The average Dutch person has around 173 items of clothing in their wardrobe. And yet, we hardly wear about 50 of them. What a waste! Why do so many items of clothing remain unworn? Often, we simply don't make the smartest choices. We buy individual items that are hard to combine or get stuck on one type of clothing, causing us to buy too many of them and miss out on other items. That's precisely why we're focusing on two indispensable basics: T-shirts and long-sleeved tops, which will help you build a strong foundation for a wardrobe that actually works.
Why your wardrobe is full, but you still have ‘nothing to wear’
We all know that feeling: your wardrobe is overflowing, yet you always reach for the same few items. That's no coincidence. Research shows that we only really wear a small portion of our clothes frequently. The rest is mostly just hanging around. Not because it's necessarily bad clothing, but because it simply doesn't fit well into your daily outfits. A major reason is that we often buy without a plan. Something looks good at the moment, but at home, it turns out to be harder to combine than expected. Or it just doesn't quite match the rest of your wardrobe. Add to that fashion trends that disappear quickly, and you soon have a collection of clothes that lack coherence.
Furthermore, something else plays a part: we often shop based on impulse. A bad day, a bit of insecurity, and before you know it, something else is in your shopping basket in the hope that it will make you feel better. Or you see someone else wearing something that looks great and you copy it without thinking, without checking if it actually suits you. The good news is: it really can be different. Not by buying even more, but by choosing more wisely. And that starts with a few strong basics that you can combine with everything. Because the stronger your foundation, the easier the rest becomes. With a few good T-shirts and long-sleeved tops, you'll always have something to fall back on and prevent you from getting stuck with bad purchases that eventually disappear into the wardrobe.
Good basics: T-shirts
A good T-shirt is one of those items you actually always need a few of. It's often the starting point of your outfit. In the summer you wear it loose, but the rest of the year it's the perfect base layer under a jumper, cardigan or blazer. Precisely because of this, a large part of your wardrobe comes together with it. And that's a win-win: such an extra layer means your outer garments won't need washing as often. Saves wear and tear and washes. What should you look out for? Especially the material. Preferably opt for natural fabrics like organic cotton or Tencel, ideally with a good quality mark. These breathe better, feel nicer on your skin and often last longer. At the same time, it's good to know that many Women's t-shirts contain a small percentage of elastane for the fit. Perfectly fine, as long as the quality is good. Tip: feel it carefully: the firmer the material, the better. It's better to invest in a few good items that retain their shape, than in a pile of shirts that lose their shape after a few washes or don't come out of the creases (then you won't wear them anyway).
Multifunctional long sleeves
We don't need to tell you how unpredictable the weather can be here in the Netherlands. Cool in the morning, sunny in the afternoon, and before you know it, you're shivering again. That's precisely why a long-sleeved top is an item you can rely on all year round. It sits right between a T-shirt and a jumper and makes your outfits just that bit more flexible. Still looking for a good one? Do a quick search online for ’Ladies' long sleeves’and you'll see how much choice there is. That's precisely why it's wise to pause and consider what you choose. Go for colours that are easy to combine with the rest of your wardrobe. Black and white are logical choices, but nowadays you also have really cool long-sleeved tops in colours and with great prints. In short, choose long-sleeved tops that suit your style. Then they'll naturally become items you reach for often. The same applies here: rather go for a few strong basics than many ‘meh’-items. Pay attention to the material, preferably natural materials and of good quality, so that the fabric stays looking good and doesn't get baggy.
Invest in your basics: a bit boring, but indispensable
If you wear your T-shirts and long sleeves frequently, it's automatically a good purchase. A commonly used term and calculation method for this is ‘cost per wear’. This way, you calculate how much it costs to wear an item of clothing each time. For instance, if you buy a shirt for forty euros and wear it forty times, it costs you one euro per wear. If you wear it eighty times, it's only fifty cents. But it's not just about money. How often you wear something also says something about sustainability. You get more out of it and won't need something new as quickly. That's why the tip is to spend a bit more on a good quality item, in your favourite colour or print. Then you'll enjoy it for years to come.
Sources: Measuring the Dutch Clothing Mountain report. Photo credits: Mart Production.
