Expert: Jamie Novak - 11/14/2006

Question
Hello again!  I had included some info about myself in my original question, but took it out cuz I figured it wouldn't make a difference in the answer, but now I am thinking it may.  Your answer actually helped me realize why I may be having such difficulty with this issue, so I hope you won't mind if I run this by you....

I have been laid up with a back injury for the last 6 yrs. and spend much of my time sitting bed, or around the house.  I no longer work, and have no need to dress up.  I think perhaps this is why I am not sure how many of each particular item is reasonable to hold onto.....your formula would work if I had a regular routine, but the fact is I spend a great deal of time in PJ's, but I hope to be better in the future, and don't want to throw all my clothes away, as I still go out shopping and to birthday parties etc...I am wondering if there is an average number of items that most people end up with, or is there a way to modify this formula, I don't have a great deal of room and I guess that is what is pushing me to try to purge. I keep telling myself I can only wear one pair of jeans at a time, so 2 or 3 may be enough, but I like to feel I have options when I look in the closet, but the truth is I end up wearing the same ones time after time anyway. Since I don't go out often, it may be noticed if I show up in the same outfit every time I leave the house!  I guess I am wondering what the normal average is, and maybe I could keep a couple less than that.  As I said, your previous answer was very helpful, but I am wondering if this info changes anything in your point of view?

Thank you again for your time!
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I am having trouble parting clothing. I am wondering if you have a guideline for how many of each item one should have  ie:  how many pairs of jeans, track pants, T-shirts etc.... is there a formula you use when organizing?  What do you think? the ones I struggle with most are

t shirts,
jeans
sweatshirts
long sleeve  t shirts
and last, but not least PJ's!

anything you can tell me would be much appreciated!
-----Answer-----
Hi thank you for asking. I think clothing is an area we all struggle with.

I do have some ideas, but I also hope you will stop by to ask more questions on http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-hgrealorg?redirCnt=3 since I am there every day.

Now let's see about those clothes:

There are no clear cut rules that work across the board since everyone has different needs. Like someone who works from home needs less suits, but someone who goes to the gym needs more t shirts.

So the answer/formula is this:

1. look at what you do and how you spend your time

2. keep 1 outfit to do those tasks for 2 weeks (gives you time to do the laundry) plus 1 spare

Example: if you go to the gym 2 days a week then keep 2 gym outfits for week one, 2 for week two and one spare, that equals a total of 5 gym outfits.

Example: if you wear one set of PJ's per night, but sometimes wear the same one twice then maybe you need 4 per week, so that's 8 plus a spare which is a total of 9.

At this time try paring down to this number, but DO NOT give the extra away until you know it is the right amount.

Now if you are like most of us you have stuff that is a size or two too small, but you love and truly think you may wear before it is out of style, then pack that in a box and get it out of the current closet.

Label it with the size before you store it.

Next take out all the items that are memory type clothing, like a shirt from a cruise that you won't wear but you want to keep.

Put that in a box labeled memories and store it elsewhere.

Lastly allow yourself a maybe box. This is for the items you think maybe I'll wear it maybe I won't. Fill 1 maybe box and write the items on the outside as you fill it. Tape it shut and put a date 1 year from now. If in the next year you want something back you can have it, if not donate it without opening it at the end of the year.

I hope this helps, please ask more questions to clarify or if this sounds good but will not work for you let me know, we'll find a solution that fits you.

Happy organizing, Jamie

PS This Thursday night I am hosting a F-r-ee call over the phone at 9pm est. I'd love to have you join me, just dial in and I'll greet you. I teach a little, but then I answer all sorts of questions. It is a very worthwhile way to spend an hour. Here are the details http://jamienovak.com/ordered.htm

Answer
You are right, having more information helps me, thanks for writing back.

I'm sorry to hear about your back, I know that can be a difficult injury to deal with. And you are correct that most of us wear 20% of our stuff 80% of the time.

It's the stuff that wears well, washes well, feels good and looks OK on us.

So if you are looking for more room can you tuck fancier items away? Do not get rid of them, but just open up space for more of the lounge wear/pj's.

If you want to know the "rule" it's 5 of everything (not under stuff, just outer)

The idea being you can mix and match with the 5 items.

Does any of this help?

PS I doubt people will realize you wore the same or similar outfit, we have enough time worrying about our own clothes to think of others :)