https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:17:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214857 Mon, 09 Aug 2021 02:03:37 +0000 Sloper 2214857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh man I dig a good spreadsheet (even if I can't see it)!</p> <p>While our styles and shopping habits differ, I'm giving you a standing O for organization and discipline, my sister in Excel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214821 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 21:15:38 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2214821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you do it after things are worn out, then you’d only have to do it once. Maybe I overestimated how much work it’d be </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214819 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:59:30 +0000 Jenn 2214819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting minaminu! The biggest difference I see is that I have 14 items tied up in accessories (scarves, belts, and hats), and you’ve distributed that number between outerwear, shoes, and bottoms. </p> <p>For my climate, my toppers probably take the place of your outerwear, since I so rarely need anything more than a cardigan or light jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214817 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:47:05 +0000 Jenn 2214817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena, I’m so glad my numbers geeking is landing on willing ears. I’m not sure how useful a lot of it is, but interesting, for sure! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214816 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:44:14 +0000 Minaminu 2214816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, sure! here's my distribution</p> <p>23 tops (8 summer, 4 spring, 4 winter and 7 evergreen)<br />10 bottoms (5 summer, 2 winter, 2 jeans, 1 trousers suit)<br />7 dresses (2 summer, 2 winter, 1 evergreen, 2 too small)<br />3 jumpsuit (2 spring summer, 1 winter)<br />12 outwear (4 spring, 2 winter, 6 jackets)<br />6 bags<br />1 rucksack<br />19 footwear (3 winter, 4 summer, 4 spring, 4 hobbies, 4 evening/ceremony)</p> <p>As spring and summers tend to have similar weather, I can use around 65 pcs for the mild weather. when it gets cold, I have 46 pieces - which explains why I am always running cold! Definitely need more knitwear / layers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214815 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:43:43 +0000 Jenn 2214815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>la Ped, it’s a huge pain to track when you’re wearing multiple outfits a day. I don’t blame you for stopping once you gleaned a certain amount of info. </p> <p>Angie, thank you! It’s so lovely to have you back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214813 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:40:09 +0000 Helena 2214813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn your wardrobe and approach just gets better and better ... I aspire to be as organized and intentional as you are! Love these posts so anytime you feel like geeking out over some numbers, I'll be reading with enthusiasm!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214812 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:39:59 +0000 Jenn 2214812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal, I’m the same. I have items that I know I could do without, but I don’t dislike them and they don’t really feel like chaff. I’m pretty happy to use what I have while I have it. Downsizing for me would really be more about limiting future purchases as things I have wear out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214811 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:36:52 +0000 Jenn 2214811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FI, my spreadsheet already calculates the cpw on retired items. It’d just be a cut and paste to add to current items, updating with each wear. Not super complex, unless I’m misunderstanding what you’re getting at. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214808 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:15:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2214808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooohh—I didn’t realize you were counting shoes &amp; bags.<br /> If I was going to do the cost of getting dressed calculation, I’d be most interested in seeing whether certain assumptions held true, so assuming the 30-wear standard wouldn’t work. But that’s either a very complicated spreadsheet with lots of callups between cells or a lot of reworking it once an item finally dies, so you know the actual cpw. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214804 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 19:42:13 +0000 Sal 2214804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn - interesting that you feel your wardrobe could be smaller still. I feel that too - but if I think about the pieces I could edit out (top of mind being three dresses, two blouses, two pairs of shoes) - they still do get some wear, and I like them, and want to wear them, but they are either semi orphans ( tops that only work one way) or less favoured colours, or slightly dressier items that I rarely get a chance to wear. I feel it is better to keep them right now. But I think I could pick 10-12 items out that I don’t need. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214802 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 19:39:04 +0000 Angie 2214802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a pleasure to read, <b>Jenn</b>.</p> <p>Your closet screams "happy place"!</p> <p>You are chill, relaxed, organized yet emotional, thoughtful about your style, and follow through on your goals......and YOU LOOK FABULOUS.</p> <p>This deserves a huge round of applause :)</p> <p>*CLAPPING* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214786 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 17:59:44 +0000 LaPed 2214786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah, and I would have said that only wearing 3 - 4 pieces of clothing per day is remarkably low and only possible because you're in a mild climate and mostly at home due to pandemic life. I've already had three different "outfits" today (running shorts + top this morning, plus a sweatshirt to throw on afterwards while making breakfast; swimsuit + linen dress for bike ride to the beach to swim; and now denim shorts + linen tank top to go into town and do errands). I'm at 7 items and that's without counting footwear, and this is for summer weather. My winter numbers are even higher.&nbsp;</p> <p>I stopped wear tracking because it turned into a bit of a burden and wasn't revealing much new information after the first year or two. But it did make me aware of how often I change during the day, and helped me recognize the benefits (and privilege!) of a fairly granular wardrobe. It's really nice to have designated tops for running vs grabbing any old tee and having all your supposed casual clothes start to feel funky and grubby. Really nice to give yourself permission to change out of a hand-wash-only sweater and into an old hoodie for cooking dinner, because it saves time/effort from a laundry perspective and reduces anxiety. :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214780 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 17:30:21 +0000 Jenn 2214780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sally, I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I’m also super interested in how others work with small wardrobes, because I always have a sense that mine is still bigger than it needs to be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214779 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 17:27:57 +0000 Jenn 2214779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Minaminu, I’d love to hear more about your distribution! I feel like I have too many tops, to be honest, and think more shoe options go a long way to make simple pieces more versatile. </p> <p>You’re right that I don’t need a lot of different seasonal shoes, though! Coats, either. That being said, I still do have a pair of snow boots for Colorado trips, and I was very glad of that the last time we were able to go back for Thanksgiving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214778 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 17:23:12 +0000 Jenn 2214778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>fashintern, you think my items/day number might be too high? I think it’s more likely to be artificially low because of lockdowns. If I leave the house, dress+bag+shoes is three items. Jeans+tee+topper+shoes+bag is five. Add two more if I change into leggings and a tank to work out. In normal times, I think 4.5-5 might be more realistic.</p> <p>ETA: Maybe, just for fun, I’ll do a week of calculating the daily cost based on current CPW, compared to, say, what each day would be if I had worn each item exactly 30 times. Would anyone find that interesting? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214696 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 07:06:12 +0000 Minaminu 2214696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super interesting post as always! </p> <p>It's interesting that we have a similar number of pieces but distributed differently! I guess climate and lifestyle play a key role for capsule wardrobes :).</p> <p>I have 81 pieces (had a bit of clear out this year), 19 of these is footwear and I think it's a good number as it covers footwear for spring, summer, fall, winter and evenings. I may decide to reduce this number once lifestyle has settled.</p> <p>I love the pictures of your wardrobe, the colours and textures are very cohesive and "very you" ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214678 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 05:47:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2214678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m still chewing on that cost of getting dressed number. Since you’re wearing dresses or a jumpsuit so frequently, and sometimes change into workout gear, I’m surprised your daily number of items is that high (assuming you don’t count undies). Not to give you homework/your spreadsheet an extra column, but I wonder how your estimate would compare to the actual figure, if you tracked it for a while. That would be a pain to do, of course, because the cpw is dynamic, decreasing with every wear. I’m also curious what it would look like for me, but can’t do it—I only have prices for most things I’ve bought in the last ten years, but not all and nothing before then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214657 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 03:37:44 +0000 Sally 2214657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like your style and your minimalist wardrobe is inspiring. Like you I have a small wardrobe but can only dream about being as organised as you. I think I will take some inspiration though and do an evaluation at the end of this season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214634 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 00:54:20 +0000 Jenn 2214634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, I do like how, on a daily basis, it also puts it in the context of other things you spend money on. If I bought no new clothes that would be like…a movie matinee every day? Two small lattés? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214412 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 20:29:24 +0000 rachylou 2214412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really rather like the cost to get dressed v budget. It’s a suggestive indicator of utility. It should never be a zero delta of course, because one should have a nice funeral dress… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214338 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:15:02 +0000 Jenn 2214338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>rachylou,&nbsp;</b>it's kind of a backwards way to come to a budget. I mean, you're right, you spent what you spent! Also, I didn't even consider things like bras and socks and underwear, which probably add another $5-10 per month. It does make you realize, though, that if you want to reduce your budget, something has to give. &nbsp;You have to either wear each piece more often or spend less per item. I guess that should be obvious.</p> <p><b>lisap,&nbsp;</b>I am going to think about that. I've been really struggling to define a niche that makes sense to me and holds everything together. "Organized creative lifestyle"? Wardrobe fits into that, right?</p> <p><b>bj1111,&nbsp;</b>that's a lovely compliment. Funny thing is, I'm always terribly uncomfortable in those shops!</p> <p><b>Suz,&nbsp;</b>after seeing rachylou's response, I'm thinking the calculation might be more helpful from the other direction, sort of like the 30 wears thing. If my budget allows me to spend $5/day to get dressed, can I get this item down to a low enough CPW to accommodate that? And if not, is it special enough to justify it being the largest part of the cost on any given day?</p> <p><b>Fashintern,&nbsp;</b>I swear the day we found jeans that my son would actually wear, the heavens opened up and sang. That was seven years ago and, to this day, he still wears the same brand and cut.</p> <p><b>shevia,&nbsp;</b>I used to do that for dream outfits I put together!</p> <p><b>celia,&nbsp;</b>I totally get that scarcity mentality, because I have it with food, and having a stocked pantry. Not sure why I don't have it with clothing. Maybe because clothes were often holiday gifts when I was growing up, so they occupied a different spot in my mental hierarchy of needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214322 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:47:33 +0000 celia 2214322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, I get what you are saying from a logical perspective and I find that you really have to be very disciplined to do this.<br />In the back of my mind I am always wondering about the lack of future supply or the lack of future income to buy replacements which ends up being a much more emotional response to wardrobe management, or maybe paralysis by analysis and trying to include too many variables that are not in my position to control.<br />I would still spend some zen times in your closet :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214281 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 10:05:39 +0000 Jaime 2214281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well sometimes I calculate my out of pocket costs of what I am wearing to amuse myself, but you have blown me away! Closet looks calm and efficient! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214278 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:45:29 +0000 Sal 2214278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha Fashintern - I know that situation!&nbsp; Natural minimalists indeed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition/page/2#post-2214274 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 08:56:12 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2214274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal, mine is like that Youtuber too. Pita trying to get ready for a trip. We leave Wed; I’ve had the bags out for a week. When something on my list comes out of the laundry, I toss it in. A night or two before we go, I’ll sort &amp; fold it all, then close the bag. Having 1 pair pants and 1 of shorts in there means he’s down to 2 &amp; 1. Big eyeroll from me, but it’s such a struggle to get him to add anything. Next time he does, I might quietly duplicate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition#post-2214250 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:19:09 +0000 Suz 2214250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK. Your wardrobe is working incredibly hard for you (as ever!) and you are the Organization Queen (no -- the EMPRESS of Organization!!)&nbsp; Gorgeous tidy closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>But what really amazes me is that calculation -- the cost of getting dressed. Wow. If I did that. -- I honestly don't know what I would discover. I feel I need to try it. I was thinking, as I read your report, things like..... I have about 3 times as many jeans (but I've been wearing most of them for 5 years or more) or I have 3 times as many tops (but I can only wear some for half the year and others for half the year).&nbsp;</p> <p>Fascinating all round. Off to do some noodling and calculations of my own! Thanks for the inspiration.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition#post-2214236 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 04:10:02 +0000 bj1111 2214236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i am enamored with your closet photo.&nbsp; reminds me of a well curated shop in the bowery staffed with impossibly hip young people.&nbsp; the visual space between each item also seems to give me space to breath and consider how to create outfits from the elements. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition#post-2214232 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 03:26:11 +0000 Anonymous 2214232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I maintain that you could produce content like this in a more “ formal “ space . You are very skilled here - and are one of very few people who can write about this and still be relatable and interesting . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/state-of-the-wardrobe-2021-edition#post-2214230 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 03:14:06 +0000 rachylou 2214230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Always fun! Your Cost to Get Dressed KPI is very intriguing and its difference re budget. If for example you somehow could get away with one garment a day - if it cost $30, and all months had 30 days, the cpw would be $1. If you could only wear it 29 days, the cpw would go up. Meaning, possibly, you were in dire straits one day, lol, and the item was not ‘perfectly functional.’ Or simply that your need is ‘infrequent’ because ‘economy of scale.’ But of course, it’s not possible to have spent more than you’ve spent…</p> <p>… oh, well, you see why I’m not a mathematician. I don’t really understand numbers, lol… but back to the beginning… is there something you could use but don’t have? </p>