The typical wardrobe is found to have about 199 major clothing items, according to research findings mentioned in a study on clothing consumption and sustainability. Between 25% and 50% of the total garments are underused or never used at all.

The research compares current ownership of clothes with the numbers from 60 years ago, when the average number of clothes per person was around 40.

A clothing item carries an environmental burden, including the production of fibre, spinning, weaving, dyeing, manufacturing, packaging, and transportation. The environmental burden exists even for clothes that are not being used.

Clothing donation has also been considered by the researchers, who point out that charities tend to receive more clothes than what can be sold. Clothes that are not sold might be donated elsewhere or thrown away.

Wear count is one of the measures employed by the researchers in this study. Wear count means how many times a garment is used over its lifetime. The calculations in the European Union show that shirts and blouses must be worn at least 40 times, T-shirts 45 times, trousers and dresses 70 times, jumpers and hoodies 85 times, and jackets and coats 100 times.

This research study investigated the impact of wardrobe size on the time required to achieve the recommended wear counts.

With the illustration of dresses, for instance, the person who owns 23 dresses, wearing one dress per week, will take 31 years to wear the dress 70 times. For five dresses per week, the time is shortened to six and a half years.

For the research, a mathematical model that involves the calculation of wardrobe size and wearing frequency was used. The study indicates that both variables impact the likelihood of achieving recommended wear counts before discarding or replacing garments.

Clothing usage varies depending on the climate, occupation, lifestyle, preferences, and laundry habits. The study explains that all these variables determine the frequency of wear and use of clothes.

The researchers are currently designing a user-friendly wardrobe calculator, where individuals will be able to calculate wardrobe size on the basis of their personal clothing habits and wearing patterns.

The study also discusses the Paris 2030 Agreement, where 85 garments or fewer are considered an optimal number of garment possession. The study reveals that clothing usage patterns vary among different people and households.

The research was published in June 2026 and focused on the relationship between wardrobe size, garment use and environmental impact.