https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:20:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321237 Thu, 04 May 2023 17:24:50 +0000 Angie 2321237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenn</b>, it makes sense that you want the joy and distraction of retail therapy, while you stick to a small capsule of FFBOs. You are SOOOOO thoughtful with your purchases - so it is SO OKAY to buy some pretties that you don't wear often. Give yourself the permission to do that. You need it :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321231 Thu, 04 May 2023 15:07:21 +0000 Jenn 2321231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Katerina,&nbsp;</b>I couldn't resist. It was $20 at the flea market!</p> <p><b>Dee,&nbsp;</b>I'm definitely not averse to having pieces that aren't just functional essentials, but I'm still feeling like the balance is off.</p> <p><b>JenniNZ,&nbsp;</b>I hear you! The mean number of wears for items in my wardrobe right now is 34 and the median is 25, so I&nbsp;<i>am&nbsp;</i>wearing what I have and my closet isn't jam-packed with little-worn items, but I think my mental capacity for keeping track of wardrobe items might top out at around 75 pieces--at least right now, while stress levels are fairly high.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321151 Wed, 03 May 2023 20:20:42 +0000 Jenni NZ 2321151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to do a longer reply, don’t have time right now. But I love what Bonnie said, I feel similarly to her. My wardrobe was full (I have much more than you do Jenn) and I am trying to do my part to reduce overconsumption. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321143 Wed, 03 May 2023 19:44:34 +0000 Dee 2321143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire your wardrobe goals and it seems you’re doing quite well at achieving them. I understand the feeling of wanting to have good functioning wardrobe, so that any purchases will be useful but I think they also need to contribute to your overall style satisfaction as well, so something a little pretty would qualify as important too.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321132 Wed, 03 May 2023 18:55:07 +0000 Katerina 2321132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! The kimono outfit is sooo&nbsp;<b>fabulous! </b>What a find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321127 Wed, 03 May 2023 18:22:50 +0000 Jenn 2321127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Barbara Diane,&nbsp;</b>it's been all over the place, which isn't normal at all!</p> <p><b>rachylou,&nbsp;</b>I usually don't have too much in the laundry at once. I generally wear things more than once between washes and try to pop a load in a few times a week, so there's a pretty regular rotation.</p> <p><b>Angie,&nbsp;</b>I know you're right. I'm definitely still in survival mode and will be for the foreseeable future. It's ironic that sometimes coping means buying pretty things and other times it means wearing the simplest outfits possible. I won't make any rash decisions, but I might just set a chunk of my wardrobe aside so I'm not looking at it every day.</p> <p><b>Sal,&nbsp;</b>I hate when items fail spectacularly like that. I had a similar issue with a light-colored t-shirt that didn't even make it through a single summer.</p> <p><b>Bonnie,&nbsp;</b>I often often move comfy sweaters into my sleep/lounge capsule too. Two of my former favorite oversized sweaters are my go-tos for chilly mornings now.</p> <p><b>Suz,&nbsp;</b>those perilous blackberry brambles! I remember them being everywhere when we lived in the Pac NW. Kevin even considered getting a blackberry tattoo to commemorate our years in Seattle.</p> <p><b>Jaime,&nbsp;</b>I'm going to have to make occasions to wear it!</p> <p><b>suntiger,&nbsp;</b>I usually think in terms of 3 years for the 30 wears, as well, but I'm trying to focus on everything bought before 2023 right now. Mostly, I just want to get my head around my wardrobe because I hate feeling like there's so much I forget parts of it exist.</p> <p><b>Helena,&nbsp;</b>that's true, numbers do tend to go up and down. As I said to Angie, I somehow simultaneously want to buy pretty things and wear simple things.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321057 Wed, 03 May 2023 12:34:04 +0000 Helena 2321057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn I always admire your thoughtful and intentional wardrobe! I agree with Angie ... You may find perhaps it was time for a little expansion? In my experience as a similarly small wardrobe oriented person (albeit without half your discipline!), there are times when the numbers expand a little, and as the new items get integrated, some older items may naturally find their way to a new home in good time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321043 Wed, 03 May 2023 11:26:25 +0000 Anonymous 2321043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great kimono!<br /> What's your goal for the 30 wears timeline? I was thinking I should shoot for 10 + wears per year with each of my wardrobe items- so 3 years. But your climate is more stable than mine, so you can wear more things year round! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2321016 Wed, 03 May 2023 01:26:50 +0000 Jaime 2321016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will skip over the analytics and go straight to the picture of you in the kimono - because it is fabulous! What a great pick! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320992 Tue, 02 May 2023 22:23:59 +0000 Suz 2320992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad your new purchases worked out so well for you on the trip. I can identify with pre-trip purchase frenzy. Sometimes it's because we actually need different kinds of item for the whether or activities we'll encounter en route. And sometimes it's more about realizing that well loved essentials are looking worn and tired. Most of the purchases I've made with a trip in view have actually turned out to be workhorses.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sounds as if you are doing well on your 30 wears project, too. I'm buying a ton of new stuff this year, more than I have in ages -- but also continuing to count wears this season. Some items get far more than 30 wears and still look fantastic. The things that wear out before 30 wears are t-shirts and other thin knits&nbsp; (esp. light colours) and the occasional item that somehow gets damaged irreparably -- caught in something (like a blackberry bush) and/or stained.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320988 Tue, 02 May 2023 21:34:53 +0000 Bonnie 2320988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your new purchases look like essentials and therefore will get a lot of use. I've been tracking wears for 6 years and limiting purchases for the past three years. It's been difficult because I do enjoy getting new items but my closet was full and I do worry about doing my part to help manage over consumption. &nbsp;Like you, I've also had success. For example, I purchased 21 items in 2021, l3 items in 2022, and only 3 items this year. I've also worn many (maybe 60 items) for over 30 times and have kept them because they still look good and I like them. Others have been donated or are in the donation box in my closet. A few are now part of my sleepwear or camping capsules (Barefoot Dreams cardigans and sweatshirts). It's been a fun challenge to work with what I have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320985 Tue, 02 May 2023 19:37:45 +0000 Sal 2320985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like your new additions were excellent choices. And I agree with Angie re closet size and emotions.</p> <p>In tracking numbers - at 30 wears most of my pieces still have lots of life in them. I have retired a couple of things with less than 30 due to wear though - a white tank that yellowed and held on to stains being the worst culprit at 12 wears. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320983 Tue, 02 May 2023 19:29:36 +0000 Angie 2320983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(T-shirt fabric is the fabric with the shortest lifespan!)</p> <p>KILLER KIMONO!&nbsp;</p> <p>Dear, <b>Je</b><b>nn</b>. May I suggest a thought! FWIW:&nbsp;</p> <p>You've had a LOT of upheaval in your life the last three years. The pandemic, on top of &nbsp;hubs' delicate health. It has been hard and stressful and tough, to say the least. You go into "survival mode" (for lack of a better way of explaining it) - and that includes how you manage and wear your wardrobe. You are focussed on relieving stress and simply coping. Although life is much better than it was, part of you is still in "survival mode". </p> <p>As life normalizes further, I suspect you'll like your larger wardrobe! You will wrap your head around it soon, and relax into it, like you always do. And enjoy your smashing newer purchases :)&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320981 Tue, 02 May 2023 18:59:44 +0000 rachylou 2320981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have a wonderfully well-coordinated wardrobe. I’m wondering how much of it is usually in the ‘laundry basket’ at any given time. Because I’m a crazy person… half my closet is always in the laundry, lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320979 Tue, 02 May 2023 18:49:26 +0000 Barbara Diane 2320979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like all 5 of your purchases and they all work so well together-perfect for your trip. California weather sure has been crazy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320963 Tue, 02 May 2023 16:12:41 +0000 Jenn 2320963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally agree, <b>Carla</b>. Just under half the items in my wardrobe are over 30 wears and most of them don't feel like they're nearing the end of their lives. And like you, I have items still functional at 60, 90, and even over 100 wears.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jersey fabrics, especially lightweight ones, seem to suffer the most. They get tiny holes and the prints fade, or they lose shape and start to look baggy-saggy. I've also been disappointed in several (not cheap, I might add) pieces I bought at Anthropologie. I'm surprised at how poorly they've held up, despite washing on delicate and air drying. That knowledge is, for sure, impacting what I choose to buy going forward.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320962 Tue, 02 May 2023 15:59:26 +0000 Carla 2320962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally understand the flurry of pre-travel purchases! &nbsp;I’ve selected 25 items for a 12 day trip abroad, and 7 of those items are ‘new’ - as in bought in 2023. &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>How do you feel about the appearance (due to wear and washing) of items worn 30 times? &nbsp;I find many can be worn double, or even triple that amount, but some look all used up by the time they reach that number. &nbsp;</p> <p></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/marchapril-purchases-and-30-wears-project-update#post-2320954 Tue, 02 May 2023 15:41:13 +0000 Jenn 2320954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Except for a souvenir scarf, I bought NO clothing items in April. March, however, was a different matter entirely. In last-minute trip prep, I added four items to my essentials capsule: a black V-neck tee, black sweatshirt, puffer jacket, and tank dress. &nbsp;Those last two were direct replacements for worn-out pieces I've retired, while the first two (the tee and sweatshirt) quickly became go-tos in my travel capsule. I've already worn the puffer 25x and the sweatshirt (which is just the most perfect, semi-cropped, boxy shape) 16x!</p> <p>I also bought the kimono shown in pics at a local flea market before leaving for Europe. It's definitely a statement piece, but it was inexpensive and I love having it in my closet.</p> <p>None of this, of course, helps much in solving my problem that I feel like I have too many clothing items to totally wrap my head around. Not counting accessories like scarves, hats, and belts, I now have 83 pieces in my closet. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-30-wears-project">Two months ago</a>, I decided to focus on wearing what I have in an attempt to wear everything purchased before 2023 30x. I'm happy to say that I'm making progress!</p> <p>At the start of the project, I had 41 items targeted to attain 30 wears. Since then, I've managed to move 2 pieces over the line, and another 8 are well on their way at more than 25 wears each. Still a ways to go, but some quirky, variable weather has allowed me to wear a few favorites that I thought were going to be tucked away until autumn and I'm easing back into my full wardrobe after really enjoying the limitations of the travel capsule.&nbsp; </p>