Several thoughtful YLF members are helping me look at my wardrobe in different ways.
TL; DR: I need to shop MUCH LESS in the future, and try to buy things that I will enjoy for a long time.
Average age of my closet: I did the math and have 99 items (clothing and shoes) purchased between 2016 and 2019: ie. at least five years old. There are a few things older than 2016, but I only started tracking that year. That is only a third of my total wardrobe. I tend to keep coats and shoes for a looooong time.
Churn: What I have hung onto is about 40% of the total purchases in those years, meaning I weeded 60% of what I bought in the last five years. That's a lot of churn. There was a significant break when I retired and weeded almost all of my office wardrobe, which accounts for a big chunk of it. And I lost my waistline (has anyone seen it?) along the way, which meant many pants no longer fit.
Thrift: I'm never going to be a big thrifter. Thrift stores are just not for me. Only 20% of my purchases this year were from eBay or Poshmark, and I really made an effort to shop there. The exception is coats, which I rarely buy new. I must shop less overall if I'm going to reduce my environmental impact.
Style Changes: This year I went all in on wide legs and barrel pants. In past years I embraced sneakers in all their glory. I found the Maeve Carys sweater four years ago and now own FIVE of them. I accept that my style changes fairly often and sometimes a trend is right up my alley.
Below are some of my fave purchases this year. Worn a LOT and with great pleasure. Thanks for reading and for all of your insight and inspiration this year!
