What would be your 'minimum' wardrobe?

[mrsklamc]

This may be more of a hypothetical than anything, but I'm really enjoying paring down my closet to the things I know I love, fit well, and will wear. One poster has issued herself a challenge to buy no clothes for a year, and another thread mentioned that Jamie Lee Curtis has pared down to a very few sets of clothing that she knows work well for her.

So all this has me wondering, what would you consider a 'minimum' wardrobe? You can spare us the underwear items, but how many pairs of pants, tops, dresses, jeans, etc, would you need to not be considered a freak at work, or make it through to laundry day, or whatever your particular set of circumstances are?

 

[FoodLover]

There has also been a recent craze for a "clothing diet" involving wearing only 6 items of clothing (not counting underwear, shoes, accessories).

http://consumerist.com/2010/07/woman-wears-6-items-of-clothing-for-a-month----nobody-notices.html

I've thought it over and I think I could easily do this (and in fact, I have come close, when traveling around the world). The biggest problem for me would be laundry. Without duplicates, I would have to go without wearing certain pieces while they were being dry cleaned or in the laundry.

But these would be my basic pieces for fall/winter:

1 pair dark wash jeans
1 pair black dress pants
1 black knee-length knit skirt
1 black t-shirt
1 red t-shirt
1 Chanel style tweed jacket

With this wardrobe and a variety of accessories (scarves, tights, jewelry), handbags and shoes, I could be presentable for almost any occasion except a formal event that requires a gown.

Of course, here in Colorado I would also need a heavy coat to wear over this stuff!

 

[SaraJayne]

What would I consider a minimum wardrobe? Mine!!

I'm a SAHM, so my clothes are pretty minimal. My sister (single with no kids) has twice as many clothes as the four of us put together!!

I think there are some basics that everyone should have, though.

A nice pair of jeans
Black skirt/dress
white long sleeve button down shirt
black pants
various colored t-shirts

 

[crusoe2]

I've done something along this line altho it wasn't by design - it's just how my wardrobe worked out.

I stick to very basic pants - black slacks in a medium weight fabric or khaki capris for work and jeans or lightweight denim capris for after work. If it's really cold, I add long underwear beneath the slacks (hope that isn't TMI.). I don't buy many pairs of jeans and denim capris but definitely keep multiples of the work pants so that I don't have to do laundry every night.

The things I do have a big variety of are tops, cardigans, and jackets that will go with most of my pants. That way I'm prepared for most any weather or occasion but I don't often have to worry about having just the right pair of slacks ready to wear with a particular top or jacket.

Very seldom wear a dress or skirt but lean towards basic pieces worn with a variety of tops and jackets just as I do with the slacks.

 

[disneychrista]

1 pair of jeans
3 - 5 t-shirts

 

[jacksmom]

I have been thinking about this also! I have recently lost down 2 sizes and my clothes just hang on me even with a belt! But, i would really like to lose another size or maybe 2 before I buy much! So, I have been contemplating on what I can minimally buy to get me through! It is still pretty warn here, so I think for sure I need some black capris. not sure what else though.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

I have been thinking about this also! I have recently lost down 2 sizes and my clothes just hang on me even with a belt! But, i would really like to lose another size or maybe 2 before I buy much! So, I have been contemplating on what I can minimally buy to get me through! It is still pretty warn here, so I think for sure I need some black capris. not sure what else though.

Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!! That is awesome! I've only lost one size, but I'm cheap and don't want to buy more clothes!!! Luckily, I still have some clothes from when I was this size pre-kids, so I do have things to work with.

Have you checked thrift stores? I've found some great bargains there. Good brands, some with tags still on them!

Let's see. For me, my bare minimum for fall would include:

1 pr khaki capris
1 pr nice jeans
1 pr dress pants
1 dress shirt
1 pr nice khakis
1 white fitted shirt
1 t shirt
1 cardigan (red?)
lots of scarves to dress it up

I think I'd need lots of shoes too!!! Heels, boots, running around shoes, etc. I think that's it! Of course, that doesn't include the nice black dress that everyone needs for those more formal occasions. And, I run. So, I really need good, warm running clothes and shoes (I'm training for the Disney marathon!!). But, the basics are there.

 

[mom2val]

I am a SAHM so I don't need a work wardrobe and we attend a Saturday night family friendly church service so jeans/shorts are just fine for church. My wardrobe currently is about as minimal as I ever have had:

4 prs jeans
2 prs shorts
2 prs jean capri
1 pr khaki cropped pants
1 pr brown cropped pants
1 sweatshirt
1 fleece
1 coat
5 long sleeve shirts
10 t-shirts about half are "nice" and the other half are sleep, yard work, just around the house
3 polo knit shirts
1 navy dress- funerals, weddings, nice dinners ect
1 floral dress with light jacket- Easter and when its hot and I need a dress

 

[njcarita]

gosh..I have so toyed with the idea.... of getting rid of 90% of whats in my closet.... and starting fresh with a new wardrobe....
Most of my clothes as it is dosn't fit right.... shirts that have shrunk or are stretched out....
I love when I go on vacation and the few things that I have in my luggage ...fit... go together well.....

I am home tomorrow morning ...i am so tempted to go thru my closet and get rid of most of my clothes....

I have a giftcard to Kohls and Lord and Taylor itching to be used for new clothes.....

 

[princessmom29]

I have huge issues finding things that actually fit me correctly, so by necessity my wardrobe is pretty minimasl, and mcuh of it I have had a while. I am currently surviving on :
3 pair of black slacks
2 pair of jeans
2 jean capris
2 gym shorts
5 blouses for work
5-7 tees (some "nice" some housework shirts)
1 black dress
1 light jacket
1 heavy coat
That is every thing, year round thsat i currently have that fits well enough to wear outside the house.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I hate doing laundry, so my minimum would be anything that would cause me to do laundry or go to the dry cleaners for myself or DD6 more then 1x a month.

 

[fakereadhed]

I quit buying junk from Target and Walmart years ago(and Coldwater Creek) because it doesn't really last, and now I just wear what I already have and add a couple tops and a pair of jeans every 6 months. The tops are for fun and the jeans usually need to be replaced. Usually buy from Lands End B&M on clearance or Kohl's. Usually buy one pair of shoes(Born from TJ's or DSW) every other fall and sandals every other year. That's it.

 

[DawnM]

I don't have that many clothes. I wear them until they wear out too.

When I worked I had more, although I could wear fairly casual clothing to work.

Now that I don't work, I need a few different nice shirts for church, but other than that I have stretch Lands' End pants and big T-shirts for wearing around the house and then jeans and nicer T-shirts for going out during the day when I need to go out.

I just wore out a couple pairs of jeans so I ordered some from ebay for $3 each.

Kids clothing all comes from thrift stores or yard sales.....barely worn!

DH buys polo shirts for work at Goodwill for $4 each, many with tags still on them. And he does buy Docker's type pants new on really good sales. The last sale was "Buy $100 in Docker's and get a $75 Shell gas card!" We got $200 in Docker's, 7 pair, and got $150 in gas cards.....so essentially 7 pairs of Docker's for $50. That was 3 years ago and he still doesn't need any more as he only wears them to work and then changes when he gets home.

Dawn

 

[nunzia]

I quit buying junk from Target and Walmart years ago(and Coldwater Creek) because it doesn't really last, and now I just wear what I already have and add a couple tops and a pair of jeans every 6 months. The tops are for fun and the jeans usually need to be replaced. Usually buy from Lands End B&M on clearance or Kohl's. Usually buy one pair of shoes(Born from TJ's or DSW) every other fall and sandals every other year. That's it.

I have found that Coldwater Creek really has the jeans that fit me the best and seem well made. what is Lands End B&M? How do their jeans fit?

I also have bought jeans from Ebay, but the shipping was so stinkin high I quit..I now get most things (except for my Coldwater Creek jeans..always on clearance) from thrift stores..not Goodwill..I hate them..here they have the highest prices.

 

[MEM]

I quit buying junk from Target and Walmart years ago(and Coldwater Creek) because it doesn't really last, and now I just wear what I already have and add a couple tops and a pair of jeans every 6 months. The tops are for fun and the jeans usually need to be replaced. Usually buy from Lands End B&M on clearance or Kohl's. Usually buy one pair of shoes(Born from TJ's or DSW) every other fall and sandals every other year. That's it.

I'm sorry you had that experience with clothes from Coldwater Creek - that's my favorite store. OTOH, nothing I have purchased from Kohl's has held up well

My pared down wardrobe for work is 5 SS tops, 5 LS tops, 5 black bottoms - skirt, slacks and capris. I wear the same purple cardigan under my coat for warmth at the bus stop in winter but don't need it in the office.

 

[PaulaSue]

I NEED to do this!!!

I lost 60 plus pounds and moved 2 years ago after the weight loss. So when I got here I didn't really have any clothes that fit the new me and the ones I had I hated since I had sewed most of them smaller.

I spend the last 2 years enjoying my new shape and buying like crazy, deals trust me . A few weeks ago my closet rod broke in a house that was brand new 2 years ago. I think it was a hint that I have to lighten up. This is with my winter stuff downstairs already.

I'm a SAHM who is looking for a part time job (that is why I have been buying since I figured I need more than exercise clothes). I am trying to figure out a good rule (I'm starting OCD, I think) to follow before I change over my clothes for winter and my girls. (My girls have way too much too.)

 

[fakereadhed]

I have found that Coldwater Creek really has the jeans that fit me the best and seem well made. what is Lands End B&M? How do their jeans fit?

B&M=Brick and Mortar(vs. online) Yes! They have some styles that fit the junk in my trunk.

I haven't tried Coldwater Creek jeans- they are too long, and the petite too short. The tops I've bought from there are usually beaded and decorated and the decorations are always falling off after 6months or so.

 

[njcarita]

gosh..I have so toyed with the idea.... of getting rid of 90% of whats in my closet.... and starting fresh with a new wardrobe....
Most of my clothes as it is dosn't fit right.... shirts that have shrunk or are stretched out....
I love when I go on vacation and the few things that I have in my luggage ...fit... go together well.....

I am home tomorrow morning ...i am so tempted to go thru my closet and get rid of most of my clothes....

I have a giftcard to Kohls and Lord and Taylor itching to be used for new clothes.....

well that was liberating... got up this morning and discarded about 75% of my clothes ( closet and drawers).......now I am going to right a list of what i need to fill in......

 

[bettymae1121]

I work from home, so I kinda already have this. I think I have two outfits fit for the few days I have to go to the office, two dresses that can be worn to formal events (one in each size I tend to wear the most). I have three pairs of cargo shorts I wear in the summer (unless i spill something on them, no reason not to re-wear them) and 5 pairs of jeans for fall/winter/spring, and one pair of khakis for the rare time jeans aren't acceptable. For tops, I have 14 plain solid t-shirts (in various colors, of course!), 7 short sleeved and 7 long sleeved. If I'm cold I have two hoodies I can throw on over the t-shirts.

All of my clothes fit in a single average sized dresser (except the work clothes and dresses, which take up less than a foot of rod space in my closet).

Because I wear my clothes so much, I do tend to have to replace them because they get worn out, but so far this year I've spent $150 on clothes for both me and my DH (some of that was for shoes, though). We don't anticipate having to buy anything else for the rest of this year, other than a new pair of shoes for me.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

This is a really good question. I probably only wear 10% of my clothes 95% of the time. I have a lot of stuff that I keep just in case, but in a year, all I need are...

2 jeans
2 shorts
1 pair of nice slacks
2 nice dresses
~10 fitted tshirts
2 each of pjs, around-the-house shorts, and around-the-house pants
~3 nice sweaters
Plus a few old garments for yard work

I can dress casually at work, so that cuts down on a lot of wardrobe. I only ever go anywhere I would have to dress up once or twice a year, so I'm lucky on that. The "nice pants" I've had for years my mom bought my in high school

I think tonight I am going to put most of my clothing in an empty tub, hide it in the spare room and see how long it is until I get into it, if ever. I need to accept the fact that even though I love this item, I still haven't worn it in years!