Top 5 Takeaways From Shopping My Closet
By: Renae Bieder
Renae is a fellow personal finance nerd and debt freedom enthusiast. Much of her debt freedom and ability to afford the things she loves has come from being clever, mindful, and intentional about her spending.
I set out on a quest to only use the items that were already in my closet for the next year. Why? After purchasing a box from Nordstrom’s Trunk Club and paying over $100 for a pair of black pants, I went to put them in my drawer and noticed I already had two very similar pairs of black pants! 🙄 It was then that I decided I needed to get a grip.
My first step was downloading an app called Stylebook. I will admit, it’s a lot of work on the front end because you have to upload a picture for every article of clothing that you own and the approximate price and brand. To be fair, they do try to make things easier by offering stock photos of basic wardrobe items. You can use the stock photos instead of searching for a picture of your specific item. (You can imagine my confusion about how to differentiate the “black pants” stock photo for all three pairs of mine *sigh*).
Here’s a tip: If you use Stylebrook but want the uploading to feel a little less burdensome, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to go through all your clothes at once. Eventually, I started just uploading clothes as I wore them. I suggest you do the same. Just don’t forget the clothes you haven’t worn in a while! As I uploaded my clothes, that’s when I first started noticing what I wore often and what were just once-in-awhile pieces.
Takeaways from Shopping My Closet
Let me just say that Stylebook is a data monster! It gave me so much information about my clothing habits. In the “Style Stats” section, it reports the following:
1) What colors you wear most:
This is great information for when I start clothes shopping again. I can buy things that complement what I already have.
2) Clothes I have never worn:
Ouch! There was a good amount of clothes that never even left my closet. 😣 When I really started digging, I found that many of them were dry-clean only or needed to be ironed after every wash. I’m not saying I’m proud, but at least I’m informed! I should avoid wool and delicates, and stick to fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily!
3) Top 50 most and least worn items:
You wouldn’t think the items I wear the most would be a surprise, but they kind of were!
And as far as what I wear least, even though heels make up a good chunk of my shoe collection, I just don’t wear them. I wear flats or low boots to work and flip flops in the summer.🤷♀️
Another interesting find is that I love jackets, even in warm weather. Makes sense because I am always cold in the winter. And I have an irrational fear of overly air-conditioned buildings in the summer. Now that Stylebook helped me realize this, I’ll feel fine splurging a little on jackets in the future because I know I’ll get good use out of them.
One fact that made me a little sad was how much I do not use all of the cute summer dresses that I’ve collected over the years.☹️ What do I wear in the summer? Workout clothes. Leggings, shorts, and t-shirts, which I tend to buy at Goodwill or get as souvenirs from events. I learned that my summer “very casual” wardrobe could use a little more love. Meanwhile, my summer “going out” clothes, though fun, shouldn’t take up most of my summer clothing budget.💲
4) Cost per wear:
This has been the most valuable piece of information that Stylebook provided to me. Turns out, the clothing I wear the most but spend the least on is almost always either from Old Navy or it’s a great find from Goodwill. So, when I head back out to shop again, you better believe my first stop will be at one of those two stores!
5) It is very likely that you have what you need:
Okay, so that’s not a stat. But it was one area where I found myself shaking my head at my past self. I don’t need to go buy a new outfit for every occasion. Even when I found myself going to the New York City Ballet or opening night at the Met opera, I just wore what I wore to the last big event and dressed it up with different accessories. (I did finally put heels to use that night). When my husband saw me, he still said I looked beautiful. He didn’t care that he had already seen me in it, and his compliment was all I wanted to begin with. 🥰
Outfit Staples for Different Occasions
The following formulas have kept me happy with my wardrobe and will continue to do so until I allow myself to buy clothes again. (6 months and 4 days, but who’s counting?).
Live music event: black pants (I have plenty), graphic tee, fitted jacket or blazer, black boots, high bun and big hoops
Date Night: jeans or (again) black pants, flowy top, flats or heels, statement earrings, curled hair and bold lipstick
Brunch with the girls: leggings, neutral tee, longer cardigan, boots or flats
Fancier night out: Get out that dress your significant other loves, heels, and all of that jewelry you put aside for special occasions.
Bridal shower-esque events: same as Date Night, but swap out statement earrings and bold lipstick, choose the flats and maybe put a cardigan over the top.
And when in doubt, wear whatever you have in your closet that makes you happy and comfortable. You are sure to look beautiful with a smile on your face! 😃
Do you have any other outfit staples you use for different occasions? Share in the comments below!
Subscribe
Want quick, easy, FREE money advice — straight from a financial coach — that can improve your finances, week after week?
Sign up for my newsletter, and get ready to use your money to live your best life!
