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Seeking 30 Wears advice

3style

Veteran

I don’t formally track my number of wears, but I have a good memory and I’m a good at guesstimating, so I’m comfortable with my casual tracking strategy. In analyzing it which items aren’t getting to a thirty wear minimum, the few that don’t make it almost always fall into the same category.

Namely, I’ve got some polyester nice but not super fancy items which I like to wear when the humidity is low. However, I moved to an extreme coastal climate just over three years ago and the humidity is frequently higher than it is inland. I do enjoy these items under the right weather conditions, but those conditions don’t happen nearly as frequently as when lived inland.

Intellectually, I know it wouldn’t be a big deal to wear them on in humidity on days when I’m planning to be under AC for much of the day. But in practice I don’t reach for them if it’s warm and sticky.

At this point I do own enough total items that they aren’t critical to my wardrobe function. However, the items are all unique statement items, so it’s more about hesitation to get rid of something I like, rather than fear I won’t have anything else to wear.

I don’t like the feeling of looking in my closet and feeling like I need to make an effort to get my money’s worth. Feeling pressure to evenly rotate rather than simply grabbing whatever is handy is a bit stressful for me. So I’m a bit stumped. Suggestions?

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

Katerina

Veteran

I don’t truck my number of wears either, but I have quite a good picture of which items in my wardrobe are getting enough wears. Some items do not get worn very often, but I still love having them in my wardrobe.

For example, I have a huge collection of scarves, it is virtually impossible for all of them to get enough wears. Despite this, I love my large scarf collection, I love having many options and to shop my closet. For me, it is not only about the cost per wear parameter, I enjoy the collection in itself.

You like your statement items, even if they do not get so many wears any more. If you have the space to store them and you are not ready to part with them, I would say keep them. It is you and nobody else who decides what to wear and how often. It is no crime to own clothes you only wear occasionally (or not at all...).

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I have items in my wardrobe that I don’t wear frequently too, and can understand the reluctance to pass on items that are statement pieces and special.

Is it possible for you to design a capsule around these items, so that if the day is perfect you can grad them to wear without too much thought.

Another option is to sell them and use the funds to buy statement pieces that are more fitting for your climate.

Liz

Veteran

Where do you think the pressure to evenly rotate is coming from? Could you just let go of that and take the pressure off yourself?

ETA: I think I'm missing some kind of connection here. Your post title asks for advice about 30 wears, and your last paragraph ends with you feeling pressured and not liking that feeling. Is it the idea that you need to wear each item 30 times that's creating the pressure?

unfrumped

Veteran

Well, if you still own them, you still have a chance to get more wears!

I think you set aside the polyester aspect for a moment and try them all on for fit and style, and see if you still LOve them, for times that the weather cooperates. You might find some are not riding to the top of the heap— toss, forget 30- wears.
Then if you find even the “ love” items are not practical— it’s always too sticky to want to wear them—that tells you you need to upgrade or focus on different fabrics.

I have a slightly related issue regarding some polyester blouses. Not statement, but specifically acquired to work with certain pants and toppers to make somevcohesive professional outfits, when I hadn’t found any better fabrics. But in general my polyester blouse window is limited because I also avoid in sticky weather AND they don’t feel “ warm” in frigid a/c or in cooler weather ABD I love knits. So they may hang around , and I may get the itch to cull, but I have to think whether some are outfit- Completers. This is where occasionally re- checking fit and style helps.

Anonymous

Hi 3Style. You pose an interesting question. It is one that many people struggle with in one sense or another.

May I boldly suggest that you consider editing them out of your working closet due to the change in climate/humidity. Polyester is hard to wear in high humidity. Even if you know you are going to be in air conditioning all day long, it is still hard to "want" to wear polyester. Changes in life or circumstances can make certain garments less workable/wearable. No need to feel guilt or to try to make yourself wear those garments. Attaining 30 wears is an excellent goal, not a requirement.

This is coming from me, by the way. This issue is one of my hardest struggles. I have dealt with it by setting up a "holding zone." If I don't miss the garment after one season, or one year, it will be donated to the Women's Shelter. It is more work for me to get the stuff to the Women's Shelter, but it feels better to me than donating to the Good Will.

bj1111

Veteran

What @Sterling said. Get them
Into a separate space where you don’t see them. It sounds like the visual reminder is stressful even if you would like to keep them for the few times a decade the weather cooperates (or if you travel to the appropriate weather zone).

You don’t even have to get rid of them even if unworn, in case you do want to have them.

Anonymous

I like Sterling's idea of using a holding zone. At some point these items will lose their appeal...outdated, your style has evolved or you have changed size or needs. When I was moving, it was easier to set a goal to eliminate some items. Maybe you could donate a third or these or just one to start. If you have the room, keep them until you are ready to part. you might actively look for something similar that is a fabric like linen or silk instead of polyester to replace or at least serve the same purpose.

Just having these items may be giving you your money's worth in security or happiness.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I see 30 wears as more of a shopping tool than a reason for self-flagellation. Your circumstances changed. It happens. If you have room to keep those tops in your closet, do so, and wear when you can. If they’re making you feel guilty, but you’re not quite ready to let go, put them in a holding zone. Otherwise, it’s okay to pass them on.

Bijou

Veteran

I love Jenn's advice. I buy some items that I know will never get to 30 wears - usually items in my dressy capsule. That is OK with me because these items are special and I need them, even if it is only once every few months.

When it comes to jeans or jackets, that is a different story. I hope and expect to get to about 30 wears, these are workhorses. My dresses are a mixed bag, the number of wears is lower, but the joy factor higher.

Develop your own strategy and enjoy the items that you have and also enjoy evolving your style to suit the lifestyle that you live.

The other thing is, we all make mistakes. I cannot tell you the number of times I have bought footwear in particular, hoping that it would be comfortable only to get blisters and not get to the 30 wear mark in any way shape or form. Then the shoes that work, are probably at 60 plus wears. I no longer stress about it being a bit hit and miss with my fussy feet. Finding those golden items that work, so I forgive myself when I get it wrong.

Anonymous

I live in a humid climate too, and don't mind wearing poly in summer, as long as its sleeveless. Anything with sleeves, even short sleeves, is transitional-cold weather wear for me.
Id agree with the others re 30 wears. If thats a benchmark for you, as long as thats your average, youre fine! Think of it as a buying tool, to avoid mistakes in future. Those items that are the workhorses are the ones to look for, and the benchwarmers are the ones to avoid. What do the workhorses have in common compared to the benchwarmers? And honestly, sometimes we just dont know when we buy something where its going to land on that workhorse-benchwarmer continuum...

jill58

Veteran

The holding zone has worked very well for me. I put items that I'm considering donating into a large garbage bag. By the time it's actually full, some of the items have been sitting in there for quite awhile. Once in awhile I take something out (often to be tossed later on) but generally speaking, at the point when the bag is full, I'm ready to let go of the whole thing.

Anonymous

i Agree with Jenn that 30wears is a shopping tool—-something to be deployed on the front-end of your wardrobe experience. It should not be deployed on the backend to chastise yourself.

Another tool is setting a budget. That way you don’t have to feel bad if something doesn’t get worn.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I wore a jacket today that I haven’t worn for a few years and kept wondering why I still had it. It was just right for the circumstance, weather, etc. It may never get anywhere near 30 wears, but I am sure glad it was still in my closet,

You have many factors to consider. The only “right” answer is what works for you. And even that may change.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Jenn and Sterling said!

30 wears is a great shopping tool. And, by they way, keeping this guideline in mind does not necessarily prevent you from buying. It simply makes you buy more mindfully. I own items that I couldn't reasonably expect to get 30 wears from, but I bought them anyway. Mostly these are dressy items, and some toppers. I don't wear dressy clothes that often, but I do need a dressy capsule. So be it. I figure these items average out with the jeans and other items that get far more than 30 wears apiece. I try to spend less on the things I know won't get as much wear and more on items that will get a lot of wear or use.

Meanwhile, I bought other items fully expecting them to reach 30 wears -- and they haven't. The reasons vary. Change in life circumstance, their "partners" wore out and I didn't replace with a similar item, change of heart, fit not as good as it seemed, got ruined in the wash.

Once I realize that I don't wear them and don't really want to wear them, I let them go. It frees up mental space.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If it bothers you to see them all the time, I'd put them in a holding zone as well. I don't formally track wears either but I have a good idea - esp. of things that don't get worn often, and those usually fall into a "few times a year" category. I actually do keep some of these in my closet (provided I know they fit and I like the way they look and feel) so I can remember I have them and remind myself not to purchase something else that is very similar unless I'm replacing the old item.