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?
My essentials are jeans, black v-neck jumpers and/or t-shirts + flip flops – a few of these items would do me forever.
I have about 35 items (main items only) since minimalising my entire wardrobe in 2010.
Hi Laura, That is admirable! I don’t need all the clothes I have, but I haven’t decided about going minimal yet. This month I am wearing a different outfit every day to work, to see if I still like all the clothes I have, and if they still feel comfortable. If I don’t wear everything in the upcoming year, I will purge! I’ve already found an outfit where I don’t like the fit anymore and won’t be keeping.
Any idea how much/many clothes you had before minimalizing?
100 items before selling some stuff, then 67 I posted on it herehttp://movetoportugal.org/simplifyingreducingclothing/
this doesn’t include scarves etc and I stopped working full time which negated my need for suits.
Cool! I am going to do a recount by the end of the year after I’ve decided what to keep.
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