https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:15:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2339912 Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:48:26 +0000 laura 2339912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Running a household of 6 including four preteens/teens, I don't think the laundry pile is linked to the closet size. It is more linked to how carefull you are with your clothes. We have rules in our household that aim at avoiding having to change and wash clothes twice or thrice a day like I often see in the neighbourhood, and if something is still clean enough to be worn a second day but we are not willing to wear it again, it goes back in the closet without being washed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338719 Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:12:04 +0000 Angie 2338719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exactly what <b>Suz </b>said :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338201 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 17:07:05 +0000 Carol 2338201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jaime, Minaminu, Janet, Irina</b>--pants, maybe, I do wear those more than once. Shirts--I'm still not sure I could do that, because even if I aired them out, they might smell a little bit.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338172 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:39:40 +0000 Irina 2338172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Me, too! I air out my clothes by hanging it in my bathroom close to the window. Mostly, I leave it overnight.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338169 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:18:57 +0000 Janet 2338169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jaime, I do the “airing out” thing too. It helps any creases or wrinkles fall out of the garment, as well as the things you mention. I also gives me one more chance to evaluate it for laundering before I return it to the rack in the closet. Sometimes if I notice a little spot or it doesn’t smell so fresh I’ll chuck it in the hamper. I have some pants that I’ve worn easily 6-7 times that haven’t been laundered yet. I think a lot of people over-launder their clothes — tumble drying especially seems to wear them out faster! I dry most of my stuff just partway in the dryer and then hang to dry the rest of the way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338149 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 07:41:39 +0000 Minaminu 2338149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jaime, I do this as well with my knitwear and wool trousers, and also brush clothes prior putting them back in my wardrobe. I can see that they maintain better and longer.&nbsp;</p> <p>I recently had some cooking mishaps and ruined my blouses, I now use an apron every day! The final straw was last week when I was wearing a cross body bag and some of its glue rubbed onto my blouse.&nbsp; Those experiences have taught me that maybe I should keep an extra blouse to avoid new bottlenecks, even when I would prefer a much smaller number. I wonder if I should do the same with my winter coat, as I have only one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338133 Sun, 10 Sep 2023 02:32:50 +0000 Jaime 2338133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By airing out, I mean hanging outside my closet&nbsp; for a day or so before it goes back. In my mind, that gives them a chance to completely dry out from any perspiration or whatever before going into my closet. Not sure if this is valid or not . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338113 Sat, 09 Sep 2023 22:10:11 +0000 Carol 2338113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni NZ</b>--It is nice to wear everything in your wardrobe. I have less, but still a comfortable amount.&nbsp; I also have a couple of "one day" pieces that I saved in the hopes I will go down a size. We'll see... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2338100 Sat, 09 Sep 2023 20:43:20 +0000 Jenni NZ 2338100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My wardrobe is large to me- around 150 items of clothes/shoes not counting underwear, sleepwear, exercise wear or bags. But when I joined the forum in early 2017 it was 200 items and it felt too much. I know all of it now and wear almost everything. Things seldom wear out and I keep much of it for easily 5 years.<br /> I still have 17 things that are 2010 or earlier. These do get worn, some very frequently ( warm woollen knitwear from 80s or 90s.) I wash twice a week or more but the knitwear maybe only once per winter on a “wool wash” cycle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337778 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 02:59:54 +0000 Carol 2337778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jaime</b>--I have heard of airing things out for another use. I wonder what the purpose is for airing them out? It seems they would be okay to go back on the hanger without that.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Mary Beth</b>--it can be hard to cull your wardrobe when you wear many hats. For me it's the opposite, I have a work tee I wear that is part of the uniform, and casual bottoms. When I get home I can easily just change my shirt and&nbsp; leave the bottoms and be done.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337775 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 02:53:32 +0000 Carol 2337775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RobinF</b>--a nice, medium wardrobe! Just right. Like Goldilocks! :D</p> <p><b>Sal and Echo</b>--you can launder at the same rate whether you have a large or small wardrobe--that's true. But I think one thing that can happen with a large wardrobe, and I'm sure it sometimes happens, is that you let that pile go&nbsp; to a gargantuan level while you wear other things--I know I've done that.&nbsp; When you have a small wardrobe you are forced to launder before that pile gets too big.</p> <p><b>Jules</b>--yes, minimalism comes with a cost. I don't know if I ever identified as minimalist, but certainly I've been through frugal periods. And I've worn things I really shouldn't--old shoes, etc., instead of getting new ones.</p> <p><b>Firecracker</b>--I also splurge on undies! That will always be an area of plenty because a)they take up less space and b)you never want to run out.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337768 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 02:11:52 +0000 Carol 2337768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b><b>Val</b>--I, too, have been in different living/laundry situations. This is the first I've had washer/dryer in an apartment since I was growing up in my house. Such a luxury! It's true--I don't feel like I need much more, since I can wash it all.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337747 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:26:24 +0000 Carol 2337747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>phoebe</b>--I also replace items often, but usually every couple of years. I don't have a lot of super-nice things meant to be kept for years. So it doesn't bother me to wash them often.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337746 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:23:00 +0000 Carol 2337746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>suntiger</b>--I know what you mean about balance. When you stick to a minimum you really do need the right items. I have a work skirt right now (my only work skirt) that's not quite flexible enough, and so I'll need to get another. A balance between the ease of being able to grab from multiples, and a small wardrobe.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337745 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:18:19 +0000 Carol 2337745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Runcarla</b>--sounds like a lot to stay on top of, especially the ironing. I don't iron much at all--I have mostly tees, sweaters, and other wrinkle-free stuff. But I would love to try it with everything, to see the difference it makes.</p> <p>Counting your items makes me want to count my items. 80 does not seem like a lot, especially if you include outerwear and shoes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337740 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 23:20:37 +0000 Carol 2337740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>judy</b>--I thought I was the only one who liked laundry! I like being able to see the things I own and think about them: I remember I was so happy the day I got this skirt, etc. I have begun the documentary. Thank you!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337733 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:45:32 +0000 Carol 2337733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Helena</b>--I do that, too, repeat things. They say no one will notice if you wear the same jeans 3 days in a row, and this I find comforting. Wasn't there also an experiment where a woman wore the same black dress to work for like, 45 days, and no one noticed?</p> <p><b>rachylou</b>--If I did laundry once a month, we'd have to climb over the big pile to get to the bedroom, because we don't have a lot of space! So I can't picture that. But it sounds overwhelming--like people who buy groceries once a month.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337732 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:40:46 +0000 Carol 2337732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>unfrumped</b>--You touch on something that affects&nbsp; a lot of people and me, too. And that is having almost "too much" while also missing some basic things you need. When you talked about panicking if one of your items were unavailable, I thought of my bottoms, of which I don't have a lot.B</p> <p>One of my favorite things I heard for clothing shopping is: "what are you always reaching for but can't find?" For me lately that would be a long necklace and slip on shoes.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337729 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:29:33 +0000 Carol 2337729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Joy</b>--super interesting post about emotional dressing, about enjoying wearing certain colors in certain seasons. That got me to thinking:</p> <p>perhaps more artistic dressers enjoy larger closets to be able to play around with clothing combinations.</p> <p>Then I thought of me, and even though I'm creative, playing with clothes is something I don't do very often. I'm more of a grab-and-go person, so it makes sense I would rely on a few things that go together.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337726 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:03:18 +0000 Carol 2337726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Irina</b>--I don't understand when people talk about clothes wearing out, unless they're talking about something they will keep 10 or 20 years. I do wash my clothing often, but the average tee, sweater, etc. will be just fine for a couple of years--it doesn't really see any wear and tear. I tend to thrift or buy only basics new, so when a couple of years are over I donate them for something new.&nbsp; If I don't follow the washing instructions, though...then something will fall apart.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337725 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:57:23 +0000 Carol 2337725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Janet</b>--yes, I definitely respect that lots of people enjoy more than a minimal closet--that's why I put the prompt about what people prefer. I like a small closet a) for space reasons and b) for keeping my mind less cluttered, because it tends to race about a million things.</p> <p>And definitely, there are many ways to have a peaceful home. When I said whatever I said: "do you like having a small wardrobe for a peaceful home," I didn't mean that was the only way.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337724 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:51:48 +0000 Carol 2337724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Dee</b>--I, too, live in a four seasons climate, though between the sun and global warming it's mostly just two seasons--spring and summer.&nbsp; I'm glad to hear you are able to get several wears out of your clothes. I cannot do that with tops, for fear of body odor--it might be alright a second day, but I'm afraid.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337678 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:30:28 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2337678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My short answer is that for me, I know my wardrobe is too large, not by the amount of laundry I'm washing and folding, but by <i>how long it takes to put away.</i>&nbsp; &nbsp;It's a riff on Marie Kondo's second book "Spark Joy", when she talked observing a professional chef in a kitchen, and realized the determining factor in how you organize, is the ease with which things can be put away after using and washing.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>If I have a backup of clothing on the bench in my bedroom, I know it's time to cull the herd.</p> <p>The deeper dive is that, on most days, I will have 2-3 outfits that I wear, not including pajamas:&nbsp; &nbsp;hot yoga, then an ordinary daytime outfit, then 5-6 days a week, a public-facing evening activity:&nbsp; usually band rehearsal, filming auditions, or socializing.&nbsp;</p> <p>I pretty good about observing and editing out things that are showing wear, get changed out of quickly, or just aren't my style anymore.&nbsp; &nbsp;Usually while it's still in good enough shape to launder and donate, or resell. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337656 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 01:53:07 +0000 Jaime 2337656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love having a large wardrobe and actually feel it leads to less laundry not more, and certainly less wear and tear on my clothing. I also agree with others that say they do not wash every item after every wear. I often let things air out for a day and put them back (obviously I don't mean underwear which I do wash every use!). Anyway, all this is to say that different things bring peace and joy to different people. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine/page/2#post-2337653 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 01:41:45 +0000 Echo 2337653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, having had a home with two adults and three children, I am accustomed to doing a load of laundry daily or every other day. If I were to wait a week, I'd spend an entire day doing laundry on the weekend, which isn't my idea of fun, plus sheets get washed on weekends and that would add to the backlog.</p> <p>I have a fairly large wardrobe, as I enjoy variety and have a low tolerance for repeats. I also agree with Janet that wardrobe size and a peaceful home are not at all related in my mind. One can be clean and organized, regardless of wardrobe size.</p> <p>Last, I also agree that the size of the wardrobe has no bearing on how many clothes are generated to wash, it is just a question of whether you launder the same items repeatedly or different ones, but one must wear something every day. So I don't see how wardrobe size is correlated to how often one does laundry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine#post-2337644 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:10:15 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2337644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We wash clothes by whites/lights, medium colors, and blacks/dark colors. We might do a load or two a week. That means that sometimes by the time I get around to washing something, the weather has changed and it feels like another season already. (Even though it technically probably isn't!) So I do feel I have a large-ish wardrobe for my actual needs. I have accumulated quite a few bike shorts, to avoid running out of them between black/darks loads! I also have quite a few pairs of undies--and I have them in lights/whites and medium colors--so I don't run out before they get through the laundry cycle! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine#post-2337640 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 23:39:44 +0000 Jules 2337640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I apologize that I haven’t read every reply and will come back to do so later...</p> <p>I think there’s a happy medium that’s different for everyone, in different phases of their lives. At one time I had a pretty limited wardrobe, such that when my husband put some wool pants in the dryer and shrunk them I cried. Because I truly didn’t have enough clothes to wear to work without them, and no interest in what I perceived to be the chore of trying to replace them. My minimalism has ceased to serve me and was making my life more stressful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine#post-2337635 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 22:28:47 +0000 Sal 2337635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think if I were to decrease the size of my closet I would have the same amount of laundry to do, but there could be pressure to do it more often?&nbsp; When my sons were in school uniform and playing for sports teams there was pressure to turn things around for practices and school as we only had 2-3 shirts and 2-3 pairs of shorts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>So I think if you keep a leaner closet the items get washed more, and timeliness is important, but you possibly do the same amount in total.&nbsp; or that's how I think about it.&nbsp; After starting to track wears in the last 18 months I am learning that my tops mostly seem to last about 30 wears in total, give or take (wovens longer than knits in general).&nbsp; My aim is to wear out the top as I get sick of it rather than it to still have lots of wear and me be over wearing it.</p> <p>Carol - let's keep our party clothes!!&nbsp; Here's to more parties.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine#post-2337627 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 21:48:27 +0000 RobinF 2337627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm interesting how different we all are! I don’t have a particularly small or large wardrobe I don’t think. I like variety and rarely wear the same piece more than once a week, maybe shoes but nothing else. I also don’t wash after one wear and do laundry once a week. I have considered focusing my wardrobe on fewer colors but a little worried I might get bored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-v-washing-machine#post-2337625 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 21:15:18 +0000 Val MN 2337625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, laundry routines and wardrobe size are absolutely connected. I’ve had a lot of different living situations with different laundry setups over the years, and I’ve noticed that my wardrobe shrinks when laundry is frequent and grows when laundry is less frequent.</p> <p>SarahD8 is so right though, we generate dirty clothes at the same rate regardless of how many we own. That rate is more about how we wear them. </p>