Basics editing: logistics ETA: Challenge complete! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

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

Basics editing: logistics ETA: Challenge complete!

nemosmom

Veteran

Oooh, logistics question following today’s timely blog post (I seem to be all about numbers lately):

Is there an ideal number of everyday undies, bras, socks, and pjs YOU keep? Obviously, like Angie mentioned, you don’t need 20 demoted-to-sleep tees, and I am sure it depends greatly on your personal tolerance for doing laundry, but what is a good number?

General

32 replies

Latest reply was from Barbara Diane

anchie

Veteran

I am seconding your question, would like to know that too. I am all about numbers

kellygirl

Veteran

I tend to have too much of everything when it comes to foundations. I don't like to run out of the good stuff. I got rid of the chaff and have enough underwear for two weeks and six bras--two of which are racerback and go unworn during cold weather. (Also not counting the uncomfortable strapless that is hanging around in the event I ever need it.) PJ pants--I have one flannel bottom and two cotton and have three old tee shirts I wear with them.

Helena

Veteran

My general rule of thumb is, if I somehow miss a laundry cycle, which for clothes is weekly, it shouldn't be the end of the world. So that looks like roughly:

14 undies
14 socks
about 5 bras (wash every 2 -3 wears usually)
about 4 jammies (wash every 3 wears usually)

I find those numbers give me about enough variety for my needs (e.g. a few nude and a few black bras; a few thin and a few thicker socks).

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is what I've got. Like I said on the blog, I will probably cull some of the warm base layers, because I'm not wearing them, but first I want to wait for life to settle down and see if next winter is colder. Also, if I start wearing some of them, I might just hang onto the rest until the first ones wear out. They're all in decent to good condition. My pjs and bras are in the best shape of all of it.

9 undershirts (including 2 long-sleeved)
8 bodysuits (that I wear essentially like undershirts, although a couple are T-necks)
14 pairs of tights
8 pair footless tights/leggings
5 longjohns
18 pr socks.
15 pieces of loungewear/pjs

28 underwear

4 bras (need more, because some fit better than others)

I plan to get a highboy dresser for just this stuff, my workout clothes, and jewelry.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, you don’t want my answer. I have Laundry Neuroses. A pathological need to sort and separate. Therefore I need enough to justify a full load of laundry. 30 for everything...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have more than I need, even if I miss a weekly laundry cycle. Not counting, but you get an idea from my recently-Kondo’d (1) underwear and (2) pajama/loungewear drawers here.

I don’t mind having a bit extra (since I have the space), so that when some things wear out and leave by attrition, I’m not scrambling for new ones. I also feel like my stuff lasts longer because I’m rotating items less frequently.

This post has 2 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.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I try to keep numbers down to around this:
Flannel pj bottoms and T-shirts, 4 sets.
Cotton pj shorts and sleeveless knit tops, 6 sets.
Fleece draped cardigan for a robe.
Underpants, 15, all the same style, various colors.
Bras, 10 (wash every wear). One black, two navy, the rest nude.
Running bras, 8 in various colors.
Camisoles, 5. One each of white, cream, navy, 2 black.
Cuddle duds long sleeve undershirt, 1.

While I TRY to limit socks, I currently own 8 or more pairs of EACH: black, gray, tan or brown, navy or blue, white, fun prints in various color ways ankle socks; sneaker socks in various colors, wool and tech running socks, gray sneaker socks for the gym, wool hiking socks; cute wool colorful ankle socks, knee socks. Don’t multiply the 8 by the dozen categories or you will keel over in shock. I haven’t found (haha) any other way to avoid laundry bottlenecks because if it’s hot and I wear Converse tennis shoes all week, I need 7 pairs of sneaker socks. If I go on Colorado vacation, I will probably need several pairs of hiking socks. Socks are not seasonless like underpants.

So, you may not want to follow my example in the socks department.

Runcarla

Veteran

My numbers are the same as torontogirl's - enough to get me through 2 weeks in an emergency (though I run laundry every other day). I do have extra 'specialty' socks - specific to sports, and some work-wear woollies (used to make monkey dolls!) for when I wear my rubber boots.

I have a 6+2 dresser (2 shallow 'jewellery' drawers). 1/6 drawer is for smalls and socks. 2/6 drawers are for sports gear. I have 6 sports bras!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Carla, High five — I also have six sports bras, and it’s not at all unusual for me to go through them all in a week! Especially in summer.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Approximately:

25 pairs of undies

8 to 10 bras (I love bras!)

25 camisoles (I wear a camisole daily)

2 sets of thermals

Loads of socks, footies and knee-highs for different purposes.

8 sets of pj's and lounge wear (4 sets for warm and cold weather season)

3 sets of yoga outfits

1 bikini and cover-up

ZERO old tees (don't wear them)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

In defense of old T's, especially those given out (or purchased) at events, as tangible objects that bring forth good memories, they can be absolutely lovely items to keep. I have that reside with my other T-shirts, and wouldn't think of getting rid of them.

Otoh, as a friend on a different blog said in a discussion of Kondo this week "If all I kept were things that 'spark joy', I would have ZERO bras" (emphasis in original). I quite agree!

Anonymous

Zero t shirts of any sort, thats easy for me. Otherwise a weeks worth for everything- except knickers, probably 2 weeks. And socks I have a lot, as they travel in packs! Will do count if time over the weekend.

nemosmom

Veteran

Janet, your drawers are lovely! Nice work on your edit!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

For undies, I think it depends on whether you like to wear them as sets. I do (i.e. I want my bottoms to match my tops in colour) so I try to have at least 3 to 4 bottoms for every bra. I have 1 black, 1 dark grey, 3 nude, 1 rose pink, and 2 fuchsia bras.

These go in the delicate wash which I don't do as frequently so I like to have extras.

6 camisoles/ tanks for layering.

3 sets of thermals of differing weights.

For PJs -- I have two sets of "winter" or flannel type PJs. (We do laundry quite often for non-delicates). I try to have 3 sets of summer PJs (men's boxer shorts and demoted but still pretty tees.) I may increase my numbers here this year.

Socks/ hose -- I am not sure how many I have -- I have a variety of types and thickness and they all fit in a little bin.

Gear: 3 sports bras (I need a new one!). 4 to 5 short sleeved/ sleeveless workout tops. 1-2 longer sleeved workout layering tops. 2 pairs of full-length leggings, 2 pairs of cropped leggings, 2 pairs of running/ workout shorts.

2 bathing suits and rash guard.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Is anyone else amused by comments about peeping each other's drawers?

Jules

Veteran

I may technically have the numbers for two weeks but become frustrated after 7-9 days or so because I’m stuck with stuff I don’t want to wear due to fit, comfort, etc. I’ve been working on getting rid of most of the stuff I never actually wear because it sucks, and replacing it so I won’t be so annoyed when I’m not getting help with the laundry (ahem - I’ve realized my husband can go longer without doing laundry than the rest of us, and I need to better match his habits, cough cough).
I agree with FashIntern about tees - I keep old ones for both sentimental and practical reasons (I love to sleep in an old soft cotton tee), but by the same token have no problem getting rid of the ones I don’t like, or with slightly uncomfortable fit, bad fabric, pilling etc. The numbers seem to be stay reasonable this way.

Daisy Avalin

Hanging out for ideas, my underwear/pjs amounts are ridiculous!

Bras: 8 or 9 underwired, 10 or so soft-cup crop top style bras (that I tend to wear for sleeping in)
Knickers & Socks I have loads of, and need to sort through to remove old/holey pairs.
Pjs: I tend to prefer camisole & knickers sets actually in bed but have far too many I don't wear for whatever reason so I need to sort through them. I do have full-length pj bottoms which may or may not have matching/complentary tops that I wear as loungewear, but again I need to sort through them and work out which I actually wear and which I could pass on.

Sara L.

Veteran

I have at least 100 pairs of socks. Long, short, crew, gear, trouser socks, boot socks, running socks, Xmas socks, etc. You name it and I have it. I have the space and I like having a variety so I'm not interested in reducing that number.

I probably have 30 pairs of underwear although I haven't counted. I like to have a variety of colors for everyday wear as I like my underwear to match the color of my bottoms, i.e. black pants, black underwear. I also have a certain style that I prefer to sleep in so I have separate pairs for day and night.

I rewear lounge wear all week long so I have around 3 sets for winter and 3 sets for summer. They're mix and match tees, yoga pants, sweatshirts, etc. I've gone through and removed all the old, holey, worn out pieces.

Running gear is also mix and match - I have around 5 long-sleeve tops, 5 short-sleeve/sleeveless tops, long tights, capris and shorts. It can all be mixed and matched so I have whatever I need for my weather needs.

I have 3 or 4 camis each in white and black to layer under tops for modesty or more warmth.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I’m glad to see a few people have mega collections of socks as I do.

I didn’t know athletic wear was in the list, but that’s dangerous to think of how Way Too Many pieces I have. Long sleeves, short sleeves, tanks, pullover-fleece shirts, soft shell and windbreaker jackets, windbreaker vests, fleece vests, long tights, Capri tights, shorts, very short tights to wear under tights, wind pants, gloves, hats, ear warmers, and a reflective vest. Part of it is because I’ve been running for 15 years and most athletic clothing doesn’t wear out if you hang to dry. I wear just about everything and do quickly cull out anything that gets neglected so I don’t feel crowded.

I went to Colorado to visit my daughter and run a 10K with her. I took several items of running clothes for various weather scenarios. It was hot that weekend at the end of October and I had to borrow a tank and shorts from her because those two things I didn’t take. Haha. So much for covering all situations.

kerry

Veteran

I live in 4 seasons but wear the same pjs all year. I also wear a cami almost everyday - warmth in winter and lounging/sleeping in summer.

I have ...
17 undies (2 weeks plus a few extra)
17 camis
2 lounge bras
8 everyday bras
7 pj pants
2 summer lounger bottoms
5-6 lounger tees
2 winter lounger bottoms
2 lounger hoodies

I do a personal laundry at least every two weeks - often more in summer.

Bras and pjs get 2 wears and loungers 3-4 before laundering.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I sorta use the space limitation method- one drawer for socks, and I like to put different boxes in there to sort them, and there should be space so they’re all visible, not crammed in. I went big into the crazy-sock trend but I won’t use them if I can’t see what I have.

Likewise I have one deep nightstand drawer for pjs and loungewear, and every once in a while I cull tees that have gotten too stretched out or whatever. My tees have to be the perfect fit for sleeping-not too tight, not too loose

Jane

Veteran

I’m keeping a tight hold on undies; I tend to change them all every 6 to 8 months, apart from one expensive strapless bra which isn’t worn a lot. So I have 4 bras and 10 knickers. On other items, 3 pairs of sox. 2 camisoles and 1 chemise. I cotton nightie, 1 silk nightie, 1 pair of Pjs. Maybe 4 pairs of tights, which I’m low on.

I haven’t really room to store lots. I tend to matching knicks and bra every day.

I did have a (skiing) accident and was wearing very basic knicks, and promised myself afterwards I wouldn’t get caught out again!!!

nemosmom

Veteran

Jane - sorry to hear of your skiing accident! I hope you are ok!

Thank you all for your feedback; I realize everyone's needs and are truly individual, but it's a helpful guide for me when I get sucked into a "but what if...." analysis of my edits. i.e., I am not planning to travel for months at a time, to some remote place without running water for washing, so it doesn't make sense to keep 40 pairs of undies That kind of thing...

nemosmom

Veteran

Finished my edit. Surprisingly, I only purged 5 socks, 9 undies, and 2 pieces of swimwear. The remaining undies are ok, but not fantastic, so I am on the hunt for suitable replacement. I am also on the hunt for replacement everyday bras. When I tackle my edit of skirts and dresses I will re-asses my tights and slips. I don't need or use them currently, but I have space to hang on to them for now. I feel settled on everything else for the year.

Here is the list of survivors:

6 undies

4 bras (2 nude and 1 plum day-to-day; 1 uncomfortable-but-necessary strapless) need to replace the day-to-day bras this year

3 slipshorts (2 nude, 1 black)

2 camis (1 nude, 1 black)

5 sets heattech long-sleeve tops and bottoms (worn daily Oct-May)

6 pair winter/woolly socks (may revisit these again, as I seem to be reaching for the same 2 pair)

6 pair liner socks

12 pair sneaker socks

4 pair sherpa lined knee socks (I wear these in winter instead of house slippers)

4 sets of summer pjs/lounge (2 cotton lounge pants, 2 shorts + 4 tanks)

3 sets of winter pjs/lounge (3 fleece pants + 4 tees + 2 fleece lined hoodies)

2 swimsuits, 1 coverup

2 pair tights (1 brown, 1 black) still new in package for dresses I never seem to wear....

2 slips (1 knee length, 1 midi) haven't worn in ages, not sure if I still
need them since none of my skirts or dresses are see-thru....

yoga & dancewear (included because some of the pants and tanks I wear as summer lounge/vacation wear)

3 sports bras

3 sports tanks

3 yoga pants

3 tights

3 leggings

2 leotards

2 pullover tops

1 ripstop jogger

nemosmom

Veteran

photos

LaPed

Veteran

You know, I don't have any sheer dresses or skirts, but I would love to have a slip or half-slip to help mitigate static cling in the winter. It's been on my wishlist for over a year, but I haven't gotten around to investigating my options.

I managed to get my sock drawer down to a really manageable number by switching almost entirely to Darn Tough. They have a lifetime guarantee on all of their socks, so whenever a pair gets holes I bring it down to my gear shop and trade it in. I no longer buy cheap pairs of socks "just in case" and it's sooo nice not to have to sift through mediocre socks every morning. I wear the thin no-shows and micro-crews in the summer, boot socks in the winter, and a mix of thin crew and quarter-crew socks during transitional weather.

nemosmom

Veteran

LaPed - it's strange - I keep hanging on to the slips but they manage to survive every single edit. I've had them for at least a decade and probably bought them to go under a garment that is long passed. Both are by Jockey. I don't wear skirts often anymore, but I like the Jockey slipshorts for avoiding static on my rear.

I have one pair of thinner Darn Toughs and they are one of the two I keep reaching for. I love them! The others are by Columbia, a wool blend with a fleece lining (find below). The outsides have pilled horribly and likely won't survive a season, especially with multiple wash/wears per week, but I love the thick cushion of them.

Columbia 2-pk. Fleece-Lined Wool Crew Socks - Women

View Info

Top Pick

2

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WELL DONE. You did great!

Don't you need more than 6 pairs of knickers?

Jane

Veteran

All good, thanks - the accident was years ago but I do have a lasting memory of being caught out with not such great undies - !!!

well done with the sorting!

12