Wardrobe By Numbers 12 months on - YouLookFab Forum

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Wardrobe By Numbers 12 months on

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

I am not big on numbers (or mathematics for that matter) so it's an effort for me to actually look at the wardrobe in terms of just how much clothing I have:)

Almost 12 months ago, I finally did a count here
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....by-numbers

I estimated that my wardrobe at the time would have been almost half what I started with when I came to YLF. My goal has been to hone my style and create a minimal wardrobe (both style and size wise) and yet still have enough variety to satisfy.

As stated in my previous post a lot of my wardrobe works across seasons. The fabrics I choose and layering makes that possible. And this is all of my wardrobe. I keep everything in together regardless of the season.

Skirts
2015 / 11 (8 black / 2 black and white/1 grey)
2014 / 16

Pants/Smart Leggings
2015 / 16
2014 / 19 (and this did not include leggings, just proper pants)

Jackets/Blazers
2015 / 23
2014 / 20

Sleeveless Blazer/Jacket
2015 / 2
2014 / 2

Cardigans/Vests/Wraps/Ponchos
2015 / 21
2014 / 24 (I did not include wraps and ponchos last time)

Sweaters
2015 / 6
2014 / 0 (included sweaters in tops category last year)

Tops (Knits/Blouses/Shirts)
2015 / 44
2014 / 67 (included sweaters)

Tunics/Dresses
2015 / 30
2014 / 22

Coats
2015 / 4
2014 / 5

TOTAL CLOTHING
2015 / 157
2014 / 175

Footwear

Tall Boots
2015 / 6 (I was gifted a pair of black leather boots from my SIL)
2014 / 5

Ankle Boots
2015 / 15
2014 / 13

Sneaks
2015 / 2 (Had Wedge heel sneaks and added flat leather look slip on)
2014 / 1

Oxfords / Lace Ups
2015 / 3 (Passed on one pair and replaced with better pair)
2014 / 3

Other (Sandals/Pumps etc)
2015 / 15
2014 / 26

Handbags
2015 / 20 (I expect to 'release' some of these soon)
2014 / 24

What I haven't counted are underwear, layers long and short sleeve tees, camis and the few things that are relegated to loungewear at home, cooking etc

Even though the distribution of clothing across the seasons in reality wouldn't be equal, if I divide the total clothing by the four seasons I come up with approx 40 items per season. Looking at it in that light (even tho not a really accurate calculation) I am pretty happy with how I am tracking. Much of my purging and purchasing has been about replacing multiple items that were almost right with my 'perfect' garment.

So anyone else aiming to reduce and minimise their wardrobe numbers? And how are you doing?

I am posting this to record my progress so please don't feel compelled to comment, however if you do, I would love to hear your thoughts.

xxx Deborah

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm always interested in numbers that other people get for their wardrobes. My numbers are still greater in the jeans and bottoms categories than the tops and toppers categories. I am planning to slowly correct that as my jeans wear out. I wear all of them so it's hard to just give them away. I think I would have more variety in what I wear with more tops/toppers because people really don't recall bottoms.

It's interesting that you have increased your numbers since joining YLF, I have greatly reduced. I suspect I will reduce even further over time now that I am tracking what I am wearing. We'll see!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating, Deborah. You have a cohesive, well-functioning, and tightly edited closet now! Brava for the hard work of sifting, culling, and making decisions (and yay for the fun work of new purchases that are "just so.") I am always so impressed with how you make your layers work for you across seasons and how often, one item will do triple duty for you.

What made you change some of your categories (e.g. include sweaters as its own category)? Did you recognize that some of these pieces had a slightly different function for you? I think that is the (unconscious) underlying reason for my own categories when I was counting wears and making decisions last autumn.

Melaine

(website)

I am not a numbers girl, either, but I do find these kinds of posts really helpful. I am gearing up for another big purge, probably starting tomorrow. I have spent a huge bulk of my clothing budget over the last two months and need to seriously edit. I love seeing how you guys think through the logistics because I see your WIW posts, so I know how well your wardrobe is working for you. Very inspirational.

Anonymous

These are my absolute favorite types of posts!!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to count and post.

Unlike you, I have two very separate and unique wardrobes. I store the "out-of-season" wardrobe away each year. My style from Summer to Winter is so different, you might think I am two different people. My Winter style is my most authentic and truest. I merely survive the Summer. I am trying really hard to up the style-ante for Summer, but have failed miserably so far. I continue to work on it.

Anonymous

I would love to do a comparison between 2014 and 2015 similar to what you did, but my spreadsheet is a "current" indicator of wardrobe items. I can't tease out individual item changes like you did. I might be able to guess though. It would be an interesting experiment. Thank you for giving me a new challenge with which to play.

Jeweled

Veteran

That sounds so lovely, Deborah! Do you just fall in love with your closet every time you open the door, now that you've really curated it into an ideal collection for you?

I started out by purging nearly everything about a year ago, and am in the process of curating my new wardrobe, with much more focused intention than I've ever done before. And like you, I consider all my clothes to be all-season, and am emphasizing pieces that make flexible layers.

So your post is really inspiring to me. Thank you!

carter

Veteran

I could have written Sterling's first comment word for word.

Deborah, coming from you, this post is so inspirational. You ALWAYS look so pulled together and amazing. To manage that with 157 clothing items is an eye opener.

I am in the midst of a lifestyle change that will be complete in roughly a year when my youngest heads to college. Although I have done many purges since joining YLF, my closet still feels bloated with the wrong type of clothes for my soon-to-be (casual, beach-living) life. While I still need to have appropriate clothing for the next year, I am planning to only save my favorites to serve as the "dressy" capsule later. Meanwhile, I have been ramping up my casual clothes like crazy. While I was severely lacking in this area, it's time to pull it all together to analyze how it's working. All this to say, my closet remains way out of whack, but you inspire me to focus a bit more on what should be there and what isn't needed.

Melaine

(website)

Deborah , you have inspired me to count up before I start the purge. Probably won't get much done on it today but will report back later this week.

cheryl

Veteran

These are my favorite type of posts. I love seeing your numbers and how well your closet is working for you.

shedev

Veteran

I'm at 180 items right now. I'll be at your numbers after my next closet edit. I do a summer and winter one each year. I did a couple huge culls in 2013, now I'm just fine tuning. I'm shooting for a mostly seasonless layered wardrobe.

shedev

Veteran

I'm at 180 items right now. I'll be at your numbers after my next closet edit. I do a summer and winter one each year. I did a couple huge culls in 2013, now I'm just fine tuning. I'm shooting for a mostly seasonless layered wardrobe.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am so the opposite of wanting to count and do numbers for my wardrobe, but I love these types of posts. You do a fabulous job and are so creative with layering. You have definitely found your happy place with style and it shows! You have a beautiful eye and I admire greatly your artistic style!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, this just inspired a recount of my own. I currently have 132 pieces, not counting coats and footwear or bags (or underthings). That's across all seasons, and I do have to switch my closet pretty much completely, as I could not wear enough layers in thinner fabrics to keep me warm in our winters, and our summers are hot enough that they require linens and such that are completely unsuited to our winters.

I note that I also have fewer items in all categories except footwear than last year. I didn't do an exact comparison, but I can tell from my list of what I have retired. Interesting!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Love this....you're judging us all to open our closet doors and take responsibility for the numbers we see inside!

I'm in the same boat as Suz. I have to put away EVERYTHING from summer and pull out winter wear every November. That's the time I see both my summer and winter numbers together....and it always drives me nuts!!!

For years I've collected n collected clothes and built a beautiful wardrobe. I love classic styles and dressy clothes, when actually I work from home. This is what my reality looked like for years --- I would open my wardrobe everyday. Look at my very pretty clothes and feel happy. Then maybe even some on and make outfit combinations to wear over the weekend when I'd go out. Finally pull out a pair of shorts and tshirt n dress for the day. So basically, the wardrobe I so lovingly created was a wardrobe built only for weekends. Whatever got a little old, I wore at home. As a result, I had too many clothes I rarely wore and often couldn't wear everything I love in a season.

After I joined YLF, I opened my eyes to this reality. I am honesty someone who dresses for comfort at home, and my ideal wardrobe should have comfortable dressy outfits that work for my real everyday life. I've recently purged BAGS AND BAGS of clothes....many new. I want to stop waiting for the weekends to dress nicely and make an effort to dress in smart comfy clothes everyday. I haven't counted my closet items, but I think I'm going to do it this week. I've realized over the last few weeks that I don't need variety at home....a small but versatile collection of clothes will do. I do, however, need variety for weekends and do not like to repeat outfits often. Hence, I need pieces that either are so versatile that I can wear them in 10 different outfits, or I need more clothes to wear out.

I plan to be more intentional about noting down these closet numbers and start documenting what I wear. I do long for a minimalistic wardrobe and streamlined dressing style.

I hope I achieve these goals this year. thanks again of this post Deb

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Ps: Typing error! I meant you're gently 'nudging' us all to look into closet numbers....not 'judging'. Sorry about that!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Deborah, I love these number posts so thanks for sharing. Based on the small adjustments you've made since last year, it seems like you are really happy and stable with your wardrobe. Great news!

karymk

Veteran

Good on you for facing the counting exercise. I can't bear to do it myself, because why actually. I keep a lid on things by doing a purge on a regular basis, at least quarterly. When things start to get too crammed into my wardrobe and there are too many shoes to stack neatly, that's when I know to downsize. The only way I "count" anything in my closet, Deborah, is to keep all my receipts. Even then I don't dare "add it up" to see my spending. I figure when my spending exceeds my very small income my bank account will let me know!

I am so minimal in all the other areas of my life and one thing I really really enjoy is playing with my clothes, so I need a lot of variety in order to pull of what I want to do.

There's a great blog I am reading about simple living, out of Australia no less, called "Slow Your Home." Brooke does some interesting posts and interviews about wardrobe control, but all her other stuff is so inspiring.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Love number posts too- I am such a sticky-beak!
It seems your clothes are shrinking along with you, and in a considered manner for your wants and lifestyle.
40 per season sounds good to me, considering your wide range of activities and commitments.
Great job!

frannieb

Veteran

Thanks for shaeing - I love these type of posts. Always helps to reflect on ones wardrobe.

deb

Veteran

I just pulled up my database and did a quick query and here are my numbers. This is for all seasons.

Total items in closet - 224

Tops - 73

Button front - 17, popover - 3, tank 0 4, tee - 24, tunic - 8, sweatshirt - 2, sweater - 10

Bottoms - 53

culottes - 2, leggings - 4, shorts - 7, trousers - 4, jeans - 28, skirts - 8

Toppers - 32

cardigans - 15, coats - 2, raincoats - 2, jackets - 13

Dresses - 2

Shoes - 33

tall boot - 2, booties - 6, flats - 2, kitten heel - 1, loafer - 3, oxford - 1, sandal - 6, sneaker - 6, wedge - 6

Accessories - 31

bags - 10, glasses - 5, hats - 15, scarf - 1

Wow, I have really culled my shoe collection. I only kept those that do not hurt my injured foot. I also see my hat collection may be getting out of hand. But, this number takes into account all headgear. I think I need to do some work on the jeans issue. Some are now too big and I hate to part with them yet because I may put the weight back on. I need to ponder that one.

Thanks for starting this tread and nudging me into accountability mode.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Deborah I feel that I have watched you hone and fine tune your style and it has been a pleasure. Do you feel this is your happy place in terms of numbers and will try to maintain from here? I am also interested in all the reactions here. I haven't counted anything but shoes (don't ask) but perhaps I should.

Deborah

Veteran

Ladies, thanks for the feedback. I am thrilled that this is interesting and of some use:)

Staysfit, I have actually reduced my numbers:) Despite some categories increasing, others have decreased.

Suz, I think the changes to my categories is due to lifestyle change and understanding my needs better. For example, in the past I included sweaters (or as I like to call them 'jumpers') in my 'tops' category partly because I don't wear jumpers much, however due to working less days in an office and our winters being bitterly cold, nice sweaters have become an important part of my winter casual capsule (some are dressy enough for the office. 12 months ago I couldn't have told you how many I had whereas now, based on my need at this time of year for warmth and style, I recognised a wardrobe hole for stylish sweaters and was able to estimate how many I would actually need.

Melaine, thank you. I also enjoy reading and understanding everyone's process in wardrobe editing.

Sterling, for a long time I was in a similar situation to you. My winter wardrobe more honestly reflected my true style and summer was a headache. It has taken a lot of time to marry the two and finally I am in a happy place with my summer wardrobe.. it's been a very long time coming.

Jeweled, yes I do feel extremely happy walking into my walk in closet. The joke here in my house is that my closet is "my happy place" . If it was bigger I had a nice chair and desk and that would be more 'retreat'. It sounds like your wardrobe is in a very good place too:)

Carter, your wardrobe appears incredibly cohesive to me and you seem very in touch with your style and what works for you. Lifestyle changes can be challenge to navigate wardrobe wise and I am looking foward to following your journey.

Thanks Cheryl!

Shedev, that sounds excellent. You must live in a climate not dissimilar to my own? There is only really a few months of the year where it is very cold and proper Winter pieces are required. But even then, if I am in the office layering works fine as long as I have a coat to put on for the commute.

Tracey, thank you! It took me three years to get to the point of counting. I was so inspired by the intention with which some of the ladies here plan and assess their wardrobes that I finally gave in and decided I needed to do this too. The positive for me is that I no longer buy purely on emotion:)

Suz, thats really interesting. Do you see the reduced numbers a sign of better knowing your style and needs, and maybe not "settling". Also what is your lowest temp wise and highest temp wise ??

Maneera, building a wardrobe for our real life is such a challenge. One I think so many of us have faced and are still working through. I will be watching closely as you journey towards a more minimal wardrobe.

Laura, thank you, I am in a very happy place.

Karymk, I love your approach! My bank manager aka DH keeps me up to speed with how I am going budget wise. Thanks for those blog details, will take a look. I am also quite minimal in most areas of my life too.

Lyn D, I am a sticky beak too and love getting a glimpse of everyone's wardrobes. I find it very inspiring and encouraging.

Frannieb, thank you.

deb, sounds good. I find parting with good items really difficult. I am inclined to move on things that are too big as a motivator to not put my weight back on lol. So with these numbers how do you feel?

Shevia, for me it's more about having a wardrobe that is not stuffed full but has room to move and where I can see anything. I find this number works that way for me but I am flexible. It's about how I feel more than the actual number. So how many shoes do you have???

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Deborah. I'm very inspired by your wardrobe accountability approach and thing you're super stylish. You inspire me to do a better job! Btw, I find Suz and Sveta equally inspiring. Your sense of style and the beautiful way in which it works for your real life makes me believe I can get there too someday.

What is amazing is that my husband is a minimalist by nature. He has a very smart but small wardrobe and each and every piece of clothing, shoes, belts and wallets get ample wear. He only buys what he needs and still creates tons of variety in his work outfits. He never ever ever buys anything on sale because he feels that when he pays full price, he values his purchase more. Plus he hates crowded malls and trial rooms. He buys the best quality he can afford, has 100% clarity on his style statement, and regularly also manages to give clothes that show slight signs of wear to unprivileged people.

And yet, somehow he has never managed to inspire me:D He finds it very odd that I find women I don't know in real life more inspiring, when he has been right there in front of me all these years, setting the perfect example!!! Lol! We have 4 two door wardrobes in the house, and he owns one that's very neat while I own the other three that are completely crammed up.

I vow that I'm going to manage with just my 1 main wardrobe by the end of this year! It just has to has to happen! Wish me luck!

Deborah

Veteran

Maneera, I do wish you luck and we are here to go on the journey with you! Thanks for your kind words. There are so many women who inspire me here too:) My DH is not into fashion but he looks good, has a bit of uniform and buys when he needs. He also likes quality items and works on a minimal wardrobe. But somehow it's other women that inspire my desire for minimalism lol. I think for him wardrobe is functional but for me its both functional and creative.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh yes, it's the same story here Deb!

Lucy

Veteran

Wow, you are super organised to count! I must say I have never done it, but nor do I over-run my available closet space, so I figure I am ok! One thing is for sure, you have formed a gorgeous, cohesive and very "you" wardrobe, whatever the numbers.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Wonderful posts ladies...
I love everything about my house...except for the closets, which are teeny tiny.
I have to swap out seasons, and we do have months here with extreme temps at both ends.
The closet (guest room) which houses my in season work wardrobe has 3 feet of closet rod (sloping ceiling under stairs to upper level) and I have been practicing one in and two out for new purchases for a while now. In the future, it will be one in and one out. I have room to spare on that rod, so I must be doing something right. haven't counted items, but I wear every item. Only take clothes that need dry cleaning to cleaners once a month which forces me to wear what's in my closet.
When I have to change out seasons, if an item hasn't been worn, it gets donated (except for a very few special occasion items).
I share our small master bedroom closet with my DH, and he gets exactly half. We have double hung rods in this one. I also have room to spare on my half of that closet, so I feel comfortable with the total number of garments there (weekend, and casual clothes). I hang everything except for nighties and under garments.

At this point, I am done with big purges, and really like my wardrobe. YLF has really helped me refine my style, and search out quality vs. quantity....capsule posts help me to put together new looks too.

deb

Veteran

Deb, I really never think about my feeling on the numbers. I suppose I am too anal and interested in the process of counting and the stats produced in the following years. I totally understand where you are coming from when you speak of the lifestyle change and how it influenced your wardrobe. I am in the same boat. As far as purging the items that are too big, I am not unhappy with gaining the weight back. My medication plays a very large roll in my weight and have finally realized there is nothing I can do about it so I just except it. The stress of the past 6 months I assume is what caused the weight loss and would much rather have the additional weight than the stress.

Anonymous

I don't really understand nor relate to the whole numbers concept - I suppose because I've never bothered to do it myself. I have no idea whether 20 blazers is a lot , a "normal" number, or what! I do read some of the numbers posts here on the forum out of curiosity, but the main thing I take away from these lists is that I have FAR fewer pieces of clothing than most members When I look at my shelves and closets , I still feel I have far too many items of clothing. I'm a good purger, but I still don't buy intelligently. I don't want a ton of clothes, I just want really prefect and nice ones . I would be interested in figuring out a workable number of pieces for myself - I think I may take this little "challenge " sometime this summer on a quiet day:)

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