Everlane foldover leather pouch | made in Spain
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Happy Monday!! I mentioned on Friday that I have a new Everlane pouch to giveaway and was going to try and figure out a fun way to do it. Here it is:
I read recently that as a result of her “wardrobe audit” project, Dr Helen Roby, a researcher at the Open University determined that
people vastly underestimated the number of clothes they owned
And overconsumption is “the elephant in the room. We know it’s a problem but we don’t want to do anything about it.”
That sounds accurate. Even after my recent wardrobe paring down and subsequent effort to shop more consciously, I’ve continued to consume, probably more than I need, and now again, I feel like I have “too much.” I’m pretty sure I have many more items in my wardrobe than I *think* I do. For example I think I have about 150 pieces, including EVERYTHING – all items of clothing (not underwear or bras), shoes, bags, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, to find that I have twice that number.
So here’s your challenge, and your giveaway entry, should you choose to accept it: Do a wardrobe audit.
Today, leave a comment and let us know how many items you THINK you have in your wardrobe. Your “wardrobe” includes shoes, exercise clothing, home clothes, shoes, bags, and does NOT INCLUDE jewelry/accessories, and bras/panties/pajamas.
Then, after Thanksgiving (on Monday, November 28) come back with a full count and tell us what the REAL number is. I’ll choose a winner randomly from the final submissions.
No judgement…I am just interested to know first, by how much approximately we underestimate (or overestimate) the numbers of things we own, and also, how many things we actually own. I’m going to do my own audit, and break everything down into colors and types, sizes, etc. and be as detailed as possible. Not in an effort to determine what might be “normal” (there is no such thing…), and compare with other answers, but as a way to collect information. Knowledge is power.
I’d love your participation.
If you’re in, leave a comment today with a rough estimate of how many items you have in your wardrobe.
Later this week, I’ll publish more details on breaking down your wardrobe and the form to fill in to complete the audit and giveaway so you can work on it over the weekend and holiday next week in time to share the results with us on 11/28.
I think this will be fun! I’m looking forward to doing a complete audit of my own wardrobe; it’s been a while. I know I have quite a bit more items now…
Who’s with me??
I think I have 75-100.
I’m moving Northern California to Colorado in two weeks, and trying to resist using that as an excuse to run out and buy a bunch of new winter clothes. I may need to get a warmer coat and a good pair of boots, but how many more sweaters do I really need?
Beyond consuming less clothing in general, I haven’t been particularly concerned about the ethical implications of the materials I wear. But I just read more about the issues with wool and mulesing and realized that wow, I really don’t want to purchase any more garments made with wool sourced from farms that do that. I eat meat and I wear leather, but for whatever reason, that issue gave me pause.
Oof, this is tough. 300?? I really hope that I don’t have nearly that many clothes, but some quick counting up on my fingers makes me wonder…
My guess would be 350 yikes!
465 Yikes!
OMG this sounds so fun!! I think I have about 175 pieces in my wardrobe. I get rid of stuff pretty regularly, so I like to think I have a good handle on it. We shall see…….
Ugh. I’ll guess 400 items total, counting shoes. I do have an entire section of workwear that gets almost zero use since I currently work from home (and have for nearly a decade), but I still hang on to those button downs, sheath dresses and pencil skirts just in case of a career change…
I think a closet audit will be the perfect way to spend my Day After Thanksgiving. It feels like every year I tell myself that I’m going to avoid new clothes/shoes/accessories for myself during the holiday season, and then I usually make it until mid-December before giving in. Once again this year I’ve set a tentative goal to forego clothes shopping until after the holiday sales have passed. Maybe the audit will keep me in line.
oh!! what a wonderful idea 🙂 shop your closet instead of black friday sales…
oh moving!! hope it goes well 🙂
i’ve recently learned about mulesing too (from Zady’s recent wool collection), and uh. no. it is/was a common practice in australia, but buyers are trying to get shepherds to phase out the process and have retailers like H&M, etc. sign onto a non-mulesing agreement.
honestly, the more i learn about the horrible treatment of animals used to make our clothing/shoes/bags, the less i want to buy anymore animal products at all.. but that’s for another post LOL
I figured I had around 150. Checked my spreadsheet when I got home from work and I’m bang on 160 (that doesn’t include the 50 pieces I have just for cycling though).
There’s a lot that I need to get rid of but can’t yet let go of. My style has changed significantly since I’ve had my ankle fused – I can’t wear heels (so there goes all my stilettos! >sadface< ) and even a bunch of my flats are unwearable (the soles are too rigid). And being limited to flats, for whatever reason, finds me wearing trousers rather than skirts. I just don't know how to get out of the mindset that I need to keep this stuff "just in case" (I can't freaking wear the things so WTF?! Also a lot of the stuff isn't really in good enough condition for consignment but I'm loathe to put it in the clothing bin, and GAH! ).
Anyhoo, sorry 'bout the rant!
I’m going to have to guess 250. I also used to work out in the world, and have a fabulous collection of high end designer clothes, shoes, and bags. Now I’m a yoga teacher and work at home with my husbands small jewelry business. We also moved to a very causal beach town ( I see bikinis in the grocery store and flip flops all around) from a major city. I can’t stand the thought of getting rid of the stuff I don’t wear, but I really haven’t anywhere to wear a Chanel suit or Ferragamo suede pencil skirts ( not complaining, love my lifestyle now, just an observation)
I have a summer home with clothes there also, but it’s mostly “play clothes” hiking, yard work, that sort of thing. So I can’t really do a full audit!
I would guess I have under 50 items at the vacation house.
I’m going to guess I have 375 pieces. I really hope it’s less than that, but we will see when I count em up! I am definitely planning on a closet audit / consignment pile very soon. There are some things I’m just not wearing and I’m sure they can find a better home elsewhere.
I recently did a huge purge and am a devotee to Stylebook, so from what I understand it’s around 120. I’ll do a full count this week though!
My guess is 250 if I am including beach and workout stuff. I know that my main professional wardrobe is at 88 items, as I started tracking wears (19 items remain unworn after two months of tracking!) Which means I have way too many clothes for the two days a week that I am off…
I did a spreadsheet recently after reading something similar on Reddit. I have about 80 pieces in my closet, around 95 if I include my workout gear. I’ve been through two pregnancies and the accompanying weight gain and (some) loss. Also, my feet grew an entire size after my first pregnancy and I lost my entire shoe collection. The struggle to find new clothes (and shoes) that fit my “mommy body” well has been difficult and frustrating. I guess the upside is that I have less clothes to deal with 🙂
What a fun (and potentially shocking) challenge! I’m going to guess about 225 if I include my workout gear.
I’m guessing 100, as I just did a purge. But I’m sure I’m underestimating.
Looking forward to doing an audit.
Oh.my.gosh. I don’t know if I can actually do this, but I’m going to try. It may just be the impetus I need to finally go through my endless closet! I’m going to guess 325.
I am going to guess 250 including workout/cycling clothes/coats/jackets
My guess is about 120. I have been getting rid of clothes for the past couple of years and although I do buy new items from time to time, I don’t think I buy that much. I could be in for a surprise though! I love your idea – a different perspective at looking in detail at what I have.
Okay – I am going to guess somewhere between 150-200
I have a bunch of running stuff and some yoga clothes, plus performance clothes for work –
I am going to include all of that in the number.
We shall see that actual number…..
I would say I have 60 items.
I’m not sure that I actually want to know but on the other hand I’m kind of curious. Including workout gear, shoes, scarves and bags, I’m guessing between 300 and 400. One teeny tiny closet (we live in an old house), two armoires and two dressers hold everything, including summer and winter clothes as well as outerwear. Although I try to purge and donate regularly due to limited storage space, I still tend to hold onto things that are no longer being worn for two long. Will report back with the final count!
My guess is that I have about 70 items. Two years ago I moved to the US from Europe and all I carried with me back then were my pregnancy clothes. Since then I am trying to slowly build up my wardrobe from scratch. More elegantly: I am a devoted fan of the capsule wardrobe concept. 🙂
I know I’m still missing pieces, but my best estimate is 170. I’m really interested to know the real number; this will be a good self-check before the season of spending! Thanks for challenging us to be a bit more mindful…will report back after the holiday.
300 guessing!
I’m guessing I have around 300….yikes! I did a big purge about two years ago but recently, after staring at my closet every morning while trying to get dressed for work, I realized that I was lacking clothes for the office and went on a bit of a (second-hand) shopping spree. Now getting dressed for work is easy, but my closet is full again!
Oh man, I am actually a little terrified to even take a guess. My workout stuff alone (which I’m guessing includes my cycling kits?) is probably easily 50 items. It’s definitely time to pare down again, so I’m up for the challenge. (And are we counting coats? And ratty sleep t-shirts? I apparently need rules.) I’m going to guess 350 total.
I already know the answer to this because I use the Stylebook app…haha. I’m at around 200 items that I wear regularly (including everything but jewelry/accessories, loungewear, pjs, workout wear, old t-shirts that I only pull out if I need something that can get dirty, college sweatshirts, etc.). I realized that I’m at a really good place. I think if I had fewer items, I’d feel really restricted (mostly because I live in all four seasons so I have a lot of items that can’t be worn any time of year).
Including everything it’s probably close to 350? In workout / hiking clothes alone I think I have around 100 pieces. Yikes…
I would guess 400. I’ve gotten better in the past 1-2 years but probably still close to 400. I shall do my best to count this weekend ???
I’s like to say under 200 but in reality I’m probably at 320. Once my husband claimed he had maybe 40 and we counted just his shirts and he had 76!!!! Deceptive closets:)
Embarrassedo to say this but I would guess 400. I hope it’s less…
I’d guess 400. Now to the daunting task of counting.
I THINK a fair rough estimate is 225. Thanks for leading us through this, especially at this time of year
I’m going to guess I have about 400 . . . I’ve purged a lot every time we’ve moved but I really should donate more stuff since I now work out of my house and no longer need suits and business-y clothes. BUT I also want to hold onto certain pieces for my toddler daughter. I’m so sad that my mother gave away all of her pre-baby clothes. My daughter already tells me she wants certain shoes and purses of mine when she “gets big.”
I’m going to say 300, I did a purge several months ago but several things have somehow sneaked in since then – thanks for setting this up and good timing to do another closet purge!
Oh man! Love this concept! I am at an all time low (for myself) of 200!
Well I did it. I did not count underwear, sleepwear, hats, scarves or bags. I have 63 pairs of shoes and 517 items of clothing for a total of 580. Wow, just wow. As far as sustainability, I’d estimate 60-70% is thrifted/second hand. That has been my justification but that’s just a lot of stuff. Come on ladies, someone make me feel better lol
It is about 320 including shoes but not underwear, socks, scarves, hats, bags or other accessories.
Les than I thought … but still a lot! Much of it is workout gear, because I am disorganized and if I forget to bring it to work with me I go buy more at Target!
I think I have 125 items total. I recycle pretty often, but I also shop too!
I’ve counted it all up – I’m at 206 just over my guess. It is crazy how quickly the number goes up when you include all the running gear and special items that I can’t bear to part with though they don’t get worn.
The final count was 239, not including items I’d already earmarked for donation/resale–less than I thought it would be, actually. This was an eye-opening process! I took about 2 days to do the count, and at the end I believe I’ve reduced everything by half. I had a ridiculous # of shoes; got rid of shirts I haven’t even thought about it years, and organized my closet. Thank you for giving us the motivation to do this!
So I did the *actual* count and it’s 215! Found some of those under the bed storage bins in both master and guest bedroom-yikes, they were stuffed with things I did not know existed.
I actually have 102 pieces now, which is up slightly from my last audit. I went in and updated my spreadsheet to get rid of clothes I’d purged and clothes I’ve purchased. I’m not surprised, my selection feels slim and I’m forced to wear things together I wouldn’t necessarily pick. But I think it’s made me better at mixing and matching.