How Many Items Do You Really Need In Your Wardrobe?! A Sustainable Stylist's Wardrobe Revealed...

If I asked you right now how many clothes you own, could you tell me?

Most of my clients guess wildly, until we actually count. And the results are always eye-opening.

I recently trialled a new online wardrobe management tool for my clients and, as a test, I uploaded my own wardrobe. The verdict? 200 items, including clothing and footwear.

Now, the Hot or Cool Institute’s “Sufficiency Wardrobe” research suggests just 74 items is enough for a fully functional wardrobe. That’s less than half of mine.

So am I failing my own sustainability standards? Not quite. My philosophy has always been about maximising what you own, wearing every piece at least a couple of times a season, and buying consciously for the long term, whether that’s new from sustainable brands or preloved.

When you know exactly what you own (and what you’re missing), you save time, money, and decision fatigue. You spot the gaps that are holding your style back. And you avoid buying the fifth Breton stripe top “just in case.”

In this post, I’ll share:

• What my wardrobe really looks like inside

• The 20 high-quality staples I recommend for every woman’s wardrobe

• The surprising gaps I found in my own collection

• Why this deep dive completely shifts the way you shop and dress

And, if you’re ready to take your own wardrobe to this level of clarity and ease, I’ll tell you how you can make it happen without lifting a finger.

Tiffanie Darke has been writing on this topic in her sub stack "How Many Clothes Do You Own?" I totally agree with Tiffanie’s list of ten key items for your wardrobe which should be super high quality and worn on repeat. The 20 key items I usually advise are as below:

1. The Leather Jacket or Aviator Jacket

2. Wide Leg Trousers

3. The White Shirt

4. The Casual Sweatshirt

5. The Basic t-shirt with a twist

6. The Blazer

7. Straight leg Jeans

8. The Breton Stripe T-Shirt

9. The Everyday Dress

10. The Slip Dress or Jumpsuit

11. The Lace Up Boot

12. The Block Heel Boot

13. The Trainers

14. The Loafer or Ballet Pump

15. The Cashmere Sweater

16. The Denim Shirt

17. The Wool/Duster Coat

18. The Casual Jacket

19. The Pleated Midi Skirt or Slip Skirt

20. The Statement Bag

The Or Foundation has also been running their “I can count, why can't you” challenge encouraging consumers to count the number of items in their wardrobe and then to ask 3 fashion brands how many garments they are producing each year, if you'd like to get involved.

It was no surprise to me that knitwear & sweatshirts and coats & jackets make up two of the biggest categories in my wardrobe, as they've always been my loves and what I enjoy investing in. Funnily enough, my buying career at M&S started on knitwear followed by coats, so maybe that's partly where my influence came from! It also highlighted a gap to me in trousers, I realised I need some more smart casual trousers to enable me to maximise the tops in my wardrobe and create more elevated looks.

When I was younger I was always more of a dresses girl, I don't know if it's becoming a mum or just my changing and evolving style, but I'm definitely enjoying jeans or trousers more these days. This is the beauty of looking at your wardrobe in this level of detail, it highlights areas of overconsumption (often Breton stripe t shirts or jeans for my clients!), categories where you might be missing key pieces, and allows you to see your entire wardrobe more clearly. You can see the breakdown of my product categories below if you're nosey like I am!

I've definitely learnt over the years that investing in fewer, better quality pieces, which will stand the test of time, saves me money in the long term and allows me to create my own individual sense of style. I made many a mistake in my 20's, buying into cheaper fast fashion versions of items I loved, only to have them break or wear out in such a short time period that they had to be replaced, and I may as well have bought the more expensive, better quality item in the first place!

Thinking of 2025, my intention will definitely be to stick to the Rule of 5! I'm all about being fully intentional with my wardrobe, and I've really enjoyed slowing down my spending and shopping habits. I also love the opportunity to find things second hand and create my own unique style.

Would you be able to know these same numbers and details for your own wardrobe?

And if you’re reading this thinking, “I’d love to know my own numbers — and actually make the most of what I already own”, I have something special coming…

This October 2025, I’m launching the Luxe Style VIP, an exclusive, done-for-you wardrobe management service for women who want effortless style, all year round.

Imagine having your entire wardrobe uploaded to your own bespoke online platform and personally managed by me. For every upcoming event, speaking engagement, or key meeting, I’ll create ready-to-wear look books using your existing pieces, plus carefully sourced additions from sustainable and preloved brands.

You’ll know exactly what to wear, every time, without the stress, panic-buying, or last-minute “nothing to wear” moments.

Your Luxe Style VIP experience begins with:

✨ A Style Personality Assessment, Wardrobe Edit & Colour Analysis to uncover what truly works for you

✨ Two in-person or virtual personal shops per year to strategically update your pieces

✨ Ongoing style strategy to maximise every item you own and elevate your presence in every room

If you’re an existing client, you’ll receive a special launch offer that builds on the work we’ve already done together.

Spaces will be limited, and prices start from £444 per month. If you’d like to be the first to know when doors open and secure your place before it’s announced publicly drop me a DM or email with the word VIP.

Effortless style, zero overwhelm, and a wardrobe that works as hard as you do. I can’t wait to share this with you.