How many pieces of clothing do you have?

**luckbethislady** · 07-22-2010, 12:41 AM

Does anybody here have any idea as to how many outfits a working mom should have? A good rule of thumb maybe? How many do you have...My family of four lives in under 1000 sq. feet. I have no closet (gave it to my kids) and am DROWNING in clothes....I would really appreciate your help

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 07-22-2010, 01:08 AM

When I was working (and keep in mind this all depends on the season as I wear more long-sleeved shirts in the late fall and through the winter and short sleeved shirts year round) I had:

~~five long sleeve button-down shirts in neutral (read: non-trendy colors--those that work just fine with neutral colored pants and shoes) colors like white, french blue, green, etc.

~~Two or three short-sleeve button-down shirts that were dressy enough for the office but that I could dress up or down.

~~Two cardigans in different colors. These were 3/4 length sleeves in a light weave so I can wear them for 3 of the 4 seasons.

~~I also had a number (probably 4 in basic white, black or gray) of "layering" t-shirts--short-sleeved or tank tops--that I could wear under the long or short-sleeve shirts or the cardigans.

~~I wore all these these in rotation with about four to five pairs of slacks in grays, blacks and browns.

~~I should also say that I had two black suits that are interchangeable with any of the tops.

So...a total of about 21-24 pieces (depending on whether or not you add in the suits) and two to three pairs of dependable shoes that go with all the outfits (heels and flats). I RARELY replaced pieces as I really bought for quality even though they cost me a little more--for example, DH and I love Eddie Bauer clothes and I have several long-sleeve button-down dress shirts that I've had for 8 years or more and they still look like I bought them yesterday. The things I did replace were the less expensive layering pieces--I generally stocked up on t-shirts and tank tops when Old Navy, JC Penney or Kohls were having a sale once a year!

Now most of these items could be folded and stored in a dresser drawer (obviously I would encourage hanging up the suits) and ironed with very little effort. I wouldn't think these items would take up very much space at all!

If you're worrying about looking the same from day-to-day, I would suggest dressing up your look with different jewelry, scarfs, etc. People often won't even know you wore a pair of pants more than one time a week if you change up the top or accessories!

Hope this helps!

**Siebrie** · 07-22-2010, 05:14 AM

I have 2 black suits (1 summerwear, 1 all-year wear), 1 brown woollen suit (winterwear), 7 shirts in different tones of white some with a small design, 3 cheerful skirts, 3 pairs of trousers in aubergine, grey and pinstripe, 2 jackets, several tanktops.

My colleagues don't notice what I wear, as long as it's the dress code specified 'suit'. It has to be unfaded, whole, clean and ironed. Dresscode is a little bit more relaxed on Fridays and days before holidays, and when Management is not in the house.

The clothes usually are enough, except when dh or I have not had the time to iron....

**frugalwarrior2** · 07-22-2010, 07:39 AM

When I had my 1940's small house I used a free standing wardrobe. I had a rotating sytem of storage tubs too. Summer out/winter away. Now I couldn't tell you how many pieces I have as I am losing weight and have several sizes too.
As you go thru each season ask-
1.Do I love this and when is the last time I wore it.
2. stick w/ basics that match several other things and you can keep less

**Saule** · 07-22-2010, 08:24 AM

You might be inspired by this woman who is wearing the same dress every day for a year, to raise money for a charitable project in India, How to Wear the Same Dress Every Day for a Year : Racked NY . Some of her outfits are extreme for my taste (I guess my age is showing), but I love the creativity.

**nuisance26** · 07-22-2010, 08:43 AM

~4 of almost everything seems to be the right number for me. I currently have two wash days.

skirts
dresses
jackets/coats
dress shoes
casual shoes
summer shoes
unmentionables
swimwear
for good blouses
jeans
khakis/slacks
athletic wear
nightclothes summer
nightclothes winter
sweatpants/lounge pants
sweatshirts/hoodies
sweaters
cardigans
belts
scarves

More than 4:

tank tops/layering camisoles
t-shirts short sleeve
t-shirts long sleeve
socks
underwear
purses(wish I didn't love them so much!)

Less than 4:

bathrobes
slippers
boots
hats

I tend to gather too many sweaters and hoodies, for good blouses and jackets though. I guess I like to look like I work outside the home when I have little need for those types of clothes.
I've read several library books about building a practical, efficient wardrobe. They were written in the 70's-80's but had similar advice. Choose a basic color scheme of neutrals and mix them up while using a small pool of accessories to vary the looks.
8 bottoms and 8 tops will you give you plenty of outfits. Some people spend a day figuring out their favorite combinations and accessories and photograph them(either layed out or worn)and make a little brag book of the looks to simplify getting ready.
I know I have more than 4 of many items right now and I should really pare down to what I like best. Space is a huge issue for us as well. We have four, soon to be five, people in 800 square feet.
Thanks for the reminder to keep it simple!~

**luckbethislady** · 07-22-2010, 09:03 AM

Thank you all so much this helps tremendously!!! This is what I'll be doing today for sure

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-22-2010, 10:53 AM

I managed with a small wardrobe of neutral mix-and-match pieces, some of which I still have almost 15 years later.

navy shirt
hunter green shirt
brown shirt
2-3 white shirts
black vest
beige vest
black slacks (2pr?)
tan slacks
black pullover sweater
grey pullover sweater
charcoal grey skirt
print skirt in navy/tan/red/green colors

Scarves were big back then, I had a couple in various prints that coordinated. Great cheap way of adding to an outfit.

**Inkstain82** · 07-22-2010, 11:11 AM

I've about doubled in the last month or so as I try to upgrade my wardrobe to "adult" status.

Four pairs of shoes (Athletic, brown casual, black casual, flip-flops for around the house)

About two dozen pairs of socks (A dozen athletic, six tan, six black)

One pair black casual pants, two pairs khakis, one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts. Two pairs of workout shorts.

One button-down, long-sleeve shirt. About half-a-dozen short-sleeve button shirts. Three polo shirts. Two athletic faux-jerseys (Chicago Cubs and England cricket squad). Probably a dozen sweaters and sweatshirts. Two dozen t-shirts.