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File card wardrobe item List?

unfrumped

Veteran

Does anyone keep just a 3 x 5 card file of wardrobe items?
I know there are a number of wardrobe management apps with photos and organizing features. I have an (incomplete) typed list of wardrobe items, aiming to update.
But part of me wants to just have physical cards, one for each item, kind of a palpable accounting of numbers in categories. And “ Hold” section, and “ removed “ section ( I keep new/ discards in notebook that can be sort of forever, but would keep the cards for maybe just a year). And make outfit notes.
I’m sure this is just a matter of how much one enjoys technology, outfit photos and outfit- generators, logging on to make revisions and such.

24 replies

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cat2

Veteran

I use a bunch of lists in the same general purpose notes app I use for the rest of my household lists. I also started saving screen shots of what I buy, including the price.

Runcarla

Veteran

I’ve got everything in Finds. (It was a lockdown project.) I keep a written list and a journal (paper and pencil) for purchases, edits, thoughts and ideas.

Anonymous

I think that's an interesting idea- and can quickly see a few advantages and "extra" uses for that kind of system. I personally can barely create a grocery list, never mind keep track of my wardrobe.

unfrumped

Veteran

Lisa p- I know! I have had electronic grocery lists in past but don’t use now and keep meaning to modernize with phone, but ...
And, a downside of a card file is not being able to visually scan contents as easily-require riffling through , so that’s both good and bad.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I recently had to explain what a Rolodex is to my son. He is going through a phase of amazement at the predigital world, lol.

For myself, I’ve been accepting that some digital “solutions” work and others are just reiterations of a problem.

An advantage of physical cards would be that you could move each to the front as you wore the corresponding item, so over time it would naturally be rearranged to have your most worn items up front. You might want to consider different colors for different categories.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That sounds fun! Why not

It reminds me of when I was a retail buyer before elaborate computer systems. Everything in catalogues, files, work books, posters, and scrap books.

I keep close track of my own wardrobe, editing, and shopping in Finds. And have a spreadsheet for purchases, returns, and my budget. I guess I am digital now!

rachylou

Veteran

That’s a good idea. I know I for one and can’t use my phone or computer as any sort of planner. Index cards would be easier to sort than a list on paper!

Minaminu

Veteran

I use an app called stylebook to track my usage and also to visualise what are the missing pieces. I also have a separate budget where I track my purchases and plan my next spends.

notsaf

Veteran

I use Finds too. Keep a collection of "Retired" items each year for those I pass on, but I can imagine creating a virtual holding zone, as well.

Anonymous

I have been using Finds lately. It has been very helpful!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am even more old-fashioned than what you suggest, my whole wardrobe is written out in sections on an A4 pad, with when in years the item was bought, the number of wears by tally marks, the cost and the cost per wear. It is quick in the morning to make a tally mark, but more time-consuming every couple of months to re-write the lists. I do that when they get ratty-tatty. I find doing this has helped out of sight with all sorts of wardrobe management. I do get awfully tired of the computer since I use one all day at work, I don’t want to go to it when I get dressed!

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks Jenni Z- I also experienced the computerization off medical practice, with hours spent in the EMR. I can’t claim that much fatigue now , but I think I might be interested in experiencing some further wardrobe planning and downsizing with pen and paper. Partly because I do also keep a logbook with wardrobe ins and outs , a page monthly ( whether there’s much or not. )
I may just do it and see if I get worn out before cataloging is completed!

LaPed

Veteran

I’m a pen-and-paper list maker, though I’ll admit I haven’t been super mindful about updating my wardrobe list this past year. I have a substantial chunk of it entered in Finds, mostly for the ease of sharing with others when writing posts. I don’t really use it for wear tracking/budgeting/etc.

The flash card idea is appealing. It would be better than a single sheet of paper for creating capsules, mix/match, and representing ins/outs.

SarahD8

Veteran

That's an intriguing idea. It seems like it would be useful for, say, weekly outfit planning as the cards would help you see what options were "left" that you hadn't yet worn that week or whatever.

You could also have a section for "not clean but not dirty" items to encourage yourself to wear an item again and cuke it through the laundry.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Ha Sarah D8, my DD2 calls those clothes "half-dirty"!

SarahD8

Veteran

JenniNZ that's a good term for it!

"Cuke it through the laundry" on the other hand is not a term at all. I wonder what I meant? Move it through, maybe

Sal

Veteran

Why not? Whatever works for you.

I use finds and I have a spreadsheet for additions and a full list (my gear is mostly not in finds).

I don't track wears usually - except for the odd month (I think three months total in my time in YLF when I have done challenges).

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, why not incorporate both? @Unfrumped You mentioned file cards won't allow you to scan through quickly - so why not still make those, but also keep a longer list somewhere (like @JenniNZ does)? You might need to update it here & there but, if it's also in categories & by pen & paper, then I guess just crossing things out or Tippex (corrector fluid) over them could work (especially if you're fond of the 'one out one in' rule)?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I wondered about “cuke it through” lol. To me, “cuke” is “cucumber”.
For clothes that are half clean, half dirty, I say “clirty”.

unfrumped

Veteran

Zaeobi, yes, I do have a supposedly comprehensive typed list on my computer.
FI, I’m also trying to reduce my “ half dirty “ collection! I’m very temperature- fickle and now with being home, I may change clothes from warmer to cooler and back. Then if I get energized to wear a “ real outfit “ to do errands , I’ve got that lightly worn.
So I’m trying to focus more on capsules of items that I might use for the weather and outings for a few days, wash, rinse, and then repeat or try out another grouping.
Not rigid, but to learn more about what works best or doesn’t.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Whether they’re clirty (with “CL”) or half dirty, I resigned myself ages ago to the fact that I do just as you describe. When I was teaching and doing research, I wore different clothes for each, and others for working out. I always have a row of hooks for those clothes in my bedroom or, failing that, a simple rack I can hang them on. The key for me is to remember to wipe it clean every six weeks or so. Otherwise, when the weather shifts, I pull out other things to wear and the stuff on the rack just stays there and piles up.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I do the same thing with my 'clirty' clothes! My closet is in the middle of our hallway, so I have a few hooks on the back of my door for the upcoming week's outfits. If there's anything I managed to wear without sweating right through it (lol tmi sorry; subtropical humidity will do that to you), I'll create a new outfit with the remaining pieces as I gear up for the following week.

Greyscale

Veteran

Half-dirty tops (a few shirts that stand far off my body enough that they don't get sweaty) go back on their hangers and I clip a clothespin onto the hanger to remind me. Half-dirty jeans stay out on my clothing chair for a day to air out, then get folded and put back in a dresser drawer (or stay piled on the chair for days...). I used to have a row of hooks in a closet, in a previous house, but I just piled things on for months and never remembered what was there.

I have redundant wardrobe lists: a Pinterest board with sub-boards by item type, and a spreadsheet. Pinterest is super easy because I pin the item whenever I buy something. (Much like Finds, but I had it set up before that came along, so never switched.) The spreadsheet tracks cost, date purchased, etc. I enjoy updating it when I'm procrastinating on more important tasks because it makes me feel so industrious!

Anonymous

I like brainstorming and planning by actually writing on paper, but then for visualizing my wardrobe it’s helped me a ton to upload everything into Stylebook. And I use it way more than I thought I would. Now any potential purchases get added and imaginary outfits created to test them.