https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 03:54:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791687 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 22:06:46 +0000 Suz 1791687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! You've already heard from others what I would say -- it's tough to generalize about numbers because it will depend on your climate, your roles, and your needs for variety.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a casual jeans-heavy closet and in rotation right now I have 10 pair! That's quite a lot, I realize. Strictly speaking, I don't <b>need</b> 10. But they are different cuts. I have full length, crops, and culottes. I have plaid. I have blue, I have burgundy. I have slim straights and skinnies for tucking into boots and slouchy skinny/ BF jeans. Lots of different kinds.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even with all these bottoms I have a lot more tops. The ratio is about 2 or 3 to one (depending on season).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791683 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 21:36:55 +0000 Barbara Diane 1791683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two thoughts-<br />It really helps to have a color palette that both makes you look good and goes together. Don't know what you like, but if you don't know what looks good on you, hold a color up to your hand or face and see if you look good or sallow, etc. Colors you love but don't love you back can go further away from your face. You can be someone who likes all neutrals, neutrals with a pop, a balance, or mostly colors. But making a palate helps fewer clothes combine into more choices.</p> <p>I run colder now, and a sleeveless tee under a long or 3/4 sleeve has been invaluable this winter. So consider layering. And if some of your midweight clothing is not so dark and not so pastel it can work for both spring and fall.</p> <p>Good luck and enjoy the process.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791561 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 13:32:24 +0000 Helena 1791561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, it sounds like you are well on your way! Small numbers, variety of silhouettes - a great starting point. Good luck on the journey! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791304 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 12:29:50 +0000 harmonica 1791304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great start, Laura! Keep us updated on your wardrobe. It's a really fun, inspirational and interesting topic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791285 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 09:28:23 +0000 Jenni NZ 1791285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another point Laura which maybe took me a while ( years, in fact)... trying to work out what was a suitable "professional" wardrobe that I actually felt like me in. Most fashion magazines etc seemed to have pencil skirts and pumps ( or as I called them in the 80s, "court shoes") and blazers, for the office. As my office is a GP's surgery it wasn't appropriate when I'm bending over, getting on the floor to check a playing child's ears, also when maybe older people and tired Mums are feeling dressed down, for me to look like some CEO or high-powered business woman I felt. I gradually realised I could pick items that looked smart enough while still easy and comfy to move in. And for maybe 7-8 years now I've felt happy and like me in my work-wear, which I can then easily wear to an evening meeting or dinner as well if going straight from work. Of course my children were teenagers when I started to do this, but I often wear similar clothes out in the weekend also say for a shopping trip. Most of my stuff feels "me" and I get plenty of compliments at work on my clothes, maybe because I look and feel happy in them. Just a thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791283 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 08:05:14 +0000 Laura1975 1791283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've set this in motion already and listed all my clothes in sections much as you describe JenniNZ. I've hung a printed copy just inside my wardrobe door in a plastic wallet with pen and am going to mark what I wear every day. </p> <p>I have way more clothes than I thought I had! I do laundry almost every day and have very limited storage. I share a built in wardrobe with my husband, have an IKEA malm set of drawers and have commandeered half my son's wardrobe for coats and out of season stuff. </p> <p>For a long time I had very few clothes and found things wore out very quickly and I was having to replace them more frequently than I wanted so I took a conscious decision to buy more. That's where it all went wrong!</p> <p>Ledonna, funnily enough when I was pregnant I had a very limited set of clothes that mostly came from eBay and it's the happiest I've been with my clothes. I always felt I had something to wear and I had a choice of silhouettes. I think that might be the key! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791209 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 23:43:45 +0000 DonnaF 1791209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I kept track of what I wore each day for maybe a year -- but I never went back and counted wears!&nbsp; I am very temperature sensitive, so if I were to do it again, I would note the weather and temperature or if I went outside my home town and micro-climate.&nbsp; Some years are cooler or warmer than usual, so it makes a HUGE difference in what I wear.&nbsp; (We keep our thermostat low in winter and bundle up, and sunny days make a big difference.)&nbsp; I could not make an assessment of what I need based on a single year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1791192 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 22:12:37 +0000 Jenni NZ 1791192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Laura, I'm sure you will find great help here. I've spent a lot of time thinking about these topics of wardrobe size, number of wears etc etc. For me it was a feeling of being out of control of my wardrobe and shopping and after 10 months of tracking wears ( which I just do on paper, I wrote down all my tops, bottoms, dresses and shoes and made tally marks) I have a much better handle on things and have been saved from a lot of purchasing errors. Of course it can be done with an Excel spreadsheet or apps if you prefer.<br /> If paper is easier, my columns are, in each section eg layering tops, singlets, soft tops, T-shirts:<br /> Item, date ( just the year eg 2012), wears (that's where I put the tally marks), cost, and cost-per-wear. I just guessed the wears from before I started, I had a fair idea what had been worn a lot and what only a little. I only change the CPW calculation every so often. That has been most useful for something a bit more costly ( example, 2012 grey-green cuffed pants which had cost $ 90 which had hardly been worn but now worn 13 times and CPW down to under $ 7. ) I had not been sure how flattering they were but they fit well, were in excellent condition, I had tops and shoes that toned... and have had compliments when wearing. Was worth trying. Good luck! Try searching the Recovering Shopaholic blog archives re wardrobe size also. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790527 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 02:27:07 +0000 Ledonna N. 1790527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello and welcome offically. </p> <p>My life and work life wad very jean centered. I had an over stock of then and wore them all. I had about 15-20 in regular rotation mostly the same style in different color ways. Tops to bottoms. I'm a mulltiple person so I tend to stock the same types of tops. Probably 2 tops to every bottom. </p> <p>It must be so beautiful where you live.<br /> Currently pregnant so I'll have to eventually revamp my jeans wadrobe to accommodate my new body pretty soon. I look forward to more of your post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790519 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 01:53:49 +0000 anne 1790519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome Laura, great to have you here.<br />I was going to make the point about laundry too, as others already have. I found when I was home with kids that my clothes did get quite dirty, so in your position I'd want to be sure that there were enough clean clothes for work days. I'm saying this from the perspective of having a fairly small wardrobe, by YLF standards.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790484 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 22:44:51 +0000 Staysfit 1790484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How much storage space do you have? How frequently do you want to do laundry? How much variety do you want in your wardrobe? People notice tops more than jeans, unless they are some sort of Statement item. That allows for many fewer jeans in a most people's wardrobes than tops, even if they are frequent denim wearers. Do you wear jeans to work? To the park? To do the gardening? To the grocery store? These may all be slightly different styles, Kwim? </p> <p>I once found a formula to help figure out the number of various articles of clothing I might need, but you can easily come up with your own calculation. In my case, my closet is large, my lifestyle is jeans friendly, and I have lots of them (as many people on YLF already know ). </p> <p> How often do you want to repeat wears of your clothes, and what activities do you need to dress for? How much value do you want to get from each item of clothing (cost per wear)? I think these are all helpful questions when sorting out wardrobe size. I once made an arbitrary decision not to repeat wears of my outfits for a three week period. That means I would go almost an entire month and never wear the same thing twice. In a season, which lasts six months (I lump Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter together), I might only wear something six to eight times. This might not be a desirable repetition ratio for most people. I don't think I make purchases and say to myself, I will only wear this item 6 times this year. If I increased my outfit repetition frequency to every two weeks, I almost double the wear I get from each item in any given season. It sounds a lot better to me to say I will wear something 12 times in the year I purchase it, especially if it isn't a special occasion item. In any case, thinking this through, can help you sort out some numbers. </p> <p>(Truth time: I have over 20 pairs of jeans, and most people here on the forum are probably laughing as they read that I am talking about cost per wear and value from clothing, but it is my year of being budget conscious, so I have been just that! ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790445 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:18:51 +0000 minimalist 1790445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, you don't *have* to post WIW photos for them to be useful. Having pictures is a useful tool even if you're the only one who sees them, as you've seen. But the old and drab impression, when it exists, isn't the sort of thing there's much straightforward feedback on around here. So I can certainly understand the hesitation to post WIWs until you feel very comfortable doing so. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790439 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:03:35 +0000 Liz 1790439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I'd also encourage you to post some outfits for feedback, <i>especially </i>since you said you took pictures and looked old and dull in them. I can almost guarantee you're being too hard on yourself, and could probably use some of those unbiased and kind eyes Karen talked about. Your own eyes are likely biased against you, and are being unkind to you. </p> <p>Regarding closet size, I'd do an inventory of the different kinds of activities you have in your life (work, home with kids, evenings out, etc.) and how many times in a week or month you need to dress for that kind of activity. That will begin to give you a feel for how many clothing items to shoot for in each category. </p> <p>I'd also encourage you to begin to buy clothes that really do feel like you to wear to work. Maybe reserve them as "work jeans" and not playground jeans, but do buy clothes you want to be wearing. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790435 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 20:53:07 +0000 April 1790435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>L1975, also consider your laundry preferences. &nbsp;I do laundry daily, so I wouldn't require as many pairs of jeans as someone who likes to bang it all out on one weekend day. &nbsp;</p> <p>Doesn't mean I don't HAVE as many pairs as that person, mind you... &nbsp;;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790428 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 20:46:49 +0000 Laura1975 1790428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some really good pointers there thank you. I have a lot of reading to do. I'll have a think about my essentials too. </p> <p>I'm not brave enough to post WIWs yet! I did try taking some a while back and got a shock. First of all I look much older than I thought I did and secondly, I look really dull as most of my outfits are variations on the same theme. It was quite eye opening. I'm obviously in need of more variety but without the space or funds to keep a large collection of clothes I'll have to make choices. I'll post again soon with some thoughts once I've digested everything above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790303 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:41:52 +0000 karen13 1790303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, Laura - You are very clever to put some thought into this upfront. I have largely replaced my wardrobe in the past 18 months due to weight change and have struggled with the same issue of buying the same styles in my comfort zone, whether or not I really liked it or it flattered me. I have resolved to use YFL more to help me break out of my style rut. I have bought too many things that look the same, without having specific plan for what occasion it was for and what it would go with in my wardrobe.</p> <p>Tracking is a great idea if you are analytical. If you are get comfortable with the idea, posting pictures here for guidance is great - the advice is spot on, unbiased and kind! I admit it took over a year for me to post asking my body type, but the exercise was very eye opening. I am finding the mirror does not always show me what others see.</p> <p>I look forward to sharing your style journey. -Karen</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790276 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:32:40 +0000 Angie 1790276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, Laura. Lovely to see you around here more often.&nbsp;</p> <p>There is no ideal wardrobe size. The factors that affect the size of your wardrobe varies from person to person - like your lifestyle, climate, closet space and need for outfit variety. Here's my personal perspective:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/03/05/variables-that-affect-the-size-of-your-wardrobe/">https://youlookfab.com/2015/03.....-wardrobe/</a></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> <p>Sort out your wardrobe essentials and work from there.&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2017/03/09/wardrobe-essentials-for-2017/">https://youlookfab.com/2017/03.....-for-2017/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790271 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:24:31 +0000 minimalist 1790271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a very jeans-heavy lifestyle, and don't need to demonstrate variety in my wardrobe. So I'll wear the same pair of jeans until I feel they need to be cleaned, which isn't as often as it would be if I had a toddler. </p> <p>My usual formula is jeans + top + topper + ankle boots or sandals + scarf.<br /> Lately I create a "capsule" every few weeks, based on predicted weather and activities, and have only those items in my closet. Ratio of tops to bottoms is about 5:1. </p> <p>I do change into presentable loungewear when I get home. Sometimes, that's technically dressier than what I had on during the day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790259 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:44:22 +0000 Author Linda 1790259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ideal closet size is easiest to state when you have just one role. Sounds like you have at least three: mom, employee, and... you. So you're going to have some pieces that are suitable for mom but not work, or work but not mom. Every item must be you, of course, if you're to be a happy dresser. At least, that's what my years as a mom/wife/employee/wannabe free spirit taught me.</p> <p>One good strategy is to have a core mom wardrobe and a core work wardrobe, both relatively small, and to level up some of your mom attire just enough to make MOST pieces also suitable for work. Fill out with in-between pieces. The work wardrobe, for example, might include a versatile sheath dress you can dress up or down as needed. I got tons of wear out of my two work dresses with just a switch of shoes, scarf, belt, jacket or jewelry. Black or dark indigo jeans were great for both mom and work duties. A great chunky sweater in your choice of neutrals can go both ways for cold days.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, booties are fantastic. They weren't as much a "thing" when I had my three boys, but I wish they had been. Definitely a good look for both work and mom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790255 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:20:37 +0000 harmonica 1790255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you done a closet edit recently? I found that after three pregnancies and the toddler period, my body and lifestyle had changed and l was clueless about fashion and style (but on top with the kids wardrobe needs). My wardrobe was a disaster with either ill fitting, dated or worn out clothes. It was very helpful to get rid of every piece of clothing that didn't do me any good. It took a while, but it was worth it. I practiced one in and two-three out to speed up the process. </p> <p>You may be in a very different position than I was, but some purging and «calculation» of your current situation is always a good start before you take the next step.</p> <p>Scotland seems like Norway, only more wet in the winter. The weather today has been windy, wet, snowy and the occational sun in between. :-)</p> <p>Regarding crossovers - you could have a specific work capsule, but if you want to pair down your wardrobe some pieces could serve more than one «activity» by dressing it up or down. Feeling happy and like *you* is a great goal no matter! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790251 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 12:59:00 +0000 Laura1975 1790251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you harmonica and Sterling!</p> <p>Starting out again with my clothes seemed like such a great opportunity but I appear to be collecting very similar clothes to those I already had two sizes bigger, I.e. skinny jeans and baggy tops. I've definitely been a fan of the long over lean look but it's getting dull.</p> <p>I'm going to start tracking what I do wear. I love a spreadsheet but I need to itemise my clothes first. I have way more tops than bottoms I'm sure. </p> <p>You make an interesting point harmonica about wardrobe crossover. I work 3 days a week at the moment and in the past I have bought clothes specifically for work. I'm considering stopping that. I buy things that are not 'me' just to wear to work. We have no dress code, many wear jeans and I've always been on the smarter end of the office dress code. However, would I feel differently about clothes once I'd worn them to work? It's a hard one. </p> <p>My climate means that most clothes can be worn year round. I'm in Scotland so summer can mean 2 weeks of 23 deg C/ 71 F and that's it till next year! Winter tends to be wet and windy rather than snowy. We got some snow yesterday though and it's about 5 deg C/ 41 F today. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790235 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:57:12 +0000 Anonymous 1790235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great question.&nbsp; </p> <p>I have a casual jean/casual ponte pant wardrobe.&nbsp; </p> <p>I own five pairs of jeans (three dark blue and two white).&nbsp; The dark blue get the most wear.&nbsp; I can wear most of my tops with the jeans.&nbsp; </p> <p>I own three pair of ponte pants (all three are the same exact color of charcoal).&nbsp; I wear all three equally.&nbsp; I can wear pretty much all of my tops with the ponte pants.&nbsp; </p> <p>I <u>demand</u> that I have <u>at least</u> two tops per bottom.&nbsp; That is a really good starting number.</p> <p></p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790234 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:55:39 +0000 harmonica 1790234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, Laura1975! You have come to the right place and I'm looking forward to follow your style journey.</p> <p>As you say, wardrobe numbers are a very individual thing. For a start, it could be helpful to think of which items and how many you'd need to get by in a normal-for-you week. That could be a kind of mini capsule. Maybe you have to devide between different activities, like MOTG, work and athletic, or maybe some work and MOTG can cross over? Covering the basics and essentials is a great start. Then you could expand in different directions, adding a fun top, a needed jacket, great shoes for work/date night or whatever. </p> <p>Sorry for not adding a specific number. I'm quite sure, though, you'll need more tops than bottoms. Let's see what others have to say. l'm eager to see how your analysis of your wardrobe and needs turn out. Love this kind of topics. :-)</p> <p>ETA: what is your climate like?<br /> ETA: Here is Angie's fall capsule. You could look at it as an inspiring template that you can tweak to your lifestyle and needs. I.e. five bottoms and eight tops can take you a long way.<br /> <a href="https://youlookfab.com/2016/09/09/a-mix-and-match-capsule-for-fall/" rel="nofollow">https://youlookfab.com/2016/09.....-for-fall/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ideal-closet-size#post-1790228 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:35:28 +0000 Laura1975 1790228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello everyone!</p> <p>I have been following ylf for a couple of years now and have finally decided to start participating. My youngest child is 19months so my weight is stable (I think) so I would like all future purchases to be wise ones that last since my recent purchases have been cheap due to needing lots of clothes at once.</p> <p>I know numbers will a personal thing but I'd like to get an idea of my own ideal wardrobe (closet!) size and it would be helpful to read others experiences.</p> <p>If you have a fairly casual jeans heavy lifestyle, roughly how many do you have and what is the ratio of tops to bottoms you consider your ideal? </p>