How many clothes do you really need?
This post is continued from How Many Clothes Do You Really Need? – Part 1
Jeans
Jeans are slightly different from the above two examples. They are a necessary item, but it is good to keep in mind that even though you should have a certain number of pairs it is important to go for quality over quantity every day.
Basically given your situation, it is better to get 2 good pairs of jeans over 4-5 cheaper pairs. I will talk about jeans a lot more in future posts, but for now let’s have a look at the formula:
N(jeans) = 3√D(jeans) – 1 ≥ 2
What this means is that you should have a minimum of two pairs of jeans…period.
As an example, if you wear jeans for the Saturday & Sunday of each weekend for the year, then:
D(jeans) = 2 x 52 = 104, hence you will need
N(jeans) = 3√104 -1 = 4 pairs
Again, I just want to iterate, If you only have 2 pairs at the moment and using the above formula you think you require 4, don’t go out and buy 2 cheaper pairs and compromise on quality. Add 1 pair of quality jeans when you can and slowly build up to the ideal amount. I will post on what makes a quality pair of jeans in the future.
Suits
Suits is a tricky one. Again in the same genre as jeans when it comes to how many:
Quality over Quantity
It would do far more for your style and image to wear the same quality, pricey, great looking suit to the office for 2 or 3 days a week as opposed to wearing a different cheap, basic looking suit each day.
Color is probably one of the most important things to consider also. I will go into detail on this a lot more in the near future, but basically, If you only wear suits for business and to the office, then a black suit shouldn’t even count as a number for your wardrobe.
Every man should have suits, I am surprised by the amount of people that don’t actually, and can’t get over why not.
However, you need to look at where you are wearing it. Do you require to wear them at work? Full time? Or only for important business meetings? Or do you only wear them for weddings and funerals.
So, as far as numbers are concerned for the suit:
1 (non-black QUALITY suit) ≥ N(suits) ≥ up to a maximum of X(suits)
Where: X(suits) = the maximum possible number of QUALITY suits you can both afford and justify for your needs.
So you should have at least 1 non-black suit as a starting point and work your way up from there. If you only have a black suit, then I believe it is important to get another color as well. If you don’t believe you wear it anywhere else, then It is a good time to start, because men look better in a suit than they possibly can in any other outfit you can wear, just ask any girl this and they will agree.
Changing it up = Infinite outfits
Going on from the early example of the best ways to add “style” to yourself and look like you have an endless wardrobe, is to constantly change outfits and wear the same things in different ways. i.e. change your pants, add a sweater, add a blazer, casual up with sneakers, smarten up with a vest, add a scarf etc. Etc.
The size of wardrobe does not need to change for you to have more outfits. The only thing that does is your creativity and thought process with coming up with new outfits from the good stuff you already have. In a later post I will go into more detail of specific items of clothing that will allow this (i.e. 80/20 of volume clothing), and examples of where I have done it.
Please bear in mind that these are only approx guides and a starting point for everyone. Naturally when times permit more or less of each could be needed and/or wanted.
Take Action
1. Put these formulas into place to work out the approximate number of each of the pieces of clothing YOU require.
2. If you need anything extra add them to a list with what you think is the most important first. Slowly shorten this list by buying the top priority whenever you are shopping or have a bit of spare cash burning a hole in your money clip J
What do you think? How do these number compare to your current wardrobe? Is there any specific details you would like me to provide on what colors, styles or types of each piece are best to buy first if you have limited funds or don’t know where to start?
A very detailed way of working out clothes usage. I use a slightly simpler version. A pair of jeans, a few pairs of shorts and a few Tshirts for a year in Thailand. I hope they sell clothes out there, :)
@ Jonny.
They certainly do mate! The last few times I have been to Thailand I have went with nothing but the clothes I was wearing and an empty bag, to make the most of the hundreds of REALLY good and REALLY cheap tailors.