Insanely long wardrobe numbers post

I am quite satisfied with my wardrobe, its ability to cover all the bases, so to speak, and very happy with the colours.
How did this even happen?
I blame age (retirement) and a lifetime of shopping without a clue.
I tried so many styles, some worked, some not. At this point I can safely pass on 99% of stuff I see online and in stores. They may be lovely and even close, but I have proved to myself I won’t wear them. Over and over
Comfort on many levels is key. If I can’t walk and move in it, it is a costume. Outward display is not more important than the person wearing it. Unless theatre!
Fun for a moment, then moving on, after kicking off the horrendous shoes. Or ditching the equally life threatening underwear.
I always read ‘wardrobe size’ posts with interest. I like the idea of a minimalist wardrobe, but it turns out I need about 4 of each hero item. 5 if it’s a daily seasonal item that gets laundered a lot.
I am pretty specific. Looking at all my full length pants, for instance, I have 4 pair of lightweight cotton pants. 4 pair of jeans, 2 coloured and two dark indigo. 4 pair of lightweight joggers, 4 pair of heavyweight fleeced ones.
5 sweatshirts, as sweaters are too warm or need special care.
As the weather changes, I just reach for the appropriate fabric weights. The silhouettes are all quite similar and can be swapped out with many tops, again in different seasonal weights.
4 denim shirts, all rinses, hero items for sure.
4 light poplin blouses, all long sleeve button down
3 linen blouses, long sleeve button down
4 assorted weights and styles blouses, yes, all button down long sleeves, all cotton.
Other daily uniforms are capris or bermuda shorts with the blouses.
Two stacks of tshirts, 8 short sleeve, 5 long sleeve. Mainly house and yard work items, so lots of them to avoid the laundry bottlenecks.
This would all be very boring, no glitz, no patterns, IF I didn’t really love colour.
Quite surprised, really, to see how consistent the numbers are.
A couple of capsules for more formal occasions, and an all green coloured outerwear capsule, and that is it. Seems like a lot, I have certainly managed with much less, and as life keeps changing, the goal posts keep moving.
So I would like to celebrate having just enough, and a little more.
Appreciate Angie’s constant message of enjoyment and inclusivity in this community. Apologize to the amazing spread sheet people for doing this bass ackwards.

1 month ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I enjoyed reading your analysis, and am very impressed with your ability to capture the essence of your ideal wardrobe. It does feel good when you've got the wardrobe just where functions most comfortably. I can relate to this, especially: I tried so many styles, some worked, some not. At this point I can
safely pass on 99% of stuff I see online and in stores. They may be
lovely and even close, but I have proved to myself I won’t wear them.
Well done!

Kate

I love your wardrobe analysis. I know even without going through my stuff, how consistent it is in style, in color, in fabrication, in comfort.

Especially with pants, I always look at other silhouettes, sometimes I even try them out, but I stay with my curved/balloon style pants in either ankle or full length. I love them. Very few patterns in tops, and those few are abstract in neutral colors. Merino sweaters. T-shirts and shorts, neutral colors. Outwear and accessories, especially bags and footwear, are where I indulge myself with color and adventurous silhouettes.

I don't see any of this changing as I go forward.

Runcarla

“Just enough, and a little more” Love it!

Olive Green

Firecracker, I always scan your posts for inspiration on what really good clothes look like in real life. Curated.
Kate, consistent style does take a lot of guesswork out of the ongoing wardrobe churn. Replacing stuff gets easier, doesn’t it? Heck, we can buy multiples!
Runcarla, it’s a nice place to be.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"If I can’t walk and move in it - it's a costume" - I RELATE! Walking in all sorts of weather with doggies in tow means nothing constricting, and very happy feet. HIGH FIVE

WELL DONE, Olive Green, for not only working out what works for you and your context - but also staying satisfied with the results! That helps you stay focussed, and keeps the PERSONAL front and centre in personal style. You wear what you wear with confidence and get on with it. Wooohoooooo!!!

(Thanks for the kind words too).

Dee

Great analysis, glad you’ve found your stride with a wardrobe that suits where you’re at now.Those ever moving goal posts in life can make it hard to get there. I’m feeling pretty satisfied as well and it only took until reaching my 60s to finally understand and accept the particulars of my own personal style.

Jaime

Delightful post! I also find myself passing on more and more items (and not only because I already have so much!). Practice leads to discernment? And absolutely yes on comfort and walkability too!

Suz

I love this so much! I laughed out loud when I got to the comment about costume and theatre. You are SO right. Practicality is key!

It sounds as if you have devised for yourself an extremely hard working wardrobe, not too big and not too small, with just the zing you crave in colour and that special occasion bits, and a cohesive outerwear capsule.

Brava!

Lisa

The phrase "comfort is key" is really true and something I keep in mind as well. The number one situation I look for comfort is flying and I remember this when I shop.

If I don't think I'll be able to wear the item in the airport and on a plane, then I don't buy it. That thinking has saved me many times from especially buying jeans or footwear that isn't one hundred percent comfortable. Obviously I don't fly in every outfit I own, but thinking this way has been really helpful for me. It's too easy to categorize something as "sitting shoes" or "jeans that will bag out over a few wears" or whatever other excuses for clothes sometimes. Keeping comfort top of mind is key for me.

And I too have always liked the concept of a minimalist wardrobe and a heavy to mix and match wardrobe, until I finally realized that it's not innately what I like. I prefer more variety in actual outfit numbers and less in outfit combinations and mix and matching. I wrote a book years ago to help in finding a sweet spot for wardrobe size and the amount of outfit variety a person needs. It was a game changer for me.

It sounds like you've landed on the right size wardrobe for you to fit your current lifestyle and style preferences. That's wonderful, bravo!

Jenni NZ

Sounds great Olive Green and something for me to aim for. I measure differently, I have my handwritten clothing tracking lists which have really helped reduce my purchases since I can so clearly see what I am not wearing much (my 5 skirts and 14 dresses).A recent major realisation is that retirement will hit within a short number of years, and that as my clothes last well I should be buying ahead for that. Or rather not buying, since the prettier comfortable flats are more worn on work days where they get a lot of comments. I can still wear them when retired but will need less variety I imagine.
I am using the retired women on the forum for inspiration so thank you for that!

Star

Olive Green, I so get where you are at. At 58 years I finally have an understanding of what should be in my wardrobe. In part it is thanks to YLF and in part due to my counting of wears since 2021. It has been eye-opening to see what I really wear. Going forward I only want these items in my wardrobe, in various weights and colours. An example, I noted that I mostly wear black, grey, navy and navy/white striped Tees (short and long sleeved). So I won't be buying other colours in future. For summer I now know I only need dresses, dresses that do not cling, that are in linen or cotton. Here I can have pattern or any colour. Outerwear can be more plentiful because in our long winter that is all everyone really sees and I would really get sick of one coat. Here too colour is an option. They must not be heavy! Turtleneck knits for winter. I only need 3 plaid button downs in different weights and three black button downs in different weights. 2 cotton or linen shell tops, one should be black. 2 cotton or linen Strappy tops, any colour or pattern. Skirts are not something I wear, maybe a white cotton one for summer maximum. A couple of jeans in various washes in my preferred cuts. A pair of cotton utility pants and a flowy summer pair. Denim Jacket. A short sleeved cardi. I believe I can get by with a wardrobe number of around 60 pieces (excluding shoes, and other accessories). This is a quarter of what I have now (I am a slow editor, but will continue 1 in/2 out). I need two bags maximum, one for everyday in a neutral and one 'going out/night bag'. They too must not be heavy. This is my way forward. It just feels right.

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