Ready for another #StyleBeeWearCount update? I hope so because it’s coming right up! September seemed to arrive and leave in a serious hurry but I had fun playing with style and mixing up my closet throughout the month. I’m so glad I’ve managed to stick with this wear count exercise because it’s been one of the most illuminating closet contentment tools I’ve tested to date. Even though the insights are still forming and I’m not all-together sure what the numbers mean yet, I can sense there is some juicy information bubbling up in there. The only thing I need to do is keep at it and it’s been so encouraging to see how some of you are implementing the wear count concept as a conscious closet tool!
My dear friend Elim Chu (@elim_chu) is a stylist and consultant in Vancouver and has been sharing a live google doc of her wear count while she’s on a shopping fast and it’s been so interesting to see the pieces she’s reaching for most. Elim has such a unique perspective on style and fashion within the social media landscape and her newsletter is one of my all-time favourites to receive and read. Elim’s relationship with her closet is truly refreshing and to have her taking interest in the wear count concept is a testament to its value. Give this talented woman a follow if you don’t already!
Now, onto my September wear count for a look at:
- The numbers and how they compare to last month
- A few findings
- 5 September outfits
EARRINGS | SWEATER similar | PANTS | BOOTS similar | TOTE similar | WATCH | BEANIE similar
THE NUMBERS
MY MOST WORN ITEMS:
- ALLBIRDS RUNNERS | 10 Times
- J+J UMBER WIDE LEG PANT | 5 Times
- J+J NATURAL HAORI | 5 Times
- ST. AGNI PARIS MULE | 5 Times
- BARE KNITWEAR GREY KIMONO | 5 Times
- HDH EASY TAPERED PANT | 5 Times
- AMOUR VERT STRIPED TEE | 4 Times
- BIKENSTOCKS | 4 Times
- STUTTERHEIM RAINCOAT | 4 Times
- EVERLANE BLACK JEANS | 3 Times
- EVERLANE DAY GLOVE | 3 Times
- WHITE BODYSUIT | 3 Times
- ES FLORENCE PANT SILK | 3 Times
- SUEDE PUMPS similar | 3 Times
- HDH REVERSIBLE TOP | 3 Times
BY DAY 10 – I had worn 20 different items already, which is the same as last month.
BY DAY 15 – I had worn 30 different items, which shows that my wear rate was holding steady and I was repeating items less frequently than I did the previous month.
BY THE END OF THE MONTH – I had worn 55 items! This was 10 items more than last month and the highest monthly total so far. I think this was due to the seasons changing, more social activities and to getting a couple of new pieces in.
THE NUMBERS OVERALL – Almost half the items I wore throughout the month were only worn once. This could be to do with the weather fluctuating a lot and to do with the fact that I was out and about more since I repeat items more frequently when I’m just working at home. The other half, I wore at least once and many at least 3 times, which I was pleased to see. Throughout this process I’m doing my best not to impose any judgement or bias on my patterns or choices and just wait to see how it all goes.
A FEW FINDINGS:
When an item is new I tend to wear it a lot right away. Hence the HDH pieces and J+J items getting lots of use.
My warm weather pieces dropped off in wears this month as the season changed and the temps cooled off.
When I see the number of items climbing I start to feel like I should go back and repeat pieces more but at the same time I don’t want to limit myself for the sake of the wear count. I want to keep the data as honest as possible.
My most versatile pieces seem to maintain their use each month. Those are items such as:
- ES Florence Pant
- St. Agni Paris Mules
- Striped Tees
- Day Glove Flats
- White Bodysuit
- Black Jeans
Now let’s looks at some outfits!
For today’s outfits I didn’t end up elaborating on any styling notes or additional thoughts because I like to keep it light on Fridays but also because I ran out of time this week. So I hope you’ll forgive my brevity this time. The good thing is, the looks are simple! I hope one or two might give you some outfit inspiration.
LOOK 1
SHOP THE LOOK
HARPER JACKET gifted | GEORGIA TEE new colours just released!| CIGARETTE DENIM gifted | MODERN LOAFER | MINDY TOTE gifted | BLUE MOON PENDANT borrowed Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ offer ends today. | EARRINGS
LOOK 2
SHOP THE LOOK
WOOL TUNIC old | FLORENCE PANT | CARIE BOOT | THIRAS CROSS BODY BAG | BLUE MOON PENDANT borrowed Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ offer ends today. | EARRINGS
LOOK 3
SHOP THE LOOK
HARPER JACKET | STRIPED TEE similar | BOSS BOOT gifted | ELOISE BAG sold out | DOME STUDS and CIGAR RING borrowed Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ offer ends today. |
LOOK 4
SHOP THE LOOK
REVERSIBLE TOP + EASY TAPERED PANT gifted Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ until October 10th | SCARF similar | PARIS MULE | TOTE similar | DOME STUDS and CIGAR RING borrowed Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ offer ends today. |
LOOK 5
SHOP THE LOOK
LINEN BLAZER similar | ELLA TANK | FLORENCE PANT | BAG similar | EARRINGS gifted | CIGAR RING borrowed Save 10% with ‘STYLEBEE10’ offer ends today. |
AND THAT’S IT FOR MY SEPTEMBER WEAR COUNT!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE OUTFIT?
ARE YOU KEEPING A WEAR COUNT? IF SO, HOW’S IT GOING?
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
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I love how thoughtful your approach to your closet it. I always have the best intentions but never seem to be able to quite follow through on them!
Sarah
http://www.poutineandprada.wordpress.com
Thanks so much Sarah! I know it can be tough to make something like our closet a priority but it occupies a lot of emotional and physical space in our lives. Establishing a better connection to my style and clothes has filtered into so many other aspects of my life too. xo
This is such a fun and insightful exercise. I might just start this for myself as well. I love all your outfits but the second one is definitely my fave. The colour of that tunic is so beautiful and everything just flows together.
My Blog: naghmeh lesani
Thank you so much Naghmeh! I hope you try it too! That outfit was my fave too 🙂 xo
What a lovely idea… Never thought about doing a wear count! Really like your style by the way. Simple and yet very pretty. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks you for the kind words about my style Sandra! I so appreciate it. I highly suggest giving a wear count a try. It’s so easy and you learn so much even after just one month!
I’ve been considering a wear count, but trying to figure out the most efficient way to track it without adding work to my plate and that I won’t forget to do it.
Like you, I definitely noticed I was wearing way more this month with the seasonal fluctuations. One day I’m in a tee and shorts, the next I’m all layered up.
Hi Zoë, I was worried about that too and I found keeping the count in a little notebook I leave on my desk has been the best way to stick to it. Having to open a file (like excel or google doc) is just one step too many for me. This way, as soon as I think of it, I just jot things down and it’s all done! I also didn’t want to keep it on my phone because I certainly don’t need any more screen time! I hope you decided to give it a try!
Lee,
I noticed the runners are your top item with a count of 10. I think I remember you mentioned that you don’t add your exercise and loungewear into the count, but how do you keep that all separate, and were the shoes just in there because they got worn the in “everyday” and not for exercise? Thanks for clarifying, and thanks for sharing this data and this outfit inspo. Isn’t it interesting how tracking something and adding metrics into the everyday usage of objects brings a level of awareness and ease to knowing oneself?!
Britt W.
https://www.radiantearthart.com/
BLW
Hi Britt, You’re totally right. I added the All Birds to the list because I’ve been wearing them every time I take Dobby for particularly long walks. I am considering adding a wool pair for the colder months ahead and wanted to see what the numbers were like. I’m not tracking anything else in my active or lounge wear capsules because, well, it’s too much to think about and I knew I’d need to keep it simple to follow through. Maybe I will next year!
I couldn’t agree more about your thoughts on how the data adds to our level of awareness and self-knowledge. SO so true! Thanks for reading as always! xo
I started tracking my wears in January. I thought it would be a chore, but I love the practice!
I thought the same thing Courtney but I’m glad you’re enjoying it too!
I love these posts! I’ve been keeping track of my own items for over 7 years now and have learned so much through it. I used to think I was the only person in the world doing this and it’s just so nice to see other people sharing this same prices of insight. Even though I’ve learned so much about my personal style, I’m still struggling with those one-time-pieces…. They just keep coming back every month. Working on that one… Just wrote a post about my wear count and looks, so definitely take a look!
xo
Kelly
Good for you Kelly! 7 years, wow, that’s some major follow-through but I can see how the habit gets ingrained. I wouldn’t worry too much about the one time wears, those are to be expected (esp. if you don’t have a super lean closet) but I understand why you’d want to reduce them over all. I love your style and you do a great job of showing how current styles (like your amazing leopard skirt) can work into a closet overall. Keep up the great work! xo
Great post! Where is the beanie in the hero image from? Thanks!
Thanks! It’s from Everlane. I got it last year but I think they’ll release them again this winter.