In my 2019 wrap-up post a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that it is difficult to compare my start-2019 and end-2019 wardrobe numbers because I have changed how I categorize my wardrobe. In fact one of the major, major things I’ve learned this year is how to break down my wardrobe into categories that reflect how I ACTUALLY wear my clothes.

For example, that long-sleeve popover top I thought I would layer under cardigans in the spring but it turns out I only ever wear in summer with sleeves rolled up? Off it goes to my summer wardrobe list to live in the 3/4-sleeve tops category!

Also that a handful of flat-knit cardigans that, though long-sleeved, I really don’t wear in cold fall/winter/cold spring, when I gravitate to textured knitwear? They’ve moved over to my new “transitional” category.

Within seasons I have also broken down categories (such as tops) more granularly into micro-capsules that reflect the outfit formulas that I use them in. I alluded to this a little bit in my mid-year post but it has continued to prove a MASSIVE game changer.

For a long time, my biggest style-related challenge has been not defining my style but figuring out how to structure a wardrobe that would enable me to express that style without too much…angst. Now, I can see so much more clearly WHY I struggle to put outfits together.

For example, in my summer wardrobe I have 6 3/4-sleeve woven popover tops that I like to wear with shorts, narrow skirts, or short skirts. And I have exactly one pair of shorts, one narrow skirt, and one short skirt to pair with those popover tops. Oh.

In turn this way of looking at things yields a much clearer picture of what my wardrobe holes are, and what are the highest priorities to add to make my wardrobe more functional.

One of the other things I’m embracing in thinking about/conceptualizing my wardrobe is comprehensiveness. It has always struck me that wardrobe numbers etc. can vary a lot depending on what you “count.” I decided to count EVERYTHING, from dressy clothes to gardening clothes. (I admit I haven’t yet gotten a handle on undies/socks/etc. or jewelry.) This also yields some interesting insights: for example I have 22 (!) items in my mending/alterations/projects pile. So, hey, there’s a good place to look if I want to expand my wardrobe while spending zero dollars, huh?

In the first comment below I’ll post a list of my current wardrobe numbers in each category.

In the second comment I’ll put my highest priorities for additions. I’ve also set a budget for this year (which I won’t share in specifics — sorry, I feel weirder about sharing $ info than # info), broken down by category. Those categories don’t correspond exactly to my wardrobe inventory categories, but again, I’m doing what seems to make the most sense for me and for the current state of my wardrobe. That is, areas that need a lot of work/special focus are broken out separately in the budget — but I might divvy things up differently in future years when I have other priorities.

Thank you to anyone who has read through this monster of a post! I know that I am a perpetual over-analyzer, and this may well seem like more of the same. But, I really feel like I’ve turned a corner here in understanding how my wardrobe works — thanks in no small part to the advice and input of YLF forum members — and I’m EXCITED to put these plans into ACTION in 2020!