I Seem to Have Acquired 480 Items of Clothing

I decided I would make a list of clothes I need to buy this year so I could stick with the list and not buy “other” clothes I didn’t need so much.

I have resolved this year to stop wearing the same old combinations, and to use more of the wardrobe I own, which has some pretty nice pieces I rarely wear! On the plus side, I went through everything and can state with confidence that every item fits and is in good condition. Otherwise it was either donated or turfed.

I am so far from being a fashionista! I have three basic seasonal looks:

• In the winter I wear either a heavy sweater with pants, or a light sweater with a jacket and pants.
• In the spring and fall, I wear a long-sleeve solid colour T-shirt or shirt/blouse with pants, adding a jacket or light-weight cardigan as needed.
• In the summer, I wear a solid colour short-sleeve T-shirt or short-sleeve shirt/blouse/top with pants, and a light-weight cardigan if necessary.

I decided to inventory what I already have before buying more. Here are the results:

TOPS

• 8 jackets (indoor, for layering)
• 30 cardigans
• 25 pullover sweaters
• 20 long-sleeve shirts (w/collars & buttons)
• 9 short-sleeve shirts (w/collars & buttons)
• 6 sleeveless shirts (w/collars & buttons)
• 11 long-sleeve T-shirts suitable for work
• 14 short-sleeve T-shirts suitable for work
• 10 short-sleeve T-shirts with collar (“golf shirts”)
• 31 short-sleeve T-shirts (w/fun prints, cartoons, rock bands etc.)
• 13 tank tops

TOTAL 177 TOPS

PANTS (that would be trousers in the UK)

• 7 pr pants for work
• 6 pr casual, khakis, cargo, etc.
• 4 pr jeans
• 5 pr yoga, workout and sweat pants
• 4 pr shorts

TOTAL 26 PANTS

SUITS, DRESSES AND SKIRTS

• 2 suits (were for job interviews)
• 4 dresses
• 6 skirts

TOTAL 12 SUITS, DRESSES AND SKIRTS

OUTERWEAR – COATS AND JACKETS

• 6 winter coats and jackets
• 7 spring/fall coats and jackets

TOTAL 13 OUTERWEAR – COATS AND JACKETS

BOOTS AND SHOES

• 6 pr boots
• 9 pr shoes suitable for work
• 9 pr sandals
• 3 pr sneakers
• 3 pr old sneakers for doing yard work/painting
• 3 pr slippers

TOTAL BOOTS AND SHOES 33

NIGHTWEAR

• 6 nightgowns or sleep shirts
• 5 pajamas
• 10 tops or bottoms for sleeping in
• 2 robes/dressing gowns

TOTAL NIGHTWEAR 23

UNDERTHINGS

• 17 bras
• 33 panties
• 6 lingerie
• 6 traditional (camisoles and slips)
• 22 pr tights, stay-ups and pantyhose
• 56 pr socks (!)
• 4 bathing suits

TOTAL UNDERTHINGS 144

ACCESSORIES (NOT INCLUDING JEWELLERY)

• 10 belts
• 18 scarves
• 11 hats and caps
• 9 pr gloves and mittens
• 3 purses
• 1 umbrella

TOTAL ACCESSORIES 52

So, 480 items and not a thing to wear 🙂 Or rather, 5 outfits I wear every week and the rest just sitting there! It looks like I am the furthest thing from a minimalist. At the very least, the inventory made me realize how few items I actually wear and how little more I need.

There are a few clothing items I have never worn and never will (forthcoming post!)

I would love to hear what your clothing inventory is like – what are your essentials?