Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The 80-20 Principle



My lovely friend/mother-in-law introduced me to the 80-20 Principle which, applied to one's wardrobe, says that 80% of the time, people wear only 20% of their clothes.  I haven't calculated the percentages in my own closet, but I'm definitely making an effort this week to improve the ratios.  Yesterday's red and white blouse is an example.  Today's outfit is also part of this effort.  I'm not sure I can wear 100% of my clothes 100% of the time, but maybe I can wear 100% of my clothes at some point this year.  This is likely to be a challenge for me, especially since all I want to wear lately is my newly thrifted red plaid shirt.  And all I want to do is eat banana pancakes.  But that's a different story.

Do you think the 80/20 principle holds true for you?

Daily Details:
- weather: cool with a few rain showers
- dress, cost about $60, divided by the 3 times I've worn it = approximate current cost per wear = $20
- booties, accpw $20
- cardigan, accpw $5
- necklace, accpw $10 

23 comments:

  1. Oh jeez. I am very embarrassed to say that I think I fall in the 80/20 theory. But I try to be better about it! Lovely dress! Glad it got some blog time!

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  2. Yup. I'm a total 80/20. I seem to only wear sweats these days.

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  3. good for you trying to wear all your things! this outfit delights me, meaning, i'd wear it, & i want it. yes, i'm sure the principle is true. i know there are many things in my closet i have yet to wear, but i fully intend too.

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  4. I am totally in that category. I just think I like to collect things , wether it's clothing, accessories or handbags. Part of the reason I started a blog is to use what I have but I'm not doing a good job at it.

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  5. hahahaha banana pancakes? really? this is a very interesting concept though, I have to check and see if it's the same for my closet. Love the print on your dress

    xx
    meinmode.blogspot.com

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  6. Very pretty outfit i like the print of your dress. Your monochrome ensemble looks classy and stylish. That necklace is sweet. I think mine could be 80-20. It's no good. I will have to try to push it up to 60-40.

    mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  7. I think this is really true. I have my favorite pieces and I really wear them quite often. but my outfits and my use of my closet already improved with my blog, but I'm really trying to wear all (seasonal) stuff once per season, and if I don't wear something, I think about the reason, and if I don't like the item anymore, I usually either sell or give it to the salvation army...

    oh and by the way, I love this dress!

    xxx Anita

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  8. Great post: I like this outfit so much!!
    What about following each other? Cosa mi metto???
    Win a wonderful long dress from Shabby Apple

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  9. It's actually depressing sometimes how little of my closet I wear. And I just keep buying more clothes. NOT okay. I really need to work on that. This dress is really pretty. I love this black and white look on you!

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  10. Definitely true for me...probably even less than 20%! Ugggh.

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  11. Yup. I definitely fall in that category. I have lots of things that are only worn occasionally.

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  12. I could definitely work on that more too. I am trying hard to do that though with remixing and such. It's hard I think!

    I love your dress, super pretty and fun pattern!! And that's a really pretty necklace too.

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  13. Very pretty and flattering dress! I think my percentage is a lot higher. I get bored wearing the same thing, so I make an effort to wear different stuff in my closet and pair it with something new.

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  14. That's an interesting principle. I think there's some truth to it for the most part. Especially with shirts and dresses for me.
    That dress in the top photo hear fits you so nice. You should wear it more often, with red!

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  15. I definitely don't wear everything in my closet, but I think the percentage is a lot higher than 20% :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  16. I think that the only things that I really don't wear are the items that don't fit me at the moment and I still want to keep them..or it's the wrong season to wear them. I definitely look at all my clothes and if I see soemthing I haven't worn for a long time, I will try to wear it and keep things fresh.

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  17. What a lovely dress! I love how you calculate the cost-per-wear on your posts! I definitely don't wear half the things in the closet and they sit there until I donate them or sell them. I'm trying to make a better effort to only buy things that will last from season to season, but it's so hard because trends come and go.
    And thanks so much for the sweet comment on my blog. Would you like to follow each other?

    :)
    Allison
    afashionfiles.blogspot.com

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  18. I read that statistic somewhere too and it made me even more determined to wear everything I own in rotation. I actually really like wearing lots of different combinations and it means I can (just about) justify holding on to many of my charity shop-bought and flea-market found treasures.

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  19. the 80/20 principle is so true in so many different cases :)

    161cm.com

    joanne♥choi

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  20. bold and fun ideas for this season.

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  21. Interesting concept, and probably true in my case come to that haha. Glad you decided to wear this printed dress though - it is so pretty & I love the way you've styled it here :)

    <3 Shawna
    Serpentine Streets

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  22. Great minds do think alike, especially when they're sharing the same bad weather! It's been so terrible down here, although today seems like it might be sunny. Maybe a sunny weekend is in store after all.

    As for the 80/20 rule, I'm afraid that I do, but I don't like that I do. Part of it is because I have a "dress up" closet of vintage and/or fancy clothes that just don't get worn that often. But, part is because I just don't utilize my closet like I should. I need to change that.

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  23. I agree, we only wear a portion of our wardrobes. Basics get more wear, while the specials make the outfits stand out but they get rotated. Just keep in mind that EVERY woman known for being best dressed always has a huge wardrobe. As in some cases, rooms of clothes. My friend Ann who is one of the best dressed people I know has 2 full closets and 2 sheds full of clothes. Her ratio is less than 20/80 and its ok!

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I love reading your comments! Thank you!