Smiles Go With Everything

Simple Math: Beginning a Wardrobe Inventory

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Current State of My Closet

Inspired by Struggling to be Stylish’s recent Friday challenge, I decided to count all the clothes in my closet. I figured this could be a useful exercise to find out exactly how much I have. I used similar guidelines to hers, with some slight tweaking.

I made sure to include:

Shoes (count each pair as one item)
Special occasion outfits and evening dresses
Items you can’t wear right now because of weight issues
Things that are resting because it’s the wrong season
Coats

But I excluded

Underwear
Sports gear & sneakers, swim/beach gear (only items used exclusively for these. If you wear a tank top to the gym that you also sometimes wear out, count it)
Pajamas
Clothes that are only worn for yard work
Accessories besides shoes

Also, because I found one category for blouses too broad, I broke it down further. Blouses include button downs, woven blouses, polos and knit tops that are not tees (have embellishment, etc). Tees include long sleeve and short sleeve tees, crew necks, scoop necks, concert tees. Tanks and camis include all my tank tops, camisoles and sleeveless tops.

Here’s my personal closet breakdown:

Shoes: 20
Pants: 3
Jeans: 3
Shorts: 2
Capris: 2
Skirts: 7
Dresses: 11
Blouses: 13
Tees (long and short sleeved): 20
Tanks/Camis: 12
Jackets/Coats: 8
Cardigans: 6

I don’t think that these numbers are perfect, because I likely forgot to count at least something, but they really got me thinking more about my use of wardrobe space. Quantity wise, I own a good amount of clothes. Yet most days, it takes me awhile to put together an outfit. I end up wearing the same pieces over and over again, while other pieces are never worn because I either don’t like them or don’t have the right pieces to wear with them. All of this is leading up to what will be my closet inventory challenge. Over the next few weeks, I want to really analyze what I own – look at what works and what doesn’t. I’m going to photograph the different groups of items that I have. I’m going to deal with the issue of duplicates (how many black tees do I really need?). I’m going to find out which items I wear within a four-week period, then decide if the other items should stay or go. I’m going to revise my wardrobe gaps list and actually make myself shop only for those specific items. I’m going to clean out and organize my closet so I can actually find what I’m looking for.

Am I over-ambitious, trying to do this while finishing my final semester of grad school, hunting for jobs and managing my budget? Maybe. But I think that taking a good hard look at my wardrobe, starting with this inventory, will help me to shop for what I really need and create a wardrobe that I truly love (and that can fit in my limited space)

Stay tuned for more specifics of the wardrobe inventory challenge and feel free to follow along in your own closet.

Tags: Organization, Wardrobe Inventory

About me, Blog Projects | Diana | May 23, 2009 8:30 am

No Comments

By Sher, May 23, 2009 @ 7:41 pm

I think you have a conservative count for a wardrobe. I like how you are creative on wearing the same piece of clothing yet change it for a whole new look
By Mary, May 23, 2009 @ 11:44 pm

I don’t know if I have the stamina to count out my whole entire wardrobe– I give you major props! It sounds like you have a great balance, and you definitely know how to remix and make everything look new again!
By Nadine, May 24, 2009 @ 1:59 am

What a great idea. I think I’m to lazy to count all my stuff .
By Marianne, May 25, 2009 @ 3:18 am

Cool! I think that if you like your clothes, there is no need to cull But then, I can’t put all my clothes away. It’s not my fault, my wardrobe is soooo small!
By ambika, May 28, 2009 @ 4:54 pm

This is a curious exercise. & having just moved, I’m wondering what results I’d get (there’s lots of purges with a move but I still feel like there’s plenty I don’t wear enough.)
By Struggler, July 14, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

I’m so sorry, I only just found this posting! I’m so impressed you did this. My guess is, you’re on the low end of clothes ownership, compared with most women. But how funny that you had 11 dresses, where I only had 1. (I do own 2 now, though!).