Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
How Many Pairs of Jeans Are Enough?
Here it is, my friends. The answer to the question so many have sought…
How many pairs of jeans does one actually need?
Two, perhaps three pair. I say this as a friend, a closet advisor and professional organizer to Manhattanites who love the versatility of jeans that go from gardening to glam.
From my perch inside many a city closet, almost everyone has too many clothes, even the men. Even little children! When we can’t see what we have, we waste time trying to wrangle the situation- instead of doing what we should be doing, which is running around New York City looking fabulous.
So, here is The Perfect Daughter’s Wardrobe Formula:
~~Work pants, 3-6 pair, including anything from good jeans to dress slacks. Adjust seasonally to have 2 pair for winter, two pair for summer and two for year-round.
~~Work skirts, 1-3. If you wear skirts, have three. If you don’t wear them, one skirt works.
~~Work shirts/tops, including sweaters, 3 to 9.
~~Blazers/jackets/cardigans, 5 – 7
~~Jeans, 2 pair, one scruffier and the other nicer
~~T-shirts, 4-6
~~Bulky sweater, one
~~Dresses, 6. Have a casual dress for weekends, a cocktail dress, a holiday dress and three sundresses.
Add to this your basics, such as underwear (10), socks and hosiery (10), exercise clothes (3), bathing suits (2), and pajamas (2).
All of this would fit into a common five-drawer dresser and a smallish closet, without a problem. You work in fashion, you say? Increase to one and a half times the recommendations here. Men, substitute suits for dresses and slacks to skirts as needed.
Remember some of the golden rules of clothes keeping:
~~ If you buy something, let something go.
~~Mix cheaper, trendy stuff with more expensive classic stuff. You won’t feel guilty pitching those patent-leather platforms when the fashion passes.
~~Don’t buy things that are going to lead you to buy other things, such as a dress that will require you to buy new shoes, new Spanx, gym membership, etc.
~~ Choose a palette, be it charcoal gray, brown or black. Think of your clothes like home ownership: Build equity in your wardrobe by choosing items that give you more interchangeable outfits.
So here is your challenge. See if you can whittle your wardrobe to these essentials. Let me know how it’s working for you in a few weeks time. Learn more about the laws of subtraction in next month’s newsletter!