https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1319544 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:44:20 +0000 Elly 1319544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have this problem. I have a handful of things that everyone "needs" in their closet (in my case something that I don't wear much that will be in pristine condition to wear when I need interview, presentation, or funeral clothing), a few items that I wear only a few times a year (because they aren't quite right or they are special occasion things) and then my everyday clothes. Usually I have about 9 tops in rotation and 3-4 bottoms and 3-4 pairs of shoes + 2-3 jackets. Even high quality stuff only lasts 1-2 seasons. While I'm glad I'm not over-spending on clothing that generally never gets worn, the laundry, constant cycle of replacing, and lack of options sometimes gets me down. I'd like to get to that low-medium level. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1318715 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 08:55:48 +0000 Kate 1318715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great point! &nbsp;I have definitely had some clothes and shoes that I really didn't want to stop wearing, even though they were now shadows of their former selves. &nbsp;</p> <p>To pre-empt this,&nbsp;I bought second of a basic burnt orange top&nbsp;that I knew would be hard to replace (it was $8 from loft, pictured below), and have one in use and the other waiting patiently for when the first one gets worn out. &nbsp;</p> <p>In another case,&nbsp;I wore my cognac booties into the ground, and had to literally put them in our garbage bin when it was super gross so that I wouldn't change my mind and go back for them. &nbsp;After a couple months of ebay searches,&nbsp;I&nbsp;replaced them with the exact same booties in a dark brown color. :)</p> <p>On the other hand, I have come to realize that retiring worn out clothes is key to both not looking dated and keeping my look "current". &nbsp;Right now my 74 clothes are about 12% from 2010,&nbsp;20% from 2011,&nbsp;16% from 2012,&nbsp;41% from 2013, and&nbsp;11% from 2014 (that % is about to increase).&nbsp; For shoes, I have 1 pair&nbsp;each from 2010, 2011, and 2012, 2 from 2013, and 3 from 2014. &nbsp;Bottoms last longer, tops get worn out quickly (no matter how expensive they were...).</p> <p>I pretty much wear one pair of sandals all summer long, and then have to toss them by the time autumn comes. &nbsp;I have fond memories of the different sandals I've loved over the years (two pairs included below), but I also think it's cool that I can look at a picture of me&nbsp;and know which summer it was based on which shoes I was wearing. &nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I&nbsp;would rather wear my favorite items&nbsp;all the time and wear them out, than save them and have them slowly become dated or forgotten.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tossing worn out favorites can be sad, but I&nbsp;can also look back on them proudly and with fond memories. &nbsp;For me, donating neglected items that&nbsp;I had high hopes for but could never fully make work or that were overshadowed by my favorites&nbsp;is far more traumatic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1318109 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 20:53:30 +0000 Aida 1318109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very good point! I think we all have a slightly different happy number, but what you say is exactly why I keep my wardrobe at around 200 items. That is a good amount for me to have enough variety and for my beloved pieces to last a good while. The things I love the MOST most still get worn out faster, of course </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1317871 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:13:23 +0000 rachylou 1317871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Och, so true. I discovered this the hard way, when I did my move-in capsule. I was simply killing my basics, my foundation pieces. It felt like I had to buy a whole new wardrobe every month - especially because I couldn't really get the same pieces. Sort of threw everything off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1317789 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 15:28:13 +0000 Carole 1317789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent point! I sometimes "save" my favorites and I think this is why. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale/page/2#post-1317781 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 15:18:52 +0000 Mo 1317781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lari, for me, I think wearing out my clothes before donation time is a great thing. &nbsp;But not as quick as&nbsp;one or two seasons in, way before I'm ready to be done with them. &nbsp;Hence, my mention of just the right size wardrobe. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317763 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:59:33 +0000 lari 1317763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>runcarla, while I agree with you that minimizing number of clothes just for the sake of "the number" is pointless, I am not sure I agree with your sentiment of mourning the worn clothes. isn't it a natural cycle? would you even wanted to &nbsp;wear now &nbsp;the&nbsp;same EXACT&nbsp;items for the whole of eternity? when I look back at the clothes I loved&nbsp;what I&nbsp;want is ease, comfort, and happiness they brought me but not the things themselves. I had a pair a levi's in high school I loved and used to wear non stop.&nbsp;20 years later I&nbsp;have another pair of perfect jeans&nbsp;but they are not levi's.&nbsp;I would never wear the original pair now&nbsp;- you change, fashion change, things move on.&nbsp;I have a slightly smaller wardrobe than yours and I would rather wear my clothes often and with enthusiasm now as angie advises than have a closet full of pristine items that rarely see the light. as fern pointed out, you&nbsp;appreciate your clothes more and&nbsp;tend to have a better grasp of what you needs/wants are when your closet is smaller. also, great fabric/leather becomes better with age. cheap materials&nbsp;not so much. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317729 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:55:55 +0000 Lisa 1317729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A great post, it's all about balance. &nbsp;Too little and one is constantly 'settling' because the wardrobe need just cannot wait. &nbsp;Too much and things may go to waste and never or rarely get used before a purge. &nbsp;I don't think my wardrobe will ever be 100% all used or 100% error free (after all I do like to shop and try out new trends which means errors and boredom will happen). &nbsp;But if I can prevent an overflow of mindless mistakes and nip poor purchasing decisions before they happen, I'll have a more thoughtful wardrobe that I am genuinely happy with. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317699 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:28:42 +0000 Elizabeth P 1317699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very good point(s) Carla, and followed up as usual by more very good points by other fabbers.&nbsp; </p> <p>I really resonated with what Rabbit said about feast or famine shopping.&nbsp; That was me.&nbsp; I didn't care enough, nor enjoy shopping enough, to REALLY look for perfect pieces, whatever they were.&nbsp; I always got things that fit, but didn't know/care about style, and often purchased orphans.&nbsp; And I didn't stop doing that when the online world opened up... just did it more frequently :).&nbsp; So now my attitude is catching up to my reality, but I still have the "feast" in my closet.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317658 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:26:09 +0000 viva 1317658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Carla -- such a great perspective.&nbsp; I see enough change and turnover in my wardrobe that I rarely wear things out ... but occasionally it does happen and that is always a sad day. It's a good reminder that it is a downside of a very small wardrobe.</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317655 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:13:25 +0000 Thistle 1317655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Terrific points! So glad you pointed this out, and definitely something to consider. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317651 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:11:33 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1317651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent point Carla. &nbsp;I have found in the last few years that even with my larger wardrobe, I have the same issue in that I only wear a small number of items regularly and they get worn but the majority of pieces languish. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317645 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:05:02 +0000 Meredith 1317645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well said, Carla. For a variety of reasons (budget, job changes, etc,) I've had a small wardrobe the last few years and it can be exhausting keeping up with replacements. I'd add to your words of wisdom that a minimal wardrobe is a lifestyle and not a destination. You can't just count and purge and do all your reflection up front and then expect an easy and effortless closet. You may get a year of ease, but you'll soon be on the hamster wheel of replacing things regularly. I'm fully behind anyone who wants to live with less, buy better and smarter, have pieces that all work together, etc, but I do think the points raised in this thread are worth considering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317600 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:37:45 +0000 crutcher 1317600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarta, you are one after my own heart...I applaud your wardrobe and the good sense you use to maintain it..I have performed similar in and out but no cull to a certain place...I just like having my things that I enjoy wearing and that so work for me, there..Three cheers for a tad over minimalist... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317584 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:42:35 +0000 jennifer 1317584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to err on the side of hoarder squirrels. Sometimes it makes sense to have a backup or multi ( white jeans + pets or kids?) and have a instant refresh so you don't have to rethink a whole outfit when you are pressed for time. Not so great when you bought 5 tops and then realize next year that you don't really love them after all. And worse if it's still smoking on the credit card ..ooooch!<br /> Ebay here I come! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317582 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:33:17 +0000 fern 1317582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a similar size wardrobe (to Carla's) and a small closet. I do rotate some<br /> things seasonally to our hall closet. Like Caro says, I really<br /> appreciate that I am wearing out my clothes and shoes (and making room<br /> for new).&nbsp; <br />One of the reasons I began to track what I buy was to see which pieces wore out and where the quality really was. I too want my wardrobe to be "just enough" and I don't want to do the desperate filling-the-hole shopping ever again.<br />I don't know the answer to the quality question yet, but I think the<br /> smaller, more organized closet has made me better at anticipating my needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317581 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:30:26 +0000 Gigi 1317581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good points! It is bittersweet when something wears out. It's good because it shows that you loved the item and really had some good outfits with it. But it's sad because you have to replace it, and sometimes you just can't find anything as great as the old one! I get so attached that I will scour the Internet trying to find the exact item that wore out on eBay or some other site. Pathetic, I know.</p> <p>Before YLF, I had an extremely small closet, and if something started to wear out, replacing it became a HUGE priority, and I would often end up buying something that wasn't great but that was good enough. Now that I have a decent-sized wardrobe (about 150 items, including shoes), I can relax and not worry about that. I can actually have some fun mixing and matching things now too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317571 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:11:29 +0000 qfbrenda 1317571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a real trade off, for sure. I have to say that your reasoning is part of why I haven't been getting rid of many clothing items lately. All of our extra money is being poured into our master bathroom addition and I have almost zero money for clothes. The clothes in my closet are all things I like, and even better, are paid for! LOL If I cull my closet, everything will wear out faster and I'll have to shop sooner. So even though I probably have more than I need, I'm keeping everything for now.</p> <p>I might be singing a different tune when I move all my clothes into my soon-to-be-built 5ft x 5ft "walk in" closet... we'll see how much fits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317556 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 04:44:54 +0000 Jen W 1317556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I have a minimal wardrobe since I am rebuilding after losing weight following pregnancies. It is very difficult to build up as my pieces run out faster than I can add them. Summer has been particularly difficult. I added seven tops this summer, and three have already worn out from being in heavy rotation. Granted I have about 50 items year round while I am in building mode, but I would echo that this is one of the drawbacks of a minimalist wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317488 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 03:23:09 +0000 amiable 1317488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes - great point. &nbsp;My favorites from this summer are definitely showing wear, and I'm cautious about getting rid of anything I *would* but *don't* currently wear for fear that I'll need it when something I currently like better&nbsp;gets too pilly to wear, etc. &nbsp;I don't mind the idea of something being a one-season wonder, as long as I got to wear it lots and love it lots. &nbsp;I have some things that I love wearing out now, and I'm trying to be grateful for their service to me rather than mourn their loss. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317483 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 03:18:32 +0000 Alana in Canada 1317483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the warning! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317474 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 03:10:58 +0000 karymk 1317474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla when you find you are falling for something and you wish it would hold up forever, just buy TWO. &nbsp;Or THREE. &nbsp;Don't let too much time go by because even if you find something similar two or three years down the line it may not fit or feel like your original love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317426 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 02:16:55 +0000 Carla 1317426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rabbit, excellent point. I recognize myself in your comment about getting something substandard, just to fill a need. A habit I've been more or less successful at breaking these past 18 months. </p> <p>Caro, I agree with you about lists. I bring pictures from magazines, or a print of my Pinterest shopping list. When an SA volunteers assistance, I show them the pic and say..."do you have this?" Though I keep myself open to opportunities, I rarely stray from my list.</p> <p>Mo, Suz, I wish I knew what 'just right' was. My work wardrobe has shrunk, and my casual wardrobe has grown (and the quality is better). Many items cross over. This bodes well for a nice retirement wardrobe...but I'm still in the workforce.</p> <p>Thank you, Angie. I'm chuffed at the recognition! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317405 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:59:55 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1317405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla, this is a wonderful post &nbsp; Thank you for the reminder!</p> <p>My goal, with downsizing,&nbsp;&nbsp;is not to become a minimalist - it is to become less of a maximalist &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317398 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:54:42 +0000 Caro in Oz 1317398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I take my accessories &amp; shoes out but leave my gear &amp; coats I have around 80 items - so very similar. I really like it when my&nbsp;things wear out - by then I'm usually wanting something new anyway :)</p> <p>I agree with rabbit too - I always take&nbsp;my list when clothes (or grocery)&nbsp;shopping; otherwise I tend to just home home with stuff rather than what I need. .</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317395 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:51:36 +0000 Gaylene 1317395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, it's that <i>balance</i> thing, isn't it. Thanks for the heads up, Carla, because I'm in the midst of downsizing my closet; you've made me realize that purging too enthusiastically has its pitfalls. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317393 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:49:07 +0000 Peri 1317393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I so agree with you! I've not been able to understand the purging posts about letting go of things you like just to have a smaller closet...unless like Gayllene, you really do have a smaller closet. </p> <p>My reason for not getting it is that I often do find fashion a feast or famine thing. Some years I just don't like what is in the stores. I really disliked this past spring, for one. I bought nothing until summer forced me to., and I have liked but not loved what I've found for summer. So when I do hit a season where I find things I love...like last winter...I think it is a smart thing to buy more and "stock up". Because who knows when that will happen again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317386 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:44:02 +0000 rae 1317386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I am noticing this as my favorites start to show wear. Especially shoes. I can easily tell which ones are workhorses nowadays. O_0 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317382 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:39:40 +0000 Angie 1317382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*applause*</p> <p>GREAT post.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-being-a-minimalista-cautionary-tale#post-1317379 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 01:37:37 +0000 Mo 1317379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very good point. &nbsp;And partly why I want a Goldilocks 'just right' size closet. &nbsp;I expect most my tops to last 2 - 3 years at least&nbsp;(barring the cheap fast fashion ones)&nbsp;and most of the rest of my wardrobe around&nbsp;5 years. &nbsp;Some more durable things - leather boots, jeans - up to 7 years.&nbsp;&nbsp; I may tire of things before that and cull them, but I want to be able to settle in to a style for a few years and not be forced to change it up due to wear and tear. &nbsp;This was part of the impetus behind the crunching the numbers post. &nbsp; </p>