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If you took a guesstimate at how many items of clothes you owned, what would the answer be?

72 replies

Hopefully · 02/11/2012 16:31

Mine is 60 garments though.

I'm over-thinking this, aren't I?

OP posts:
ToothGah · 03/11/2012 22:07

I really don't want to think about this Blush

Suffice to say, I have at least 15 coats, if not 20 or maybe more.

And I think DP counted 84 pairs of shoes recently if I remember rightly and I know there are more

BrandyAlexander · 03/11/2012 22:11

Hhhm, I have been thinking more about why I have so many clothes. I am going to latch on to what Kristina said! My wardrobe can be split into four: work, casual, formal dinners and then dinner/date nights.

Work: I work in a formal office so have about different types of work clothes - trouser suits, skirt suits and then my new preferred style shift dress with matching jacket. I also have business casual for when I dress down (rare) or am at a conference. I have these in both autumn/winter and spring/summer versions. So skirt/trouser suits, I have long sleeved blouses for winter and camisole tops for summer. I also have coats for the different seasons and dependent on what suit I am wearing. Finally, I have shoes, bags, scarves, cufflinks and jewellery to accessorise. I buy designer or high end of high street - Austin Reed, Jaeger, Hobbs, LKB, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor etc for work.

Casual: This is mostly a uniform of t-shirts/long sleeve t-shirts, jumpers, cardigans with jeans and then summer versions. I tend to live in boots in autumn/winter and pumps for summer. I buy mid to bottom end of high street (eg Primark, Zara and M&S) for casual (except for shoes and bags) as its usually messy time spent with toddler and pre-schooler!

Formal dinners and weddings: I think I have about 30 different dresses, each only worn a handful of times, mostly from Coast. Accessories tend to be same as work but I have more "statement"/blingy accessories here.

Date night/kids free time: A mixture of dresses and tops and trousers. I have a different set of accessories to go with these. I tend to buy high end of high street (eg Phase 8, Kaliko) or designer.

Holiday: For some bizarre reason, I have clothes that I only tend to wear on holiday. Eg I have an Alberta Ferreti "jumper" that's never been worn in the UK!

I am not counting my maternity wear as have just packed that all up (that also split into work, casual and formal!).

Bugger, that looks a lot all written down.

thenightsky · 03/11/2012 22:17

Christ Almighty. I don't think I could count. Are you including underwear OP?

I have at least 40 bras Shock

I wear about 10% of what I own due to putting on weight since hitting menopause.

RarelyUnreasonable · 04/11/2012 10:21

kristina You're right - I work at home and have very few client meetings (as in a couple a year, and none for the forseeable as am on ML). This means I don't have or need a work wardrobe.

MarshaBrady · 04/11/2012 10:49

Me too. I survive on very little work stuff. Just for the odd meeting. If I had to have an actual work wardrobe I'd need quite a bit.

Pseudonymity · 04/11/2012 12:03

I've got loads of clothes. More than 250 items for sure. I love fashion and I love them as objects, I would be bored with less than 50.

Pseudonymity · 04/11/2012 12:06

Yup, I also have at least 15 coats. They are basically what you are wearing in winter and winter is about two thirds of the year here.

Pseudonymity · 04/11/2012 12:13

Hopefully: as you are a fabric obsessive, a sentiment I can share, you must try and invest in some Joseph stuff. Looking at all the different labels together in Harvey Nicks, Joseph wins hands down on fabric quality.

lljkk · 04/11/2012 17:05

I was guessing 200-300 but I just did a fairly thoroughly inventory & seems like I've about 130 items, not including underwear, socks or shoes. I've too many summer weight shirts and perhaps too little dress/office clothes (not needed unless I get a job).

iamamug · 04/11/2012 19:52

This thread is freaking me out. I know I have an issue with buying clothes ( like Mrs Devere)
We had little when I was young and my mum made a lot of our clothes and they were often Christmas gifts so I kind of 'treasure' clothes ( does that sound weird?)
My sis has the same problem with household stuff and has a beautiful home stuffed full of fab mirrors and chandeliers.
Anyway - a quick look through my fingers:
Approx 20 dresses - mostly for work
25 pairs trousers / skinnies plus about 10 leggings
Approx 30 tops - mix of blouses and jersey to go with trousers for work.
Approx 10 coats including my first biker jacket - hugely excited about that - my 72 year old mum made me go and get her one too!
20 ish pairs of shoes / boots including my fab LK Bennett boots in black and brown bought at discount and being worn to death.
I am constantly changing what I think my 'uniform' should be so my style is a bit hit and miss.
I have discovered the Miss Captain and Lady Captain range and spend a shocking amount of money on coordinating outfits from there.
Don't think I will ever change - it's kind of a hobby but I am definitely working up to having better quality stuff.
I would rather buy 1 good dress than 5 cheap ones.
A By Malene Birger bought in sale has paid for itself several times over with cost per wear.
Anyway - thanks for the ramble.

RarelyUnreasonable · 04/11/2012 20:14

Interesting reading - I'm in the NO clothes whatsoever as a child camp due to family skintness, everything came from the jumble, with a rare catalogue treat until I got a Saturday job which funded a bit more. But for me, that's why I have and want so few clothes. I want good quality as this represents better value for money (so natural fibres and classic designs). I don't want to stand out from the crowd as I didn't ever blend in at school - my friends all had clothing allowances and were in to shopping trips. I don't want too much as I guess I'd feel guilty or that I didn't deserve it. Space was also an issue growing up. Now I have space, but am perfectly with 4 drawers and a single wardrobe (not full!).

MissNJE · 04/11/2012 20:31

Over 500. I spend most of my money on clothes and having put on over five stones in the last five years I have clothes in all different sizes. It is very helpful now though, as I am losing weight at the moment and manage to squeeze fit into my old clothes.

chanie44 · 04/11/2012 20:45

5 work trousers
3 work skirts
3 work suits
7 work tops

3 jackets
3 cardigans
1 wrap dress
3 skirts
1 pair of jeggings
1 pair of leggings
4 pairs of long jeans
4 pairs of shorts
5 tshirts
3 long sleeve tops
4 vest tops
2 summer dresses

I have recently had a clear out and got rid of everything old/tatty etc and still have more to do but the above is waht I will be keeping.

Mumelie · 05/11/2012 14:48

I've not time to add up but a quickie calculation would be hanging items (winter) at the moment about 200. Thats not including shoes/boots, undies, pjs, vests, coats, etc (or the ironing pile). Summer clothes put away maybe another 300. Oh dear thats not sounding very good is it?
In my defense I have just gone down 2 clothes sizes so is big, medium and small stuff.

FunBagFreddie · 05/11/2012 14:53

Not very many after having a massive wardrobe purge at the end of the summer!

whistlestopcafe · 05/11/2012 14:53

At the moment I have 5 casual tops, 2 pair of jeans, 2 work suits, 1 blazer, 3 work tops. I have no winter coat but I have a chunky jumper.

I have 2 pairs of work shoes, 1 pair of ankle boots, 1 pair of knee length boots, 1 pair of trainers, 1 pair of Birkenstocks and 1 pair of wellies.

When I say that I have nothing to wear I'm really not exaggerating!

Hopefully · 06/11/2012 13:08

Interesting about those of you with few clothes as a child, I'd never thought of that having an effect.

We didn't have many clothes, but only because my mum is a big buy-less-buy-better believer (I wonder where I could possibly have got my capsule wardrobe obsession from... Blush), so it was a different thing.

OP posts:
ToastedTeacakes · 06/11/2012 14:02

10 tees and tops
11 shirts and blouses
8 knitwear
7 shoes and boots
3 dresses
8 skirts
6 coats

Studied and purged to perfection but still not pleased. Can't put my finger on why. Have 50% expensive, 50$ less expensive. I always feel that I turn a great outfit into something horrible when I wear it.

ToastedTeacakes · 06/11/2012 14:02

Oops, I also have 4 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of wool trousers.

BeaLola · 06/11/2012 14:31

Far too much !!!

I have no idea ......... but probably >500. I have to put summer stuff up in loft to bring winter stuff down HOWEVER part of this is due to fact that I 'm rubbish at throwing stuff away even if I haven't worn it for ages or it doesn't fit + sentimental attachment to stuff .

I'm totally impressed by people with "capsule wardrobes"/those who clear out regularly etc but I just can't do it . As I got my winter type clothes down I made a big effort & got to 5 items to ditch but 2 of those have now ended up in my I will wear that decorating/gardening pile !!!

FunBagFreddie · 06/11/2012 14:40

Wow BeaLola! I am really compulsive about clearning out. I do it about 3, maybe 4 times a year. Blush

I have:

3 pairs of jeans - wide leg and skinny
1 black casual jacket
1 long brown dress coat
2 pairs of trousers
2 dresses
10 tees, tops, blouses
4 knitwear
2 pairs of boots
1 pair of trainers
2 pairs of mary jane high heels
2 skirts

AuntySib · 08/11/2012 00:40

I'm a bit weirded out by thinking about it!
A lot of my clothes are quite old ( eg 2 silk shirts 25 years old, lots of shoes over 5 years old), jeans in 3 different sizes.) Am still a bit shamefaced about how many clothes I actually do have! I reckon:
approx 15 dresses
about 10 pairs of jeans
8? pairs of leggings ( ankle length, calf length , knee length, black navy & white)
5 pairs of trousers? all uncomfortable so don't wear them
5 ?skirts hardly wear them, as prefer dresses/tunics with leggings/jeans
2 boyfriend cardis
about 8 shorter cardis, plain, various colours and 2 printed - hardly wear them, as they go with the skirts i don't wear
5 or 6 tunics ( 2 on their way out)
loads of vests/camisoles to wear under the cardis I don't wear
other tops - about 20?
2 denim jackets
knee length winter coat
quilted warm parka type jacket
proper rain jacket
thin roll up rain jacket
black velvet blazer
oh yes, 2 leather jackets ( both 10 years old +)
loads of boots in quest for the perfect ones
trainers x2
converse x 2
several pairs of ballet flats, hardly worn as too cold for winter, too hot and sticky for summer
loads of flipflops
loads of heels from when I had an office job
plus
usual tights/undies/swimming costumes/nighties/PJ bottoms/scarves

Think I'll have a clear out!

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