Upcoming shopping trip & questions

Dana

Tomorrow is the last day of mother's day out and both my kids will be gone for 5 hours so I have to work quick and want to make the best use of my time. I'm definitely going to J Crew to try on the clamdiggers and I'm in pretty good shape for walking shorts and getting there on jeans. I was wondering how many shirts per bottom should a person have to have a good variety in their wardrobe?

I've read the thread on minimalism in the closet and I would very much like to take a similar approach. I find it a little more difficult to mix and match things to make creative outfits during the warm months (which is end of April through Octoberish for me). I have a good start but would like to add some more tops. Any suggestions for pieces that can be worn year after year...or at least until I can't stand to look at them anymore? I don't have an H&M or a Nordstrom but I have most of the other major chain stores (BR, AT, ATL, J Crew, etc.).

18 years ago

Shopping

7 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

Maya

Veteran

Good question. I think how many tops you get depends how frequently you're going to wear the corresponding bottoms, but I don't personally like to get a top for one specific piece. It has to work with more than one thing in my wardrobe. My skirt tops have to go with at least 3/4 of my skirts, otherwise I'd bypass it. I only plan on having 3 skirt tops because I don't wear them that frequently.

18 years ago

Lannie

Active Member

I agree with Maya, that it's sometimes better not to buy tops for just one specific bottom piece (particularly if you're on a budget, which I am). Something I like to do when I'm clothes shopping is to stop to think of at least three outfits I could make with the piece of clothing I'm considering. I picked that idea up somewhere, but I can't remember exactly where or from whom. If I can't think of a few different ways I would wear it, there's a good chance it won't get much use. Unfortunately, I haven't followed my own advice all the time, so I still find myself buying things that I don't end up wearing much. This is yet another argument for dresses... no need to worry about mixing and matching!
As for pieces that you will wear year after year, it really depends on your body and style and what works for you. Personally, other than jeans the items that seem to last the longest for me are sharp-looking button downs (or wrap blouses if you like them), flattering jackets (I have a white jacket that's going through its second spring/summer and I'm still getting compliments on it every time I wear it), and comfy, blousy knitted tops. If you think a white jacket would work for you, I would particularly encourage you to try some on. Good luck with your shopping trip!

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I used to be the type to have more bottoms than tops, but since learning to wear jeans, I have reversed that, and now I have more tops than bottoms.

The way I look at it now, is that even a sleeveless top can be worn in the dead of winter. It can be worn layered under dresses or jackets or sweaters. So that ups the wearability quotient quite a bit.

So nowadays, when I buy something, I don't necessarily think anymore about bottoms to go with it, so much as layering pieces like cardis and jackets and camis - i.e., other top pieces!!!

But if you are talking about tops that are PURELY for summer (like linen, or a white cotton top that may get pit stains by end of summer), then that's a different story. Summer is harder on tops, because of the sweat factor.

If you do find you sweat a lot, and you want more tops, then you might consider just investing in some inexpensive, basic white Old Navy or Gap tees that you plan to replace next summer (Angie will probably gasp at that... but there you go!! There are some days that you just don't want to be sweating in expensive fancy tops...).

Edit: but you can still wear that simple basic tee with a really nice skirt.

18 years ago

Dana

Active Member

Thanks everyone...I should probably clarify. Most of my tops go with more than one bottom, but during the summer I tend to wear only one top as opposed to mixing items to create new looks. I was wondering how many tops one should have to have a functioning wardrobe and not feel like you're wearing the same thing over and over again. I can mix my bottoms with my tops, but I still feel like I'm ending up with the same look. Does that make any sense?

I guess my question is how many tops would you ideally have in your summer wardrobe? Shiny, now that you have more tops than bottoms, how many do you have that you wear during the summer?

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Dixie, I will let you know once it's finally summer here.... sigh....

18 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Dani, I think I know what you mean. There's something about the heat that makes me feel uncreative about my wardrobe. It was 102 here yesterday! This just makes me want to wear clamdiggers and a white top for the rest of the summer. I think you probably need at least 10 tops. In the summer time we are probably harder on our tops and the fabric is usually lighter to begin with. Having said that, just buy what you really love because you won't wear it otherwise or you won't feel as good if you do. I have a good collection of sandals and I'm going to work on my necklaces and maybe that way I will feel a little more creative. Plus I got a colorful bag this year.

18 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I definitely agree with Patience. And accessories are a good way to spice up an outfit when it's hot and you don't want to pile on the layers.

18 years ago

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