YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Numbers#

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Numbers# https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:04:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1714012 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 21:40:54 +0000 Anonymous 1714012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Viva -- my casual sweaters were originally work sweaters that were downgraded for one reason or another.   Kiwigal/Sally -- I don't feel comfortable wearing dresses.  I am sure why.  They seem so perfect for so many occasions.  I almost always try to default to black slacks.   Sal on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713970 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 20:39:10 +0000 Sal 1713970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are really a seperates wearer- not one dress here!!  Do you not like dresses, find them hard to find or fit?   I think your wardrobe size is perfect for your needs.  The size of the work closet looks plenty to avoid bottlenecks but tight and efficient as you like it.  I am not good on specific places to shop but it seems that maybe some "feature/statement" tops could be well worth while.  I know you like an elegant streamlined style, but statement does not have to mean a wild pattern, more just one different feature.   viva on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713931 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:38:53 +0000 viva 1713931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, the mother of efficiency in this wardrobe! I'm glad you clarified about the denim because I was going to ask. Do you have any casual sweaters, or are they all work-appropriate only?  El Cee on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713925 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:26:04 +0000 El Cee 1713925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ooooh! Cannot wait to see what you find from Tanya's challenge. I think the process will even be fun. Tanya on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713924 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:22:53 +0000 Tanya 1713924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good luck with the challenge, Sterling!  I can not wait to see how it turns out. Ah, I am relieved to see you have some jeans.  I guess I considered slacks something very different, but either way,  mystery solved. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713922 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:19:07 +0000 Anonymous 1713922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a full-time bookkeeper and I also handle the family household budget, so I get sick and tired of numbers. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713920 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 19:17:44 +0000 Anonymous 1713920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tanya -- what a fabulous challenge.  I gladly accept!!!   I own four pairs of jeans; they fall under casual slacks (two white/two dark, dark navy).  Poor wording.   Tanya on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713887 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 18:27:40 +0000 Tanya 1713887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great job, Sterling I am very impressed with your analysis and your tightly edited closet.  I am a big nerd too, but I dislike counted many things that have to do with clothes :) I have some questions/suggestions for you: 1. You obviously need more work tops.  You said you like silk.   There are likely to be many beautiful non-sheer silk blouses coming out this fall.  I have already seen quite a few that I love, but neither need nor can afford.  So I am going to suggest you a small challenge:  Do some research (or wait till Angie posts about it) on what are going to be some trendy blouse shapes this season.  I suspect some will be  tie-necks, peplums, ruffles, flounces, or simple minimalist/architectural tailoring.  Pick whatever trend appeals to you the most.  Then try to find  an example you love in color or pattern you adore., that also hopefully fits you like a dream. Treat your self to that blouse, and wear it often and happily And then maybe repeat the whole process. 2. I have noticed you have no jeans.  Is there a particular reason for it - do you dislike them strongly etc.  If not, I would suggest investing a nice pair for non-work and non-lounging situations, such as going out for dinner, movies etc.  You can pair them with the same blouse(s) from #1 and pretty shoes and feel like million bucks Chris987 on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713857 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 17:39:58 +0000 Chris987 1713857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm like you sterling...but as you say it's not for everyone. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713855 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 17:38:12 +0000 Anonymous 1713855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Counting is not for everyone, BC.  I am a nerd.  Anytime people start talking numbers, I get all excited.  I can't help myself.  I have been this way all my life.  Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713849 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 17:13:07 +0000 Anonymous 1713849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not going to count. Suffice it to say I have enough for the 4-season climate we live in. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713847 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 17:07:57 +0000 Anonymous 1713847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz -- my thread is your thread.  I always learn so much from you!!!  And you write beautifully.   No Kkards -- you are not missing anything.  Right now, my wardrobe is at its all time smallest.  I am purposely trying to define what I want to be my signature style.  I have the hardest time with tops for a multitude of reasons.  I am going slowly.  I repeat tops OFTEN for the time being.  I want more tops, but have not yet found them.  As Suz mentioned, I need more silk tops and those are high in my priority list.  I just need to find tops that are not too sheer.  They don't exist this season.   kkards on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713726 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 14:06:30 +0000 kkards 1713726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ and this is why i think comparing numbers is perilous.....to me, and again, this is me, your work numbers seem way to small...the number of bottoms feels ok to me...but the number of tops feels inadequate. i'm assuming that the sweaters are late fall/winter only. (based on your warm climate)...so for early fall and early spring you have only 7 button downs. or maybe i'm missing something.....and assuming that not all the tops work with all the bottoms, for me this would be to limited....but again, that's me....for others, this could be perfect..... Suz on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713691 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 13:03:42 +0000 Suz 1713691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, finding silk tops this year at a reasonable price point was impossible. I far prefer sleeveless woven silk for summer dressier occasions (meaning dressier than gardening or sitting on the couch at home) but I couldn't find a single item I liked this year at a price I could afford. If I lived in your climate and worked in an office I would want about ten of that type of top (because although I hand wash, there could still be laundry bottlenecks).  I did find that viscose or lyocell worked for me as an alternative this summer. It is man-made but it breathes. The quality can be terrible or surprisingly lovely, depending. I found a woven version in a top that proved surprisingly cool and comfortable. The only problem was the neckline which (on me, not the model) would be completely inappropriate for a workplace but fortunately worked okay for my own purposes. ("Going out").  I also chose a poly top from BR but it is too warm for our warmest days.  Re the capsules -- that is precisely what I am doing -- pulling out the clothes and creating outfits for the various occasions in my life. In terms of my out of the home life, I have discovered that I am a specific type of uniform dresser. I am more than happy to repeat the exact same outfit multiple times -- if I feel completely, 100% happy with them. What makes me happiest? Usually the incorporation of at least one "new to me" item in the outfit, often a slightly trendy one. So it might be a new style of footwear, a new cut of denim, a new colour to me.  Also, by the end of that season I will never want to wear that exact outfit again. I may happily wear it 20 times or more within that season, but at the end, I am done and want to create a new favourite combination. This doesn't mean buying all new clothes (fortunately) but it does mean I need updates each season.  The thing that makes it complicated is that I have so many roles. And such varied weather. So I do need clothes with some flexibility and "cross-platform adaptability" if that makes sense.  Even so, listing all the known upcoming occasions and imagining what I will wear for each of those is a highly instructive process and one I use for building my wardrobe overall.  For the lounge, I've really narrowed it down. I know in summer I wear lightweight, loose shorts and a woven sleeveless top or very lightweight cotton or linen tee. And my Fitflops. That's what's comfy, practical, and presentable enough if I need to answer the door. I don't go out anywhere in these clothes except for an evening walk around the neighbourhood.  In winter, I know I need and love cozy knits. In the past I usually wore jeans with the knits, but I am wondering if I can wear some sort of knit track pant or (shudder) leggings this year instead because while I find jeans comfortable I almost want a more streamlined look and feel in the house. But it may not work for me.  Sorry to derail your thread here and thank you for humouring me!  Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713651 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 10:41:52 +0000 Anonymous 1713651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz - thank you for your very kind response.  This comment: your overall numbers are super tight and efficient is the greatest complement you could have paid me.  I live for efficiency.  I look forward to seeing how you address your sub-capsules.  I would be tempted to pull out my clothing rack and start defining actual ensembles for each role in my life.  I spent a lifetime collecting separates "that could be worn so many different ways."  The truth is that I always settled on one favorite ensemble.  Whenever I tried to switch things up, I never felt as fabulous.  This approach might work for me because I only have two roles in my life and I really don't mind repeating outfits.  I still think it is worth considering for you as well.  Let me know what you think.   About the lounge clothes.  The more stressful my day at work, the more I want to come home and wear soft, soft lounge clothes.  I have an abundance of them, but they all get worn.   I agree.  I need more silk tops.  Finding them is another thing all together.   Suz on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713517 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:39:45 +0000 Suz 1713517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's so interesting that you count your lounging clothes as part of the capsule, and wow, your overall numbers are super tight and efficient! I am impressed!!  For years, I wore mainly yoga pants and gear sweatshirts at home and had virtually no clothes for going out (and I sometimes worked outside the home during this period, too -- it was nuts!!)  When I joined YLF I made it a goal to develop a great casual at-home wardrobe, and also to develop my "out in the world" wardrobe for teaching, going to classes, appearances, travelling, etc.  Well, guess what? I created a great casual work-from-home wardrobe -- but now I feel almost as if I would prefer to wear loungewear at home and real clothes when I go out!  I'm in the process of trying to parse that out right now. In a way, it could be analogous to the wardrobe of a woman like yourself who categorizes work/ at home -- only mine would be at-home-work/ out-in-the-world clothes (with varying levels of dressiness, i.e. sub-capsules for the different roles in my life, which are many.)  Thanks for doing this, Sterling. It is very informative.  In my opinion you need more sleeveless silk tops so keep hunting!!! Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713511 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:30:32 +0000 Anonymous 1713511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Smittie -- I used to spend all my money on the work capsule.  It was the only capsule I ever worked on.  Of course, this left my casual capsule a complete embarrassment.  So a couple of years ago, I made the decision to really focus on my casual capsule.  I am proud to say it is in the best shape it has ever been in.  I took a lot of inspiration from Forum Members when I developed my casual capsule.  I can wear some of my casual clothes into the office on Fridays.  So that leaves a three day work week (casual Friday, telework day).  There is repetition, but the repetition doesn't bother me.   My lounging capsule is too big.  I really only wear a third of it.  But I have a weakness for lounging clothes.   Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713501 Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:05:41 +0000 Anonymous 1713501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Both capsules seem to be in very good order. I'm surprised that your work capsule is smaller than your lounge capsule though! Normally people love to buy for work. I have a work capsule and a evening/weekends capsule too. My lounging capsule is many times smaller than yours because I've put most of my effort into my work capsule. I have made Some investments though, like a nicer puffer, some nicer track pants and some nicer sneakers. Anonymous on "Wardrobe Numbers#" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-numbers-1#post-1713481 Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:52:56 +0000 Anonymous 1713481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These posts evaluating wardrobe numbers have been really interesting.  I didn't think I was going to take the time to count, but then I got really curious.  I categorize my wardrobe as work, casual, and accessories.  I don't count underwear or bras.  Although I bought all new bras in 2016 so I actually do know that number as well.     I live in a two season climate with short transition periods.  I run very, very hot.  I am always warmer than everyone else around me.   WORK (work four days in the office/telework one day) 7 Button downs  1 Short sleeve silk 5 Sweaters 7 Slacks 5 Skirts 2 Tank tops 5 Sleeveless tops 10 Toppers (rarely worn in the Summer) TOTAL = 42 CASUAL (wear every evening/weekends) 7 Athletic bottoms (leggings) 6 Athletic tops 9 Casual slacks 10 Casual tops 10 Lounging bottoms (sleep wear) 6 Lounging tops (sleep wear) 4 Lounging toppers  3 Robes 6 Long sleeve tee shirts 7 Short sleeve tee shirts TOTAL = 67 Accessories 11 Winter shoes/boots 7 Summer shoes/sandals 5 All season shoes 5 Bracelets 1 Broach 12 Earrings 12 Necklaces 18 Bags 4 Belts 3 Scarfs TOTAL = 78