5 piece wardrobe analysis - YouLookFab Forum

I started the 5 Piece French Wardrobe as an experiment in buying fewer, better, or at least better for my style. I didn't have a budget, because I wanted to take cost off the table. I came in a little under last years total, but not as much as I thought I would have.

I bought 5 basics early on, but once I got into my 5 pieces I bought only a pair of leggings to wear with the Nick K dress. I think I'll stick to pieces that compliment the 5 now.

The numbers

2014- 17 pieces, $1335

2015- 11 pieces, $1001

The pros

will get more wear out of less things and not feel overly wasteful by purging barely worn stuff.

this forced my to focus and brought me much closer to my aspirational style.

The cons

I see a lot of stuff that is pretty perfect for my style in it's off season.

Each pick does mean giving up a potential better pick. I left most of my picks in watch lists and looked at a lot of stuff before clicking buy.

The really long SYC that will happen during resort season. This does tend to be my slower shopping season, but I've never done no shopping. August's SYC was my first effective shopping ban.

Overall, the 5 piece was a positive experience and I'm hoping to do it for a year as the experiment. I added a winter season because I live in a four season climate and it didn't make sense to choose between winter boots and fall footwear. Most years, I need one of each. Same with coats.

Revolve Clothing

Nicholas K Pima Dress

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Amazon

Nicholas K Women's Jersey Nova Jacket

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Nordstrom

James Jeans Leggings (Red Glossed)

$167.00

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Custom Find

by shedev

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Amazon

Ash Women's Jet Fashion Sneaker

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9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. I have a brain like a sieve. The 5 piece wardrobe is about buying 5 'cool' things a year, 5 pivotal things and excludes basics and essentials, right?

Ok. Well, I'd say $335 is not insignificant. That takes care of the Netflix bill and let's you get Hulu and Vudu (sp) too. Are the 5 proving sufficient? How are they holding up to the washing and wearing? When they go, will you miss them? (That's always what I hate, things wearing out before I'm ready for them to do so.)

Anonymous

You've really chosen well. Each piece is fab unto itself. I'd love to see how you'll accessorize. You really look great in that MetaMorph dress!

Sal

I think it sounds like a success Shedev.

I am impressed how tight your purchasing is - I am trying to keep under 20 for the year and suspect I will not do so. Essentials replenishment is a larger job than you can think at the start - if I looked at the 18 pieces I have added so far this year - really only four are new additions and 14 are essentials updates.

There is a grey line for me though - okay the new striped tee is a replacement, as are the jeans. What about the black crossover pants that replace my steel blue work trousers. They fill some of the same functions - pants to wear to work, board meetings, but I also wear these casually and socially. They are a different more distinctive style and much cooler than the conservative pair I purged.

carter

I think you've done amazing! I can imagine I would be arguing with myself, justifying, rationalizing, etc why everything should be a "freebie" basic. Yet, you've only purchased an impressively few number of basics this season. Did you have a limit on the number of basics as well?

I think adding a separate Winter season is really necessary for your climate. If I were to ever try the FPFW, I would have to have a separate Summer season, because we just cannot wear the same weight/type of clothes in both Spring and Summer.

Yay for you!!!!

Beth Ann

You've done a great job of planning and purchasing. Do you have any difficulty keeping items laundered, or with the black fading?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Well done! I'm impressed with your plan and your follow-through. Sounds like it's working.

shedev

Rachy, the 5 things are per season. (f/w and s/s) 5 things a year would make things wear out way too fast.

Xtabay, thank you. I don't usually wear a lot of accessories. I do more in the summer.

Kiwigal, I think that is the hardest part, defining what is a basic. I still don't think I know for sure. I am putting more thought into both my basics and statement pieces.

Carter, there's the second hard part. I don't have a hard limit for basics, but I do want them to take me into my aspirational style. On the other hand, buying a ton of things and calling them basics isn't in the spirit of the 5 piece. I think I'll tackle this by season.

Sterling, thank you.

Beth Ann, I do get some laundry bottlenecks, but don't we all? For the most part my blacks are holding up really well. My persona does lend itself to fading so it's not the issue it would be for a more polished style.

Firecracker, it did work pretty well.

Cerinda

This is entirely brilliant! They are entirely beautiful pieces in and of themselves, and what you can do with them is amazing. Never have I seen a FFPW that appealed to me even half as much as these. You are an inspiration. I've been following your posts and am anxiously waiting more photos...

Shedev, you're right, this look would be ruined with too many accessories. Minimalism is key for this look. I think what I was really meaning was just handbags (if you use one). These pieces look like they might have pockets, so you wouldn''t need one. Always nice to travel light and be hands-free!

Cerinda, I'll post some outfits in a week or so. Going on vacation next week.

Xtabay, my real life needs hands free. I carry a lot of messenger or crossbody. I have to admit that I really don't think of handbags as part of the wardrobe and carry the same one for a really long time. I'll have to look for one that compliments my look.

Probably the bags you have are fine. You'd probably want something with character, and not too newish-looking, for sure. Have a great vacay!

Thanks Shedev - I did misinterpret and thought you had 11 pieces for the calendar year. I think you are on the right track and in a way the specific numbers don't matter too much. One season you may need to buy more essentials and end up with less in the statement basket, another year it may differ. I can see that if you ignore replacements of essentials or avoid purchasing "stars" your wardrobe gets out of balance.

WRT wear and laundering with a small closet, I personally do not find it much of an issue. I do laundry at least six days a week, and some days I have two to three loads (four person household). I suspect my machine is smaller than many in the US though. If one of favourites is in the basket I just make sure I prioritise that type of load, whereas some things can wait longer. And wear - while it is super annoying when something does not last as long as I hoped (or I tear or stain it which is more likely) - I see it as honourable to wear out my clothes if they have had a good innings. There are ones I am sad to see go, but I would rather wear them out than purge because they are dated.

Kiwigal, 11 pieces for the year would definitely would not be enough. I killed about 8 during spring and summer. I think I retired about 4 tanks alone. A few of my jeans are starting to look a bit rough and will be retired soon. I'll likely tighten up the numbers there because I have a lot of bottoms. I get decent wear out of a lot of my things, but I get a few duds too.

Aida

Great to read your reflections on this Shedev. Looks like you're doing a great job with this challenge. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on basics/essentials versus statement as you move forward, especially since you've got a nice dramatic streak to your style. I also find it interesting that you're including a limit on basics in addition to the "fun" pieces.

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