Going on 24 for 12 - YouLookFab Forum

Whilst walking through the park this lunchtime on a beautiful English summer's day (20 degrees and not raining!) I came to a conclusion. I've been obsessed this past year with culling my wardrobe and building it back up again. Since the original cull was so brutal, I've often felt desperation at the size of my wardrobe and considerable envy towards those who have a large one. Then I had an epiphany: I don't actually want a massive wardrobe. I want fewer things, but I want to take better care of them. My shopping seems to have slowed down lately, so I've decided to make it official. As of this month I'm going on 24 for 12 (12 for 12 seemed a little too restrictive).

Last year I bought about 60 items and not all of them were successful, so I've decided to start being more discerning. I plan to roughly buy 2 items a month, but if it's 1 item one month and then 3 the next, that's fine. Accessories such as scarves and earrings won't count towards the total, but shoes and bags will. So I'd like to ask those of you who've done 12 for 12, or 24 for 12, or SYC for an amount of time: do you have any tips? Do you recommend sketching out a plan for purchases, or just going with the flow? I've already decided to haunt H&M for cardigans in July, rollnecks in August and look for my winter coat and boots around September. Any advice would be much appreciated!

12 years ago

rute

Veteran

It will be fun and you'll learn a lot! Good luck!

Kristin L

I don't have any advice on 12(or 24)x12, but I'm on SYB. My advice is to give yourself time to think about something. And for me, if I say I can't even look at other things, then that's when I break SYB and spend too much money. It can take a few months, but after you find your rhythm, it's easier.

donnat

Wish I had some advice for you. I too seek the smaller, better wardrobe. I continue culling and shopping. Less shopping probably won't hurt, and a 2 item per month plan will certainly cut out unnecessary items. Good luck and I will be watching for your updates.

Nanabear

Active Member

Sounds like a great plan! Personally, I'm horribly indecisive so I like to take all my purchases home and mull over it for a few hours trying it on, styling it etc. Then I take what I don't want and return it. It is a little weird at first when I think about why on earth I'm returning so much stuff, but it's all worth it in the end

Mona

Whether you want to sketch out a plan or go with the flow will depend on where your wardrobe is at right now. I am also in the process of gradually culling my wardrobe and adding pieces that I only truly need. I find that going with the flow works better for me that actually sticking to a plan. Initially, I had planned to only buy 12 items per year but now with 6 months gone, I am realizing 12 items are not enough for me as I have many wardrobe holes to fill. I am also tracking all my purchases on a spreadsheet with their cost so that I have a clear picture of items and also how much I have spent so far.

Gabrielle

Oh! I love the idea of 24 x 12. I have tried 12 x 12 and was unable to achieve the goal, but 24 x 12 should be much easier and I won't feel deprived. Thanks for thinking of it.

Category