YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:53:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Suz on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838573 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 12:38:31 +0000 Suz 1838573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an impressive job! And 78 sounds like a small wardrobe for a varied climate -- I don't think I could manage on so little myself. You have a great deal of clarity!  It is so satisfying to get rid of items that don't work. There's great joy in a clean closet.  Sal on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838519 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 03:36:21 +0000 Sal 1838519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think GF means not going down the trends that are not working for your body shape or preferences.  Sometimes we can try so hard to make a trend work for us but it can be not worthwhile if you need specific shoes, and tops etc.. But I might have interpreted this incorrectly?  Well Done GF - you have made great progress and have a tight but interesting closet. Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838445 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 23:36:12 +0000 Anonymous 1838445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I too would like to hear more about the comment, "good enough isn't a high enough standard". I feel so much better in slim-fitting pants and JFE doesn't work for me in most scenarios. Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838423 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 22:12:08 +0000 Anonymous 1838423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you have time, could you please expand upon this statement:   Sticking to skinnies and boyfriend denim--"good enough" isn't a high enough standard when it comes to trends, and the current trends do not suit my body type or relatively short inseam. I am interested in how "good enough isn't a high enough standard."   I assume you mean JFE?  Or am I missing something?   Finally, this post gave me the courage to purge some older tops that were oversized and shapeless.  I needed you to hold my hand and point me in the right direction.   K.M. on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838421 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 22:07:05 +0000 K.M. 1838421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ gradfashionista, Thanks for the info on the ballet wraps! RobinF on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838290 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 13:46:51 +0000 RobinF 1838290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fascinating reading. I have such a hard time getting rid of clothes, I love your description of confronting your shopping mistakes. I have such a hard time with that. And Sterling's question "what if I need it" just adds the the difficulty for me.  Lately I have been trying to wear items that have gotten little wear and then when I take it off decide right there whether to keep or not.  gradfashionista on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838177 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 04:03:19 +0000 gradfashionista 1838177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni, 78 was the "after" number. I could probably reduce this further if I were more strict about, and in tune with, the "joy" criterion. In choosing my capsule tonight, I tried on a skirt that I had chosen to keep, only to discover that I wasn't comfortable with the fit. I'll see how it fits after my trip, but if it doesn't, it's going out the door. Sterling, like you, the "what if I need this?" question was also the most difficult for me to overcome. There are a few ways to think about this. In evolutionary psychological terms, it is much much more difficult of people to let things out of their house than to let them in. We're generally kind of evolutionarily wired to keep what we have. There was a study where subjects could choose to pay $0.01 for a Hershey Kiss or $0.15 for a Lindt truffle. Everybody chose the truffle. But when people were offered the option of choosing a Hershey Kiss for free, or a Lindt truffle for $0.14, they chose the Kiss, even though mathematically nothing changed. I think there are legitimate reasons for people to want to hold onto things "just in case," but these reasons don't eradicate the sunk cost that comes with buying clothing, whether for the item itself or the experience of buying it. It's helpful to pay attention to how you feel wearing particular items, whether you end up changing into something else, or what you wear when you're meeting someone you like or want to impress. Alternatively, do you find yourself reaching back in your laundry basket because you'd rather wear something again over wearing a "just in case" item?   As for trying on items in stores, I find there's too much pressure, tricky lighting, pushy salespeople, and not enough privacy in stores with only public mirrors.  Staysfit, a number of items were those where I had just moved on, partly because I had become less tolerant of tight or poor fits, and synthetic materials, but also because I wasn't feeling the style or colour anymore. It didn't feel like me when I put them on. I kept them for a long time, thinking that would change, but it didn't. You could try forcing yourself to wear them one day, and assess how you feel at the end of the day, but if you don't make it out of the house wearing them, I'd probably let them go. Janet, shoes are so tough! They're the easiest to let go for reasons of comfort and wear, but also the toughest because of the sunk cost. This is especially true when you realize after the first wear that the fit is off. K.M., my ballet wrap is by DVF. They seem to offer them every year, and you can find past seasons models on eBay and Nordstrom Rack. Jen, my bad, I initially meant to include all tops in one category and forgot to rename it. It should be meant "tees and tanks."  Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838079 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 21:25:25 +0000 Anonymous 1838079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agree.  I still log my silks as wovens (unless obviously a knit).   Jenn on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838077 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 21:21:23 +0000 Jenn 1838077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, that was my best guess too, but the silk threw me off! I guess silk knits are out there, though. Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838074 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 21:00:33 +0000 Anonymous 1838074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Jenn -- I took the difference to mean "knit" versus "woven."  I might be wrong and I am sure she will comment soon.  Jenn on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838071 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 20:43:34 +0000 Jenn 1838071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoyed this so much! I can absolutely see your essentials based on this list, and it feels like well-curated, tight wardrobe. I have some questions. What's the difference between "tops" and "shirts/blouses"? Are those all knit tops? Also, what about shoes? I know you listed them as an issue...did you count/konmari them too? I just did a count of my wardrobe, but your post was so inspiring, I want to get in and organize more! K.M. on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838037 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:37:20 +0000 K.M. 1838037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's a very inspiring post! I haven't yet built up the courage to fully Kon-Mari my closet although I've been doing partial purges for a few years after learning about her in this forum and reading her book. (I guess partial purges would absolutely not count for her.) Your wardrobe sounds so cohesive; it gives me a sense of your style and personality just by reading the items. By the way I am super curious about the ballerina cashmere wrap sweater! I love ballerina wrap sweaters but haven't found them in stores in forever. Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1838020 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 15:10:23 +0000 Anonymous 1838020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Went to count my shoes after Janet's post.  Twenty-four.  In contrast to Janet, I don't feel I have a comprehensive shoe wardrobe.  I have an "adequate" shoe wardrobe.  Nothing special or exciting or edgy (i.e., BORING).  I intend to work on this sub capsule in the future, but I have wide-foot issues and that makes me postpone it.  Sigh.   Oh, and one more thing.  I love flip flops for their comfort.  If life were fair, I would have a vast assortment of 12-month flip flops in every color and pattern under the sun.  I would wear them to work and people would say "there goes a professional."  Sadly, that is not the case.  (I still wear them to work on occasion).   Janet on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837995 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 14:11:36 +0000 Janet 1837995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, I'm impressed with this effort. What a streamlined closet! Kudos to you. I'll confess, I saw your thread last night and I wasn't quite ready for sleep yet, so I Konmaried my shoe collection. Finally decided to say goodbye to quite a few that are no longer comfortable or that don't feel like me anymore -- a dozen pairs are now in the sell/donate pile. I'm down to 70 pairs (that's shoes, sandals, boots, everything except gear like running and biking shoes). Five of those are in a holding zone. Still almost an embarrassing number of shoes! Jane on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837989 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 13:53:24 +0000 Jane 1837989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is so impressive! I find your process very insightful. Well done.  Thank you also for your honesty regarding your lessons. They are so clearly expressed.  Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837967 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 11:41:14 +0000 Anonymous 1837967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Staysfit -- I think we have to take a big breath of air and just do it.   Staysfit on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837965 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 11:36:38 +0000 Staysfit 1837965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a wonderful and thoughtful summary. I used the Kon Marie method last year, with the help of my DD and I managed to cull a large number of sweaters (to her delight because she took them all for her wardrobe) and I set aside most of my excess jeans (DD didn't take them because she takes a larger size in jeans). It has been about a year and I haven't felt tempted to wear the jeans, but I am not sure if it is because I put on some weight when I injured my foot so they are snug, or if I have just moved on? How do I know if I should pass these on? You seem to have the confidence of your convictions. Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837956 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 10:48:47 +0000 Anonymous 1837956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I cannot express how impressed I am with (1) your process; (2) your lessons learned; and (3) resultant wardrobe.  Your current wardrobe is cohesive and TIGHT.     From what I can see you can get dressed for pretty much any occasion in clothing items that fit your body, fit your lifestyle, AND make you happy.  Such an accomplishment!!  And the goal I have personally set for myself.  And you were so brave. To boldly face your shopping mistakes!  WOW. Did the question "but what if I need it some day" pop into your head?  How did you deal with that, if it did?   Your lessons learned are unique.  I have not seen those exact lessons all that often and they in particular interested me.   FIT is so important.  I'll bet it is one of the factors that is most frequently compromised when purchasing an item.  I was surprised that you felt trying on in a store rather than at home was your issue.  I always thought we tried on in the store to avoid buying mistakes.  Lesson learned.   Could you please clarify your third lesson learned.  I think I understand what you are saying but I want to be sure.   Inspirational post.   Anonymous on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837893 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:40:55 +0000 Anonymous 1837893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your list is fabulous. It looks like you could put together at least one outfit for any occasion. Thank you for posting your numbers. So inspiring. Emily K on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837886 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:25:34 +0000 Emily K 1837886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Darn...I wish that I could see inside your closet!  Over time, you've shared pictures of such lovely clothing. Jenni NZ on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837882 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:14:20 +0000 Jenni NZ 1837882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fascinating! So is this the number left after you remove everything that doesn't spark joy? This is well under mine which is about 143 now I think, counts 3 wool coats but no scarves or hats. Or is this the number before? gradfashionista on "Konmaried my wardrobe and tallied the numbers" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/konmaried-my-wardrobe-and-tallied-the-numbers#post-1837879 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 00:45:02 +0000 gradfashionista 1837879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I spent this weekend "Konmari"ing my wardrobe. I've been wanting to do this for some time, but put it off because I was commuting and had to choose my primary wardrobe based on pragmatic needs. In addition, I wasn't ready to confront my shopping mistakes. There have been plenty over the years, and those in the past few were a bit too costly for comfort. Thanks to this weekend's efforts, I now have one large bag headed to the donation bin, and another that I hope to offload on eBay and Poshmark. I'll be posting things here in the Style Exchange, too, when I return from vacation in September. Over the past year, the lessons I've learned include: *Refraining from buying items in-store because of the risk of compromising fit *Refraining from purchasing eBay items unless I have tried on the exact item previously--even then, items mightn't work because designers keep the same model name while altering the fit *Sticking to skinnies and boyfriend denim--"good enough" isn't a high enough standard when it comes to trends, and the current trends do not suit my body type or relatively short inseam. *Shoes. Let's not even go there. Where I don't regret splurging is on a few impeccably tailored skirts, and my trench dress, which brings me a lot of joy.  Moving on to my wardrobe, while my day-to-day style is heavily dictated by orthopedic footwear, I still try to wear blouses and shirts; my tees are worn frequently in the hot and humid summer, but less so throughout the year. On the rare occasions that I go out for celebratory events, I wear fancier flats without support because the physical discomfort is worth it--I can't stand the look of trainers and skirts, even in casual circumstances. I made my peace with a bit of pain, though I draw the line at heels. I have half of the walk-in closet with about a 5-foot rod, a foot of which is used for hanging drawers. I don't own a dresser, so my hanging drawers contain my tees, sweaters, and undergarments. Loungewear and gym clothing I keep under the bed in open baskets. I didn't include outerwear, loungewear, or gym clothes in my tally because those items are worn frequently and replaced when necessary. I also omitted scarves and hats, but I have less than 5 of each. My tally is as follows: Tops Black silk blend wrap (fancy) Black poly, ballet back, 3/4 Black poly, ballet back, cap Black silk tank, loose Black silk tank, fitted Black merino tank, fitted Grey poly, short-sleeve Navy cotton V, short sleeve Navy silk cotton U, short sleeve Blush poly tight, short sleeve Black-and-white striped poly tight, short-sleeve White cotton t-shirt, loose White poly t-shirt, fitted White linen t-shirt White linen 3/4 White linen tank, loose Total tops: 16 Dresses Black silk satin trench dress Black poly 3/4 sleeve Jackie O Black silk sleeveless mini Window pane silk short sleeve mini Green leaves silk dolman cowl Teal sweater dress Total dresses: 6 Skirts Black leather A-line Black leather fit-and-flare Black wool pencil Black cotton belted pencil Navy pencil slit Paisley pencil cotton Multicolored floral embroidery poly A-line Medium wash above-knee pencil (?) Denim below-knee pencil (?) Denim maxi distressed (?) Total skirts: 10 Jeans Medium wash AG Beau jeans (absolute fav) Medium-now-light wash C/E stiletto (needs replacing) Medium wash C/E zip ankle (needs replacing soon) Medium wash rag & bone Dre distressed (knee rip too big) Dark-now-medium wash low-rise skinnies Black skinnies, high waist Total jeans: 6 Shirts and Blouses Black silk sheer splice (requires tank underneath) Black silk collared Black silk collarless Black silk sleeveless Blush silk collarless Black floral silk collared, 3/4 Leopard silk PJ, 3/4 Green check poly blend Chambray cotton ie front, short-sleeve Plaid cotton double-collar, short-sleeve Purple striped collared, poly blend, 3/4 White silk fancy button cuff White silk collared White silk, short-sleeve White cotton voile tuxedo Whited poly fitted collarless, 1/2 White cotton puffed sleeves, 1/2 Total shirts and blouses: 17 Trousers Black wool, slim Black wool, slim hip, wide legged Black wool blend, high-waisted culottes Black cotton nylon slim fit Grey wool high-waisted culottes Black leather pants Navy leather pants Total trousers: 7 Sweaters Black merino maxi cardigan Black linen maxi cardigan Black cashmere/silk ballerina wrap Black cashmere crew neck (unflattering, but comfy) Black cashmere double V neck Black merino (thin) Purple cashmere cardigan (?) Grey (dark) cashmere, short cape sleeve Grey (light) cashmere, silk hem Aqua cotton/linen White linen open cardigan Total sweaters: 11 Jackets, Indoor Blue denim Khaki linen Total jackets: 2 Blazers Black thick wool 3/4 sleeve Black medium weight long sleeve (to tailor) Herringbone medium weight Total blazers: 3 GRAND TOTAL: 78 items Although the total number is much smaller than I expected, the closet still feels slightly cramped for my liking. Fortunately, there's still room for a bit more culling based on joy and wear, as well as space, but I'll save that for when I return.