The 80/20 Rule of Stylish Wardrobes for Midlife: Less Really Is More

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? It’s the surprising statistic that most people wear only 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time. And while surprising, it’s true even for the busiest of moms who often feel like they need a closet bursting with options to look put-together. It begs the question, who’s doing their laundry?! If they’re only wearing 20% of their wardrobe, that feels like a lot of laundry—and a lot of missed opportunities to not give the other pieces in their closet some love.

It’s a surprising stat, and it’s also not. Because one of the biggest things I hear from women in midlife who I work with is that they want less. “[I hope to achieve] a streamlined closet with great clothing pieces I will WANT to wear versus impulse purchases I rarely wear,” a client told me. Others have referred to themselves as an “aspiring minimalist” and someone else shared that she had so many clothes crammed in her closet that she didn’t even really know what she had.

Thus, more clothes are not the answer!

As a personal stylist who helps women feel amazing about their style as they navigate midlife transitions, my approach is highly personalized. I focus on where she is in the moment when it comes to her style and what makes her feel most like herself—in the best way possible. I help her shift her perspective, too, to move away from the idea of needing more options to look stylish. It’s all about the right options.

I have yet to have a client come back to me and tell me she needs to add more clothes to her closet. On the contrary, I’m often told that after working with me, they have a better idea of how to swap pieces they already own to create new outfits. The long-term impact of this approach goes beyond just looking good. When busy women have a wardrobe that works for them, it frees up mental energy for the things that really matter. They feel more like themselves and better equipped to tackle their busy lives.

As a personal stylist, my expertise isn't just in knowing what's trendy—it's in helping women rediscover their authentic style and translate it into a functional, inspiring wardrobe.

True style isn't about having more—it's about making the most of what you have and ensuring every piece in your wardrobe works for you and your style. That's the real value of professional styling.