Closet inventory - is there such a thing as too much

[Mollysdad]

The struggle continues… I have the brown and black… #1 & 2, but can I resist the chocolate #3??

 

[William Kazak]

View attachment 2030217 View attachment 2030219 View attachment 2030221 The struggle continues… I have the brown and black… #1 & 2, but can I resist the chocolate #3??

No. You cannot resist chocolate.

 

[thedavidstarr]

Great conversation! It make sense that a person’s clothing reflect their interests, budget, profession, climate … That said, I find a lot of merit in quality over quantity, and keeping only what you really wear. I still struggle the next best pair of shoes that pop up, but I’m doing my best to remember that only have two feet.

A Supreme Court Justice wore his blue suit one week, his grey one the following. Rinse then repeat…

 

[jdgershbein]

This thread ties in nicely with the "Paying School Dues" thread.

I have built and rebuilt my wardrobe several times through the years. I am smack dab in the middle of another reinvention as I type. I would not say I am a slave to fashion; I am a slave to the vicissitudes of my style.

Sometimes I look at my closet now, ample as it is, and think, 'Jeez. What the hell goes with what?' Other times, I pull pieces and effortlessly create ensembles, giving me a dopamine rush that carries the day.

I fear I have also crossed the line into clothes collector, especially concerning neckwear and cuff links. I no longer see the necessity of wearing my suits, French cuff shirts, and ties. I like sports jackets, shackets, and overshirts.

I'm not of the minimalist wardrobe mindset, either. If I come across a garment I can't live without, I must have more than one. (A quarter-zip in mustard, too? Really?) I can always find shelf space for another chunky melange jumper.

This is an outstanding forum. I love the why-we-buy-what-we-buy conversation. It drills down to the core of who we are as men and our rationale in real-time for presenting ourselves to the world.

 

[icebergwtq]

A Supreme Court Justice wore his blue suit one week, his grey one the following. Rinse then repeat…

I could never do that. I'd die of boredom. Also, gray suits don't work for me. I have one - an old Brooks GF number - that I rarely wear, but I keep it because it fits well, and some reason might come up for me to need it. That would almost be a guarantee if I were to get rid of it.

 

[fabricateurialist]

I have built and rebuilt my wardrobe several times through the years. I am smack dab in the middle of another reinvention as I type. I would not say I am a slave to fashion; I am a slave to the vicissitudes of my style.

Reinvention is certainly a driver when one likes fashion and dives deeper into different styles, beyond traditional menswear

I've had an ostentatious pattern phase in my 20s, the Stenströms contrast collar lining, A LOT of Etro and Missoni - while living in Dubai and other places where it sort of fit in.

I fear I have also crossed the line into clothes collector, especially concerning neckwear and cuff links. I no longer see the necessity of wearing my suits, French cuff shirts, and ties. I like sports jackets, shackets, and overshirts.

I'm still unsure how long the overshirt/chore jacket phase will last, and only added iterations that will arguably be wearable beyond the workwear trend cycle. Curious to hear your thoughts on the longevity of the sports jacket replacements

I'm not of the minimalist wardrobe mindset, either. If I come across a garment I can't live without, I must have more than one. (A quarter-zip in mustard, too? Really?) I can always find shelf space for another chunky melange jumper.

That's what inspired my handle, the "love" for knitwear and fabrics - oh it's blue a moss stitch sweater in Yak and English wool, that's of course totally different from the blue melange one in Merino. But it brings me joy to wear different fabrics for different reasons because when well-executed, they all perform different

 

[jdgershbein]

Reinvention is certainly a driver when one likes fashion and dives deeper into different styles, beyond traditional menswear

I've had an ostentatious pattern phase in my 20s, the Stenströms contrast collar lining, A LOT of Etro and Missoni - while living in Dubai and other places where it sort of fit in.

I'm still unsure how long the overshirt/chore jacket phase will last, and only added iterations that will arguably be wearable beyond the workwear trend cycle. Curious to hear your thoughts on the longevity of the sports jacket replacements

I am banking on the workwear trend to continue. I see some brands have already pushed their chore coats and shackets toward a more classic sports jacket-esque vibe. I would definitely wear a hybrid garment that blends the best elements of both.

That's what inspired my handle, the "love" for knitwear and fabrics - oh it's blue a moss stitch sweater in Yak and English wool, that's of course totally different from the blue melange one in Merino. But it brings me joy to wear different fabrics for different reasons because when well-executed, they all perform different

 

[letsgofire]

View attachment 2030217 View attachment 2030219 View attachment 2030221 The struggle continues… I have the brown and black… #1 & 2, but can I resist the chocolate #3??

Just received the chocolate brown. I live in chicago and have zero use for these. I travel to Austin regularly so I have some hope to wear them. They look.
, however, absolutely stunning. Like OH WOW nice. I’m so pleased and I can’t wait to wear them out and about despite clearly being a poser

 

[Mollysdad]

Just received the chocolate brown. I live in chicago and have zero use for these. I travel to Austin regularly so I have some hope to wear them. They look.
, however, absolutely stunning. Like OH WOW nice. I’m so pleased and I can’t wait to wear them out and about despite clearly being a poser

Very cool! Post pics! The brown and black are 🔥 too…

 

[letsgofire]

Here you are (sorry for de-railing the thread everyone)

 

[MBrianT]

It took me some time to figure an approach that would work for me and most importantly stop me from ‘collecting’ too much. So I break each category into tiers.

Tier 3 is 5 maximum of an item.
Tier 2 is 10 maximum of an item.
Tier 1 is 20 maximum of an item.

For example, suits are Tier 1 for me based on my needs and work. The maximum number keeps me from just buying every new beautiful thing I see and makes me be more intentional. 12 of the 20 get the most wear as they are business staples that might also be work to weddings. The others dip into non-traditional colors and different seasonal fabrics. Because I own 17 suits currently, the last 3 have to fit a specific need (ex. a linen suit, a striped suit, a black suit.) But once I hit 20, the only way to buy another suit would be if one of the ones I own is deteriorating or if I get rid of one.

Since I established the tier and limit system recently, if I am currently over the threshold (ex. sweaters,) to buy a new one and get at the limit, I might get rid of 2 items.

I also give consideration to colors and try not to duplicate like items in the same color family. I have a red Harrington jacket, so I won't buy any other red outerwear. I have an off-white cardigan, so I won't get an off-white turtleneck.

These are the things that keep me from becoming a collector.

 

[William Kazak]

It took me some time to figure an approach that would work for me and most importantly stop me from ‘collecting’ too much. So I break each category into tiers.

Tier 3 is 5 maximum of an item.
Tier 2 is 10 maximum of an item.
Tier 1 is 20 maximum of an item.

For example, suits are Tier 1 for me based on my needs and work. The maximum number keeps me from just buying every new beautiful thing I see and makes me be more intentional. 12 of the 20 get the most wear as they are business staples that might also be work to weddings. The others dip into non-traditional colors and different seasonal fabrics. Because I own 17 suits currently, the last 3 have to fit a specific need (ex. a linen suit, a striped suit, a black suit.) But once I hit 20, the only way to buy another suit would be if one of the ones I own is deteriorating or if I get rid of one.

Since I established the tier and limit system recently, if I am currently over the threshold (ex. sweaters,) to buy a new one and get at the limit, I might get rid of 2 items.

I also give consideration to colors and try not to duplicate like items in the same color family. I have a red Harrington jacket, so I won't buy any other red outerwear. I have an off-white cardigan, so I won't get an off-white turtleneck.

These are the things that keep me from becoming a collector.

17 suits? Whatever for?

 

[MBrianT]

17 suits? Whatever for?

I know it can seem excessive for some, but they all get wear. I wear a suit at least 5 days a week.

 

[jdgershbein]

On a related note, closet management becomes an issue when inventory exceeds space. Like some of you, I have a custom closet (I share it with my wife), and my current rack and shelf space are tight, necessitating another audit, which I do seasonally. I have off-season storage concerns, too.

Having paid my share of school dues, I am far more selective about new apparel purchases than previously. I rock what I have and do not seek to acquire. Still, I am a sucker for high-end braiding on a cable-knit, easily seduced by a colorful Scandinavian print and helpless against the hypnotic pull of goat suede.

 

[MBrianT]

On a related note, closet management becomes an issue when inventory exceeds space. Like some of you, I have a custom closet (I share it with my wife), and my current rack and shelf space are tight, necessitating another audit, which I do seasonally. I have off-season storage concerns, too.

Having paid my share of school dues, I am far more selective about new apparel purchases than previously. I rock what I have and do not seek to acquire. Still, I am a sucker for high-end braiding on a cable-knit, easily seduced by a colorful Scandinavian print and helpless against the hypnotic pull of goat suede.

Very solid points.

That new chocolate brown goat suede jacket from Spier & McKay has me intrigued.