The fashion industry has been in the hotseat for quite a while now. Fast fashion brands are rising in popularity, some inspiring backlash related to overconsumption and overproduction.
All over the internet, you will find data and surveys supposing the impact of this behavior on the world at large. These include claims that there are enough clothes available to last six or seven generations, with over 80 billion pieces consumed annually. They wouldn’t be wrong.
Beyond the multitude of brick-and-mortar stores in Manila’s many malls and seasonal bazaars, shopping websites and Instagram shops have made shopping for clothes these days so much easier. With just a few clicks on your mobile device or laptop, and payments linked through e-wallets or credit cards, your new outfit could be at your doorstep in just a few days. Wear. Then do it all over again.
Everyone now has all these clothes — whether bought intentionally or on a whim — hanging in their closets. But the question is how many of them actually get worn. Studies have shown that, on the average, a person owns about 95 pieces of clothing, but only have about 12 pieces on regular rotation. So that translates to roughly 10 to 15 percent of your wardrobe, taking out of the equation special occasion clothes, such as formal gowns for weddings and events. For me, that would be a mélange of tank tops, wide-legged jeans, button-down shirts, spaghetti-strap dresses, denim jackets and other easy grab-and-go pieces.
The rest will maybe see the light of day a handful of times in a year, or maybe not even, evidenced by the pieces hanging with their tags still on. And for most folks, their next shopping trip will add a cool new pair of jeans or that fresh take on the LBD to the ever growing mix.
And that is where the problem lies. A closet bursting at the seams, yet, as most girls like to say, “I have nothing to wear!” To this, stylists and fashion experts have long sung praises on how curating a capsule wardrobe is a cure for most, if not all, dressing dilemmas. So every well-chosen pieces works seamlessly with everything else. For those of us who like to play mix-and-match or shop depending on our mood, the weather, or the time of day, that is easier said than done.
So you are at a crossroads, or probably standing in front of your closet figuring out what to do next. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you figure out all these clothing conundrums, and then some.
Does it work on my body?
Let’s be honest — this can be a polarizing question. We often find ourselves so in love with a certain style or specific piece that we throw caution to the wind, and just go for it. While yes, we are in the age of body positivity and inclusion, it helps to take that second look in the mirror. Ask yourself if it accentuates your best assets, be it that svelte waist, or even your sexy derriere. Does it add to, and not take away. Not every outfit works on every body type, but there is the perfect outfit or style for yours. Chuck everything else that doesn’t fit the bill.
Am I really loving this trend?
Now this is a tough one. Fashion reports and brands are constantly churning out lists of the season’s must-haves in the color du jour (or in the case of Pantone’s 2026 color of the year, the lack thereof). For example, back in the early 2000s, when handkerchief skirts and tube tops were on trend (oh, wait, that came back in 2025), a friend said, “You all look the same.” We all jumped on that bandwagon because it’s what you did back then. But now that fashion has become a little more democratic, the option to follow trends is entirely up to you. So when trolling those trend reports, ask yourself if you really love it enough to follow, then refer back to question number one.
Would I actually wear it?
You are standing in the dressing room wearing a beautiful dress, or a sexy pair of sheer lace pants. It falls in all the right places, and looks great. But will you actually wear it. Sounds like a strange question, but it is a practical one. Will this piece ever get featured in your OOTD post on the ‘gram, or will it while away its days in the depths of your closet. Seriously, if you’re going to drop a few thousand pesos on an outfit, doesn’t it deserve guaranteed time in the limelight?
Will I ever wear it?
This one ties in with closely with question, but relates more to pieces already in your closet. The beautiful leather skirt, or the glorious caftan for the beach trip waiting to happen. Or the sexy dress you wore to a party years ago but haven’t brought out since. To be clear, we’re not talking heirloom pieces or those with significant sentimental value. Rule of thumb should be, if you can’t imagine yourself wearing it ever, or haven’t worn it again in over a year, the time has come to let it go. Note to self.
What’s my ROI?
Let’s start with facts on this one. Clothes are not cheap. Even the ones you buy from that controversial fast fashion website. Or as my fashionista mother once told me, “Anything is expensive if it is something you don’t really need. Even if it is on sale.” In most cases, the nicer the clothes, the pricier they are. So before swiping that credit card, you need to ask yourself, “What’s my cost per wear?” Yes, the ROI matters. As a serial repeater, my first thought is always how many outfits can I get out of this one shirt or pair of pants. Here’s a life hack – classic pieces rank high on this scale, so it makes sense to invest in really good ones.
How do I feel in these clothes?
This is the most important question on this list. How do your clothes make you feel? Right off the bat, this will tell you whether you should buy an outfit or not, or to permanently expel certain pieces from your wardrobe. Look at it on a scale of meh to yay, and take it from there. The perfect outfit will have you feeling like you’re ten feet tall and can take on whatever the day brings. Cliché much? Yes, but it’s the truth.
Admittedly, this whole process could feel like pulling teeth. Moreso if the clothes in question count among your ‘favorites,’ and we all have our fair share of those. Think of it as ripping off a bandage, as brutal as that sounds. It must be done, for your closet’s sake. What to do with the discard pile? That’s a proverbial part two to this piece, but there a few ways. You can give them away – to friends, family, and the household staff (if you have them), or donate to your favorite charity. You can sell them online, in a bazaar, or even do live-selling if you are so inclined. Thrifting is a rising trend, so you’d be in luck. Whichever path you choose, the goal is to have a closet with not only breathing room, but also filled with clothes you’re actually excited to wear!