How many clothes do you have?

[yellobunny91]

I have been travelling a lot for work over the last few months and have been living out of my suitcase, only having a limited clothes has made me realise how little I actually need. I am getting ready to relocate from London to New York and have decided that its time to really clean out my wardrobe. I am really keen to try a minimalist approach to my clothing, I have already donated about half of my clothing and accessories and still plan to donate some more. I tend to buy high quality clothing so they do last for many seasons if not years, but I am trying to work out how little I can live with. I am curious to know if anyone else has a minimalist approach to clothing, and how much clothing people typically have.

So far this is what I have now that I have cleaned out my closet (is this a realistic amount of clothes for New York):

T-shirts: 7 (1 white, 3 black, 1 grey and 2 navy)

Long sleeve supima t-shirts: 5 (1 white, 1 black, 2 grey, 1 cream)

Nice Jumpers/Sweaters: 5 (2 black, 1 white, 2 navy)

Blouses: 5 (1 white, 2 black, 1 navy and white stripe, 1 grey and white stripe)

Blazers: 2 (black)

Dresses: 5 (3 black, 2 leopard)

Skirt: 1 (black pencil)

Work trousers: 3 (2 black, 1 tweed)

Jeans: 5 (1 boot, 3 skinny, 1 black straight leg)

Pyjamas: 2 Calvin Klein viscose PJ trousers, and 2 white t-shirts

Loungewear: 1 black legging, 1 grey legging, 2 sweater tunics

I love the idea of moving to New York with a capsule wardrobe!

Reading this thread makes me realise I have waaay too many clothes and really do need a serious cull.

However, in my defence I live in Montreal and you really do need two wardrobes I find; summer and winter ( Take note, OP, Montreal is a similar climage to NY!)

Just switched my summer clothes over today actually and when I get the time I'm going to have a major clean up.

I have a capsule for work and about 6 going out outfits. Rest is casual. I have about 100 items including jackets and footwear. Hardly a capsule but about the right number for me. I used to have 160 and that extra 60 were mainly mistakes and tat.

I have about 12 cardigans, don't you need any?

2 double wardrobes and some shelf space plus drawers for underwear, tights etc
Roughly 8-10 jeans/jeggings blue, grey, black
Leggings 6
Trousers 6
Tube skirts 4
Dresses 10 day 10 evening
Cardigans 8
Jumpers 20-30
Shirts/blouses 15-20
Other tops 15-20
Jackets 10
Coats 15+
Shoes and boots 40+

That's just the winter stuff! I pack away summer clothes as not enough space to store

I love your wardrobe OP!

However I like colour more than you - my stuff is all purple/pink/orange and then some black and brown so I have more clothes than you. I am ruthless about chucking out tho.

Funny how people differ - I have what I would consider a small wardrobe but a lot more skirts than you - I wear summer skirts in the winter with boots and tights. I also like cut-offs and shorts in summer. OTOH I have only one pair of jeans and 2 other pairs of trousers, and only one blouse and one jumper.

Did you count sportswear? I've got far too many technical T shirts (from runs), a couple of fleeces for walking, and I love to put on a pair of squidgy cuffed joggers once home and done with work.

Meant to add face at your move to NY :)

On reflection, if you're living a capsule wardrobe life in NYC surely you need a tulle skirt and Manolos?

Clary: I forgot to count sportswear. I just did a massive cull of sportswear and loungewear/PJs as I tend to justify keeping old t-shirts by moving them from day wear to night/workout wear.

So I have 2 workout trousers and 3 work out tops and 1 sports bra.

For Pjs. I have given all away (as they were sloppy looking) and bought two pairs of Calvin Klein light weight PJ bottoms.

Toffee-is there anything that you think I need for the NY winters that I don't have?

Thanks!

I think the idea of a capsule wardrobe doesn't make sense unless you have one for each season.

I have far too many clothes but I know I couldn't live without some brighter colours.
I Kondo'd my clothes so I know everything 'works' for me now.

I too would need a capsule wardrobe for each season.

I think you need more sports bras unless you don't sweat - don't you need as many bras as workout trousers? Unless you are a 34 or bigger you'll need to stock up on bras before you move to New York as smaller back sizes are hard to find.

I could never have a minimalist wardrobe! I love having a big choice of clothes and don't find it too much at all. I'd find your list upsetting but maybe that's iust ME!

I think you could be my long lost twin as good as it gets. As each child left home i gradually filled up their wardrobe and whatever other space available. I've built ' my collection' ( sounds better like that ) over many years and most of it is stuff that hasn't really dated overmuch ( unless I'm kidding myself). I don't care, I wear what suits me now.

As for dresses, well there's at least 30 winter dresses all piled on the top shelf of my hanging wardrobe. There must be about 30 in there, at least. I'm busy packing for our next trip so there's quite a stash in there and then I have loads of little beach dress/ sundresses.

I tend when the season changes to see if anything is going the journey....not much usually does. Maybe because I have that many none get well worn. That could be a theory . Anyway as I'm gradually going into autumn wardrobe and staring winter in the face maybe some of the winter dresses will make it to the charity shop.

We will see. House is relatively neat and tidy, I have a lot of storage space so no problem there. DH loves his stuff as well. We turned a spare room into a walk in closet and bought a lot of ikea storage, the stacked baskets one that go right up to the ceiling and it's amazing what you can get in there ;-)

Not nearly enough

Coats - 4 (one going out)
Jackets - 2 (both over 8 years old!)
Blazers - 1
Tops - 10 or so
Cardigans - 4
Dresses - 8
Skirts - 4
Trousers - 1
Harem pants - 1
Jeans/jeggings - 4
Capri pants - 2
Shorts - 1

Sandals - 7
Closed heels - 2
Boots - 3
Shoes - 3
Shoe boots - 2

I have a 3 by 4 m dressing room. I have absolutely no idea of the number of clothes, but it must be hundreds. I should cull a few.