YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Two years

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Two years - Longevity test.... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:34:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Caro in Oz on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1676861 Fri, 10 Jun 2016 01:31:49 +0000 Caro in Oz 1676861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting Sally. I've been tracking my wears & CPW for 2 years now. For me, the best stats are to do with the clothes that I've loved & worn but are still in great condition.  In the past I would have held on to these clothes because of guilt (as in - there is nothing wrong with them I need to keep them guilt). Now I know they have served me well & I no longer feel guilty letting them go :) Sal on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1676760 Thu, 09 Jun 2016 22:52:08 +0000 Sal 1676760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Donna it sounds like you are choosing very wisely for your tastes - your clothes seem to mostly last well and you still like them!  In the most part the ones that you have passed on have worn out due to wear (some will do that after 2-3 years) and a couple due to fit issues (too short, too large). Unfrumped it sounds like you are on the right track too - I know what you mean, some clothes don't get worn as much in the first year.  And I agree buying things for right now is the best strategy because it can be hard to look into the future and predict what you will like. unfrumped on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1676656 Thu, 09 Jun 2016 21:03:16 +0000 unfrumped 1676656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good post. I agree, I would like 2-even 3 years on many things mostly because I think it sometimes takes me awhile to get in the groove, I start to invent more ways to use something,  and I don't want to be constantly finding supporting players. Plus for pants, I invest in at least some minor tailoring/hemming and it's not only an expense, it takes time to run back & forth, and they're hemmed for specific footwear (so vice versa for shoes pairings in general).  I'm doing better though abut not buying something for "the future" but focusing on things that fit right into outfits and capsules and I want to wear right now, so at least I will get off to a good start. Then if it wears out or I get tired of it, it had at least the first year's run. DonnaF on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1676627 Thu, 09 Jun 2016 20:23:27 +0000 DonnaF 1676627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I finally had a chance to read this.  I LOVE these type of posts! I bought 45 items in 2013 and have passed on (or should pass on) nine.  One was a barely worn white jeans skirt that I decided was too short.  If I had held onto it like I do most things, I would take a seam ripper to the hem.  Only three things were truly worn out:  Cheap silver oxfords that quickly became trashed, a wool pullover that became moth-eaten, and a pullover that reminded me why I shouldn't by acrylic sweaters.  Only the aforementioned silver oxfords and white jeans skirt were purchased at bricks'n'mortar stores. I bought 47 items in 2014 and have passed on five.  One was a cheap belt that got trashed, another was an unflattering skirt whose elastic waist started to unravel, two were T-shirts that I bought too large (same issue with another T that I bought in 2013), and the fifth was a pair of expensive Fly London sandals that I thought would stretch but never did; thankfully I was able to pass those on to DD. I was relieved to discover that I pretty much still love almost everything I've purchased since 2013.  Sadly, my footwear tends to be less comfortable than I'd hoped, and generally that cannot be ascertained until wearing something out and about.  Sal on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674372 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 23:05:05 +0000 Sal 1674372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been in bed sick - so am now behind on my work!!  So this will be brief and I will come back later in more detail.   I don't track my wears - it is more on a gut feeling .  I keep a running tally of pieces I add to the closet and their cost, and then I just looked at if I still had them or if I still liked them.  I know a couple of the tops were worn most weeks for 40 weeks a year (and more often on holidays), so probably 60-80 wears since purchase, and I know a couple of the other tops have been pulled out about 6-7 times in two seasons.  I am okay with that - but I don't want to add too many tops that I will wear this rarely. I probably repeat more than a lot of people - partly due to working from home, partly because our weather is pretty temperate so 75% of my closet can be worn all year, and partly due to the cost of lovely clothes here.  I buy from chain stores, designers and second hand.  I do find knits do not last as well as wovens, and price does not make a lot of difference here. My goal is to buy pieces that I still like after two years - if they have been worn a lot I am happy to retire them; if they are evening or wildcards they might have only been worn a handful of times - but I hope I still like them.  I get annoyed when I don't want to wear something any more and it is still in good condition. If I was more of an early adopter I expect this would happen more often, but I usually am not, and am happy to keep wearing favourites even if the trend is waning and remixing these pieces.   My lessons: - don't buy too many fussy items needing layering etc - be cautious buying online internationally - mixed success here - I need more bottom halves.....I wear my jeans, pants and shorts an awful lot and could probably do with a little more variety. Back to invoicing Anonymous on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674369 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 22:59:21 +0000 Anonymous 1674369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a good idea and something I have tried and failed to keep up. In general summer clothing gets heavy wear and lots of laundering, so does not last long. I expect to replace white and black knits annually as they get a workout and bag, fade and get dingy. It does not seem to matter how much they cost. When I wore sandals, they also were expected to only last a season. I expect most fall/winter/spring items to last three years before I tire of it or it looks tired. Exceptions are knits which have a shorter life span. You did very well to have a good number of your 23 pieces still in rotation. shedev on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674358 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 22:28:18 +0000 shedev 1674358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do a year end review where I analyse what is working and what isn't. I get 2 years out of my summer knits. I'd rather get 3 or 4. I'm trying to buy 1or 2 non knitted tops a year to see if I get more longevity. Staysfit on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674344 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:54:50 +0000 Staysfit 1674344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm always impressed by these types of analyses. I have yet to succeed in tracking anything related to my closet or wardrobe. I'm feeling in a very good place right now wardrobe wise though, I'm not adding much so maybe September, which is the start of the work year for me, would be a good time for me to start doing something like this. Bonnie on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674337 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:53:03 +0000 Bonnie 1674337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow!! I'm impressed with your analysis and am inspired to try this, too. Anonymous on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674268 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:22:09 +0000 Anonymous 1674268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great work Kiwi! My success ratio is quite a lot smaller than yours, and most of my successes come from pants/shorts rather than tops. I'm learning though (along with styledan and probably Brooklyn) that PLAIN coloured tops seem to have the most staying power. I certainly have worn buckets of pattern before but it's like I O.D. on it after a season. Same goes for texture. I think 2 years is a good benchmark for a small closet. For me, I want bottoms to last at least 3 years since they are one of the easy things for me to buy, and also since they don't have any stand out qualities. Dresses and tops fit better into the two-year category. I'd Reaaaaally want my winter sweaters to last longer than 2 years since they're expensive. I think classic will be key for me in the winters ahead. I still donate an awful lot before its time though, but I think I'm improving as my style is solidifying. (I know that style changes over time, but I've been experimenting a lot and would like to slow down a little bit.) . . Chris987 on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674223 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 15:27:18 +0000 Chris987 1674223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kiwigal your analysis is inspiring! And looks like you are in some good patterns that serve you well. I have started doing this sort of analysis this year. I still have to catalog/photograph everything I bought before this year so I have a full accounting of my wardrobe, but I won't try to catalog exactly how old they are. I agree that 2 years seems about right for most things and longer for some (like boots and coats). LisaP you always crack me up...this time it was that comment about how passive aggressive it is to not want to see how much you bought and did not wear.:-) So true.   Maybe it's a good time to count up the items for this year. Will do that. Thanks for the inspiration KiwiGal! Jenn on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674218 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 15:09:30 +0000 Jenn 1674218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My favorite sort of post! First of all, 23 additions in a year isn't bad at all! Well under the average number of new pieces. And more than half of them remain in your wardrobe? That's pretty good. I think most of us buy some pieces that we know aren't top quality and rather expect to wear out after a season or two of hard wear, although not doing that is a great goal. I don't think my batting average for two years ago is nearly that good. I didn't track back then, but I know I bought a small capsule for a conference two summer ago. Out of that... 1/1 skirt - still in wardrobe after alteration 0/2 trousers - one pair was thrifted after becoming unbearably stretched out and saggy, the other will probably go, as they no longer fit properly. 2/3 tops - All three tops I bought were polyester and will probably last forever, but I let one go because the colors/print didn't suit my style goals going forward. I discovered I have polyester issues, so I only really wear the others on cooler days, which limits their usefulness, even though I still like them. 2/2 jackets - I still like and wear both jackets from this capsule, although the knit one is showing some wear. So I'm 5 for 8 on that capsule. And, like you, the bottoms were my downfall! Anonymous on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674199 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:13:02 +0000 Anonymous 1674199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a good idea this is/was.  I agree that two years is a reasonable benchmark, and even three + for our better quality pieces.  I don't keep track of things like this, mostly because I don't want to face/aknowledge the amount of stuff I buy in a year and don't wear, which is a passive-aggressive move if there ever was one.  You've actually jolted me into reality with this Sally - and I think I will start such a list of purchases dating back to the beginning of this summer season.  Your list shows that your buying habits and choices are pretty darn reliable . I'd say you did really well... Deborah on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674144 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:09:52 +0000 Deborah 1674144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sally this is excellent.  I will have to review my closet too.  It sounds like you have done really well, with the majority of items having been a success.  You clearly understand your footwear needs and chose well:)  LIke you I expect longevity from my clothes and purchase with the expectation of a long and happy relationship... sadly that's not always the case. Style Fan on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674127 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:01:48 +0000 Style Fan 1674127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great idea.  I always plan to keep a record of my purchases and how they work into my wardrobe but I never do.  There are some pieces that I wear for years and others that I rarely wear.  I am beginning to figure out the reason.  For example, I have a dark brown v neck 3/4 T shirt that I purchased 7 or 8 years ago.  I have worn it many times.  I also have it in cream with a scoop neck.  I have other tops that I like that I never wear.  They have patterns on them.  Same with burgundy.  I tried to introduce burgundy into my wardrobe.  I love the colour but I don't wear it.  Lesson learnt.  Stick to plain clothes, no patterns, dark brown, olive green, cream, denim, occasionally orange and golden yellow.  Sometimes I will wear camel.  I am not that rigid in other parts of my life.  You have inspired me.  I will try to go back to the beginning of 2016 and see what I bought. Anonymous on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674120 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:31:51 +0000 Anonymous 1674120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, how I love these types of exercises.  I'll have to come back later to read the posts and then do my own assessment.   anne on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674114 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 08:38:59 +0000 anne 1674114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yes good point Brooklyn. You have reminded me that I have semi-ruined my cheap "hot summer " dresses from both summer 14/15 and 13/14. (I still wear them at home but they are stained). I need to buy at least one of these every summer - but like yours they get worn a LOT. Brooklyn on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674107 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 08:04:23 +0000 Brooklyn 1674107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great exercise. I find longevity varies depending on whether it is work or casual wear. I definitely find my summer casual wear is the most thrashed and has the shortest longevity. I bought 3 new GAP tees at the beginning of last summer and have worn them to death. They are covered in micro holes now but I am not getting rid of them until I find a replacement (next summer). I feel that one (long!) summer is not an unreasonable lifespan for them given the number of times I wore (and washed) them. My work gear is less prone to wearing out because I have a lot more of it. I like a high degree of variety/rotation in my work wear, and I find I don't need this in my casual wear. So my work wear has longevity. I have plenty of work dresses/skirts/jackets that are in the 3 to 5 years old range. A few that are older. And all get at least an occasional wear (or out they go). But my casual wear, especially summer stuff, tends to actually get worn out and need replacement well before the 2 year mark. That's excluding mistakes of course (and there are always a few). So I probably need to focus more of my resources on summer casual wear and less on work wear. But unfortunately I find that boring and would much rather buy a new dress, jacket or boots! anne on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674075 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 06:22:24 +0000 anne 1674075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good pondering Sally. I don't have the mental space to work this out right now but I reckon I have everything I purchased in 2014 still, with the exception of a stupid white skirt purchase. I have a low churn plan in general. I don't keep all items handed down to me though - I give them a go at fitting in to my wardrobe and some work brilliantly, some work in a niche way and some, after a year or two, I conclude are just not going to work. But I think that's fair enough, since they weren't part of my plan or bought with my size in mind. But really, I was just going to chime in and agree with Maneera - for our summers too, the cami option just isn't an option. 2 layers are one too many! Maneera on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674074 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 05:57:39 +0000 Maneera 1674074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This seems to be a GREAT method to maintain your wardrobe. Your thoughts on each piece sound reasonable, coming from experience, which is always a good thing. I'm yet to do such an exercise because it's only recently I've jotted down all wardrobe items and started tracking wears. I have also stopped buying anything sheer for summer. Wearing a camisole is NOT COMFORTABLE in my hot & very humid weather....so if I can't wear a top unlayered, I leave it at the store. This realization came after a lot of shopping mistakes, sadly. I can, however, wear a camisole in Fall/Spring, but those are short seasons for me. This is a particularly annoying fact considering that last summer I bought a few cross-over tops - they are just so flattering...but they ALL need a cami underneath. I'll know how much I wear what at the end of this season....that should be an eye-opener for me. deb on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674069 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 04:59:58 +0000 deb 1674069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just pulled up my spreadsheet and did a count. I purchased 79 items including shoes and hats. 47 still remain in my closet. This is counting the whole year. Most of the pants and jeans have been passed on because of my weight loss. Here are the numbers. shoes - purchased 16 - remain 13 tops - purchased 27 - remain 14 pants - purchased 7 - remain 2 jeans - purchased 7 - remain 2 coats - purchased 1 - remain 1 jackets - purchased 2 - remain 2 skirts - purchased 2 - remain 2 sweaters - purchased 13 - remain 7 hats - purchased 3 - remain 3 dresses - purchased 1 - remain 1 All in all, I feel this is good because I was just getting in the swing of my style change. Suz on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674056 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 04:01:52 +0000 Suz 1674056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, so I just looked back at purchases from 2014 for our summer, which means I wore them 2014 and 2015 (2 summers). Some are gone or demoted.  2 Zara tops. (My favourite tops. Loved loved loved them and wore them to death and now cannot replace. SOB.)  2 J. Crew linen sweaters. One faded badly. The other I simply tired of.  1 J. Crew tee. DH ruined it in the wash but I love it so I still wear it to sleep in! :) 1 J. Crew tee. Still in good shape but passed along because colour wasn't quite right.  1 Zara crop sweater: ditto.  Everything else purchased that summer is still in regular rotation. Pretty interesting exercise! I do have one or two items that I will be donating due to hair changes -- the colours do not work as well.  I sense a "colour" theme here. Clearly I need to be extra careful of that!  Oh. I meant to add. It looks as if on many items I get at least 3 seasons wear before I'm ready to retire them -- if not longer. But more of my 3 years' old items were donated or had worn out, when I did this quick check.  rachylou on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674055 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 04:01:41 +0000 rachylou 1674055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Super informative! I have started such a project this year... Suz on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674052 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 03:53:53 +0000 Suz 1674052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great idea, Sally! I haven't done this as explicitly and systematically, but I do have a similar set of expectations. Particularly when it comes to summer items and tops. Two years seems like a fairly reasonable threshold. I will keep some items for longer before they wear out or I tire of them, of course, but I hope to get at least two full summers of wear.  I expect or hope that my bottoms and many of my fall/winter items such as jackets, coats, and jeans will last considerably longer -- anywhere from 5 years on up, depending on the type of article. And mostly they do.  There are always a few misses. Items you buy as a wild card that don't work out. Or, conversely, that work out so well you actually wear them to death in their first season!  Carla on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674051 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 03:52:11 +0000 Carla 1674051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a good idea. I don't think I remember what I specifically got in each year (although I've been keeping track this year.). However I am able to look in my closet and figur out what I have that I got before we moved (July 2014) and afterwards. Sal on "Two years - Longevity test...." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/two-years---longevity-test#post-1674046 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 03:36:54 +0000 Sal 1674046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In an ideal world I would only let in clothes and accessories that I love and wear....and love and wear. To my mind, I am unhappy if an item wears out in less than two years/ seasons or if I get sick of it in less than this amount of time. Some pieces I expect to wear a lot longer. I looked back at my 2014 purchases to see what has lasted, what I still love and what turned out to be a good buy. There were 23 additions, shoes and clothing excluding gym gear, lingerie, jewelry and hats. Pink jacket - still love this, great jacket purchased on sale. White jacket - dyed green, not a workhorse. Estimate 10 wears in total. But will keep. Kimono - still love, will continue to wear. Khaki Parka - worn heavily 2014-15 winters, not pulled out this winter. May pass on to op shop. Black fluid tee - bit worn, but sill popular Black tank - bit worn, now very casual Black shirt - still popular piece for work and everyday. spotty sheer tee - infrequent wear, but I enjoy it 2-3 times a season. coral sheer tank hard to wear, very sheer, still wear and like however. Cream structured tee - still like this tee, in very good condition. Multicolour casual tee - not a great buy, considering passing on. Ink and white patterned shorts 2- thrifted, decided unflattering Navy and cream fluid pants.- now lounge wear. Black and white ankle pants - quite saggy, but still wear for weekend chores in summer/ Autumn/ spring Blue work trousers - thrifted, too conservative and ill fitting Striped Maxi - had good wear for two summers but may cut into midi turquoise Maxi - wore more in second summer than first, I like it still. navy Maxi - poor ASOS buy, thrifted immediately. Black moto ankle boots - had heavy wear, still workhorse Tan sandal boots - had heavy wear, still workhorses Flat black sandals - two summers of heavy wear, fairly worn. tango Sandals - love, evening only Tan handbag - love, workhorse. I had much better success with tops jackets and shoes than I did with pants. I always have many more tops than bottoms so my bottoms wear out more quickly and are harder for me to fit. 3/23 have already been passed on with very little wear. 2/23 have been altered or have alterations planned. 2/23 will be passed on because I don't care for them but they are in good shape. 7/23 showing wear but have been great pieces. May be one more season but as loungewear, casual wear. 9/23 in good condition and still in rotation and popular. I think this is reasonably successful but there is room for improvement when choosing items. I need to think about the supporting pieces to an addition- do I need to wear a camisole ( sheer tops or dresses needing a slip are less popular due to heat for example), or a special bra, or does the jacket really only work with one pair of boots for example. While I am happy to have some pieces that only work one way I don't want too many of these. I regard one or two of thse pieces as experimental- the white jacket thst is now green was one that was less successful, the crazy patterned pants have worked much better for me as has the kimono. Some of the classic pieces worked well and others did not. All the footwear has been great- I am lucky to have unfussy feet at the moment. I hope to repeat this exercise next year with the 2015 additions and see if i got more pieces right. Sorry this got rather long in the end!! Have any of you done a similar exercise.? Thx Sally