and edits; not all of my edits are expired or worn out though.&nbsp; I am not much help, I'm afraid!<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083530 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 19:19:47 +0000 Roxanna 2083530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all - this is good perspective. I was thinking the 30 wears was high so it's good to hear comments from most of you echoing that (at least for mid to large size wardrobes.) I tend to wear things a few times a year, but hang on to them for years, so I guess it evens out.</p> <p>@Cindy I have a hard time counting crochets too - that's why I only make scarves! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083432 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 14:14:02 +0000 lyn67 2083432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cindy(Smith)you made my day with your last affirmation, LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083408 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:57:14 +0000 Janet 2083408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not interested in strict numbers, but I can always tell when a piece is underused in my wardrobe, and when it is earning its keep. I don’t mind passing along things in good condition because they generally go to a good home or venue for finding a good new home (I found a good consignment shop near me that provides funding for a hospital fund — I just got a check for $90-something from them and it’s good to know the rest will help someone who can’t afford medical bills). </p> <p>I figure it all averages out. Super useful things like jeans and certain footwear,<br /> I know I have worn well over 50 times and are still going strong. For those items I don’t mind a bit of visible wear or patina. Same for some of my leather jackets. But other things — sweaters, blouses, wool coats, dressier shoes — I don’t like to wear once they look shabby. I try to pass those on before they get too visibly worn. And some things I just realize I’m not enjoying anymore while they still look pristine - why hang onto them when someone else will likely love them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083404 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:48:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2083404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>JenniNZ, thanks for the comment on where the "30 wears" comes from. I think I've heard how she came up with that number, but can't recall.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That number strikes me as very low, other than for things like special occasion wear. I tend to wear a few pieces intensely for a few weeks at a time, so each item easily clears a dozen wears. For example, I've been wearing my black and white vertically striped skirt that way since October. Before that, I wore the b/w horizontally striped one the same way. This is not the first year for either of them, though they didn't get as much wear in Florida. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As others have mentioned, my outerwear, including footwear, gets a lot more than 30 wears. Last winter and this, I've rotated between 3 pairs of boots for months, so at least 60 wears each. The metallic ones seem to be getting thinner/less comfortable in the soles; I think that's a sign they weren't as well made as the Red Wings, so I will be careful next time I consider footwear from Seychelles. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083403 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:34:05 +0000 Liesbeth 2083403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really track wears, but on hearing of the '30 wear rule' here on ylf, I did make more of an effort to actually wear pieces I like but that are slightly harder to style. Like, not always wear the go-to outfit (that would easily get 10 wears a year in my 4 season climate) but be more creative. And try to prioritise purchases I look forward to wearing over and over again. But that is also because I have the explicit intention of keeping a moderate sized wardrobe with &gt;80% in regular rotation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083402 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:30:37 +0000 cindysmith 2083402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't count wears. I kind of go by: am I sick of it mocking me from its hanger or do I get excited to see it when I'm choosing clothes? As for the stuff that I actually wear, I wear it until it is ruined or I've changed sizes too drastically to wear it anymore. I wish I could count wears, but I can't even count properly as I'm crocheting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083400 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:21:44 +0000 Helena 2083400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roxanna, you also do thrifting, right? That also significantly impacts your "average" I'd say.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083395 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 11:26:10 +0000 Sisi 2083395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After tracking my outfits and therefore my wears for some years, I realized that a minimum of 10 wears per year is a good number for me, considering that I live in a 4-season climate. That said some pieces even reach 30-40-50 wears in a year - generally pants, jeans and shoes.</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083392 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 10:37:06 +0000 Bijou 2083392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roxanna, I read that most clothing only gets worn 7 times on average before being disposed. That is a sobering statistic and one that I am trying to make sure that any purchase will get above that.</p> <p>30 wears is ideal, but for some items, I may be happy with less. I do want it to be well above the 7 threshold though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083382 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:30:21 +0000 Style Fan 2083382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't track wears.&nbsp; I do keep track of what I am adding to my wardrobe.&nbsp; I am trying to be mindful of my clothing shopping.&nbsp; Like Carla, I am more likely to wear my clothes out.&nbsp; I like the patina of older clothing.&nbsp; A bit of distressing suits my style.<br />I have some pieces that don't get much wear but I still enjoy them.&nbsp; Or I might have something that rarely gets worn and then suddenly I start wearing it all the time.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083369 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:48:31 +0000 Cardiff girl 2083369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My wears are automatically tracked when I record my daily outfit diary and whilst of interest to me it doesn’t tell me anything that I didn’t already know or at least suspect.l wear jeans a lot and dresses less often.l think for me it’s more useful to find out over a few years what I NEVER end up wearing and then try and analyse why.As others have said its a little unrealistic to get 30 wears a year out of say a cocktail dress for someone with a casual lifestyle like me but if I keep and wear that dress over a lifetime and don’t keep buying more cocktail dresses to hang unused in my cupboard then it has a place.l think the figure is meant to create an awareness of over shopping and to remind us of the environmental impact of shopping thoughtlessly,which obviously no one on YLF does!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083368 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:46:13 +0000 fathenry 2083368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>30 wears sounds like a lot. My wardrobe is medium sized. What an interesting challenge. I'm guessing my Jean's, favorite dress pants, favorite blouses,sweaters, boots, coats, handbags have seen this much wear. Fewer wears on the dresses, jackets, special occasion wear, dress shoes or business formal clothes. Seems harder to find dresses you can wear on repeat like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083367 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:37:38 +0000 Barbara Diane 2083367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Most of my clothing gets more than 30 wears and last 2 years. Some lasts much longer. Mistakes or items that are very specific get less wears. Occasion wear especially. And some items that got very little wear suddenly become quite useful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083354 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 05:24:04 +0000 Jenni NZ 2083354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So to recap, the #30 wears was an initiative started by Livia Firth in UK- wife of Colin Firth the actor, not that that defines her, just helps to place her. She was working in conjunction with the author who wrote “ To Die For- is Fashion Wearing out the World?”, Lucy someone- Lucy Siegle maybe (sorry on my phone) . It’s an environmental campaign that tries to make you think before you buy something if you will use it 30 times. I have been trying to follow it for 2 years now after learning about it here on YLF via Jenn.<br /> I am trying to get the 30 wears within 3 years. Also relevant, my wardrobe numbers between 160-170 pieces or so, I am aiming for 150 and to turn over about 30 pieces each calendar year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083339 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 03:12:36 +0000 Kari 2083339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh gosh. It depends so much on the type of item, really. Coats, leather jackets, shoes I’d expect to get WAY more than 30 wears from it. For example, I have a leather jacket, black with a slight peplum cut, that I got in 2016 (I think?) and I am sure I have worn it at least 60 times. Ditto my cobalt blue trench. My black suede booties or rose gold wedges that are a few years older than that: who knows but probably closer to 100 times over ~5-6 years. </p> <p>I don’t count exact wears and I’m sure I’m getting under 30 wears for some items (like dresses used more for events/dressy occasions rather than casual ones) but I know I have some staples that are with me quite often. </p> <p>And as for my glasses, even with a few pairs to rotate between: I rarely wear contacts, and I hardly ever wear my oldest specs from 2011 because I’m babying them a bit, but in a year each of my other 3 older pairs probably averaged 100 wears. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083337 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 03:08:15 +0000 Jaime 2083337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My favorite jeans and shoes get lots more than 30 wears a year, but it takes more than a year for my jackets and coats to get even 10. And dresses and skirts even more slowly if at all. But I am more about the messy paintbox than carefully curated toolbox . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083321 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:32:17 +0000 Roxanna 2083321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@MollyMac - I just took a look at your profile and I think we might be the same person I have the same style preferences, prefer the same brands, also buy for quality, and have a large wardrobe. </p> <p>And your response above sounds exactly like me. I just bought a cashmere intarsia tiger sweater that sounds similar to your silver lame sweatshirt. Not many wears, but when an occasion calls for it, I’m ready </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083311 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 01:26:22 +0000 Molly Mac 2083311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't track wears as I too have a 300+ item closet and tracking feels a little overwhelming to me. I do a major closet evaluation at least 2 times a year. I try on everything that is not worn regularly to make sure it still deserves a place in my closet. I keep things until they no longer feel like me. That might mean I keep something for years or just a season. I recycle most things at our church thrift store. Like Angie, I enjoy knowing that someone else is enjoying them. My husband and I went downtown today to enjoy the holiday decorations and the Christmas Village. I wore a silver lame sweatshirt that I have owned for @ 7 years but have only worn about 5 times (there aren't many opportunities to wear a silver lame sweatshirt in all honesty), but I hold onto it because when the occasion does arise, I am ready ;). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083310 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 01:22:38 +0000 Roxanna 2083310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much everyone - I find it helpful to hear different perspectives on this since our wardrobe are such a personal thing. </p> <p>TG - I thought I had seen this somewhere but totally forgot your thread! On my way to check it out now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083309 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 01:14:54 +0000 Sal 2083309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only track entries and exits, rather than wears.</p> <p>But I have plenty that fall well short of the 30 wears mark and won't make it.... mostly statements or occasionwear.</p> <p>I am probably more like Carla in my wardrobe style - I tend to wear things until they are not salable or maybe even donate able.&nbsp; But I do have a handful of mistakes each year, and a handful of things that I am over and I think others might like that I sell or donate.</p> <p>I use 30 wears as a buying tool more than whether I will keep it.&nbsp; I consider whether I am likely to get 30 wears from an item and if I don't think I will, I try and stay away from it.&nbsp; Exceptions would be occasionwear and second hand items.&nbsp; If second hand I do think about getting some wear from it - but I have bought things I think I might wear 10 times and then hand on again.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083300 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 00:52:04 +0000 SarahD8 2083300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the 30 wears is meant to be over the lifetime of a garment, not each year. That makes it a little easier!<br /> I aspire to wear my everyday clothes 10 times each year. That's kind of arbitrary (although it would ensure that an item kept 3 years would get 30 wears, and one kept 5 years would get 50 which seems pretty good).<br /> In practice I wear some workhorses a lot more often and some only a couple-few times a year. But I'd like to improve upon that.</p> <p>ETA: my attitude about wear is much like Carla's, complete with gratitude for those who pass their clothes on in pristine condition. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083298 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 00:39:55 +0000 Carla 2083298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can’t remember which thread it was, but I was quite interested in Angie’s comment that she passes on items that are in pristine condition with the expectation that they will go live in someone else’s closet and continue to see wears. I understand that members of UK’s royalty and high vis celebrities do similar with their good quality, lightly worn garments. Angie, these celebrities, and other ‘regular’ folks aspire to a very high standard of day to day presentation that requires clothes in exceptionally fine repair.</p> <p>I’m old school and with the exception of ‘mistakes’ I wear my clothes so hard, and so long, that they are rarely fit for resale at consignment or thrift. I DO have garments that have seen more than 100 wears and are still wearable. The life I live, and the style I present is relaxed, and even a little rumpled, so the patina of age is welcomed. When the shine was wearing off my silver Converse sneakers to reveal the plain grey canvas underneath, I was okay with it. In fact, I liked the effect more than the solid silver shine of the new item. </p> <p>I do have a smaller collection of clothes. With 7 pairs of pants, I can get 52 wears a year out of each pair, though I wear some more than others. My 2 pair of white jeans are 2 years old, and get worn year round. I wore one of them 4 times last week, with different tops and shoes/boots before they went in the wash. They still look like new, so who knows how many wears I’ll get out of them? When I’m done with them, they will likely go to the rag trade or trash, since they won’t be fit for second hand. </p> <p>I think both approaches have merit and I’m not going to feel any angst or judge how a person manages their closet. Since I love the thrill of the find at thrift, I’ll fully support folks who need to pass along their gently used clothes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083295 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 00:27:52 +0000 Helena 2083295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roxanna, I had a similar question recently and got lots of great wisdom from the group; you can check out the chat here:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rethinking-my-expectations-how-long-pieces-should-last">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....hould-last</a></p> <p>One point that might really help you was Suz' point about averaging wears - so for example, maybe you have some special pieces that don't come out as often, but maybe you also have a pair of jeans that gets well over the 30 wear mark ... in which case on average, you might be doing well.</p> <p>In any case there were lots of different ideas and ways of tracking, so you might find something there that works for you.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears#post-2083291 Mon, 09 Dec 2019 00:03:10 +0000 Roxanna 2083291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I'm going through my Style Book app and realizing I have very few wears on some of my clothes... Even the ones I am retiring. This makes sense as o a very large wardrobe (300+), but I want to make sure I am wearing the things I love!</p> <p>For you analysis geeks - What are your guidelines for how many times you want to wear an item? I know they say 30 wears but that seems far too much for (1x week for more than half a year!) I'm thinking more like 20?</p> <p>I know everyone is different, so I'm just looking for personal targets, not a hard and fast rule. </p>