https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:55:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164940 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 18:05:08 +0000 Anonymous 2164940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm about 1 to 3 overall, but it's complicated....</p> <p>Skirts can be worn as long as it's not bitter cold- so winter tops+ all bottoms is about 1 to 2. This year I've just been wearing pants though which would be 1 to 4. </p> <p>Summer I never wear pants or sleeves so it's not much over 1 to 1. But I wear dresses in summer much more than winter. </p> <p>Transitional weather my whole wardrobe is in play though </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164925 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:45:57 +0000 Anonymous 2164925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This might be food for thought. I found this about top/bottom ratios from an older Vivienne Files entry:<br /> “Since I built more or less identical outfits each month for each of the 6 wardrobes, they all have 4 “2nd layers”, 11 tops and 9 bottoms. It’s probably not an ideal ratio – I would probably want a couple more 2nd layers, and certain more tops. One of the things about building a wardrobe “outfit by outfit” is that you end up with a really close number of tops and bottoms. While this makes a lot of sense, if you really want to be able to wear EVERYTHING on a regular basis, having more tops is logical. Bottoms are usually more basic, and less memorable, so they can be repeated easily and thus can be outnumbered considerably by the tops! (tops are also more fun to buy…)”. A second layer is a topper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164909 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:58:33 +0000 unfrumped 2164909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchor, I think there is a common ratio advice mantra that presumes tops are more “ memorable “ than bottoms, in outfits, hence one “ should” have more tops- even though different ratios can create more actually different outfits. Plus it did not take into account anything about completer/ 3rd pieces.<br /> I think your identifying blazers as being a very visible outfit “ change” for you was a good strategy for outfit variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164811 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 17:00:53 +0000 Bonnie 2164811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I first replied, I used the total number of tops and pants that I have in my closet and reported 1:4 or 1:5, but after looking at a photo I took of my 2021 winter wardrobeI I could clearly see I have a 1:3 ratio with 9 pants and 29 tops. My problem is that bottoms are difficult and tops are fun to buy and so my closet is filled with too many rarely worn tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164808 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 16:43:33 +0000 Angie 2164808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just counted bottoms and tops - thanks to having my wardrobe in Finds it was easy! - and I have an exact ratio of <u></u>1:2.<u></u> One bottom to two tops.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Carla, </b>I agree with your reasoning 100%.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164773 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 13:10:15 +0000 Jane 2164773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a really interesting question. </p> <p>I think I have more tops than bottoms, particularly for work because I largely think that the top half of me is seen more often. I do find tops easier to buy too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164768 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 12:51:24 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2164768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Planning for a trip, this really depends on the outfits I plan to wear. I wouldn’t wear pants more than 3x. Sweaters and other toppers can be worn much more than that—but only around different people. A top that’s against my skin might work a second time, but I plan for half of them to only be worn once. </p> <p>In my winter wardrobe, about a quarter of the items are pants, skirts, or dresses, so that’s a 1:3 ratio. That 75% includes sweaters and toppers of all sorts. </p> <p>Anchie, your comment might’ve just cleared up why I’m always so interested in your outfits (besides that they work very well &amp; are worn by a Mensch). I default to thinking the top should be the main thing (even when I really want to wear certain pants or skirt). Seeing it built the other way ‘round must catch my eye, even without being consciously aware of the difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164756 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 07:29:14 +0000 rachylou 2164756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, the math on this three-top thing is interesting, esp if one wants to know when they can stop adding tops... you could have three tops and two pants in such a way that all three tops work with either pair of pants. You could have four tops, where one top doesn’t work with one of the pants... I suppose the limit is six tops theoretically, where there’s no crossover for tops. Lol - I, of course, totally blow off the concepts of manageability and versatility IRL. I really ought to consider it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164753 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 07:00:58 +0000 anchie 2164753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarla - well, this question helped me to realize that I don’t look for variety or statements in tops. They are just completer items to me. When I have all the colors that I like covered, I just stop looking for more. So thank you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164732 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 03:09:08 +0000 Jaime 2164732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't count, but surely have more tops than bottoms, even though I am fairly open to new concepts in pants and jeans. I can usually be more experimental with bottoms because I am top heavy - or at least that is how I see myself. Nonetheless, interesting bottoms are harder to come by, and a good pair of jeans just works with so many outfits.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164724 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 00:24:51 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2164724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I run about 2 or 3 to one, if blazers and light jackets are included. It used to skew even more in favor of tops, during the period in which it seemed that all pants were skinny. In the last couple years, I find there are a lot more interesting pants silhouettes so I have been expanding the collection. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164721 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 23:20:44 +0000 The Cat 2164721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't counted, but I know I have more tops than bottoms. And when packing, I usually make sure that I bring at least two tops (toppers not included) for each bottom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms/page/2#post-2164719 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 22:37:45 +0000 Carla 2164719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Anchie, and others - I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this! &nbsp;It was just a question. &nbsp;I was surprised by the number of tops I actually owned, and how comparatively few bottoms, and wondered if it was the same for others - or not! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164717 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 22:29:50 +0000 Suz 2164717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't done a recent count but I definitely have more tops than bottoms, especially if tops include knitwear as well as shirts/ blouses.&nbsp;</p> <p>As others have said, it's partly because tops are easier to fit and buy/ less expensive. It's also because I tend more often to go for pattern and colour in tops. Having said that -- I do own 3 pair of plaid pants and several patterned skirts, so it's not as if I'm pattern-averse for bottoms. I also like mixing patterns, so will do that quite often. Still....tops are close to the face, and you want some vibrancy there that might not be required or even desirable at times in bottoms. And I need to launder tops more often as well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164703 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:14:37 +0000 Jenni NZ 2164703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I see what you mean! I don’t know the answer! I don’t know if it is mentioned for variety or laundry reasons!<br /> It happened for me because I build more interest in my tops than my bottoms- usually. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164701 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:09:12 +0000 anchie 2164701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, of course, not everyone has the same needs and preferences. I was just unsure if I didn’t understand the concept of 3 tops per bottom, if it really means 3 times more tops than bottoms. To me those are two very different things. For example if you have 3 bottoms, I thought it is enough to have 3 tops if all of them go with every bottom. But does it mean that 3 bottoms require 9 tops? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164700 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:00:52 +0000 Jenni NZ 2164700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But Anchie, I reckon that’s because you really, really want mix and match much more than some of us. It’s the way you dress with a lot of solid colours, often bright, with your pants/top/blazer formula. I wouldn’t care if I had 16 outfits instead of 25 outfits because several of my tops look better with only one or two bottoms. Every top in a grouping by no means has to go with every bottom, for me. I could wear the same bottom for several days and just change the top, and still be happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164665 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:27:57 +0000 anchie 2164665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I have to add that I know that it is recommended to have at least 3 tops to go with one bottom, but I never translated it that you need to have 3 times more tops than bottoms. Am I missing something here?</p> <p>My logic is if you have 5 tops that go with 5 bottoms, with 10<br /> items you have 25 outfits. But if you have different ratio, for example 8 tops and 2 bottoms, you only have 16 outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164664 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:27:32 +0000 cat2 2164664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have similar ratios. I am a big third piece dresser so have lots of tanks to wear with light sweaters for summer and short sleeve knits and heavier sweaters to pair for winter. I also use tops to vary the dressiness of my outfits, so always have a stash of long sleeve blouses. I also prefer pants in my dark neutrals, and have a short list of clothing companies whose pants fit me without alteration other than hemming, which limits how many pairs I can find that actually look different, which is the standard for entry into my closet. I do keep an eye out for neutrals in different shapes, fabric textures, trims, etc. so I don’t have pant boredom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164662 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:15:03 +0000 Janet 2164662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not counting but I know my ratio is a much higher number of tops to bottoms. All of the reasons already given apply — mostly because I’m harder to fit on bottom than on top and it makes shopping for pants far less fun. I also stick with a much tighter color and pattern selection with my bottoms (dark colors and mostly subdued patterns). I can’t even imagine having the ratio reversed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164654 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 13:38:59 +0000 kkards 2164654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes to its easier to buy tops, yes to the laundry issue.<br />Also, for me bottoms tend to be less seasonal, ie i don’t have or wear wool pants any more, but 75% of my sweaters are wool, so they have a seasonal limitation that most of my pants do no.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164642 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 10:47:34 +0000 Liesbeth 2164642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>About 1:2 for me as well. Counting all bottoms and all tops aside from undershirts and camisoles that I don't wear alone.<br /> You're right about the laundry thing. I often wear bottoms 2-3 times before laundering. Tops only when they're worn over another top.<br /> I don't keep an eye on this but could easily find the number in my excel wardrobe. I did once use a mathematical approach to wardrobe building from blogger Into Mind. She made you write down how many days a week you would wear pants, e.g 3. Then how often you wear them before laundering (2). Then how long you want to go between laundry cycles (2 weeks). With those numbers you can check how many pairs of pants you need at a minimum (3 here). I no longer use this method but I do keep in mind that I don't need 10 skirts if I wear them only once a week and for one season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164640 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 10:15:29 +0000 rachylou 2164640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also: have to say I feel my tops are all more fragile than my bottoms... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164639 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 09:37:09 +0000 Jenni NZ 2164639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Summer: 22 tops, of which 6 are tunics, so there might be 2 tops used in that case ( a mesh top under a tunic).<br /> And 6 pairs pants. So almost 4:1 tops to bottoms. ( Also 2 pairs of shorts, not worn much).<br /> Winter: 28 tops, of which 4 are tunics. So again 2 tops worn in that case. 9 bottoms. So about 3:1 tops to bottoms.<br /> Summer tops need washing more - every day. Occasionally winter tops don’t. Although most of the time I do wash them daily as well.<br /> I didn’t plan these numbers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164638 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 09:15:27 +0000 Star (Lise) 2164638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>1:3 for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164630 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 05:51:10 +0000 rachylou 2164630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m sure I have more tops, but I can’t say why. It’s not like I do a three bottoms/7 tops per week thing. I think it has more to do with my tops being more seasonal items... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164627 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 04:17:15 +0000 Gigi 2164627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My ratio is roughly 1:2, so twice as many tops. My bottoms are mostly jeans of differing silhouettes. I've been looking for a pair of statement bottoms but haven't found one to my liking yet.</p> <p>When I first joined YLF, I had the opposite ratio: 2:1. This is because bottoms are easier to fit than tops for me. So I worked hard locating retailers that carried my size, and I now have a more typical ratio. Now that I have found some interesting tops, I am craving unusual bottoms again! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164621 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 03:50:03 +0000 Anonymous 2164621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Both. I had several pairs of colored jeans and only one or two tops for each, but laundry pileups mean sometimes wearing what’s clean. Remember, I hang all my bottoms to dry so it takes longer to be able to put them back in circulation. In general, the ratio changes to fewer tops for each bottom. But still more tops than bottoms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164620 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 03:35:29 +0000 Carla 2164620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmmm. &nbsp;So it is not an anomaly to have a&nbsp;<i>lot&nbsp;</i>more tops than bottoms. &nbsp;Now, are bottoms fairly ‘neutral’? &nbsp;As I move into patterned and plaid bottoms (with a desire to add&nbsp;<i>more)&nbsp;</i>will my ratios change? &nbsp;Or will my outfits become more&nbsp;<b>bold&nbsp;</b>because ‘more’ bottoms mean&nbsp;<i>more interesting bottoms?! &nbsp;</i>Food for thought!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ratio-of-tops-to-bottoms#post-2164611 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 02:46:46 +0000 notsaf 2164611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No surprise, I'm like TG: I have six bottoms currently in rotation this season, but FOUR of them (which is what I wear 80% of the time) are exactly the same! (I fold them after wearing and just grab the one on the bottom of the pile, washing as needed.) My number of active tops, including toppers, is two to three times that. Like LaP I am often wearing two (a collared shirt and a sweater or a top and a cardigan). I'm an extreme case, but it's clear that I build more wardrobe variety from tops than bottoms. </p>