Another wardrobe count; way too many :-) - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Another wardrobe count; way too many :-)

Chris987

Veteran

Inspired by Viva's recent closet review and all the excellent ideas posted by others, I decided it was time. I live in the same 4-season climate as Viva and Suz and others.

I knew going in that I have a lot of stuff that I no longer want (too many tops, workwear I no longer need, old/dull/boring stuff) but the total of around 250 was rather shocking This is not the well-curate closet of someone who loves a large wardrobe. I did not count (yet) workout gear, undies, loungewear, or stuff I wear only for concerts. I need to be methodical about doing a big clear-out, else I'll just start a bonfire in my closet. NOT a good idea in a wooden house.

I'm not going to post all the numbers, just the highlights of the most severely overstuffed categories.

I have 56 Tops AND 56 Sweaters. Wow, how did THAT happen! (well, I do know...) I actually do not know if, buried in those piles, I have a good number of tops and sweaters for all four seasons, that I want to wear. I'm going to assume the answer is yes :-).

With one exception, all other categories were reasonable. The exception is footwear. I wear boots and/or loafers/oxfords 3/4 of the year. I used to wear pumps but not any longer. I have 5 pairs of ankle boots (3 black), one tall boot, and 2 very plain loafers. Kind of pitiful. I have 3 pairs of sporty boots for snow, and no stylish loafers or oxfords.

What I need is a trade-in facility where I can trade in 10 old tops for 1 pair of new shoes and I'd be all set!! I don't think Nordstrom offers this.

I used Tanya's "love, like, don't care" system and came up with about 70 overall, including 32 that were tops or sweaters, so that's an easy place to start, after I make sure I'm not getting rid of the one top that works with a specific topper etc. Most of the don't cares were bought last year or earlier so I'm doing better at buying stuff I like or love.

I'm exhausted Need to go do something else for a while. I do need to dive deeper into the categories but only after I start weeding out.

I am actually very glad to have done this, and thank everyone for the inspiration.

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Anonymous

I am so glad you did it too!!!! You have just learned so much about yourself, your preferences, your buying habits. This can really focus future buying plans. Yay for you.

Tanya

Veteran

Great job, Chris, and an excellent analysis! I am glad you find my system useful.

It looks like you are off to an excellent start and have identified many tops/sweaters that need to go. It also sounds like you need to go shoe shopping, possibly my favorite activity to do. You are in luck because oxfords and loafers are really trending and there is a lot to choose from.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great job, Chris. Along with bra fittings, new specs, and hair, this is the true start of an updated style that truly works for you.

I love Tanya's system of love, like, don't care. I somehow missed it on the other threads. Great way to go.

And it is time to go shopping for footwear!! Yay!!!

deb

Veteran

Good job! Yes, it is difficult but well worth all of the work.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Great job counting and choosing what to keep. The numbers aren't as crazy when you divide by 4 :).
Tanya's categories are going to be very useful for me. I also missed them previously, so thanks for mentioning them.

Sal

Veteran

I would like that trade in system too!!

Your four season climate means you do need more than someone like me where my range is much narrower.

The most common range is 50-77 F (10-25C) but extremes are 32-86 (0-30F). The 15th of August is winter and it is currently about 58C.

Yes tops and knits sound like they could do with a prune out, I sometimes try and wear them all once just to see if it still works for me or not.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well done! As your sorting, I would encourage you to think about how often you like to repeat outfits, rewear items, and do laundry. This might affect how much you keep. Also, I've found a lot of joy in short seasonal capsule. For me, there are not 4 seasons, there are 8!

High Summer (July 4 - Labor Day)
Early Autumn (Labor Day - mid October)
Brisk Autumn (Late October - Thanksgiving)
Holiday (T-Day - New Years)
Deep Winter (Jan - early March)
Cool Spring (mid march - late April)
Late Spring (Late April - Memorial Day)
Early Summer (early June - July 4)

The items worn overlap, of course, but when I plan my wardrobe, I expect to wear my sleeveless tops on their own this time of year, but many will be layered under jackets in early autumn and cool spring.

Hope you had a nice rest after your impressive labor!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love Beth Ann's seasonal count. I used it myself some years ago and found it helpful. I still use it in a manner of speaking although a bit less formally. I simply move certain items into and out of storage around those times so that the wardrobe transitions well.

Summer

Veteran

Chris, you are working wonders with your wardrobe, so I'm sure you will edit it beautifully.
I, too, like the sound of Tanya's Love/Like/Don't Care system.

Staysfit

Veteran

Chris, your total is not far off for a four season climate. I have a moderate -large size wardrobe, and I think my total hovers between 250 -300, not counting shoes, lounge wear or shoes.

verdant

Love the insight shared in this thread. I, too, have a larger wardrobe which is a privilege (and a responsibility to maintain.) Living in the Midwest means climate extremes in temperature, humidity, and sunlight. TY to Beth Ann for identifying these variations as 8 seasons!. As I edit, I will be aware of any emotional connection ala Tanya. Have a great week!

unfrumped

Veteran

More empathy and encouragement here.
I have a lot of tops, too. Im sure one reason is because they're easier to fit than pants . Another is because I wear different lengths and shapes with oants vs. skirts and then even different ones for different pant styles. I think this is OK (or maybe just unavoidable) but then it is a problem if I add more colors and prints in each category.
Also have too many sweaters. I say too many based on that they are wool/ cashmere and therefore require special washing and on how much space has to be devoted to moth- proof storage for them. Several large containers. I can't just keep them out year- round.

I run cold so, I can wear a lot of sweaters during our coldest 4 months or so, but it's not really a good use of space to have so many that I might only wear some of them one time.
As you said, there are different ones that go with different bottoms or toppers but I think it will just require more making a choice for just the very favorites and which include the ones that are " reliably fab" -- always fit right and have the right proportion. Proportions are my nemesis for outfit happiness. Then stay with smaller capsules and don't just add another color.

Chris987

Veteran

Yes Suz, definite yay on the footwear. Time to rekindle my affair with the UPS guy(s).

Thanks Deb!

Barbara Diane you are right that if I divide by 4 it's not quite so daunting.

Good suggestion Kiwiga; about wearing once...I think I'm going to put a bunch of stuff into a holding zone to make sure I try wearing some and/or make sure they are really total losers before I purge.

Thanks Beth Ann, and GREAT idea about the 8 seasons. The way you have laid it out would work exactly for me too! Thanks Suz for confirming how well it works.

Thank summer!

Staysfit, good to know, I think part of the reason I was so stunned by the number was that I already knew there was a bunch of stuff that needed to go. Plus I started imagining all the time and $$ invested in not so great choices. Oh well, we've all been there I guess, no where to go but forward! Reminds me of something a friend said recently..."your past is part of who you are, but it does not need to define your future".

Thanks Verdant, yes you are right about larger wardrobes requiring more maintenance.

Unfrumped totally with you on the sweaters. For example I have 5 really lovely cashmere cardigans, all bought at Lord & Taylor which still does cashmere well (or did 5 years ago when I bought them), in different colors, all in a very classic style. I cannot bear to part with them, in part because I think they might come back into style, but I don't always feel fab in them. They require care of course.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chris, don't worry! Your closet needs an edit and we will help you. It's all a work in progress.

Remember that my 125-130 piece wardrobe does not include underwear, yoga wear or loungewear either. And that living in a 4 season climate means you need a larger wardrobe.

Nishaa

Yay Angie.... My number too is 130. Four seasons.
Right now it's +15... But 130 is my lucky number.

viva

Veteran

I know you are exhausted but I hope you feel like you have accomplished something because you definitely have. I feel very directed right now, and I am excited about making purchases this fall .... I probably won't think about the numbers again until next August (when Suz counts hers -- haha) but right now, I feel like I won't get trapped in emotional scattershot buying this autumn, because i have a handle on what I've got. For me, that's the real value of this exercise. I hope you feel that way too, Chris.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Don't worry YLF will square you away. I think it is awesome that you are holing yourself accountable. Wow. I don't even want to think of my number.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Angie! Yes I realized I need to slow down a little and spend a little time every day rather than the big bang theory. And yes I know YLF will help me, so happy about that. And yes I get that about the larger wardrobe needed for my climate. Your Blue/white outfit yesterday reminded me that you live in a more temperate climate and don't need so many of the extremes in outfits as I do.

Nisha - interesting that you have a lucky number!

Viva thanks so much! I love your comments about feeling focused and " I won't get trapped in emotional scattershot buying this autumn, because i have a handle on what I've got"...I'm not there yet but intend to get there very soon!! I DO feel that I've accomplished much. It's a wonderful feeling and totally different from how I have felt at the start of every other shopping season in the past.

Thanks Ledonna. The counting thing is not for everyone. If I had as awesome and artistic a wardrobe as you do and used it as a major part of my home décor (I remember you saying you store in all in the open) I might feel totally differently I have a number of water color paintings done by my Mom and others on her side of the family and I would NEVER count those for the purpose of paring down.

unfrumped

Veteran

I haven't actudlly counted every single thing but wouldn't feel overly compulsive if I did.
It's not thd exact count-- but still, basic arithmetic is useful to me because I can relate that to days in the week or month, and season, and I do love Beth Ann's mini- seasons.
Because if I had 30 sweaters and ? 60 -80 days to wear them, it will break down to few just a couple of wears per sweater, or wearing faves and ignoring others, or some " special event" sweaters, or something, and I can decide whether that's the right path.