2021 by the numbers - YouLookFab Forum

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2021 by the numbers

Anonymous

Here's a post for the counters Did a closet inventory and put some things aside to donate and consign. Mostly due to condition, but some due to lack of comfort. Will update the finds another day.

Total pieces- inc sleepwear, gear, shoes but not underwear or accessories (or things going out) 165
Holding zone- 23
Sleepwear (also mixed into wfh)-22
Gear-28
Shoes-18
Summer tops-inc tanks used as camis-13
Winter/transitional tops-26
Cardigans/coatigans-7
Indoor/outdoor jackets-3
Outerwear-7
Sleeveless dresses-4
Sleeved dresses- 2
Skirts-8 + a lace overskirt
Pants/jeans-6
Not counted yet- scarves, jewelry- too many!

In transit: 3 pants, 1 sleeved top, 1 sleeveless top

Going forward for this year...

1 in 1 out: cropped gear leggings, sleeveless gear tops, sneakers, swimsuits, transitional shoes, sleeved non gear tops, sleeveless dresses (several in HZ), pencil/tube skirts, cardigans, lightweight puffers, scarves, jewelry, also socks and tights

Add no more than 1: skirt (flowy), lightweight pants, wool coat, warm gear pants, pair of gloves, hat

Add: long sleeve gear tops, jackets (home, casual, work), sandals, summer work tops, summer sleeping shorts/crops

Whew- that's done for the year

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from

Runcarla

Veteran

You’ve got a nice range of items to cover your seasons and activities. Thinking ahead to summer(the weakest link in my summer capsule) what do you think is an optimal number for sandals? And how would you classify the types/categories? Different colours? Heel heights?

Anonymous

Current sandals are:

Black t'strap heels (dressier work or festive). Kinda fussy cause the straps and may be too high for comfort.
Orange heels (more casual, would wear for normal workday or event). Not worn much tbh...
Black low heels (work or weekend)
Cognac low heels (work or weekend)
Cognac Birks (hiking, casual, MVP of 2020)
Black Vionics (boating, casual)

Passing on and want to replace: tan dressier heels, metallic flat sandals

Passed on but want replacement: low contrast leopard or tortoiseshell lowish heels

Would like: gold or copper properly dressy heels, maybe black Birkies

This doesn't include mules or slingbacks. I consider those transitional.

I wear sandals exclusively May-October, but often well on either side, as long as its over 60 degrees. It can be 60 in December here.
I still hike more in my Birkies (now with socks) than sneakers- including today They're just quicker to put on and off.

ETA- sandal collection

Sheridan Mia Tamara Slide Sandal

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3

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Birkenstock Siena Hex Slide Sandal

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6

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Naturalizer Naturalizer Finn Sandal (Women) | Nordstrom

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1

LaPed

Veteran

Ooh, I like the “no more than one” parameter for certain categories. I may borrow that for things that are not strictly “do not buy” but rather “wait for The One”...

Anonymous

Sandals passed on or passing- seeking similar....

Madden Girl Bryceee Footbed Sandals

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1

Anonymous

I think the no more than 1 is a good way to keep things balanced. If I don't do that I'll end up buying 10 skirts and nothing to go with them!

Joy

Veteran

This was inspiring. Thank you.

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! One day I will do an inventory. It’s quite illuminating (!)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Applause! I don't count, but am fascinated by the counters !

Gretchen

Veteran

Great to see! I love your details, and the sandals options are wonderful. I’ve not done the “only one” intentionally, but have it in some areas (1 swimsuit, 1 pair of winter gloves... things I use rarely.)

Can’t wait to see what gets added back to your sandals collection!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I appreciate this post, as I’ve recently been counting my pants in my head. I’m glad you posted the sandals finds—for “heels” I was picturing something very different and less practical. Interesting to me that the flat/lower ones don’t stick around so well. I take your your 1 in 1 out category means you have one of each of those items flagged to go out when you come across a new one? What will work tops look like for you now that you’re planning to change jobs?

Staysfit

Veteran

*Applause* Like many, I like looking at data, although I lack the discipline to accurately complete an inventory myself. I get caught up in how to define categories and my head starts to spin.

One item per category is a nice goal, especially for items that see little use. I can also see how it would help minimize overbuying, and it could save some money for people like me who inadvertently donate surplus purchases to other's..... (I am about to get off track, so feel free to skip along to the next paragraph. Let me explain).....The idea of one wool coat, one pair of gloves, one hat seems impossible considering the wintery weather I encounter 7 months of the year! Pre-pandemic, I frequently left my gloves, and on occasion a coat behind at work. I may encounter cold and snow when I leave in the morning and then the weather becomes sunny and warmish in the afternoon. The walk to my car is short, making it easy to forget the winter gear I donned earlier! I assume co-workers, students or custodial staff pick up the gloves I leave behind and decide to keep them. I buy nice gloves....black leather, cashmere lined.... I have treated winter gloves a bit like my favorite uni-ball power tank pens, which I purchase in bulk, and always have aplenty. If someone needs to sign something or jot a quick note....there goes my pen..... I need to rethink my tactics! I must be providing gloves (and pens) to everyone I work with.... Think of the money I could save if I found those two way clips that connect gloves to sleeves (like my mom used on my snowsuit when I was a kid). Instead of 10 pairs of gloves per season, only ONE! Have you ever walked into an office and seen how they tape a pen to a string on one end and a clip board on the other.....(Uni Ball Power tanks are not cheap either......)

Sorry....getting back on track....

Thinking of items I use infrequently, I have only one pair of cross country ski boots, and one set of Gaitors! There are certainly categories in my wardrobe where imposing limits would be useful. (Jeans comes to mind as do cashmere sweaters). I could easily reduce my dressy formal shoes to two neutral pairs, one for cold weather and one for warm. I would have fewer shoes collecting dust. I could donate the others to people who would hopefully enjoy them.

Can you share a picture of your lace overskirt? It sounds like a stunning statement piece.

In terms of categories with frequent use......how do you decide how many is enough? If you want to add more than one, how do you know how many? Do you calculate based on some sort of formula, or do you go by feel?

I love that you can hike in Birkenstock’s!

Thanks for sharing your inventory and future planning. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Stays fit, I wouldn’t like to work in a place where my things had a tendency to walk off. My first thought on the pens (I use the same brand) is cheap pens with a message on them that you intend to have walk away. Your plan to hang onto yours is better for the environment though. What about just having one, but going a little more showy, and embossed with your name? On the gloves, I’m reminded of the quick look back as one leaves the subway. I forgot that once last year and our supper, along with the reusable bag it was in, went off to the nether regions of Brandenburg. On the gloves, there is always the old-fashioned strategy of sticking them in your coat pockets, scarf in the sleeve, when you take off your coat.

ST, sorry for the hijack

Staysfit

Veteran

@Fashintern and Suntiger, I have a terrible sense of humor. So sorry!

Anonymous

Well the 1 means no more than 1 more, not total, though some things (like jeans) I don't need more than 1 of because I use them so rarely.

I broke things down further, winter tops especially: tunic blouses, classic length blouses, knit tunics, classic length knits, and sweaters. Think I have more winter things because of the variation of cold here- 50 to sometimes below 0, or cold rain and snow. I have less variation in my summer things cause I dress the same for 70s as for 100- skirt, sleeveless, sandals.

This is the overskirt. It had a beige layer under, but had an accident with a melted lipbalm in the car. The lace was ok, but the underlayer got stained badly with the wax. So- I can layer it over all my other pencil/tube skirts.

There are lots of long lace overskirts at Faire that I have considered, but honestly would be likely to only use them there. And I don't see myself wanting to commit to working there every weekend again like I used to!

As far as the job change, it won't be til DHs diss gets accepted and he starts working. As much as I'd love to work in a greenhouse, we can't live on $12 hr. But- since I'm back to wfh, I don't really need any more workwear now!

Anonymous

Oh as far as sandals it's all about the wear. My proper heels get worn a bit less (especially now), but my rocky driveway chews them up and there's no cobbler. My lower block heels get worn a lot, since they're good for work and weekends. I just don't wear them when I do presentations and other events where I want to be dressier. My flat sandals get squished at the heels cause I log so many miles in them, especially now that I hike nearly every day.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks for giving your numbers. They are similar to mine and we count similarly, except I don’t count sleepwear.
So the main thing I notice is that you only have about half my number of shoes!- 18 versus 38.
I think you need more Dark Autumn sunset coloured sandals!

slim cat

Veteran

Fascinating - I don't count but it may be a good idea in the future.

Anonymous

I may want to add burgundy sandals, but probably no more orange. They're pretty but kinda loud on my long feet since the vamp is high.

The ones I always reach for most are the low contrast near skin colors: cognac, tan, gold, copper- especially with texture. At least when I have bare legs that's what I wear most. With pants or longer skirts I'll wear others.

It's helpful to count Slim Cat. It's a pain, but once it's done you're set for the year. Then you know which categories to focus on, even if it's not the season yet, and which to avoid!