How many clothes do you own?

[Pigtailsandall]

I understand that this is potentially a flammable topic and I wouldn't expect everyone to feel comfortable answering. But I'm genuinely interested (nosy) what people's wardrobes look like, and what kind of a budget do you allow yourself? I'm enjoying a lot of the "what are you wearing today" threads but I don't have much to contribute as I wear quite a small rotation of clothes really...

Personally, I have 7 shelves in a small walk-in wardrobe and their total height is about 9 feet - this includes about 6 pairs of jeans, 6 pairs of joggers/casual trousers, 10 jumpers, 7 dresses, 3 skirts and a too-large a number of t-shirts, tops and sweatshirts, plus sportswear, PJs and some scarves. I also have a hanging rack which is about 4 feet long and that's rammed full. Underwear is in a small dresser by my bed. Coats and jackets are downstairs (I have 8) as are shoes apart from non-seasonal and occasion shoes which are in the loft. I have about 20 pairs of shoes. The loft also houses a 35-litre box of non-seasonal clothes.
I feel like I have a lot but I have friends who have much, much more. I used to but 2-3 items a month maybe but I'm trying to bring that down to 1 max a month as I don't need that much but I do like shopping. I used to spend £100-200 a month but I'm also trying to being that down. It's a one in, one out -policy from now on though. I donate stuff I no longer want.

S&B is a terrible influence though!

I edited my clothes down to stuff I really love and which suits me last year. I tried to get everything I own (inc footwear, scarfs and bags) to under 60 items.

Took me years to realise that some clothes I love, do not love me!.

I try to buy items that I adore, are great quality and are manufactured ethically.

I find getting dressed much easier now and it has spurred me on to loose weight because I feel much more positive.

Absolutely loads, although most of it is gym/outdoor stuff as that's pretty much what I live in outside of work (where I wear a tunic/scrubs). I have a dressing room with 4 double sized wardrobes, shelving, 2 big chests of drawers and a custom built shoe rack but still have overspill, wake cos with coats and shoes. Off the top of my head I'd say...

25+ coats/jackets, most very $$$ outdoor brands but also a couple of denim jackets etc.
6ish mid layer fleece jackets/tops
25ish hoodies/sweatshirts (I collect Patagonia hoodies, I have 14 of them)
15ish merino t-shirts/base layer tops, mostly Icebreaker
10+ hiking/walking trousers/waterproof trousers (inc. 3 pairs of Açai waterproof skinnies)
10+ casual cotton t shirts
20ish casual vests, either cotton or merino
4 casual shirts (denim/checked)
10 pairs of jeans
3 thin smart merino jumpers
2 smart cashmere jumpers
4 merino cardigans
6 or 7 other smart casual jumpers
3 Christmas jumpers
10ish smart/going out tops of various styles
6ish smart shirts/blouses
2 trouser suits
10ish dresses
6ish skirts

18+ pairs of gym/running leggings, mostly Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and NoBull
8ish pairs of gym/running shorts
25+ gym/running tops
15ish sports bras
2 pairs Sweaty Betty yoga pants
4 pairs nice joggers
Plus ski gear, climbing gear, shooting gear, swimsuits, bikinis, wetsuits etc.

Millions of underwear and socks. Loads of Icebreaker merino and Smartwool. Multiple nice pj sets/pj bottoms (mostly FatFace). 2 fluffy FatFace dressing gowns.

Also millions of warm hats, buffs and gloves of varying warmth levels. Essential in Canada!

5 baseball/trucker style caps.

9 pairs of NoBull gym trainers
3 pairs of Nike Metcons
1 pair Reebok Nanos
5 pairs of Salomon hiking trainers
4 pairs of scrambling/approach shoes
4 pairs of hiking boots
6 pairs of running shoes (2 road, 4 trail)
1 pair Teva hiking sandals
1 pair Birkenstocks
4 pairs Havaianas
1 pair Crocs
2 pairs Dubarry boots
1 pair Le Chameau wellies
1 pair Muck Boots
2 pairs Converse
2 pairs Adidas Gazelles
1 pair New Balance
1 pair Vejas
1 pair Nike Air Force One
5 pairs flat ankle boots (Blundstone/Clarks/FatFace)
2 pairs flat knee high boots
1 pair heeled ankle boots
2 pairs dressy flat sandals
2 pairs dressy heels (very rarely worn!)

Probably missed some out. I do clear out every so often but my gym/outdoor gear habit is pretty major. DP buys far less than me but doesn't care what I spend, we have a high income and no kids so we can afford it.

*wake cos?! Should say "mostly"!

@DDIJ

2 tops, 2 prs leggings, 2 thongs, one bra, one pair cotton socks, one pair wool socks, one pair trainers. The wool socks need to go because I no longer have the shoes to wear them with. The thongs are really holey but I can't find like for like replacements as they are so out of fashion. I wish I had just kept flip flops instead of the trainers. I don't wear either pair of socks because I don't wear shoes. I also have one mask which I have worn once.

That's really minimal (as pp have said), you could fit your entire wardrobe in one drawer! Did you used to have more and just had a clear out?

Sorry, @DDIJ, just read your later post.
It must simplify life a good deal. I have too many clothes, but when I was a teenager and then at university I had hardly any. When I started earning money I just wanted nice clothes!!

I would get bored of wearing the same two tops and leggings all the time. My winter and summer wardrobes are completely different.

@VetOnCall

Absolutely loads, although most of it is gym/outdoor stuff as that's pretty much what I live in outside of work (where I wear a tunic/scrubs). I have a dressing room with 4 double sized wardrobes, shelving, 2 big chests of drawers and a custom built shoe rack but still have overspill, wake cos with coats and shoes. Off the top of my head I'd say...

25+ coats/jackets, most very $$$ outdoor brands but also a couple of denim jackets etc.
6ish mid layer fleece jackets/tops
25ish hoodies/sweatshirts (I collect Patagonia hoodies, I have 14 of them)
15ish merino t-shirts/base layer tops, mostly Icebreaker
10+ hiking/walking trousers/waterproof trousers (inc. 3 pairs of Açai waterproof skinnies)
10+ casual cotton t shirts
20ish casual vests, either cotton or merino
4 casual shirts (denim/checked)
10 pairs of jeans
3 thin smart merino jumpers
2 smart cashmere jumpers
4 merino cardigans
6 or 7 other smart casual jumpers
3 Christmas jumpers
10ish smart/going out tops of various styles
6ish smart shirts/blouses
2 trouser suits
10ish dresses
6ish skirts

18+ pairs of gym/running leggings, mostly Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and NoBull
8ish pairs of gym/running shorts
25+ gym/running tops
15ish sports bras
2 pairs Sweaty Betty yoga pants
4 pairs nice joggers
Plus ski gear, climbing gear, shooting gear, swimsuits, bikinis, wetsuits etc.

Millions of underwear and socks. Loads of Icebreaker merino and Smartwool. Multiple nice pj sets/pj bottoms (mostly FatFace). 2 fluffy FatFace dressing gowns.

Also millions of warm hats, buffs and gloves of varying warmth levels. Essential in Canada!

5 baseball/trucker style caps.

9 pairs of NoBull gym trainers
3 pairs of Nike Metcons
1 pair Reebok Nanos
5 pairs of Salomon hiking trainers
4 pairs of scrambling/approach shoes
4 pairs of hiking boots
6 pairs of running shoes (2 road, 4 trail)
1 pair Teva hiking sandals
1 pair Birkenstocks
4 pairs Havaianas
1 pair Crocs
2 pairs Dubarry boots
1 pair Le Chameau wellies
1 pair Muck Boots
2 pairs Converse
2 pairs Adidas Gazelles
1 pair New Balance
1 pair Vejas
1 pair Nike Air Force One
5 pairs flat ankle boots (Blundstone/Clarks/FatFace)
2 pairs flat knee high boots
1 pair heeled ankle boots
2 pairs dressy flat sandals
2 pairs dressy heels (very rarely worn!)

Probably missed some out. I do clear out every so often but my gym/outdoor gear habit is pretty major. DP buys far less than me but doesn't care what I spend, we have a high income and no kids so we can afford it.

Your wardrobe sounds absolutely wonderful! I would love a wardrobe full of quality outdoor gear - lucky you. One day when I live in a cooler climate!!!

Around 40 items of clothing and shoes excluding a few maternity bits I'm in currently and will sell. Also doesnt include pjs or underwear. I have a list of things I'd like but it wont increase the number dramatically. I am very slowly building a wardrobe of things I actually like to wear but on a small budget so ebay has been great. I wont be buying any clothing till I've lost weight again post baby but do need sandals this year. If I had more money to spend on me I would have a bit more, maybe up to 60ish but also spend a bit more on each piece. Everything fits in a small wardrobe and a drawer with out of season things in a suitcase. The budget and space issue does keep it limited....I could easily fill a wardrobe with skirts and dresses if I had the funds!

@FinallyFluid

Clothes not too bad, shoes and boots are in danger of becoming a problem.

Adds new pair of daisy pumps to the list.

I’ve got a dressing room. I’m saying no more.

Your wardrobe sounds absolutely wonderful! I would love a wardrobe full of quality outdoor gear - lucky you. One day when I live in a cooler climate!!!

Aw thanks @Giftwithpurchase - it wouldn't be to everyone's taste as it's mostly functional rather than fashion/glamour but it suits me and my lifestyle. I'm a total brand snob but the quality of gear from Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Outdoor Research, Fjallraven etc. really is superb and so is the service and guarantee on their products - they'll repair free of charge in most cases regardless of how long you've had it.

@VetOnCall I would say your wardrobe is the height of fashion atm - it's certainly the stuff I (& most ppl I know) want to wear at the moment - functional, comfortable and warm with a touch of luxe from the premium brands!!
I love Patagonia - it's ethos is admirable - it's very popular here in Australia. I may invest in some more bits when winter finally arrives

@AmberItsACertainty

The past year has seen my wardrobe get totally out of control. Looking forward to parcels is how I've survived the monotony of lockdown.

I know why I do it. It's a combination of growing up with nothing and wishing I had a different life. I see clothes and imagine myself wearing them doing things I want to do but can't. I buy the things, then they sit in the wardrobe because I don't suddenly morph into someone else just because I bought new clothes. Then I see more things I imagine myself wearing, I buy them and so on and so on, repeated forever. I'm working on throwing out the tatty things and donating the things that don't fit properly, poverty mentality has me holding on to everything 'just in case'.

I do buy things I can wear for my current lifestyle, so I'll get round to wearing everything eventually and it's a great incentive to not put on weight. I have my own sense of styles (plural, I'm a chameleon) so fashion and looking dated isn't much of an issue. Plus I have so much stuff I can shop my own wardrobe for a new outfit if I want to look on trend.

I've got far too much though and I need to stop buying. I've reached the point I've got nowhere to put it all. I need a spare room just for my clothes, shoes and coats. I don't have a spare room!

When I'm genuinely happy in myself and with my life I find I don't much care what I wear and have no interest in makeup. Whenever I'm not so content though wearing clothes becomes a form of self expression and something I can control, I'll wear makeup even if I'm not going to leave the house. The solution is to alter my life so I'm happier, but that's a long and complicated process. For now I'm still buying, but at a reduced rate.

I relate so much to this! I’ve bought too much this year to give myself things to look forward to when I’m going out for lunches, meeting friends and family once lockdown eases. I haven’t worn most of them yet because I don’t want to waste them sitting in the house and working from home all the time. But I’m so excited to get dressed up again! My clothes are very classic, such as silk blouses, slim jeans, pointed flats, ankle boots etc and everything is in a neutral colour apart from a Boden blouse I just bought.

I have about seven or eight pairs of jeans, the same in work trousers and two suits (none of which I’ve worn in a year due to lockdown). I have perhaps 25 blouses and tops, about a dozen jumpers, five coats and jackets, around eight bras (and in shock to read that one poster has only one - very impressive in terms of frugality). I have two pairs of sandals, two pairs of heels, three pairs of flats, 12 pairs of boots ranging from Sorel duck boots to Air and Grace Starlights.

I’m really trying to create a capsule wardrobe. If it goes to plan I’ll have about 45 items for when I leave the house & another 20 or so for when I’m at home (I don’t want to ruin my nicer clothes & prefer wearing dungarees at home)

Final list would be:
7 x bottoms (4 jeans, 1 leather leggings, 1 maxi skirt, 1 shorts)
9 x knitwear (6 jumpers, 1 vest, 2 cardigans)
7 x tops (2 shirts, 5 T-shirts)
7 x dresses (4 midi, 1 denim mini, 2 cotton summer dresses)
4 x bags (work bag, black crossbody, light crossbody, leather backpack)
5 x Outwear (winter coat, 2 jackets, leather jacket, rain coat)
6 x shoes (2 trainers, 2 boots, sandals, sliders)
2 x belts (black gold buckle, black silver buckle)

I also stick to a colour palette: white, black, dark grey, pink/coral & light blue denim

@AmberItsACertainty thank you for your post. It resonated with me. I have the same issues.

This thread is such a fascinating insight into people’s lives. It has made me smile.

Over the last two years, I've gradually given away or sold lots of clothes I hardly wore. I used to spend quite alot of money on clothes and footwear each month but since I had my DD, I only buy something every few months or so, usually a new dress or a couple of tees. I enjoy getting dressed up and wearing make up and although I'm still interested in fashion, I don't really think about it that much. I prefer buying clothes and books etc for DD tbh, it's more fun!

I still have a wardrobe full which has dresses/skirts/shirts and jumpsuits all hung up. My knitwear, lightweight tops, trousers and denim are folded up in a set of chester drawers and I have a box of coats in the storage cupboard.

I don't really own many pairs of heels as never wore them except for weddings/work nights out etc, I think I have about 4 pairs..the rest are sneakers, sandals and boots which I think I have too many of!

A pp made a good point - I find that when I feel good about myself, I buy less clothes, I also think less about what I'm going to wear. A couple of years ago, I lost 2 stone and found that I felt and looked good in almost everything I wore, I could just stick on a pair of jean's, a fitted tee and some converse and I'd feel great! I'm not at that stage yet, still carrying about a stone of baby weight but I'm getting there!

I have far, far too many clothes. I shop when I’m down or stressed as a pick-me-up. I watched The True Cost (documentary) this week and tbh I am pretty horrified. I have a large box for each type of clothing (trousers, skirts etc) and two large boxes of jumpers. I also have a small wardrobe and a set of drawers with day-to-day wear in.