Wearing My Clothes (Out) - #30Wears Update - YouLookFab Forum

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Wearing My Clothes (Out) - #30Wears Update

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

As some of you probably remember, I've been working over the past year or so to buy more consciously and really wear the things I own. After reading about the #30wears movement, I decided that it seemed like a reasonable goal to shop for items I thought could stand up to 30+ wears and keep a smaller wardrobe to wear each item more.

I haven't been perfect. Though I recently got rid of some items that were completely worn out after a good life of 30 or more wears, I've also donated some older items that just were poor decisions, or that wore out after only a shockingly small number of outings. Still, it feels so good to see a piece of clothing well and truly to the end of its useful life, and then donate it for rags.

FWIW, I've also bought about 17 items of clothing (including shoes and athletic gear) since the start of the year, so I'm not exactly on a shopping hiatus or anything...just trying to be more mindful.

I thought I'd share the pieces I own now that have reached 25 or more wears. It's about 35% of my wardrobe total, which I think is pretty good, as pieces move through their life cycles at different paces!

Photo 1 show items with 25 or more wears. Photo 2 shows those with 50 or more.

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35 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Sal

Veteran

Shoes pants and black tops seem to serve you well!

They would be my best performers as well - so I am not surprised. Shoes and pants are always worth getting right in my opinion - spending per item is not so important as you do get value if you make the correct call. And black tops are an essential for me as well.

Have you found any theme with the pieces that didn't last - either wore out too quickly or just were poor purchases?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sal, you're right. Black tops, shoes, cardigans, and gear. As for mistakes, there are certain brands and retailers I'll probably be avoiding. I had t-shirts that developed holes after only 10 wears! Also, I've learned that I really need a little stretch in my pants. I tend to rip right through the thighs if they don't offer a bit of give, even with pants that fit generously.

rachylou

Veteran

I’m impressed your shoes have stood up so well.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

rachylou, the AllBirds have 183 wears! Granted, I mostly wear them for walking on an indoor track, but still...who knew wool shoes would be so sturdy?!

Joy

Veteran

That is amazing about the AllBirds! I am impressed with your wear tracking.
Do you find that pants in general get worn more than tops?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Joy, absolutely. Some of that is just laundry realities, as I'll wear most pants (but especially jeans) more than once before washing. I also have way fewer bottoms than tops.

ETA: Also! Tops, especially knit ones, tend to need retiring right around 30 wears, whereas pants and jeans last much longer. Probably the fault of thinner fabric and increased laundering.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

For contrast, here are the items I’ve worn less than five times.

Striped tee - new replacement for a striped tee that was retired with exactly 30 wears and pinprick holes.

Two cotton skirts - new this summer. Probably only needed one, but they’re at four wears each.

Lace skirt and LBD- dressier pieces, just don't get worn as often, which is fine

Plaid blazer - inherited from my mom, not sure if I’ll keep

Scarves - The two gray scarves were vacation souvenirs, probably poorly thought out, but I wear them occasionally and they hold fond memories. Roma scarf in bottom middle is deceptive in the tracking, as I’ve had it since high school, and it belonged to my mother for years before that. (My great-aunt, who was the mother superior of a convent in Illinois, brought it back from her trip-of-a-lifetime to the Vatican.) Heirloom.

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jussie

Veteran

Great job at becoming more aware of your environmental impact.
Makes me think we all aught to focus on our core basics more and really limit the statement pieces as they just don’t go the distance and get used to their maximum potential.
Was there any particular reason you haven’t worn the cotton skirts that much or is it pretty much how you predicted?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Great to hear from you Jenn- missed you! As you know I have been trying to do the same. I am doing OK with many things, especially some of my post-YLF ( so past 18 months) purchases. Eg: black cropped jeans 2017 35 wears,pewter pants March 2018 29 wears, fringed flat black booties 2018 39 wears. Other new items less, of course, but am in the swing of it!

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! I’m really REALLY impressed. Gonna have to have a closer look at AllBirds!

Style Fan

Veteran

Great to hear from you, Jenn. I am impressed with your tracking. I am also fascinated by the scarf from the Vatican. What an interesting piece that would be.
I don't keep track of my wears but I also notice tops wear out much faster than jeans and other bottoms.

bj1111

Veteran

what struck me about the items with the most wears is how cohesive the lot is. black and burgundy with caramel accents. no wonder they've had #30wears since they all go together. was it easier getting dressed?

with so much of your wardrobe functional and in use, you can take a chance on something that will extend the rest of the well-loved items, like the two skirts, even if those items don't get as many wears. having options is also nice.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

jussie and bj111, I’m not terribly concerned about the skirts. They’ve basically been worn a little less than once a week since the start of June (four times in six weeks). I still have 6-8 weeks of summer left, so they’ll get there.

bj1111 — It has been a bit easier getting dressed. I’ve always kept a pretty tight color scheme, but I realize that narrowing choices in this way doesn’t work for everyone.

Jussie — I still do have statements in my wardrobe. Most of them are sitting in the 10-24 wears category, and they provide a high happiness factor!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

JenniNZ — My post #30wears purchases have generally been better, too. It really is a mindfulness thing, start to finish, isn’t it? Also, realizing it takes longer than you think to rack up wears on your clothing, so you really have to be in it for the long haul with anything you choose to add.

Style Fan, some things, you just have to keep for the story, and that scarf is one of them. I wish it were a slightly less awkward size, so I could wear it more easily, but I’ll never get rid of it.

cindysmith

Veteran

I probably need to tackle a challenge like this myself. Unfortunately, my lifestyle and job just chew through garments at a horrifying rate. It disgusts me sometimes, but it is what it is and I guess what it is is the cost of the lifestyle we've chosen LOL

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

cindysmith, agreed, sometimes it just can’t be helped! Out of curiosity, do you wear an apron while you work? I work with paint, glue, pastels, and dye and, while I do default to the same sturdy (and black) outfit when I know things will be messy, I also have a cotton canvas apron that helps quite a bit when I remember to use it.

Becky

Veteran

Nicely done! I may have missed this mentioned on a previous thread, but do you have an app you use to track your wears?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Becky, I use ClosetSpace. Like any wardrobe management system, the hardest part is getting your wardrobe input in the first place. After that, it’s literally just seconds a day.

KnittingGene

I’ve been eyeing AllBirds and have been seeing them on lots of people here in San Francisco where I’m visiting. Glad to know about their durability. They are SO cute!

SarahD8

Veteran

Fascinating update and great food for thought. Just wanted to add my appreciation to you for sharing this, I find this analysis so helpful. Will be thinking on it.

Aida

Veteran

Nice to hear from you Jenn, and thanks for this update! It sounds like things are humming along and lots of your pieces are working the way you want. Great! I was a little surprised to see the black lacy skirt in the under 5 wears club, thought I recalled you posting several outfits with it before.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Aida, I've probably just posted about every time I've worn that skirt! I do really like it, so that counts for something. It's not super-practical for my lifestyle, is all. I'm always worried about snagging and destroying it. Happily, I have several sets of theatre tickets for dates coming up, and that's about a perfect environment for that piece.

SarahD8, glad you find it useful! It can feel a bit navel-gazey, but I appreciate the same kinds of posts from others (including you!)

KnittingGene, I've heard tell the AllBirds are super-popular in SF, probably in part because that's one of the few places there's a brick and mortar store. We don't have a retail location here, but I'm still starting to see them on people on a pretty regular basis.

Sal

Veteran

With the exception maybe of the inherited plaid blazer all the less worn items still look like you. And they are really nice pieces. The vatican scarf is a gorgeous piece but shape is vital to make a scarf easy to wear.

I think we have a similar approach Jenn (although I have very few pieces in finds and don't count). About 1/2-2/3 of our wardrobe are real workhorses and 1/2- 1/3 are more specific/statements/seasonal. I am trying to reduce that 1/2 to more like 1/3 or 1/4 and making sure those items have longevity. My workhorses (jeans, black tops, striped tops, everyday shoes, basic sweaters) won't last as long but I have to be prepared to wear them often - at least every second week in season - and some more than once a week.

On the Allbirds.

I have bought two pairs and had them delivered here. One I had to return as they were an off chance purchase for my Mum that did not work. Jon kept his and wears them ALL the time - he loves them.

But the delivery is amazing. I ordered one pair late Sunday night (Saturday or early Sunday in the USA) and they were on my doorstep 3pm Tuesday afternoon (Monday in the USA).

I am considering a pair for myself (probably the tree huggers?/summer weight ones) but waiting to replace a couple of other pairs I have that still have life in them.

Thread hijack over!!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sal, I think the AllBirds are shipped from New Zealand, aren’t they? They actually take weeks to arrive here! Role reversal! My husband has a pair of the loafers and really likes them for air travel.

You’re right that we have similar approaches! I think I’m doing pretty well at getting the number or statements down as a percentage of my wardrobe, but also realize that those statements are SO important. I would definitely get bored without them.

Sal

Veteran

I checked - they are shipped from Auckland (I know they use NZ merino but I think they are manufactured out of NZ). That explains my super quick delivery then!! (DUH)

Yes statements have a big place in my heart too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jenn, your wardrobe is so cohesive and I am very impressed with your tracking. I need to get more serious about that also. I pretty much do wear all my clothing at least 30 times, apart from a few special occasion items or-- as you note -- the odd purchase that wears out faster than it should. But I agree that consciously asking oneself before purchasing -- does this item feel like something I'd be happy to wear at least 30 times?-- is a great way to whittle the truly useful from the what was I thinking? purchase.

Our most-worn items are similar -- for me, it would be jeans, footwear, bags, watch, striped shirts, navy tops.

These Allbirds are really appealing to me -- I think I might just have to try a pair!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Suz, you have a wonderfully thoughtful approach to building your wardrobe, and you keep your clothes for several seasons. I’m not at all surprised to hear you wear most things at least 30 times. I stopped tracking jewelry a few months ago. Otherwise there would be a lot more of that in the 50+ category. I found it made it harder to look at my outfits with any degree of usefulness, since I ended up with multiple variations of each look, just because of minor jewelry tweaks.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Interesting update.

The allbirds discussion is interesting too. I’ve been thinking about getting a pair (was torn between them & Van’s Old Schools until my son informed me I’m too old for the Vans.). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pair in the wild. For me, they would replace two pairs of shoes—the running shoes that I wear when I lift weights (I don’t run) and the Sperrys I wore with dresses. Those are getting worn out after only a year, and I stopped wearing them months ago, because they need an insert to not hurt my back, and I got tired of fussing with it every time I put them on. So shrinking my wardrobe will actually be less friendly to the environment than just hanging onto and wearing what I’ve got.

KnittingGene

Jenn, inspired by your post, I finally got started with a closet tracker. My pics sure don’t look as good as yours but I’m working hard to avoid perfectionism and instead embrace expediency and usefulness. Hopefully, I’ll get better at the technical side of this. But already, 4 -5 days in, I can see that the data helps fuel my desire to wear my clothes more. I’m excited that this might help me in my tendency to over-buy or underestimate how much I have. Thank you for this.

I’m doing it, girls, I’m ordering the AllBirds. I can’t resist the idea of wool shoes so I’ll go for the merino ones. My shoe purchases in the last year have left me feeling like I have plenty but I really do love having a basic pair of white tennies and my Adidas superstars got horribly yellowed at the toe.

FashIntern, I respectfully but strongly disagree with your son about the Vans and I don’t even know how old you are. I hope you think about what look and feel YOU want. Also, I’ve noticed that as my daughter has gotten older (she’s 22 now), she is less hung up on my staying in a Mom-lane!

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