This seems about right - well maths does not lie!! I am about this but the wears are very uneven- I do have about 8 very hard workers, about 10-12 pulling their weight, and the balance are a bit slack ( either older tops that I like but only wear two- three times a year, or one or two dressier items). I am trying not to add more of the fussy, specific tops that only work without jackets or with one bottom. These tops are not wearing though so it is taking a while!!

Admittedly, Janice's formula is a bit complicated. That does not mean I didn't pull out my spreadsheet and start doing the calculations.

The value of her post, to me, was the sudden realization that "enough" could be achieved. Her post was my moment of realization just was this post was yours.

These realizations have been a touchstone to me as I rebuild my wardrobe. When the panic sets in (and it does), I calm myself by the reminder that I can only wear so many bottoms during a given week. I have a higher tolerance for repeats than others do and that has helped too.

My work wardrobe is complete to my satisfaction. Summer arrived just this week. I discovered I do not have one single pair of casual summer pants that fit. NOT one pair. As much as I dread it, I am going to start the pant buying process all over again. This time my goal is two pair.

I don't count my clothing or wears but I just wanted to say that find this interesting and helpful as I figure out my wardrobe needs.

Very interesting. I'm an accountant but have never gotten into the whole spreadsheet thing with my wardrobe but it often feels like it needs help so maybe I should! I think I wear my clothes more often and for longer but I get bored with them easily. But this could be helpful in figuring out "needs" versus "wants" which is an issue for me.

Jenn- this is an interesting observation. I will have to think about it more. Sterling- thanks for the Vivenne Files link. Her calculation was more complex but intriguing. Thanks for posting.

I went back and checked. In the low forties I think for tops and dresses. Nearly up there with Jenni! I am quite a dress liker

My count included special events (2-3), loungewear (3-4) and a dress I only wear occasionally when my weight is low. It also included 3 black tees I bought about 10 years ago. I bought one replacement 2 or 3 years ago but it hasn't worn as well as the older ones.

My aim in general is to only buy as much as will wear out in the time that I want to wear it. Like you and others, this inevitably means that I have to buy only a small number. Possibly unlike you, I've come at in from another pathway - I'm not a wear tracker. I just limited myself to, eg one casual sweater a year, (usually) one pair of jeans etc.

My handed down items swell the ranks though. (at least 3 of the dresses) Because they aren't chosen by me, they tend to be less versatile. Conversely though, they are often of my higher quality than I would have bought.

Anyway, just riffing on the theme!

Anne, I also have a black tee I bought about that long ago. Not even from a particularly good brand. I am quite sure that any tee I bought today would NOT have that kind of longevity.

You are wise to fill a slot and then be done. I’m definitely guilty of liking a certain formula, doubling or tripling up on pieces for it, and then regretting that decision. I’m trying to be better at enjoying what I have and respecting its place in my wardrobe.

(Also, if you add in gear and loungewear, my numbers are almost the same as yours. I do track gear, in particular, but didn’t count them
in this formula since, unless I’m camping or on an all-day hike, I always wear gear as an additional outfit on any given day.)

Jenn -- Duplication is the problem. I am rebuilding my wardrobe and I swore off all duplication, but it still creeps in. It seems subconscious on my part (i.e., I don't even realize I am duplicating until much, much later). Is it likewise subconscious on your part or do you consciously make the decision to duplicate? If it is the latter, can you break down your rationalization for me?

This is a very interesting discussion. I don't count wears and I don't think it would work for me because of my lifestyle (spend half of the day in Yoga clothes). But the idea of knowing what pieces are important players (workhorses) in one's wardrobe does help with future shopping.

Yes, math can be interesting, also when it comes to clothes. And if you wear only one outfit per day, you are right, Jenn. Others may have other needs. As for me, I need two or three outfits most days of the year.

Interesting. By this calculation, I have far too many tops/ dresses! I have about 30 shirts/ blouses/ tees alone -- this doesn't count even knitwear, which realistically is what I wear for "tops" for most of the year, although I also layer quite often in winter over a shirt/ blouse/ tee.

Yet I don't feel as if it is too much. Many of these items have lasted in the closet much longer than 3 years and I still wear them. And about half of them are winter only, while the other half are spring/summer only.

I think Staysfit has a point -- a climate of extremes like ours makes specific demands -- layering isn't enough; you need vastly different fabric weights in the different seasons as well. A shirt I'd wear in winter would be insanely hot in summer.

Suz, I just did a back of the envelope calculation and to get to 30 wears on each top over five years, it’d be 6 wears/year, or 61 items. So, you’re somewhere between my number and that one.

The calculation could go the other way too—if you have x tops and want to wear them 30 times each, how many years will you have them, at the current rate you’re wearing them?

I like the simple concept but for myself I have to adjust those numbers for days when I change twice (or even more on rare occasion) due to the heat. If I'm out and about during the day and I get hot, I want to change into something fresh when I get home. Sometimes I even bring an extra top like if we're going to be walking a lot on a day trip. The other instance is if I'm going to go and do something else later on in the day and again want to be fresh - so I need more like 50 tops personally. Granted a good amount of those are fairly casual tees.

Texstyle, you could also adjust by replacing your tops more often if you don’t want to store fifty!