Wardrobe by the numbers part 1 (skirts)

So I am starting to work my wardrobe by the numbers as I continue my style evolution and education on YLF.
I have done it and made spreadsheet - the numbers don't lie.
This week I am starting with skirts
I have 16 left after editing out 7 and two are in a holding zone, more so because they are expensive mistakes and I need to just get over it and move on.
What is left:
Summer only skirts - 3
3 season skirts - 8
Fall/Winter only - 4
Dressy 1
All grey, black, navy with one red all either pencil or a-line to the knee

What I learned:

1. I don't need to buy anymore skirts.
2. If I buy another skirt it would be a replacement red skirt. I could edit that one out but it will do for now
3. I would have never every in 1 zillion years told you i had over 20 skirts in my closet
4. I could actually probably get away with a few less - When I look at what is in my closet.
5. I am going to start tracking my outfits for the rest of fall and winter - skirts that don't get worn will be edited out - reducing the number some more (I honestly think I will end up editing out 2 more but I'm letting them stay to see what happens)
6. Starting a strict Angie rule of one out or one in - I can't go over 15 skirts from this point forward. Not counting my dress skirt because you do always need one of those in the wardrobe.

Hope this post helps someone else. I did this activity and learned so much because of other people sharing what they learned from doing the numbers.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Frannieb, your post has helped me to face the fact that I have too many skirts, especially for my life style. I really need to let several go but like them all.
I am away from my closet but am sure that I have at least 15 counting all seasons and levels of dressiness.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I have three currently, with one more on order. Aiming for six.

Suz

It's funny -- quite a few of us like skirts but do not wear them a lot.

In my case it is a combination of lifestyle and climate. I live in a very casual city, I work mostly from home, and my climate is very cold, which means I need to wear tall boots (difficult to fit for me) and/ or thick hose (which darkens a look and isn't necessarily the best for someone with light hair.)

I have 6 and sometimes that feels like too many.

3 for summer/ late spring & early fall (they don't work with tights)

3 for winter/ early spring/ later fall (they will work with tights and are heavier weight).

One of the winter ones is dressy.

I think your resolve is excellent. Now, watching what you wear, you can decide how many would be ideal for you.

Alana in Canada

I cannot talk about skirts. They confuse the heck out of me. Somehow, I have two black pencil skirts. How did that happen? They look virtually identical. I don't know what I am doing. I can't talk about skirts.

On the other hand, great analysis Frannie! Keep us posted on what you learn.

Kristin L

Great analysis! I agree that you should definitely keep the dressy one. Have you thought about why you have so many or why you gravitate to pencil or A-line skirts?

Elizabeth P

I think editing using "the numbers" really can be eye opening. Great idea to do it one category at a time. Perhaps I'll do skirts next as well. I think I have about a million black ones, and guess what I ordered yesterday...

Looking forward to your next instalment!

frannieb

KL - Great question
I have so many skirts because I'm a pear and they work best for me. I hate buying pants because to get perfect fit pants I end up spending $30 to $40 dollars getting them tailored.
Pencil is a silhouette that looks great on me and a-line also works. 3 years ago i finally accepted the shape I have is the shape I have and went a little crazy embracing form fitting clothes instead of baggy clothes. Guess I just kept going.
I also have so many because I wear skirts or used to wear skirts primarily 100% of the time.
This year I have finally invested in pants and tailoring so I'm switching it up a bit more.

Elly

Ah-- I have 4 skirts. 2 are full, midi, summer jersey skirts that are a welcome relief in the heat but exquisitely hard to find tops to go with. I wear them frequently in the summer but won't add to the collection-- future purchases will be one-in-one out replacements. I'm kicking myself that I didn't buy a VC tube skirt on deep discount at NAS because then I would be set for my skirt option for work next summer and only looking for a colorful upgrade for my "weekend" skirt.
1 is a beautiful watercolor floral print in reds, purples, navy and black. It is a swingy midi in a POLY jersey. The jersey is very light, but the top has never fit quite right and I never know what to pair with it (it has a real waistband but pretty much can't be worn with something tucked). Yet, I still have it.

1 is my black ponte pencil skirt. Works with a ton of stuff but usually dressier than my lifestyle. Gets pulled out for events.

missvee

I have 8 and they cover off 4 seasons very nicely. Only 2 are wool and therefore strictly fall/ winter. The rest are lighter fabrics. Last year I bought a brown lace skirt for the holidays but it has transitioned very well and looks great with brown sandals for warmer weather. My lifestyle is pretty casual, but even so I'd probably wear a skirt at least once a week.
It's interesting isn't it how revealing the numbers are.

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