On a recent AMA post on Instagram, someone asked me about my current closet statistics, which is a topic I haven’t written about in a while. Assuming some level of interest, I went ahead and wrote this post so … here’s hoping you keep reading. Let’s not let all this sweet Google Docs data go to waste!

Yes, friends, that’s what it has come to; I got too lazy to update the Stylebook app, so I created an Excel spreadsheet for my wardrobe inventory. Not quite as fancy, but it does the trick. I record the item description, year of purchase, cost, retail value, and number of wears (for clothing only). The latter is an approximation only, because I frequently forget to update it. I keep a separate spreadsheet where I try to track the history of items (where they go after I remove them from my closet, why I’m letting them go, etc.) but, again, I have not always been consistent about updating it.

Ok, let’s talk numbers.

Tops: I currently have 40 tops. The average cost is $13/item.

Sweaters & other knits: There are 42 items in this category, which includes cardigans and vests. The average cost is $15/item.

Blazers: I have 35 blazers, down from a, um, much higher number. I can’t help it, I am a blazer hoarder. The average cost is $19/item.

Pants: I have 24 pants, including denim. I used to own more, and actually should probably pare down further. After being diagnosed with IBS, I wear pants much less often. I find them generally too uncomfortable for long stretches of time, especially anything tight/structured like denim. Average cost in this category is $14/item.

Skirts: I have 27 skirts and the number is only going up. I have rediscovered a love of skirts in the past year, although I now gravitate towards midi and maxi silhouettes, not pencil skirts. I find skirts much more comfortable (they don’t constrict my lower torso like pants). Average cost is $17/item.

Dresses (everyday): There are 42 dresses and counting. I love them. I think I own a dozen black ones at this point, which is ridiculous … but also totally necessary. I’m obsessed with interesting silhouettes over prints or colours, so it makes sense – or so I tell myself. Average cost is $45/item, but that is skewed due to 2 specific dresses. If those are removed from the equation, the average cost would be around $20.

Special occasion dresses: I have 11, which is probably too many given the lack of cocktail parties, weddings, and other galas in my life. But I can’t resist a pretty, thrifted frock. Average cost is $22/item.

Coats and outerwear: There are 22 items in this category, with an average cost of $47/item.

Shoes: I have 56 pairs of shoes, including summer & winter stuff. I really need to pare down because I have a bunch of fancy shoes (heels, mostly) that I don’t wear but can’t bear to let go. Oh well. Average cost is $32/item. It’s on the higher end because I still buy a fair amount of shoes at retail (unlike my clothes); probably a third or so.

Bags: I have 32 bags, which are largely a legacy of my “bag lady” past. I rarely buy bags now, and they’re usually simple totes or cross-bodies, nothing fancy. Average cost is $141/item, which sounds high but consider that this includes a Chanel bag, a couple of LVs, and the like. I could probably make a decent amount of cash if I re-sold the designer bags that I don’t use, but I prefer to keep them around for my daughter.

Because the majority of my clothing (upwards of 90%) is now secondhand, my out of pocket purchase costs have been hovering around the 10% of retail value for the last couple of years. That’s reflected in the average price of my items, as summarized above. I did the math on the (estimated) retail cost of my wardrobe recently and was staggered to realize it would be well over 6 figures. I like clothes but, like, not that much. That’s why I thrift, friends. Well, that and the fact I want to support a circular economy when it comes to clothes.

I have not included lounge clothes in my calculations above because I’m a slob at home; I rotate the same 2 t-shirts and 3 pairs of lounge pants (my favourite cost $1!) all the time. I have also not included gym wear because, well, I haven’t been to the gym since 2013. As for, ahem, unmentionables – they shall remain unmentioned. (Although I will say that I am partial to Natori bras, Aerie cotton briefs, and CK nylons, all of which I buy new.)

Overall, my clothes spending and wardrobe stats numbers have remained fairly consistent over the past couple of years since I’ve devoted myself almost exclusively to thrifting. I have a “happy zone” for my wardrobe contents, which I tend to judge by the number of empty hangers available; running short on hangers is my cue to edit things down. Too many clothes, and I start feeling overwhelmed – hard to believe, I know. But I also like having lots of options and experimenting with new styles and pieces all the time, so I have come to accept that regular turnover is a feature of my closet, not a bug. This is where the circular economy thing comes in handy; I always sell, donate or swap things I no longer want to keep around, as they usually have lots of life left in them.

If you have questions about my wardrobe tracking system or statistics, or want to share yours, the comment section is all yours!

Power Outfit, Revisited

You saw this dress not long ago, but here it is again. I really like how these accessories came together, but it’s hard to make this dress look anything other than great. No, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible. Still, a red shoe is always fun. I don’t wear “fun shoes” – i.e. anything other than black – very often these days, but I am still fond of these old J. Crew suede heels. They’re still in good shape and still quite comfortable. I tend to forget that J. Crew still exists (and I used to be obsessed with it back in 2013/2014) so I don’t know what’s up with its merch or quality these days. Is it the same as before? Better? Worse? If anyone else can report, please share in the comments.

Notes: Issey Miyake dress (secondhand, $580); no name necklace (thrifted, $6?); J. Crew shoes (retail, $80).

Lord Commander of the Coven

I call this look: if Jon Snow was the head *itch of a stylish coven. You guys know how much I love my secret Stark-Targaryen, so you can imagine how stoked I was to find this faux fur vest thing. I even paid up for it at Value Village, a whopping $25. It’s from an old Neiman Marcus-Target collab, though shockingly in like-new condition. I don’t think it’s ever been worn. Don’t mind if I do. I paired it with a funky skirt from some weird Australian label I’ve never heard of before. Worked like a charm.

Notes: Skaist Taylor for Target vest (thrifted, $25); “i woman i love” skirt (thrifted, $8.50); Maje top (retail, $35); Napoleoni shoes (thrifted, $6).

Boho Goth

I wore this outfit on the second day of the Wardrobe Exchange secondhand clothing market; I feel like it represents well one side of my style personality which was the goal. The dress is eShakti Custom, which I think means that its original owner “designed” (i.e. customized) it from a menu of options. I dig their style. I like the sheer sleeves, and the tulle layers in the skirt; the embroidery adds a nice boho touch. I added a few more of my own with some beautiful chunky stone rings I bought in a back alley a while back. True story.

Notes: eShakti dress (thrifted, $13); Napoleoni shoes (thrifted, $6); rings (“boutique”, $50 each).

Layering Experiment

I guess I am fully embracing the 90s revival at this point; this vintage (like, for real) Dynamite vest-dress is a total throwback. I can’t quite button it up (down?) all the way, so I have to wear it as a long vest rather than a dress, but I still like it a lot. I haven’t figured out all the way I could layer it, but this first attempt is quite good. Next time, I think I need to go back to my Vogue runway edition for some sweet, sweet inspiration.

Notes: Dynamite vest (thrifted, $4); Banana Republic blazer (thrifted, $9); Tory Burch shoes (thrifted, $20).

So, the Fall FabFitFun box came and … it was alright. Honestly, I don’t feel like writing about it but I feel that I have to given my past posts. You know those people who write glowing blog posts all about “this cool new favourite thing I can’t live without” and then never mention that thing again? I don’t want to be that person, so I guess I’m stuck writing about FFF until the end of the year (when my annual subscription expires).

Alright, here goes:

I was predisposed to be disappointed with this box after some less than great interactions with the company over their communications regarding the Fall box. I hashed out that situation on my IG Stories, and don’t want to belabor it here, but suffice to say, FFF pulled the highest value item from the Fall box at the 11^th hour (after the customization window opened) without a real explanation; then, I saw it pop up on an influencer’s post as being included in the box she received. I guess FFF sends advance boxes to influencers, and this one went out before they decided to pull the item. I took me numerous messages back and forth with FFF to get that much of an answer out of them, and the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. Anyway. This box arrived looking messier (and emptier) than in the past.

I selected this hair towel as one of my customizations because I have a similar one, and find it useful. It’s not a “wow” product by any means, but the other options were even less appealing for me. (I’ve heard good things from friends about one of the other alternatives in this category, an eye makeup set. I don’t use eye makeup anymore, which is why I didn’t select that.) Retail value was listed as $18USD, but you can find similar towels at Winners for under $10CAD.

This Aveda hair product came in all boxes. The Ouai leave-in conditioner that came with my Spring box is about to run out, so I will use this as a replacement. I haven’t tried it yet, but it has good reviews, it seems. Retail $30USD.

This is supposed to be a lunch bag but, honestly, I might be able to fit my breakfast in there at best. It’s also a really blah colour, which is weird since it’s a Kate Spade product – you know, a company known for its bright, whimsical, colourful prints. Anyway, I plan to use this as a make-up travel bag. Retail $30USD.

This was another customization which I chose for lack of better options, but I ended up loving this scent. It has sandalwood in it, which I love. I don’t know that it does much for me in terms of relaxation, but I enjoy wearing it as a light perfume on weekends, or layered over my everyday scent, Maison Margiela’s By The Fireplace. I forgot to note down the retail price but it was probably under $30USD.

Same story here – my pick out of a disappointing selection. I have a good skincare regime for my face at the moment, and I don’t want or need to add more exfoliants to it, so I will be using this on my body instead. Or gifting it – haven’t decided yet. I would have preferred a different product, for sure. Retail value $32USD.

This body cream came in all boxes, and I wish it had been a Sol De Janeiro product. I received some DMs on IG telling me that it’s surprisingly good. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will eventually once I finish my current jar of SdJ cream. Retail value $18USD.

These scrub cubes also came in all boxes. They’re a fun product to try, but I found them too rough for use anywhere except my legs and feet. Retail value $16USD.

Last but not least, this hair straightener ended up being the highest priced item in the box (and available in general, I believe). I don’t need a new straightener yet (my old BaByLiss is still working just fine) but I figured I could always use this down the line. Someone told me that they use one for “ironing” creases out of clothes on the go, so to speak, which is the kind of life hack I’m all about. On the other hand, another IG follower DM-ed me to warn me that there some potential safety issues reported with this particular brand/model of straightener. Duly noted. Retail value $80USD.

Overall, I was very underwhelmed by this box, and it’s the first case where I didn’t feel like I got my money’s worth. To be clear, there are enough products in the box to make up the $80CAD that I spent on the box including shipping (even accounting for the inflated retail values), but not enough that I personally needed or was excited to receive to make up that value. I could have spent $80 at Winners on random beauty products, and been happier.

As I mentioned above, my subscription includes one more box; after that, I will decide whether to continue my subscription or not. I am currently leaning towards “no” after this most recent experience, but we shall see how the Winter Box fares.

If you’ve got questions or comments to share about FabFitFun, let me know in the comments.