Happy Monday!! So, I did my wardrobe audit (more details on the task and giveaway via this link) over the weekend, and I’m going to reveal my complete results next week when I ask for all of yours, but I will tease you and say that I underestimated the size of my wardrobe by about 20 items, and those were mostly “home” only pieces that were tucked away in a drawer.
Here’s what I did: I sat down in my office and created a spreadsheet to record from memory everything I have in my wardrobe right now, NOT including bras/panties/sleepwear, but INCLUDING exercise clothes, HOME clothes and a few pieces that are on their way out, but still hanging in my closet*. I also included shoes & bags, but NOT jewelry. When I was finished, I went upstairs and compared my notes, adding in the things I missed and came up with a final number.
*for your audit, count/don’t count whatever you want, there are no “rules.” Just make sure you’re counting things that are important to you, and that you wear often. I couldn’t leave out exercise clothes or clothes I wear at home because that’s a very large portion of my wardrobe, they’re crucial to my overall sartorial “happiness,” and they take up space. Maybe you have a large “outdoor activities” wardrobe, that you wear items from every weekend. In that case I WOULD count those items, because they’re represent an important part of your LIFE and wardrobe.
I also kept in mind the following questions as I worked:
- Why am I doing this?
- What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
- What do I have enough of?
- What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
- What can I get rid of?
Why am I doing this?
Knowledge – and accuracy. I’m curious to know exactly the size of my wardrobe. Not because I want it to be a pre-determined certain size, but because I want to understand it better. I want to know how everything works together, that I have the right mix of things to suit my “moods” and that I have only things that I love and that fit me in my closet.
What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
To keep an up-to-date list of things I have so I always know what it is in my closet. I was pretty accurate, just recalling most items from memory, but I hate that sometimes I forget what I already have in my wardrobe, especially when I’m looking at adding new things (emotions!!).
I would like to nail down a size, or a “number” I’m comfortable with, based off of what I’ve learned, and try to keep my wardrobe within those limits, give or take a few pieces here and there, consistently.
I’m going to start trying to use the stylebook app, since it seems like the best way to keep a database of everything in my wardrobe, and keep track of how often I wear something.
What do I have enough of?
*will answer later!!
What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
*will answer later!!
What can I get rid of?
There are a few things I starred in my audit, which marks them “on their way out;” things I haven’t worn in a year, or more, and that I’m almost ready to get rid of, they just need to go through one more season in my closet before I’m ready to part with them completely.
Your turn, without giving all your answers yet (wait for the final post next Monday!!), what do you want to accomplish with this wardrobe audit? What do you think your results will be?
I want to recognize the things that I’ve bought but don’t use, so that I don’t buy more of them, and pay more attention to why I’m drawn to the items I truly love
I think it’s an interesting exercise just to figure out how many mind tricks we play to ourselves to allow ourselves more shopping and make space for more “needs.” I was not too far from the truth either, which I am glad about: it means that I am not avoiding the truth too much. But I could do better.
I really, really want to pare down my wardrobe and find a way to mentally and physically let go of so much that I have in there that doesn’t get worn enough to justify it’s presence. I’m amazed you can list from memory most of what you have. I feel like I have this Herculean task to let go of so much and I I’m depressed that I just can’t seem to do it. I’m sure it has more to with emotional issues than anything else, (one of the reasons I so love your blog is because you are very open about the attachments and anxiety we feel about clothing, etc.) still I’m going to try to use your exercise to get some control over it. Thanks.
Why am I doing this? I want to love and wear everything that I own in the minimum quantity. I’m a strict minimalist when it comes to my wardrobe.
What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
The ultimate goal really is to stop buying items for a fantasy life – I simply do not have the chance to go out much- I have 2 kids and live out in a rural area, my clothes have to be practical, comfortable and able to withstand frequent washings from food stains. I adore knitwear and keep on buying wool and cashmere sweaters that need to be handwashed when what I NEED are cotton sweatshirts that can be thrown in the washer and dryer. This year – NO MORE WOOL KNITWEAR!
What do I have enough of?
Outerwear, sweaters, winter trousers, summer dresses, shoes, bags
What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
A few summer tops and bottoms but I won’t think about that until next spring.
What can I get rid of?
I’m planning to sell 3 bags, 2 sweaters and a wool skirt – all were expensive fantasy purchases and 3 items are very recent.
This fall has been the most ruthless wardrobe audit I’ve ever done but have made some slip ups as well. Holiday season is actually good for my implusive purchase tendencies as I hate crowds in shops and I avoid online shopping because of shipping delays. Post-holiday winter sales are usually a different story – I have been known to make some stupid purchases because of the sales but I am going to take the plunge and do my first ever shopping ban until spring 2017. Wish me luck!
1.Why am I doing this?
I need to control my budget and stop wanting to buy new things. I hope that I will see that I have more than enough.
2.What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
Learning.
3.What do I have enough of?
tops/Ts, black cardigans
4.What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
1-2 hiking/travel type bottoms for adventure vacations. I have been eying Prana. Some of my work shoes could use replacing.
5.What can I get rid of?
Probably some of my jackets. I live in Hawaii and have a collection of wool jackets from when I did not. Also a few shoes that have not been worn in years.
I counted this weekend as I won’t be home over Thanksgiving. I still have a few more groups to add in (some clothes still unpacked in my suitcase & stuff at my BF’s on another island). But so far I can tell my original estimate was pretty close (I had added for conservatism but it appears that wasn’t necessary).
Why? – I’m moving soon and even with day to day living I feel very overwhelmed. My house always feels cluttered and dirty. I haven’t done anything creative in months as I’m always so overwhelmed by the untidiness. I’ve been hanging onto to many items size 2 to 8 and for different lifestyles. Caught between the skinny me and the now pudgy me as well as between a city to rural and back to city lifestyle. Also a change in my style/taste. I do feel the old me (girly rocker) doesn’t exist much anymore (except for Alexander McQueen scarves). I’m much more classic and streamlined (can’t stand fussy details now) but still held onto to all the old style pieces. I’m constantly buying to gain some sense or order, to feel organized. When in reality, the best thing would be to eat healthy, exercise and trim down the wardrobe – to stop spending so much time and effort on shopping. To feel more comfortable about my appearance by living a healthier lifestyle instead of expending so much effort finding the perfect piece to wear.
Goal – a smaller wardrobe with things I love to wear. I would also like to know each item I own instead of being surprised what I find in my closet.
Thanks for getting us started on this.
Why am I doing this?
–To make the most of my wardrobe and to be able to put together outfits with the pieces I have. This exercise will help me know what I have to work with.
What is my ulitimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
–Stop buying items I “think” I need. Have a clothing budget and actually STICK to it. Work with what I have.
What do I have enough of?
–Graphic tee’s and tanks! I swear, I have a sickness when it comes to shirts with fun sayings and rock bands on it. Oh, and sweatshirts…
What can I get rid of?
–Shirts with holes in them. Yes, I tend to keep those mainly b/c they’re super comfy shirts that I sleep in. But they take up so much space!
Forgot to answer this question:
What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
NOTHING!
I can relate! Well said, Holly.
Why am I doing this? Hopefully, to feel more in-control (as much as anyone can be!) of my life. To set a budget and live within my means. To love what I own and not feel “meh” about it.
Goal? To finish the job I started and gave up on. Then, to get it the hell out of my house!!
What do I have enough of? Not sure yet, but I can venture a guess (Ill-fitting fantasy jeans, I’m talking to you!)
What do I need more of? Probably nothing. Maybe better shoes. Not more, but BETTER.
What can I get rid of? All I know is I have bags and bags full of clothes in my basement, with more to come. It’s a sickening feeling. Money wasted…
Thanks, Mamazalveetao3. 🙂
Why am I doing this?
– Because I’ve been doing a lot of anxiety shopping this past year and it’s getting out of control.
What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit?
– To figure out why I keep buying so much stuff, especially the same things over and over. I read a piece on Man Repeller about shopping paralysis – and one of the things that resonated with me was the desire to buy quality, but the lack of funds to do so, so I buy the cheaper version to satiate myself, but then end up not liking it/wearing it, and feeling the anxiety to buy the quality piece again. I think this is the root of it, so I’m hoping I can figure out which pieces I keep buying low-quality, and then stop myself from buying them anymore and just save up for that One Quality Piece (I did this with my shoes recently and I am so happy with the 3 pairs I have now – all quality, all exactly what I wanted even though they were more than I usually pay, but they are all I wear and I love them!).
What do I have enough of?
– basic tees and tanks, oh god there’s so many
What do I think I still need in my wardrobe?
– better sweaters (most of mine are cheap ones from Target and H&M)
What can I get rid of?
– my graphic t-shirt collection – I wore these nonstop in my early 20s but none of them fit anymore – size and lifestyle wise. I’ve been wanting to make them into a t-shirt quilt though, so I don’t to throw them out, but I need to put them in different storage (and actually make the quilt!). Also anything I think I *should* have but don’t really need – like these weird polyester work blouses I never, ever wear.
1) Why am I doing this? – To win the beautiful Everlane clutch. 🙂 I never owned a clutch before. Also, since I am a minimalist, on a tight budget and I am committed to do ethical and sustainable shopping, I need to know exactly what’s in my wardrobe, what is the condition of the clothing pieces, what do I need more of, what do I don’t need more of and how can I combine my versatile pieces. Not because I want to stick to a number of clothing items and I shall never ever cross that line… I think that would just make my system rigid and instead, I would like to make it flow-y and flexible to my changing lifestyle at all times. Currently my budget allows me to add 1-2 pieces / month (and I didn’t want to compromise on the quality) and naturally I wear out some items as well every season.
2) What is my ultimate goal in completing a wardrobe audit? – Planning my purchases for the winter and spring/summer seasons.
3) What do I have enough of? – Black long sleeve tops (I have 4 of them, but all are different. Since I only wear black, white, navy and grey basics and frequently wear black, it is a good enough amount).
4) What do I think I still need in my wardrobe? – For winter 1 pair of street shoes, 1 pair of Chelsea boots, a tote bag, 1 pair of blue jeans, 2 knitwear. For spring/summer some basic tees and muscle tanks. 2 skirts. 1 culotte.
5) What can I get rid of? 2-3 pieces of clothing which I wore and wash so much this year that they don’t look good anymore.
Thank you, Grechen for these questions, you helped me to think it through what do I really need (because my wish lists are longer). 🙂
1. Why am I doing this- to stop the emotional need to shop and start making purchases that will finally stay for the *long * run.
2. My ultimate goal- to only add what I really need.
3. What do I have enough of- Grey work-out t-shirts (15 of them) bought because that color looks good on me..over and over again.
4. What do I still need- a long sleeve white button down shirt.
5. What can I get rid of- old t-shirts! I have way too many of them.