86 Sweaters

Or thereabouts. I've just been going through my closets and drawers, organizing everything to eliminate clutter and to remind me what I actually own so I don't spend more. Evan has teased me many times about the number of sweaters I have--and he was right. The 86 includes tanks, tunics, short-sleeved tops, cardigans, lightweight, medium and heavyweight sweaters and jackets, cotton, silk, cashmere and acrylic blends. Most are from Mayle, J. Crew, Club Monaco and Inhabit. Some are very old (the ones my mum knitted for us as kids), others are unworn with tags still attached (granted most of these are my new purchases). I found at least two I forgot I owned, ones I will wear that were piled next to ones I rarely touch. I also found the one I've been searching for all week.

I've also gone through t-shirts--I'm not a big t-shirt buyer or wearer but found that I have enough for a lifetime. Granted, it's partly because I never throw them away (although my dear late cat Lupin was cremated with the t-shirt I was wearing to sleep in the night she died--I wanted her to have some of me with her for eternity as some of her will always be with me). I still have the ones I owned in Madison and one is nearly transparent it has worn so thin. I've also got about 10 long sleeved striped t-shirts, so again, I'm set there. Sweatshirts are about the only thing I don't own in big number--I have two, the standard American Apparel grey one and the grey sequined J Crew number I've worn once.

Next up, I tackle tights, gym clothes and nightwear. I haven't even got to dresses yet. I don't have many pairs of pants but at this point, I think I'm sufficiently horrified that this may be a good way to put myself off buying clothing.

On that note, thank you everybody for the excellent tips. They are truly helpful. I am a little appalled with myself (to put it mildly) for spending so much time and money on clothing. And I purged a lot of stuff when I moved 18 months ago, donating many dresses, shoes and other items to charity, which makes this all the more disgusting. Yes, I am ashamed of myself.

But on the plus side, I'm hoping this will teach me to have fun with the clothing I have. It's a pretty nice collection of items and there's enough to wear for any event and weather--with 86 sweaters, for instance, I could wear a different one every day for nearly 3 months. Why, then, are the same ten or so in constant rotation each winter? I know many are not suited for the deepest cold, but I do wear the same four sweaters and three cardigans so much?