2024 Stats & Thoughts

RachelNZ

Happy New Year! This is one for those interested in stats and is lengthy. I will be honest that some of these numbers make me uncomfortable, I have some ideas for 2025 and will do a separate post on my plans. I will also add some outfit photos in a comment below as I know I’ve not been on the forum long/much and they may provide some context. I’ve started adding Finds, mostly as I’ve bought things this year. I track via a spreadsheet and have been tracking since 2021.

Main Wardrobe* Stats at 31st Dec 2024

*Clothes and shoes for work and casual. Excludes dressy dresses, exercise gear, lounge wear, basics (underwear, bras, singlets, slips etc) and accessories (belts, bags, gloves, hats etc).

Dresses - 19
Bottoms - 24
Tops - 52
Toppers - 9
Coats & Jackets - 8
Shoes - 21
Total - 133

40 items/30% of my wardrobe are second hand and 8 items/6% are NZ made. These are stats I want to continue to increase. There are 11 items currently in my holding zone and looking at them I think most of them will leave my wardrobe rather than return.

I started tracking wears from June which has revealed how little some items get worn even though I supposedly ‘love’ them. This leads me to think there are excess items that should not be replaced when they exit in the future and that 110-120 items would probably be sufficient.

Year Added

Pre 2021 - 9
2021 - 14
2022 - 22
2023 - 32
2024 - 56
Total - 133

This gives an indication of what makes me uncomfortable with my numbers – churn. While my wardrobe has stayed a similar size over the last few years, I’m adding/removing a significant portion each year.

Important to note that financially I can afford my wardrobe, it is more the psychological aspects i.e. the search for perfection/using shopping as stress relief and the environmental impacts that concern me.

2024 Additions

While there are 56 items from 2024 currently in my wardrobe, I actually purchased 80 items…7 were returned, leaving 73. 2 items ended up being used as lounge wear instead of in my main wardrobe and 15 were second hand pieces that did not work because they didn’t fit/the style wasn’t right which is the risk with second hand, but some of those were items I knew I probably shouldn’t purchase but I wanted to buy something....

Dresses - 13
Bottoms - 9
Tops - 18
Toppers - 6
Coats & Jackets - 2
Shoes - 8
Total - 56

27 second hand and 3 NZ made.

Some winners in here, a navy blazer, white leather sneakers, tan suede loafers and navy pants have been workhorses (backed up by tracking) and 11 second hand dresses have added a wide variety to this category. Going back through I was reminded of some great pieces that I need to focus on actually wearing and enjoying!

2024 Removed/Holding Zone

I removed 47 pieces this year and have a further 11 items in the holding zone (HZ) that will probably be removed.

Dresses - 3 (2 HZ)
Bottoms - 7 (3HZ)
Tops - 15 (1HZ)
Toppers - 3 (3HZ)
Coats & Jackets - 3 (2HZ)
Shoes - 16 (0HZ)
Total - 47 (11HZ)

I sold 13 items, donated 14 items which were newer/popular brands to a local charity shop which sells second hand clothing and the rest went into a clothing bin. I’m not sure how comfortable I am with the fact that nothing was truly worn out – I just didn’t want to wear them anymore.

Year Added

Pre 2021 - 14
2021 - 6
2022 - 15
2023 - 12
Total - 47

Looking back I did remove some items that were definitely not getting worn and just taking up space. Generally it was because styles have moved on and I know in my heart that when that style comes back around I will want the ‘current’ version of it.

Overall

Thanks to anyone who made it this far! It has been helpful for me to work through this at least. I do feel a sense of pleasure when I look at my wardrobe at the moment, I have a lot of outfits that I feel fantastic in and enjoy wearing. However, I am not comfortable with continuing with this level of churn and need to focus on getting good wear out of the pieces I love while they are in my wardrobe and feel current to me. I will follow up in a couple weeks with my plans for 2025.

3 days ago

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from RachelNZ

RachelNZ

Active Member

Some outfits from across the year - I haven’t been very consistent at getting photos but they give a sample of what I’ve worn (and please ignore the background).

This post has 14 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

3 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I look forward to seeing the photos, Rachel! I enjoyed reading this thorough analysis. It sounds to me as if you are thinking things through with diligence and care. It's a balance, and not an easy one -- we are part of a fashion culture that is all about change and the new -- and try as we might, we can't entirely divorce ourselves from that, nor would most of us want to, since fashion is a creative outlet for most of us on this forum -- part of how we express ourselves. Not to mention the fact that clothes are, in fact, a necessity -- we can't go naked -- and most of us have quite a number of roles to dress for, with expectations attached to each of those roles. You can't really go to your gym class in your PJs, or to work in your gardening duds, etc. I mean unless you are a landscape architect.

At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of textiles (which seem so innocent on the face of it, ha!) both in their manufacture and disposal.

I don't think there is one answer that fits everyone. I do think considered and mindful shopping (whether that be second hand, limiting the number of acquisitions, buying local, or some combination) must be part of the answer, and careful donation is another part.

I don't know that "wearing it out" should be the measure, though, of when we donate. Another way of looking at it is that by donating relatively fresh items in great shape we are putting clothes that will be worn back into the system (vs. those that can't really be used as is and would need to be repurposed).

Anyway -- I have similarly mixed feelings about my own closet -- real pleasure in my clothes and outfits, and some guilt or concern about the churn. I really like a current style, and this means inevitably I will want to include new items each year, no matter what.

One skill I've really developed in the past five years or so when online shopping (or really, any shopping) is sending or taking it back (or not buying in the first place) if I have any serious doubts. Doubts about whether I'll really wear or use it, doubts about the fit, doubts about the quality, etc. I really have to know it will serve me. That includes second hand purchases. In Canada we enjoy more generous return policies than yours in NZ (though not as generous as those in the US) so there is less excuse for making a mistake. But I do think some mistakes are inevitable, especially in the years when we are defining a style. I made so many in my early years on this forum -- some I would not even call "mistakes" so much as experiments. Luckily, many of those experiments were with second hand items, so I don't feel too much guilt. And even now I make purchases that just don't work out. The shoes that aren't as comfortable as they seem out of the box, the top that ends up feeling too tight in the arms, etc.

3 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look great! Love those white sneakers! And it is clear you enjoy your dresses....love those gold boots and the other gold footwear too -- looks as if you are fond of "bookending" your shoes to your hair...

3 days ago

RachelNZ

Active Member

Thanks Suz for your kind words and lots to ponder! I really enjoy reading your thoughts and your own summary of 2024 prompted me to take the dive and share.

Completely agree that clothes are a creative outlet and an enjoyable one for many of us. The balance of how we engage with the wider fashion culture and how it impacts what we purchase is up to each of us to decide and I always try to give grace to others on whatever approach they choose.

I'm also not completely sure on 'wearing out' as a goal either, am still thinking about how that fits into my 2025 plans.

I definitely need to be more ruthless on those doubts and was pleased that this year I had no 'mistakes' within new items as I definitely have kept pieces I should have returned in the past. Those ones that build and turn out not to be quite right will always be a challenge. I have a strong no guilt approach to shoes now as my feet need to be comfortable. I've had good success selling those that haven't worked out for me - much better than them sitting in my wardrobe unworn!

3 days ago

Dee

Veteran

Very interesting analysis, I see that you have some lovely dresses and skirts that seem to play a large role in your wardrobe.

I think you've done quite well with 30% of your wardrobe being second hand and another portion that is locally made. I think we all want to do right by our wardrobes but it's always a challenge. I too, have used shopping as a type of reward for myself, but I'm really trying to be more mindful of what and the why of any new additions. Some churn in our wardrobes is of course expected but too much churn can be concerning and wasteful. I often find that many of these items probably shouldn't have been bought in the first place. I think your analysis provides you with some very useful data that should help you figure out your wardrobe needs going forward, well done.

3 days ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It sounds (and looks!) like you are doing really well. I do not have an answer for environmental concerns - I just wish there was a way to average out the extreme care some people take across the board. As far as I am concerned, trying to buy second hand is the most important step an individual can take - but of course I am biased in that regard.

3 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

This is an amazing analysis. I love stats and I also love having another active NZ Fabber. There are at least 5 of us but some post more than others.
I have just come back from 6 days away and will have to look at my stats. I feel as someone a lot older than you that I’ve had a lot more time to hone my style (particularly the past 8 years-this month-on the forum) and to really slow my roll with churn. I had so many clothes when I joined, about 200 counted items plus sentimental, old gardening/painting stuff etc etc.
I have become much more worried about the disposal of my clothing in those years and have also tried to buy more secondhand and NZ made. Some success, more on the latter as I bought a lot of items from Sabatini who had factory outlet sales, where everything was NZ made. Sadly they have stopped making nearly as much as the owners are old, and they have stopped the sales.
I will look at my lists later.
You look lovely in these pics! As per my usual preference I like the dressier looks more- as I sit here in shorts and a singlet!

3 days ago

RachelNZ

Active Member

Thanks Dee - I have a strong preference for dresses and skirts which work well for work but I can struggle in more casual environments as I like to fit in with environmental norms which can lean very casual. The reward aspect is very hard to unpick, still working on how I can manage that behaviour.

Jaime I also think second hand is a key component of managing the environmental concerns and an extra bonus is that some of them have been my favourite additions over the last few years (acknowledging that it is not as easy for everyone to find good second items).

I'm aiming to be more active this year Jenni NZ and always enjoy reading yours and Sal's posts. It's definitely a struggle to find locally made items. My Aunt used to have a clothing wholesaling business with all NZ made clothing, mostly selling to independent clothing and tourist shops. Towards the end it got very hard for her to find manufacturers because as you note many of them are reducing or stopping as they get older. I prefer the dressier looks as well!

3 days ago

Roberta

Veteran

This was very insightful, thank you! Especially thinking about turnover and what the overall age of your wardrobe is. I agree that one in/one out is excellent practice, but we have to look at how much we are purchasing as well.

I also think you look great, and I particularly like #5 -simple, bright, and chic!

3 days ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Nodding my head at so much of what you’ve written regarding managing a closet responsibly while enjoying the creative process of curating a wardrobe. Dressing for environmental norms (like work and play) while still expressing your authentic self. Like you, some of my favourite individual items have been thrifted - or bear the label ‘Made in Canada’. Seems to me you are ‘doing good work’.

PS: love your footwear!

3 days ago

Lisa

Veteran

Pretty green printed blouse in #4 and fun pairing of pink with gold footwear in #5.

i adore tracking posts and have tracked my wardrobe since my early days joining YLF. I always find something interesting about it that I didn’t realize before.

Tracking also helps me to purge items and not feel guilt over it. Clothes can last a lot longer than my interest in them so seeing a low CPW often makes donating something easier to do. Recently I did a large overhaul with my wardrobe, due to WFH and moving to a new climate. Now I’m focused on enjoying all that hard work and my new things.

You’ve done a great job tracking and analyzing your wardrobe! I look forward to your plan for 2025.

2 days ago

kkards

Veteran

I love reading other people’s statistical analyses, but, and this is just me, stats are only as good as you want them to be and are easily manipulated so I don’t use them to drive my opinions.

Are you happy with your wardrobe? Is getting dressed something that stresses you out? Do you feel good most days ? These are the questions that I’m interested in and more likely to ask myself.

2 days ago

RachelNZ

Active Member

Thanks Roberta that outfit is worn lots during winter as cheers up a dreary day!

Thanks Runcarla shoes are one of my loves and I like how the right shoe can 'finish' an outfit.

Lisa I've only been tracking wears for 6 months and am finding that revealing, continuing tracking wears is definitely part of the plan for 2025.

kkards oh definitely stats are open to manipulation! My job involves financial modelling and as one of my bosses used to say we can make the spreadsheet say whatever by changing the parameters/assumptions!

Your questions are good prompts to remember. For me I am happy with my wardrobe at the moment, there have been some areas I have previously struggled with (travel capsules especially) which are really shining. Getting dressed is enjoyable but sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed by all the options I could wear or that aren't getting as much wear as I would like. I feel good most days especially my work wardrobe and am working on feeling comfortable being dressier than others in casual environments.

2 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

RachelNZ, Wow!

Despite the informative stats and analysis, the stylish crux of it all is in the daily outfits - which have to look-good-to-you, and feel good too. You've impressively accomplished that! WELL DONE!!!

Looking smashing and fabulous daily

2 days ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Great outfits -- I love your floral skirt looks especially! A signature for you?

This is really interesting analysis and impressive number crunching. I don't keep anywhere near such good records so I can only bow to your diligence in tracking these things, and to the insights that effort enables.

For what it's worth, though, I have a similar level of churn as you -- certainly in terms of additions and probably in terms of subtractions as well. This is rather disconcerting since one of my sustainability strategies is "buy and hold." If so much is cycling through, am I really buying and holding?

However I think some of this is a somewhat inevitable result of secondhand shopping (my other major sustainability strategy). Both because of unpredictable wear on used garments and because a lot of my relatively quick discards are secondhand purchases that weren't quite right but that I tried to make work (since they were unreturnable) for a year or so before passing along. I bet that if I did have the data to support it, my graph of longevity of wardrobe items would be bimodal -- a peak of items passed along relatively quickly and another peak of items that stick around for a long time. Hm.

I do relate to that "wanted to buy something, didn't want to leave the thrift shop empty handed" pitfall (although I mostly shop for home goods in brick and mortar thrift stores and thrift my clothing online)!

1 day ago

RachelNZ

Active Member

Thanks Angie

Floral or patterned skirts are a signature piece for me SarahD8 and I have always had pencil skirts but over the last couple of years have branched out to more full skirted midi ones which feel more current.

There definitely is a level of churn associated with second hand and part of my focus here is actually based on a suggestion from The Conscious Closet book. It suggested that if you are style seeker to buy and sell the items second hand knowing that they won't be in your wardrobe long-term. These item are then supported by core items which will be in your wardrobe longer. Using the skirts in 6 & 7 as an example - both skirts are second hand and I don't expect them to be in my wardrobe for more than 2-3 years because the patterns are distinctive so eventually I will get sick of them but both are supported by the creamy linen/silk blend top which I bought new and imagine will stick round much longer to support some other skirt addition in the future. So that aligns very much with your bimodal theory.

1 day ago

Category