https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:51:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1856630 Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:23:31 +0000 shiny 1856630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is totally a guestimate but I'd say 30%. I did some major shopping recently since I had barely bought anything at all for the last 2 or 3 years during moving, selling and renovating. And all of those milestones resulted in decluttering.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm counting in this accessories like shoes, belts, scarves, bags. &nbsp;</p> <p>I now have a walk-in closet where I can see everything, all four seasons. A lot of items I am decluttering are really really old, so I don't feel so bad replacing with new stuff. Other items are a size that I'm probably never going to see again. Those are harder to part with! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1856523 Sat, 28 Oct 2017 23:34:20 +0000 The Cat 1856523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How about yourself, gradfashionista? What proportions of YOUR wardrobe is new? And you may have one or more interesting reasons for raising the question. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1856007 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 23:36:26 +0000 Anonymous 1856007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Kerry</b> -- I would be interested in what your calculations show. &nbsp;If you care to share. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1856003 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 22:17:07 +0000 kerry 1856003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know. I'm not sure what time frame I would consider new either so thanks for making me think about this. Last year I calculated how many clothing wears I'd need for one year - I included everything I put on my body and I live in a 4-season climate. I think part of the reason I did the calculation is to try and decide how long my wardrobe should last - 30+ wears and all that. I guess I have more calculating to do ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855981 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:31:07 +0000 SummerB 1855981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Currently I'd say about 25% from around this time of year in 2016. That's kind of been the trend I've tried to follow for the past couple of years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855979 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:23:03 +0000 Style Fan 1855979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question GF.&nbsp; Joining YLF has helped me settle into my style and become a more discerning shopper.&nbsp; I use to buy a lot more clothing when I was working.&nbsp; I also keep my clothes for a long time.&nbsp; I would say that right now my wardrobe is about 25% new (bought in the last 2 years).&nbsp; That surprises me because I would have thought it was lower.&nbsp; I have had to replace most of my footwear because my feet are so picky.&nbsp; Well beyond picky. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855965 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:05:45 +0000 Lisa 1855965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a very low percentage of my wardrobe that is old, probably 20% or so.&nbsp; I try to keep my overall wardrobe size down, so that I can wear things more often, and hence, refresh more pieces at the start of each season.&nbsp; My biggest turnover is always tops, both shirts and blouses, as well as layering knits and t-shirts.&nbsp; These are the pieces I wash most often, so they get a lot of wear.&nbsp; Jeans typically last me 2-3 years before needing replacing.&nbsp; Sweaters, shoes, blazers/scarves and cardigans, I tend to buy at a higher price point, so these items will often be around a bit longer.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855826 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:12:44 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1855826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Other than a Roksanda dress, a work dress, a few pairs of shoes and some charity shop silk scarves, I haven't bought anything this year, so quite a low proportion of my wardrobe is new stuff. I expect to buy only 5 to 10 significant new items a year, and am still editing and reducing my once insanely huge wardrobe, so anything entering my wardrobe has to be quite special to overcome my aversion to increasing my wardrobe.</p> <p>(I'm still finding it difficult to let go of books apart from fiction though...)</p> <p>Sarah </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855749 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:39:58 +0000 Laura G 1855749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I checked out Elizabeth Suzann too. They have a model who isn't a teenager! Woot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855688 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:08:22 +0000 dakotacheryl 1855688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Lisa, the prices make for careful buying and fewer items! But, the clothes sure fit my style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855633 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:51:49 +0000 Anonymous 1855633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>dakota cheryl - GORGEOUS coat! &nbsp;I am quite fascinated with ES too - although it's a little out of my current price range. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855625 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:36:18 +0000 dakotacheryl 1855625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say about 75% of my wardrobe was bought in 2016 or 2017. I have been practicing the one in and one out concept for many years. &nbsp;Most of the older pieces are much loved and worn, but great base layers or coats. Unfortunately several of these older base items are finally looking worn and will be relegated to wearing for leisure/hiking with dogs etc. wear.&nbsp;</p> <p>I hope I don't have too much trouble or expense replacing them with similar items.</p> <p>The newer items are a mixture of beloved brands like Eileen Fisher and a new favorite brand Elizabeth Suzann. I rarely buy EF unless on sale or on eBay, but ES is usually full price and must be carefully considered and planned for, and her items are SLOW fashion with at least a 6 week wait time.</p> <p>I have been transitioning from so many knit fabrics to more woven ones which are more sturdy and have longer longevity and resistance to snags from my jewelry or pets. I still don't like fussy closures, lapel collars, patterns etc. and any new purchase MUST seamlessly work with the majority of existing items. Have around 100 items in current seasonal rotation and this number excludes footwear, accessories and loungewear, but includes layering tops that get worn under another top and casual but outside the home wear.</p> <p>This coat in heavy cotton canvas from ES is finally getting a lot of wear (at least in the cold mornings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855498 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 23:47:12 +0000 Barbara Diane 1855498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I am successful, this will go up, as I have many holes in my wardrobe.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855497 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 23:46:22 +0000 Barbara Diane 1855497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>10%. For summer I purchased a few lightweight items as the heat has been unprecedented the last few years, and I was wilting. For fall/winter I have purchased UGGS, a lighter than I expected but still kept navy sweater, flowered leggings that might not leave the house, a knit sleeveless vest, a scarf, and a hair faux fur ponytail thing that I've hung from my purse rather than returning.</p> <p>This is shocking to realize, given the large number of items I have purchased and returned.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855493 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 23:22:45 +0000 Kate 1855493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’d say 15-20% new in 2017, and that’s pretty typical for me over the past several years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855488 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:59:09 +0000 BrieN 1855488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the interesting number for my fall/winter closet is that out of 14 skirts/trousers that I wear to work (so no denim) 12 were purchased in the last 1-2 years. It makes sense because before I joined YLF and focused on my wardrobe I used to like to purchase pretty blouses (and that's all I'd purchase). No wonder I never had anything to wear. </p> <p>I think I'm still so stunned that when I open my closet I actually have nice choices of what to wear that I'm far from feeling in a rut. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855472 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:45:51 +0000 jill58 1855472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roughly 75% of my wardrobe was bought within the past two years. I donated a lot of clothes and went through a bit of a style change as well as gradual weight loss (following a gain several years ago). This is not a &nbsp;typical pattern for me but I have now started to purchase better quality clothes with the hope of building a smaller more cohesive wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855469 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:30:31 +0000 Author Linda 1855469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My wardrobe is about 50% new, bought this year's summer and fall seasons, 30% bought 3 years ago, and 20% older than dirt (bought in the 90s but great quality). The dramatic split is because I lost two sizes after my knee replacement surgery, so old clothes fit again and I bought lots of new to take the place of now baggy clothes from the last couple years.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've been pleasantly surprised at how well some of my older things have made the cut. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855468 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:11:13 +0000 Suz 1855468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>New to me is current season. I have not bought a lot this year for fall, so the proportion is quite low. But I think on average it's about 25% or so new, another 25% previous year, and the rest some combination from earlier than that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855410 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:09:27 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1855410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My goal is for my everyday wardrobe items to last an average of four years. So that would mean about 25% are new within the last year. I'd say that's approximately right, with tweaks for different kinds of items (jeans last longer than tissue-weight tees, jackets longer than shirts). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855403 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 14:29:52 +0000 Jenn 1855403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My wardrobe expectations are very close to&nbsp;<b>Sal's.&nbsp;</b>I'm closer to 30% turnover per year right now in the same size wardrobe, but would like to drop down to 20-25% as, over the past year or so, I've been spending a little more and making purchases meant to last. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855398 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 14:19:25 +0000 Marilyn 1855398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The vast majority of my wardrobe is less than 2 years old.&nbsp; I would say 90%. &nbsp; I dropped a size and had to start over.&nbsp; I was able to make a handful of things work.</p> <p>I would say this is not typical.......Loosing or gaining enough weight to force a size change really throws a monkey wrench into things.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new/page/2#post-1855380 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 12:44:51 +0000 Toban 1855380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a small, tight wardrobe but currently have very high turnover rate for two reasons: 1) two years ago made a large style shift; 2) weight fluctuations (now back in downwards trajectory). </p> <p>Even when I get to my goal weight I expect to keep a small wardrobe with a moderately high turnover. I really enjoy new purchases and I wear the heck out of them (Team Wear) with a high tolerance for repeat outfits within a season or two. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855379 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 12:41:30 +0000 Anonymous 1855379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In any season, most of my shirts and pants will be new, except for coats, sweaters and snow or rain boots. I buy very few things and wear them over and over.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855352 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 09:22:43 +0000 approprio 1855352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>According to my spreadsheet, around 20% was acquired in the last two years, allowing for data errors and turnover which hasn't been accounted for.&nbsp;At the other end, around half of it is over five years old.&nbsp;</p> <p>I expect I'll review these numbers at the end of the year, but I think most of my shopping this year has been basics to keep all the fancy stuff working.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855348 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 08:40:59 +0000 Gigi 1855348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Only about 10% of my wardrobe has been purchased in the last year (that is how I define "new"). More than half of the new purchases have been accessory-type items, like hats, socks, tights, and jewelry. </p> <p>About 20% of my wardrobe has been purchased in the last two years. So it looks like I have a turnover rate of about 10% per year, which includes all purchases, whether accessories, shoes, or clothing.</p> <p>I do get bored without a wardrobe refresh. Lately my purchases have been mostly accessories, since I didn't have many accessories in my closet.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855341 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 07:56:49 +0000 Lucy 1855341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread! Very interesting. I'd actually been thinking about this in the back of my mind recently.&nbsp;<br />I only started tracking purchases and wears in 2017.&nbsp;<br />I just took a sample of the last three weeks. I wore 34 items (I had some repeats of items, but I counted each item once. I didn't count lounge wear).&nbsp;<br />2017 purchases worn - 9&nbsp;<br />2015-2016 - 13. I found it easy to divide here, because we moved states and climates in 2015, so I had to buy a lot of new clothing to suit a warmer clime and a dressier workplace!&nbsp;<br />Pre 2015 - 12&nbsp;<br />So it is a reasonably even split. I suspect it would be higher for new items in the heat of summer, as I have had to buy a lot of warm weather clothes especially for work! <br />I kind of like that I am still wearing some older clothes. Two items I wore were quite old - one blush camisole that I have had for probably 20 years and it still looks as good as new, and is updated with my blush shoes. And a plain black wrap dress that must be 11-12 years old - I bought it when I returned to work after the birth of my son.&nbsp;<br />I really enjoyed reading everyone's responses.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855317 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:09:11 +0000 Carla 1855317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can sort my clothes into 'before move' (July 2014) and after move (last 3 years) with approximately 15 garments being over 3 years old. That is about 1/4 of my clothes (including outerwear). Almost all my shoes are from the last 3 years. City walking is hard on shoes! My high boots and my old hikers (used now just for gardening days) are older than 3 years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855311 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:01:41 +0000 Anonymous 1855311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>New to me is this current season . And a great portion of my closet is less than 4 years old . Unfortunately , my weight fluctuates too much to be able to keep clothes longer than that . It’s why I am often very frustrated with my wardrobe : there is no base of tested and tried classic pieces . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-proportion-of-your-wardrobe-is-new#post-1855309 Tue, 24 Oct 2017 02:55:30 +0000 Penny 1855309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread! My workhorses are dresses, and those are about 30-40% new within the last year - seems high, but I’ve retired many pieces, refreshed a number after my daughter’s birth (mostly because I deliberately didn’t buy much while pregnant), and really honed in on my style preferences (lots of navy and black, with no pattern addition in the last year - though keeping the couple of abstract / watercolor dresses that I love). Plus, I’ve tried to focus on expanding professional wear and curating special occasion wear, since otherwise I have far too many of the latter! I do have a much higher percentage of older items among scarves, handbags, outerwear, and jewelry. </p> <p>Overall, I think that it’s less adding something new and more having what I love that keeps me engaged and happy - although I’m always on the lookout for the next thing that I’ll love! </p>