Sooo everything is going good here as well. There are times I see things around (other people wearing things, in tv-shows, whatever) and I'm kinda tempted again because I like it and would like something like it (not because it’s in fashion but because I think that would be my style). But my drive for not wanting extra stuff is bigger and I’m thinking more on why I like it and how I can create a different look with things I already own (is it because I like that it’s colorful – wear more colorful things together e.g.). I also almost bought a canvas tote bag with a nice print I loved when I realized I won’t buy accessories and bags either. I also absolutely didn’t need it, I already have tote bags. Close call.
I’m slowly thinking about next year and what to do because last time I did a no clothes buying year (lasted 11 months) I also thought about the next year but had no strict rules and because I’m also an emotional shopper it got outta hand the next year. I have to make rules for next year as well. Maybe a budget, maybe only specific items I can replace if I have to (only my favorite items that I wear all the time and need to make my favorite outfits and no extra’s), maybe only second-hand, maybe only a specific number of items. Probably a combination of these rules. I’m just better with rules (when there is a logic behind the rules at least). At his point I’m also kinda tempted to see how far I can stretch this, but not sure if I feel the same way at the end of this year. ;)
It's only mid February but I'm beginning to see I'm not likely to wear anything out this year at the rate I’m wearing my individual items.
I did a check in January on what items I wore and how many times. I can make so many outfits. If I’m not being creative and wear everything the easiest way (for me), I almost don’t have to repeat outfits per season. If I get creative and make different outfits, I can go much further.
I got to thinking, if I have these items per season (I have more) and count them all as one outfit (so, easiest way to wear it), I would have 28 outfits.
- 8 dresses (winter – usually wear these with long cardigan or a sweater)
- 8 blouses (usually wear this with black skinny jeans and cardigan)
- 6 sweaters (with black skinny / coated jeans)
- 6 skirts (usually wear them with shirt/sweater)
Like I said I have more. And different kinds of items as well, like blazers. And per season I have different items (although a lot of items are wearable in more seasons). My closet is not overflowing. But I do feel I have too much.
I wear 3 outfits per week (approximately) as I don’t wash them after one wear (I know that’s the American way but I think that’s totally not necessary). So if I have 28 outfits, that’s not a repeat outfit for 9 weeks. I can mix and match so I can easily have double the outfits (just mix and match with different sweater/shirt/blouse) and I don’t have to repeat an outfit in 18 weeks (even when I will wear a new outfit every day, I can still go for a month). And when there is a different season I can wear different outfits as well.
I don’t even really care if I repeat outfits, so this amount of outfits is crazy, even for these amount of items.
I do wear some items more than others. I know why. This is something I have to take into account when purchasing things in the future (80/20 rule). I definitely don’t need more of the ‘extra’ items that I don’t wear a lot but do like as I already have these and they are not going to wear out any time soon.
