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For those with small wardrobes

Sally

Veteran

For those that have small wardrobes, how many pieces do you
have? Do you buy small and wear to death in a season or do you have an ongoing filtering
out process? I learnt quite a lot about my wardrobe
preferences this year. I didn’t do a lot
of shopping this year as my weight remained stable and I found if I had some good
quality pieces, I could rely on them. I
don’t mind wearing things again and again, and I tend to be a uniform dresser. I find too much choice in the cupboard stressful. My mainstays
for the autumn/winter season were these jackets which I had bought last year. I
can’t find a photo of them separately. Someone
advised me to buy the two colours which I thought extravagant at the time, but
they have been worth it. I have attached
the link to the post when I tried them on.
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....se-advise#

I also had a black winter coat from
the previous year. I did
go back to jeans overall but stuck to dark colours and my workhorses were my
black ponte pants, black skinnies and my levis straight jeans. I also purchased
a pair of bootcuts later in the season. I did wear my skirts sometimes as a
change from pants. I wore mainly
thermals and graphic ts. I didn’t wear
any dresses apart from one merino dress over ponte pants. I
relied mainly on 2 pairs of shoes, new combat boots and a pair of pull on boots
I had purchased early 2021, as well as my sneakers. I do have a large collection of scarves so
they provided variation. For casual I tend to wear casual jeans and a
sweatshirt and I have active wear which I wash and wear a lot. It has been an interesting reflection because
I realised I don’t like variety and, if I make the right decision
around my seasonal wear, I can make sound purchases. I don’t track wears, but I would have about 50
wears from each jacket after one autumn/summer season. My
only planned purchases for the spring/summer season is a pair of slides/chunky
sandals, a new swimsuit and a couple of graphic ts. I purchased a pair of white sneakers last
week.

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

LJP

Veteran

I don’t track wears , but have been pondering a post about the value of that practice just today . For someone who recently owned up to having 50 pair of black pants - which looks more absurd each time I see it in writing - I still think I have a small wardrobe . I don’t own skirts or dresses or tons or sweaters …things that others do . It’s all black pants and outerwear , lol. That said , and to answer your question , I’d like to get to the point where I’m wearing things out faster and not having items hang around for years on end in great condition because they rarely get worn . I still need to cut down my buying - and find a better way to deal with the emotions surrounding the desire for new things . I think for that to be successful - the fewer pieces part - I need to rely on more classic /basic pieces instead of 10 variations on the same thing . If that makes any sense . I believe it takes a lot of discipline and self confidence to maintain a small wardrobe /

Sally

Veteran

LJP- I understand the black pants scenario because I have had a tendency to buy skinny jeans over and beyond what I needed ( I wonder why we feel the need to duplicate). or I have bought something that was ok but not completely filling the gaps so I kept a look out. Also advertising has a lot to answer for. As you said maintaining a small wardrobe takes discipline and self confidence and I guess awareness of exactly what your needs are. I guess that could be why some track wears.

Sal

Veteran

I have 100 exactly right now and that includes clothing and shoes (but not scarves, bags or active wear). I have 20 footwear items outside my Asics runners and hiking shoes etc..

But I don't think everyone should have as many or as little as me. Some people prefer less, some people prefer or frankly need more.

Compared to you Sally I think I have a less defined style hence a more scattered approach.

phoebe

Because I "buy small and wear to death", there is also "ongoing filtering" of items that were not well chosen for their function or are in less than very good condition. Pants and tops like t shirts rarely make it beyond a season.

I take very good care of my clothes and even with heavy wear, some items, like boots, outerwear and knitwear last significantly longer.

Sally

Veteran

@Sal. You make some good points. Yes I usually get a formula and repeat it. I also guess it depends on lifestyle as someone pointed out in another post. Even though I work, I do tend to lead a reasonably casual lifestyle and my work clothes don't really go beyond smart casual. I think you probably lead a more robust social life. If I go out to meet people, its usually in the day so I don't need evening wear or even formal wear. I made the mistake before of having a few little black dresses or dressy outfits when it is not something I wear a lot. Same goes for high heels.
@Phoebe - I like the idea of wearing something to death. Like LJP, I would rather get wear out of my clothes than give them away after a few seasons hardly worn.

Runcarla

Veteran

My wardrobe is modest, but I’m not a minimalist - or at least I’m a colourful minimalist! I have between 80-90 items (not counting fitness kit, or socks and underwear). Just about everything is in Finds and breaks down as follows:

-garments 50%
-accessories (hats, bags, scarves, specs, etc.) 35%
-footwear 15%

I turn over between 1/4-1/3 of my closet every year - acquiring 20-25 items and editing out about the same number. Most garments last 3-5 years and chalk up 30 wears or more. Footwear 2-7 years. Outerwear 5-10 years. Winter items last longer than summer items (which get washed more frequently, faded by the sun, and stained by sunscreen.)

My style is casual, classic, and practical. I’m a uniform dresser with a few ‘go to’ silhouettes. I don’t mind repeating outfits, but my wardrobe is ‘mix and match’ so I can squeeze more variety out of fewer garments. I run laundry 2-3 times a week (for a family of 4) so don’t run into bottlenecks.

I do shop second hand, and I’m contemplating a ‘second hand first’ challenge for next year. Although I have sourced ‘like new’ items from charity shops, I’m wondering how already used items might track with regards to wear. A pair of brown plaid cotton pants thrifted (for $10) in fall 2020 were retired June 2022 having clocked 45 (high happiness!) wears. For comparison, my favourite jeans purchased around the same time (for $80) have clocked 75 wears and probably have another year+/-.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks Runcarla. Would second hand first mean you look for the item second hand before buying new in retail? It’s quite a luck game with second hand. My olive utility jacket was $3 and I will be in the $.0 when I think about cost per wear but often if you can’t find in a thrift shop it’s worth buying new. I’m not organised to track wears. I’m happy to just be aware of what I wear a lot.

Runcarla

Veteran

That’s right, Sally. I enjoy the hunt, and am patient, so it could work for me. After all, I did find my HEWI white dress and HEWI cable knit sweater in thrift shops

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The title of your post isn’t addressed to me, someone who might have 40 or 50 pairs of pants, so I hope you don’t mind my comment.

When you said you like to wear things over & over, it struck a chord, because that’s what I do too. Trying to wear a different outfit every day and then posting a collection at the end of the week stresses me out, and not just because of all the clothes lying around. I much prefer to wear the same things over and over for a couple weeks, maybe 2-6 weeks. Right now I’m hung up on my lilac plaid pants. I want to wear them every day with everything, even though it’s getting chillier and yesterday i had to wear tights under them.

After a month or two, at most, I’m ready to move onto something else. I’m not usually tired of the thing I was wearing, but the weather has changed (I hope!) and there is something else I feel very into wearing, so off I go! Maybe that’s the difference, that when you wear a thing over and over, it’s over a much longer stretch of time, so the piece gets physically worn out? Mine gets washed (eventually) and put away.

It means I buy small and plan for more storage space, even if I’m in the US with its built-in closets; I use dressers and storage bins to augment them. It also means less time and money devoted to buying new items. When Angie posts collections, I literally shop my closet for things similar to the pieces I like. They are colors that I know suit me, in fabrics I like, and already paid for.

Sisi

Veteran

To answer your question, here are my numbers of 2021:
6 layering t-shirts (I use them as camisoles therefore I do not know if I have to count them or not)
8 Spring/Summer tops
11 sweaters
13 pants
7 cardi (this category includes cardis, jackets, a poncho and a puffer vest)
8 dresses
14 shoes
12 outerwear

I try to keep a small wardrobe (work in progress). My goal is 60-70 right pieces. Like you, I don't mind to repeat again and again a loved item, I like to wear my clothes to the ground and I find a crammed closet visually and mentally disturbing!

Dee

Veteran

Small wardrobes seem ideal in theory to me but doubt I'll ever achieve one.
I dress for my moods and enjoy variety, so that doesn't seem to work that well with a smaller wardrobe.
Also practically speaking, smaller wardrobes usually means laundering more often, with favorites wearing out quicker which then leads to more shopping anyways.

Minaminu

Veteran

I do have a small wardrobe (80cm in width) and for a while used an app to keep track of my clothes, which is no longer working as my ipad is too old! I am now keeping track on pen and paper and kind of enjoy the process. Still, I am a visual person and resorted to a PowerPoint presentation to see what pieces will be used this winter, which has already started here and I guess that Spring weather will come out in March.

In my case, I tend to focus on quality and mend items as and when needed. I am not afraid of duplicating outfits and I think I still get enough variety with the small qty I currently have for this season. I

recently slimmed down of 10kg and the fittings are getting looser, eventually I will need to replace the darks with the new colour palette.

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Hmm I have what I'd classify as a small closet here (in HK) but have yet to count it... that will probably be a December task, once the academic year gives me a break!

(Disclaimer: I just recently whittled my UK wardrobe down to all-black (with yellow, cream & red accents) in one cupboard. But I don't think that counts, since I can't access it until I next go back!)

Everything here (in HK) has to fit behind the two sliding doors of my wardrobe - except for my PJs & handbags (in bins above), my <15 shoes (separate hallway cabinet), & my specific gear (my hiking & swimming capsules in one bag each).

If I had to guess, I believe I have ~5 in each category of clothing: jersey maxi skirts, dressy ones, soft casual joggers, 'hard' work pants, soft work blouses etc (I keep some duplicates/ similar items for summer, due to more frequent laundry). But it's all in colours that I know I don't mind wearing together - even the brighter ones (everything stays all year round, but is worn with fewer or more layers, depending on the season).

So I don't actually remember the last time I truly wore something 'out' * - all my 'outside clothes' alterations so far have been for fit rather than 'true' repairs (bar one pair of hiking pants I fell over in but darned the leg). What are people counting as 'wearing out' an item - burst seams? Moth holes? An unremovable stain? (The latter is why I carry a Tide to Go pen everywhere lol, just in case).

I'm often guilty of buying items that aren't 'quite' right (in the hopes that I'll alter it or a better one comes along later), so I suppose my filtering process naturally gravitates towards a 'one in one out' process... I'm sure now that I've jinxed it though, one of my beloved items is going to rip lol - hope not!

(*Jenn's post reminded me that I just replaced my FitFlop sandals with the same model, since the strap got too loose. That was only recent, so I guess the COVID brain fog is already getting to me - sorry lol!)

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Wow @Minaminu - so organised! I'm quite a visual person too, so maybe this is why lists haven't worked well for me in the past...

Thanks for the inspiration for my upcoming December closet assessment/ cleanout!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

My numbers are close to Runcarla's. I have 86 items right now, not counting fitness gear, underwear, or sleepwear. To use her categories, my breakdown would be:

Garments 60%
Accessories 25%
Footwear 15%

My style is relaxed boho luxe, and I tend to have a set of essentials that are worn continuously and replaced regularly, along with a collection of statement pieces that stay in my closet for years.

Helena

Veteran

I have about 80 pieces right now including jackets, but not including accessories, shoes or gear. I think I have maybe 15 shoes or so?

In any case, this is still far more than I need and some pieces are rarely worn (not just dressy pieces or strange weather pieces, which I would expect to have lower wears, but even 'essentials' like black tops, as I always seem to gravitate to my favourite one and the rest go idle - dupes don't work for me).

I maintain numbers somewhat unintentionally, with a combination of getting rid of things, buying mindfully (as much as possible and not always successfully!) and wearing things out. Whenever I try to really lower my numbers, I somehow end up buying a bunch of stuff and raising them up again *sigh* ... so I find not trying to manage it too tightly works for the best.

Sal

Veteran

Helena - I am exactly the same size as you for clothes. I also have rarely worn black tops or jackets or things that really could be worn regularly. It can be a mood thing and sometimes one month I will wear something three times and then not wear it for another four months. But I figure getting rid of these tops would be a false economy though as I like them and they give that variety sometimes.

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Chiara

I have a small wardrobe, so can’t accumulate too much. I also enjoy wearing what I have. My focus is having mix and match tops and bottoms for work, and not-work (weekend, holidays), that can span the spectrum from casual to more formal (work) or dressed up (leisure). Clothes for work exit when they start to look worn. Clothes for leisure exit when they look quite worn or are irredeemably stained (I tolerate more wear and tear in the leisure items). Interestingly, post pandemic work is now almost as casual as leisure, the differences are diminishing. Key difference remains footwear- for leisure, I’ll generally wear neat white sneakers or sandals. For work, it’s flat covered toe shoes eg loafers.
I find the key is to have a range in colours and fabrics to avoid boredom. The lessons I’ve learnt are handy- I recently travelled for 4 weeks, with just carry on luggage. I stayed with family for 2 weeks, and they commmented « how come you’ve got different outfits when you have so little luggage? ». Well, I had 3 pants, 3 lightweight short sleeve T shirts, 4 long sleeve tshirts, a blouse for restaurant visits, 2 sweaters, sneakers, ankle boots and sandals. Because every shirt went with each pair trousers, that gave me 21 different outfits plus the blouse outfit. And I didn’t get bored- but laundry…

Sally

Veteran

Stagiaire Fash - I tried the switch in and switch out after a few weeks but I dont have that much time to organise my wardrobe and I forgot what was in the box (could be my perimenopausal brain at fault too).
Sisi - the 60- 70 is inspirational and something I could achieve if I was a bit more disciplined.
Dee- yes I think the small wardrobe is not for everyone as some people crave variety more than others. I am a uniform eater as well. I eat the same food all the time, having a particular bread on order.
Minaminu - your visual planning is amazing but I can definitely see how it works so well and you wouldn't miss things hiding in your closet You're an inspiration.
Zaeobi - I know how hard it is keeping different wardrobes in different countries. I have found that I forget what I left back home. I also tend to buy things that will do in the hope of finding something better but I am hoping more planning will eliminate that.

Sally

Veteran

Jenn - I have long admired your wardrobe organisation and ability to keep a small wardrobe. Is that breakdown planned ? I am also intrigued by the idea of basics and statement pieces and i guess I could categorise mine in the same way. Some people seem to have more basics and few statement pieces.
Helena - Like you I have pieces that I don't wear even though they may seem to be basics. I very rarely wear a white shirt but I keep one in the cupboard and have worn it on occasion.
Sal- You make a good point about the false economy. My white shirt is hardly worn but because I do need it on occasion, it would be unwise to get rid of it.
Chiara - yes the lack of space is a deciding factor in me keeping things small as well as the fact that I like to feel I am getting wear out of my clothes. I think travelling often teaches us how to rely on minimal amount of clothes. I actually enjoy the time living out of a suitcase as it means there are less decisions about what to wear.

Sal

Veteran

Sally - if you like the white shirt and do wear it I would keep it! But if you are keeping it so you have a white shirt that everyone needs, I would pass it on. I don't have a white shirt although I have a white tank and some ecru type blouses.

Joy

Veteran

Sally you are so right about travel, especially in a carry on, teaching us to live with a small wardrobe. On the last trip I took a couple of sleeve lengths for each bottom. I only wore short sleeveless but was prepared if the weather took a chilly turn. I usually pack two bottoms and wear a third. Same with shoes. Scarves give me some variety.

Sally

Veteran

Sal - I think the problem with the white shirt is the fear I have around getting it ruined. It is a really nice shirt and I need to find ways to wear it more. There is a tendency to not dress up so I"m trying to make the effort to wear my clothes even if they seem a bit 'fancy' out. I wore a dress out to meet a friend for coffee today when I might have tended to wear jeans and t-shirt. She wore track pants and a t-shirt. I have another coffee date tomorrow with friends who I imagine will turn up in yoga pants / trackies but I am going to try and wear something different. I did wear the white blouse with my blazer and ponte pants so I do wear it. Its just getting into the habit of not wearing the same old same old.
Joy- Yes travel capsules are great. I guess a minimal wardrobe should just be an extension of our travel capsules with capsules fulfilling all life's wardrobe requirements.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The white blouse could probably be tied over a sleeveless gingham dress, if you go that way with the dresses.
With “switching” it sounds like you think I’m organized, doing something like Helena’s perfect little capsules. Nothing of the sort! For my plaid project, I literally grabbed the plaids and things that would match from the cellar and dumped them on the side of the bed. Yesterday I had to do the closet reorganization, because they were still on one side of the bed, and it was high time to change the sheets. It’s usually not that dramatic. I wear a few things for days, keeping them out. I like to have hooks for “clirty” clothes, but if not, I’ll use a rack or a chair.

Sisi

Veteran

Sally, may I ask what you mean when you say that you eat the same food all the time ? It is very interesting to me.

Sally

Veteran

Stagiaire Fash - good to know there are others who leave their clothes in piles on the bed.
Sisi- I have black coffee when I get up then at around 11 have some toast and some English breakfast tea. I tend to stick to that even when I'm out but I do order two loaves of this healthy bread and mainly eat that. My lunches/dinners might vary a bit but I tend to stick to simple food. I notice others like to try different things. I could live on a diet of buckwheat toast and English breakfast tea.

Helena

Veteran

Sal, completely agree with your assessment - if I have a piece that's rarely worn, but it's a classic that I still like, it generally goes into the holding zone rather than the donation pile (unless I'm really sure I'm done with it and it would be useful to someone else). I know now the pieces I am likely to re-buy, even if they are not to be workhorses - took me a long time and some very wasteful churn to learn that lesson!