I've also heard this statistic before, Dee. I don't think there's anything scientific about it, but it's a good reminder to buy for the life we're currently living (and to stop hanging on to clothes we bought for a different or imaginary life).
Those who have tracked wears for years and have a precise count of their clothes can probably verify or dispute the figure more accurately than I can. Having said that, I didn't track through the summer for a bunch of reasons, but I did track last winter so I have some figures. Of about 90 F/W appropriate pieces in the closet (including outerwear and footwear, but not including scarves/ bags/ jewellery or gear that does not cross over) I wore 80.
I didn't wear all pieces with the same frequency, of course. Some items I only wore once or twice during the entire period. Some items were new that season so I didn't get a chance to wear them much before the season changed. Some I retired at the end of the season. Some were special occasion, so just didn't get much of a workout. And some were the predictable workhorses. Essentials without which I can't get dressed, along with the odd wildcard workhorse.
I credit this entirely to my years on YLF. I've learned to buy for the life I do live -- and edit out the items that no longer fit my body or my circumstances. I've also learned to take a few chances on wild cards -- and to accept that they won't all work out. Plus, I've learned that not everything in the closet will be worn as often, which doesn't mean I don't need it. As April says, there are times when shopping for something new on a moment's notice is much more stressful than pulling something from the closet, even if you only wear it once every two years.
Strategies to improve wear that I've heard or tried:
- rotate your clothes by sub-season as well as season. I used to do this when I lived in an even more variable climate.
- invent occasions! E.g. at home "date night" or "dressy night."
- turn hangers of worn items backwards and cycle through
- try a YLF challenge to wear unworn but well-liked items.
- track wears -- you will soon start asking yourself questions about those unworn beauties, which will ether persuade you to wear them or edit them out.
Now that you've inspired me to do that quick check/ count, it's interesting to me to note the items I did not wear last fall/ winter.
- First up, two special occasion tops. Ok -- no occasion.
- Second, a special occasion almost-countiing-as-costume thrifted coat. Ditto.
- Next up -- a trench that is a bit too fitted for oversized items underneath. But a great colour and classic style. So I will keep.
- Next -- a very old sleeveless turtleneck. I like the style but don't wear it a lot. It's good under a jacket. I will keep for now.
- The gilet -- I actually DID wear this five times last year, but earlier than I started tracking officially. (I know the number because I took it on two trips and wore it on repeat then.)
- A silk shirt -- I have no idea why I didn't wear this.
- The booties and pumps -- pumps I had no occasion for. Booties just didn't work with my slightly cropped jeans but I still like them so am hanging on.
I feel okay about this ratio and it has been helpful to do the analysis, so thanks for prompting it!
