By the numbers dresses - YouLookFab Forum

I'm slowly creating a spreadsheet of my clothes last week was skirts this week we have dresses.

I hang my head in shame - I have 19 dresses - That is after brutally editing out 6 because 25 was a ridiculous amount of dresses.
What did I learn
1. I have a lot of dresses
2. 8 are summer. Of those 8, 6 are in constant rotation. of the remaining 2 - 1 should be edited out and 1 is a dressy going out/wedding dress.
3. 9 are fall/winter kinda into spring and I love all of them - Wear them all and actually often feel like I don't give them enough love.
4. 2 are straight fall/ winter - again I really like both of these
5. I have a mix of maxi, wrap, and aline which are best for my shape
6. I can't buy another dress without following a strict 1 out for 1 in. Which means I won't be buying any dresses no matter how pretty this fall or winter because I love all my dresses
7. I'm discovering I don't want to be a minimalist as great as it sounds - I want to have choice but I don't want to have as much as I have with clothing because it just confuses me. So I'm trying to find the number right for me.

As always I appreciate feedback and others thoughts on the process. I hope my thinking helps someone else because I learn so much from posts like this and am only able to understand this process from others sharing.

Next weeks by the numbers will be sweaters. (I'm a little scared - I have a lot of knits - I do live in a state where I can wear knits for almost 9 months of the year)

11 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Great dress analysis!

thimblelina

(website)

Yes, perfect. There really isn't an objectively 'right' number, just what's right for you. I think everyone agrees it's sad to own things without wearing them or wear things that make you uncomfortable in your own skin, but if you are wearing them AND enjoying them that's splendid!

cheryl

Don't feel bad, I don't want to be a minimalist either. I think it's wonderful that you love almost all of them. Now that is success!

Suz

It sounds to me as if you have an almost perfect number of dresses for you. Not too many at all. I would just get rid of those you like less and then carefully consider how often you wear the ones you keep. Maybe you'll decide, over time, that you need fewer, or maybe you will start wearing them all more often!

I'll be curious to hear what you discover about the sweaters!

Alana in Canada

Oh frannieb--this can be such a difficult process but you are doing well! You are learning really valuable things about you and your likes and dislikes. Will you track your wears? Do you know how much you wear of each dress in cold, hard numbers? That would be interesting to know.

I think it's smart to realize which dresses are for what season and which seasons you wear more. I have 17 dresses and want only 15. I don't wear them all that often, but when I do I want particular variations.
If you are wearing them all, seems like that's what constitutes the 'right' number for you to have.

Sal

The great thing is that you love almost all of them! I also love dresses - they tend to suit and fit me well and I will often conjure up an occasion to wear them.

Enjoy them!

Deb

If you love your dresses and wear them, keep them. What's the point of getting rid of perfectly good things that you like? Dresses are so feminine and easy....enjoy your 19 dresses without shame!

lyn67

I refuse to count my dresses as I love them all:-). I probably have more than you (including dressy and formal).

cheryle (Dianthus)

I believe the goal with minimalism is to reduce waste by buying only what you need/will use. Since you love the dresses and wear them regularly, they aren't a waste. We are all different and have different needs so no need to measure yourself by another's standard.

frannieb

Thank you for all your kind words

Suz - That is the great thing about counting it is helping me get rid of what I don't love because I can easily see what I do love.

Alanna - That is the next step after I have my wardrobe all tallied - I think that will be interesting. It will most definitely weed more things out of my wardrobe.

Dianthus - Those are great words of wisdom - I do love my dresses and love wearing them.

DonnaF

I have maybe four dresses, and you wear all of yours more than I wear mine. It's not just about numbers. . . .so don't feel guilty!

Beth Ann

Enjoy your dresses! It sounds like most of those occupying your closet are well-loved. It also seems that you have purchased a good variety of dresses for different seasons and occasions. I wouldn't purge anything that gives you pleasure. You might decide not to replace a few as you retire them.

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