https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 23:41:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-525051 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:59:49 +0000 Elly 525051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I battle with this. I am a staunch proponent that if something REALLY works, it only has to work one way. I think Beth Ann made an excellent point with her dress, and others have said similar things. If you have a piece that you can only wear one way, but will wear it often enough to get your money's worth, why worry about it. </p> <p>Still, I find it prudent to try to make something work two ways. If you have a piece that works in two outfits, if something happens to it's mate, it doesn't become an orphan. This is also good for more expensive items like jackets and blazers. </p> <p>However, because my wardrobe is small and I am starting from scratch, sometimes I understand the pull of trying to squeeze maximum versatility out of items. Sometimes I really feel myself reaching for a navy or tweedy blazer or jacket, but have held off on buying them because black is so much more versatile and "could go with more" on my current budget. At the same time--- it is a mistake for me to expect that one black jacket is going to complete every look I imagine. There is no one black jacket that can do everything, and searching endlessly would just be a disappointment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-525014 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:41:48 +0000 Beth Ann 525014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first response is 3. But then, I sit here wearing a gray Calvin Klein sweater dress that I bought on clearance ($25 dollars -- whee) that I intend to wear basically one way. With my tights and suede booties I'm as comfy as if I were wearing pajamas! The bodice of the dress doesn't lend itself to accessorizing, so maximal me is taking a walk on the minimal side for today at least, and loving it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524883 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:13:50 +0000 goldenpig 524883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Claire. In general I try to think of at least three outfits. If it's more expensive, then more. When I was considering whether to keep or return my expensive Chie Mihara sandals I put together at least 10 outfits with them and then I knew they would work in my wardrobe. I am impressed by Claire and Sveta and lyn and all you wardrobe remixers that get 90% of your clothes to work together. I can't do that because I love bright colors and patterns and despite my high tolerance for ALGO and pattern mixing, even I have my limits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524797 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:58:45 +0000 Anonymous 524797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've heard three is a good rule of thumb. If I'm buying an investment piece, it needs to go with 75% of my things. If it's a one-dollar-wonder, I'd cut it some slack. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524795 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:56:54 +0000 MsMary 524795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say "generally, more than one." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524782 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:30:58 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 524782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I constantly struggle with this as I rebuild my wardrobe. I am trying to integrate a colorful pencil skirt into my wardrobe, and I purchased one top to go with it, but I really would feel comfortable with at least two ways to style it before I detag it. Ideally, I'd shoot for 3-5 ways. I LOOOOOVE the idea of remixing - any fashion magazine article that shows 75 outfits based on 15 garments...I'm alllll over that! My dream wardrobe is small but versatile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524765 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:00:05 +0000 Jonesy 524765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think about an item's versatility, but I don't really quantify it. I always mix things, so I do expect a piece to mix well with other stuff in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524755 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:54:32 +0000 lyn* 524755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am one of those small/functional closet people, so nautrally; I ask that my new items work with 80-90% of my (small\) closet with tons of outfits and small # of items </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524750 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:49:26 +0000 Kirti 524750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say three. I like to envision wearing it atleast three ways before buying it. But frankly, if I wasn't on a budget, I'd like some special pieces that, even if they can be worn just one or two ways, make me feel like a million bucks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524746 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:41:08 +0000 Makrame 524746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was thinking about this recently with regard to CPW on some items that wear out fast, like cotton knits. I find that with many thin cotton sweaters (like the ones from ATLoft), they only last for a year and then start looking kind of tired and worn out. This happens even if I wear them on average only once every couple of weeks. So even if I only have one outfit that this sweater goes with, if I can repeat this outfit every two weeks (and I usually don't mind repeating outfits with that frequency), I still get about 12-15 wears out of this item, and the cost per wear is usually around $2. So I guess for those things I don't see much sense in making sure they work with multiple combos. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524745 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:40:41 +0000 Transcona Shannon 524745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to think of at least 2-3 different ways to remix an item before I bring it home, although there is the odd exception. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524741 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:37:01 +0000 Di 524741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends on the item for me. If it's a top or a bottom, I need to be able to wear it with a few different things. On the other hand, I wear a lot of dresses, and sometimes can only wear them one way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524729 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:17:41 +0000 Sveta 524729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I can tolerate a very limited number of truly special items which work with less that 25% of my wardrobe -but as you know I remix everything all the time! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524727 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:14:44 +0000 Mo 524727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it depends on your goal. If a concise wardrobe and low CPW are important, I'd really focus on the remix potential. If neither is a big deal, a couple ways is probably fine in my opinion. Just be sure it goes with *something* so you don't have an orphan! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524703 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:56:14 +0000 Lisa 524703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I go for 3 ways. I'm trying to minimalize my wardrobe and reduce my CPW with my items so remixing is key for me. I am ok with a couple of statement items in my wardrobe, but I have to really, really like the item then because I will be wearing it the same way over and over to reduce the CPW. I find dresses with prints the hardest to remix in multiple ways so I try to keep my dress count low. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524700 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:53:00 +0000 missvee 524700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it depends on the cost of the item and how it will be used in my wardrobe. If it's a shirt or top and it goes with one or two things, then I'm fine with that. But I wouldn't buy a big ticket item like a coat if it wasn't more versatile. Most of us are drawn to certain colours anyway and it's surprising how a new item will often work with more than you think once you get it home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524664 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:02:48 +0000 nancylee 524664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, I have a very low bar for this one. All I aim for is more than one look with a new item. For instance, can I wear this top with both my white jeans and dark denim? If a top can go with skirts and pants, that's a bonus. </p> <p>I don't mind having some items that are "one-look only." But I do understand the desire to have a functional mix and match wardrobe.</p> <p>Angie wrote a blog on this once:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2010/07/08/the-pressure-of-wardrobe-item-versatility/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2010/07/.....rsatility/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524663 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:00:14 +0000 Isabel 524663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think about it when I buy it, but I do once it gets home. I look around the closet to see what it would go with. It definitely has to go with more than 2 or 3 things. I am in a place right now where I know which color palette I love, so my wardrobe goes together pretty well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524659 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:57:44 +0000 anchie 524659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My magic number is 3. I have returned numerous items if I was not able to create at least 3 outfits with them. To me it is a sign that it is not compatible with my wardrobe and will be a potential orphan. But I am striving toward small functional wardrobe that mix and match. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524654 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:44:18 +0000 Meredith1953 524654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have heard "five" as the number to shoot for. However, if you absolutely love it and it looks amazing or "killer" in even one outfit (and the outfit is one you can wear a lot) then I think it is fine to do that also. My budget either doesn't allow for the latter or I have never found something that I loved so much that I would be willing to wear it with only one outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/mimimum-number-of-outfits-for-new-items#post-524651 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:40:20 +0000 Mander 524651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure if that makes sense. What I mean is, do you think of a minimum number of ways that you can wear a new item before you buy it? Stuff like formal wear is exempt, of course. </p>