“I am interested in numbers,” writes Cait. “How many new pieces do you buy in a year? About how many do you get rid of (or what percentage)? How old is the oldest thing in your closet? What percent of your clothes are for spring/summer/fall/winter/vacation? Do you keep clothing that is too big/small in case of size fluctuations? How do you balance the number of amazing new things with all the excellent things you already have?” And Tammy wanted to know, “What is your favorite single piece of clothing in your closet — old and new?” I’ll start at the top:
- I don’t know how many new pieces I buy in a year, and I’m way too embarrassed to try and count. Likely fewer than you think, but still plenty.
- I probably get rid of 10% of my wardrobe annually.
- The oldest thing in my closet is a Levi’s denim jacket I’ve had since high school.
- I hang on to clothes I don’t currently fit in to, like jeans and a few dresses I especially like, but got rid of most of the stuff I had when I was at Lucky and probably a little too skinny.
- I’d say my clothes are pretty evenly distributed as far as seasons go, though I do have a lot more summer dresses than I do dresses for when it’s cooler out.
- As far as balancing out what’s old and what’s new, I find that the fun is in mixing them together into combinations that feel entirely new.
As for Tammy’s question: my favorite old item is a pair of 15 year-old high-heeled Dries Van Noten lace-up sandals that I never wear but can’t bring myself to get rid of, and my favorite new item is this excellent Zero+Maria Cornejo hoodie (and yes I know that’s a batshit crazy amount to spend on a hoodie, but it is positively slaying on the cost-per-wear).
Love this peek. Aren’t your boots/clogs cleverly lined up under a bookcase?? 😉
Indeed, some are.
I love this post. You have less stuff than I imagined. Somehow I expected a 2nd bedroom, turned into a closet.
I’d be curious to see the same stats about accessories…
BTW, for great ideas or just good closet porn, check out Laura Cattano’s pics. She’s a professional organizer with terrific taste (In interiors and clothing) in the NYC area. And regularly gets quoted or featured in different publications. Her instagram is inspiring. https://lauracattano.com/projects
And thanks to Kim for a peek into her closet!
That hoodie looks amazing!
I also have to agree that the hoodie is perhaps the most perfect hoodie of all time…
Very, very tempting.
Also, why is it so damn hard to fold and store sweaters?
I have never figured out how to neatly store sweaters that I could still get to. Anyone got a solution?
Fold and hang on the dry cleaner hangers with the cardboard liner. No creases!
Spending the weekend+ in NYC (my bathroom is being gutted – yay, but the process….) and am now likely to go visit the hoodie.
Kim, Can I add another request brought up by your answering this request? 2 brands that you reference a lot and that I am borderline obsessed with are Maria Cornejo and Rachel Comey. I love the aesthetic but honestly can’t afford the majority of what’s on offer from either of them. Can you do a post on reasonable alternatives to those 2 lines?
I just discovered the Massimo Dutti website and it’s like: MY PEOPLE! It’s got a really nice aesthetic.
I’m familiar with the name but don’t think I’ve checked it out. Will do so immediately.
I agree. Their style is kinda tailored Euro-prep with no whiff of stodgy. I’ve been buying from Massimo Dutti for the last five years – washable silk and linen shirts, sweaters, chnos, beautiful wool trousers, a dress, jacket and handbag. The quality doesn’t disappoint and their prices are delightfully reaonable. Pants sometimes run a size small, but if you’re constitutionally opposed to Zara, as Kim is, you should know that Massimo is Zara’s older, more conservative sister and owned by the same company.
I don’t work for them, I swear, but again I must say that the RealReal has changed my life in the high-end-brand department — you can buy both those labels at Gap (well, maybe Banana Republic) prices and return anything that doesn’t work. I wear MUCH fancier clothing now and spend no more than I used to — plus environmental benefits of secondhand, etc. And if you get sick of something you can just sell it back to them down the line…
Thanks Heather. I have a friend who works for them and I have been intrigued. Maybe I will dip a toe.
Heather is right: The Real Real is a treasure trove!
Love this post! Would love to see more closet tour style posts or anything you care to share about organizing clothing/ wardrobes. I feel like mine is always a mess.
As you can see, Chris, mine is too!
My heart belongs to that hoodie (also the pants shown with). What currently slays me about trying to figure out sizing is online retailing now says things like “model is 5’9″ and wearing a S” but they don’t mention the 5’9″ model probably weighs less than a feather! I do appreciate Everlane as they show different body types wearing the same article of clothing. Helps much more than your “standard” 5’9″ model! (apologies for the rant)
Ha … any time you feel a rant coming on, come sit by me. ; )