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Count it Out

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Seeing Kate's post listing the numbers in her wardrobe in another thread made me curious about how many of each item everyone has in their wardrobes. I'm not counting things in drawers (undergarments, lounge and gym wear, knit tops, etc)
Here's what is hanging in my closet (several of these items are on their way out soon- just haven't gotten around to another closet clean out yet):
8 dresses
3 pair of pants/jeans (I do have two more pair in the dresser, and 4 pair of shorts)
3 sleeveless tops
5 lightweight tops
6 tunics
4 shrugs/lightweight sweaters
2 vests
1 wool flyaway cardigan
4 jackets
1 trench coat
1 puffer
1 wool coat

What about you?

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Fun - I am totally doing this tonight.

Did the accounting reveal any obvious holes?

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

ohh, I have thought of doing this before, but never actually got around to it. I will do a tally tonight!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

You know what's funny is that I see those number (which I am sure are way lower than most people's), and I see how many items that I am counting that I have already mentally gotten rid of. I should just get rid of those pieces and be done with it.

Anonymous

Khris, I commend you on keeping a smallish working wardrobe. Since my weight stablized I find that thrifting and sales have stuffed the closet and it's in serious need of editing. I just counted summer/year-round stuff in a couple of areas. Some of this is leaving at the end of the summer.
14 clams/wlk shorts/knee length cargos
7 non-denim casual pants
9 trouser style pants/dress pants (half are too big)
7 jeans
14 skirts
11 dresses
I've not counted tops, but I've got way too many

Louise

Veteran

This could take a while! I'll do a count and get back to you x

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Chewy, I think my wardrobe total is even more paltry than yours.

6 dresses (3 winter, 1 summer, 2 party)
4 prs jeans (2 bootcut, 2 unworn jeggings)
2 pairs denim walking shorts
6 skirts incl. winter and summer, at least 2 orphans
1 sleeveless top (silk handmade orphan)
1 lightweight top (ss black AT blouse)
3 tunics (all new, unworn)
3 lightweight sweaters (these are all in the drawer, which I didn't count)
2 flyaway/cascading cardigans - unworn
5 jackets (2 summer, 2 winter, 1 new bf blazer!)
1 trench coat (and 1 on order)
2 puffers
2 wool coats
1 leather moto jacket

I have been trying to bulk up my fall/winter wardrobe, so forgive me for any omissions!

It's still kind of a sad wardrobe. I have done serious culling, but only now have started the replacing process!

Kate

Veteran

Oh Chewy, you've found one of my most obsessive compulsive habits! On my desktop I have a word document called "clothing list" which... lists all of my clothes. It almost fills a full 6 pages, though I think it would be closer to 5 pages if I didn't include heading for each section and weblinks for most of the shoes. And no, I have no idea why I decided to keep the web links for the shoes, since I know what all of them look like and wrote down their brand and style name.

Anyway, for the sake of transparency here's the more detailed count:

trousers: 5
jeans: 5
skirts: 17
walking shorts: 4
shorts: 3
dresses: 14
long sleeved shirts: 14
short sleeved shirts: 21
tanks: 13
camisoles: 9
woven shirts: 7
jackets/blazers: 9
cardigans: 9
sweaters: 6
hoodies: 3
leggings: 3
tights: 4
scarves: 10
belts: 10
shoes: 15 (1 boot, 2 flip flops, 3 sandals, 2 sneakers, 3 low heels, 4 heels)
light trench: 1
winter trench: 1

For me a lot of those numbers seem absurd. I can't believe I own 64 shirts! It doesn't feel like I own that many because some of them are more versatile (or just better) than others and they get the most wear. So I really need to focus on giving them more equal attention, and donating, dying, or altering the shirts that aren't getting much love because they aren't quite right.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just counted my boots. That's it for now

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I was going to do this last night, but got too tired and went to bed

marianna

Veteran

Currently living out of a suitcase:

- 1 pair of denim bermuda shorts
- 4 lightweight tops/blouses
- 2 dresses
- 1 pair of leggings
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair ballet flats

That was easy.

My closet has a lot more stuff, obviously. Don't have access to it now so I can't count.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I was really intrigued by this thread this morning, so after doing all my ironing and putting away, this afternoon I went off to do some counting... I honestly thought I didn't really have that much... BUT...

Dresses - 22 (about 8-10 day dresses the rest are formal/party/going out)
Skirts - 3 (rarely worn)
Pants - 1 (can't remember when last worn)
Shorts - 2 (my new pairs!)
Jeans - 6 (2 skinnies in regular use and 4 backups - old/bootleg etc)
L/S knit tops - 16 (layering T's and outer T's)
S/S knit tops - 12
Vests - 2 knit, 1 denim
Cardi's s/s - 4
Cardi/Sweaters l/s - 5
Winter Coats - 2 - 1 longer, 1 short
Jackets - 5
Leggings - 4
Woven tops - 9 (l/s & s/s)

Fancy Dress Costume - 1 (Saloon Girl!)
Bags - regular - 4
Bags - small - 3
Bags - clutch - 3
Shoes - 26 pairs... and about 18 of these are heels... what HAVE I been thinking???

But, physically counting everything has pointed out a few things that will need to go - a couple of those dresses prob won't make it through this Summer, and that single pair of pants hasn't been worn in years...

It's also highlighted that I really have enough winter clothes considering my usual climate!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Pants: 2
Skirts: 6
Dresses: 40+

I have to stop on that. It's no better on the shoes, cardigans, knit tops/tee-shirts side.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can do my 2's:

2 waistcoats

2 pairs of sandals

2 pairs of clamdiggers

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Hmmm, I am going to be putting some of this on ebay in the weekend, but aside from winter woollens, (which are packed away), this is what I have in my wardrobe...

15 scarves
18 dresses (some of these are evening wear that I need for my job)
4 tunic dresses
2 pairs trousers
2 coats
1 moto jacket
1 trench
4 blazers/jackets
1 vest jacket
8 cardigans
2 bermuda/shorts
12 tops
8 shirts/blouses
18 skirts - I was going to try and justify this by saying that some of these are for cocktail wear, but actually only 2 of these are.
2 pair jeans
2 jeggings
3 leggings
9 tanks

Lisa

Veteran

I need to do this when I get home today. A proper count may help jump start my closet purging.

I do wonder though, how do you decide when you have enough clothes?

(And inversely, how do you decide how much to keep?)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's just a really personal decision. The amount of space you have, your work/leisure activities, your laundry schedule and personal preferences all come into play when deciding on how much to keep. If something fits, flatters, and is not worn out- I keep it unless I have not worn it for some other reason and do not foresee myself wearing it again. Otherwise, it goes. I have a very small closet, and an entirely casual lifestyle. I like to keep my wardrobe pretty small. I have found that about 5 pieces of basic types (sleeveless woven tops, shorts, etc) is enough for me to feel covered and not clog up my closet. That also allows me to be really picky about what pieces I bring in- they have to really be perfect to get a slot.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Okay, I have finally had a chance to do my totals, I have excluded camisoles, pjs and accessories but everything else and all seasons are counted
Knit tops 4
Thermal tops 2
Knitwear 3
Blouses or woven tops 6
Dresses 7
Evening wear 2
Wedding dress 1
Winter Coats 3 (although 1 will be in the next donate pile)
Jackets 4
Shorts 1
Jeans 5 (1 for gardening and housework) 1 pair of cream with zippers, 1 pair of purple straight legs, 1 pair of indigo straight legs, 1 pair of skinnies.
Skirts 6 (1 which needs a simple alteration)
Trousers 3

Lisa

Veteran

Khris-Thanks for your feedback, it looks like I need to become more selective with my wardrobe.

Ok here are the totals, I did not include coats, that's another closet/project.

Jackets/Blazers-15
Cardigans-19
Jeans-18
Button Down shirts/Woven tops-15
Knit Tops-14
Sweaters-23
Dresses-14
Trousers-4 (and one of those are ponte pants)
Skirts-2
Shorts-4 (2 are bermuda's)
T-Shirts-26
Blouses-8
Vests/Waistcoats-4
Long Sleeve T-shirts-23
Tank tops-18

oh my, when I look at this list, I'm somewhat embarrased. I obviously have plenty of clothes, but there are many items I don't like and don't wear. Even worse, this total was AFTER a recent closet purge of TWO bags of clothes. My husband thinks I'm nuts for 1-owning so much and 2-still buying more when these items are not worn out yet. Even worse, I feel like I am buried in my clothes. And, there are quite a few orders in process that are making their way to my place, which will shift these numbers.

I know part of my problem is, I don't understand how to have a streamlined, small, efficient wardrobe, when I have FOUR season weather and until recently (6 months) I had a business work environment. Therefore many items were "work" or "weekend" designated but not both. Currently I have a casual work environment, so I can combine work wear with weekend wear. Somehow that hasn't helped me streamline though. Sigh.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm down to 1 knitted top.

Lisa

Veteran

Angie-Does that mean you only wear button down shirts (if you have no knit tops)?

Kate

Veteran

Lisa, what sticks out to me is that (other than jeans) the numbers indicate that your collection of bottoms is much smaller (and maybe more streamlined and efficient?) than your collection of tops. Did you just give away a ton of bottoms, or is there something different about the way you approach non-jean bottoms?

Lisa

Veteran

Kate-I hate shopping for bottoms. I find them hard to fit, they are always the smaller collection of items in my wardrobe. (Although I do have two pairs of the BR Martin's on order and two different brands of cargo trousers so these numbers might shift) I do get tired of my smaller collection of bottoms, which is probably why I buy so many tops, I'm looking for ways to vary up my outfits without the bottom shopping anxiety.

Maya

Veteran

I'm awaiting approval on something at work so I have time to think about this, but it's all from memory...

I know I have only 3 knit tops, including tunics: 2 Sweet Peas, 1 from H&M
Cardigans: 5, including the one I bought today
Jackets: 6
Vests/waistcoats: 2
Coats: 4
Woven tops, including tunics: I can only think of 7 though I think I'm missing something
Dresses: 14
Jeans: 6, if you included jeggings
Pants: 2
Belts: 2
Hosiery/leggings: 7
Skirts: 5, but probably down to 2 soon (3 are in a holding zone)

Things I can't be bothered to count now: necklaces, footwear, bras/undies, socks

Interesting exercise. I can definitely see where I need to focus more or less. Oddly I feel the need to focus more on dresses, even though they are the most plentiful option. I so clearly love them and a few of them aren't everyday dresses or are closer to tunics or not suitable for some seasons.

I would also like more jackets, since 2 of the ones I counted should probably be tossed and I wear jackets all the time in winter layered under my coat. I'd rather work on jackets than cardigans.

I think the fact that I can remember my wardrobe so well means it is nice and small and efficient.

Lisa

Veteran

Maya I am in awe of your list, we have the same climate, pass along any tips you have for making your small wardrobe 4 season friendly.

Maya

Veteran

I think the answer is layers and dresses, Lisa. I have lots of dresses (maybe not as many...or even half as many as Kristen, but relative to everything else I own). These cut down on the clutter because they are standalone pieces. They are also VERY versatile for the most part. I can wear them in summer on their own with sandals, in fall over leggings with flats or oxfords, and in winter over jeans with boots. If it gets cold I can throw on a jacket or cardigan and put a cami underneath if necessary. I wear jackets under coats, as I said, and keep them on all day in the winter. I have 2 sleeveless dresses, one gray and one black, that I can layer underneath or on top of, or wear on their own. Hosiery and leggings also help bridge summer and fall, and winter and spring.

I think dresses, jackets, and cardigans should be my main focus now that I think of it. Maybe yours too

This might help:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/09/.....to-autumn/

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No, Lisa. I wear woven blouses, knitwear and dresses too. Just don't wear T's or knitted tops - bar the one I have.

Lisa

Veteran

Maya-Thanks for the link and the info. It looks like I need to start thinking a little more about my pieces before I buy. (ie, is it layering friendly?) Right now I am stuck with lots of one season clothing as my entry to Chewyspagetti's challenge will show.

Angie-Ah, ok, that makes sense.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Sorry to hijack, but what is the difference between knitwear and knitted tops? I'm sure you've explained it before.

Luinae

(website)

I have:

2 trousers
2 skirts
2 cardigans
7 dresses
6 jackets/blazers
8 t-shirts
4 long sleeve shirts

I obviously need new trousers and skirts! Back-to-school shopping, here we come!

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