I am watching from the sidelines but this is very interesting. It is making me look at my very small wardrobe and ponder combinations, size, intentionally rotating through some new pieces, etc. You have got my wheels turning.

Day 19 (April 17):

I have three meeting this afternoon. I had to dress appropriately and that meant running out the door with a lot of clothes that had not previously been included in my 30 items. Here goes.

2" black heels (repeat); black skirt (new item); white tee shirt (repeat); blue denim shirt to wear in the morning (new item); white tank top for the meetings (new item); fuchsia blazer for the meetings (new item); white pearl earrings (repeat).

So I added four new items. This brings my total to 31. My 30 x 31 capsule now covers all the bases. I will not be adding any new items for the rest of the month.

Hope your meeting went/goes well, Sterling. Sounds like you've made some well-thought-out additions.

Day 19: violet tee, light-wash skinnies, cream cardigan for a/c, black/white print flats. No new items.

Two outfits for me today (running errands, then meetings), but nothing new to add. Still at 26. It is cold and rainy here today. I really wanted to wear a new sweater that I just got on sale, but the rest of the month will be in the 70s/80s. Knowing I wouldn't be able to wear it again, I went with a lighter sweater already on my list and a raincoat. Hope I don't end up regretting not getting the new sweater into rotation as soon as possible.

April 17 (day 17): ON BF jeans, Blue/Green Foxcroft tunic, Black Aks sandals. Also, BP bootcut jeans, JJill taupe sweater, taupe sandals.

Well it is a very wet soggy day here! I am wearing jeans, a striped tee, and a wrap possum cardigan....I regard it as a dressing gown almost and don't leave the house in it....so haven't counted it in my 30. The tee is new though. So up to 28 with a sort of cheat!

My DH has taken my sons for a run in the rain...I am staying home making red lentil and tomato soup and Chermoula chicken skewers for dinner....it is a day for staying inside and cooking.

Day 20 (April 18)

My meetings went well yesterday, but I will admit to getting anxious. That is one reason I always wear a skirted suit. I feel the suit projects confidence that my stomach does not feel.

Keen sandals (repeat): grey ponte pants (repeat); black belt (repeat); polka dot blouse (repeat); pear earrings (repeat). I remain at 31 items.

I don't love this polka dot blouse. I have no idea why, it should be perfect. I decided that if I don't feel love by the end of the season I'll donate it and buy something I do love.

So the grey Madewell linen tee shirt ripped at the seam (worn once). I will be substituting one grey pima cotton tee shirt for the linen one. That substitution keeps me at 31 items.

This 30x30 has made me realize that I often use clothes to lift my mood. It doesn't always have to be new from the store; something different or that I haven't worn for a while works too. This month I haven't been able to do that, but I still want to, and often find myself 'curating' my closet for a mood booster, looking for things to cull or making up outfits for the future.

It reminds me of what happened when I gave up watching TV on weekdays for Lent this year, and suddenly found myself eating more snacks in the evenings. (I know, everyone else eats more when they watch TV, but I never have done that much.) I was bored and looking for ways to occupy myself so I ate. You try to shift one bad habit and another pops up in its place, just like shopping and dressing.

Day 20: black 'designer' tee, distressed boyfriend jeans, cream/black cardigan when necessary. TBH, I haven't taken off my slippers today (lazy Saturday watching playoff hockey, woohoo) but if I go out I'll probably wear my gray Vans or the flip-flops. No new items.

I agree Laura. For me the problem I have is that I have a few items I enjoy wearing, but not frequently. They don't have a place in a true capsule because they are not versatile enough, but I will wear them two or three times a season.

If the weather holds for the next week I will enjoy mixing my three jackets with different tops jeans and footwear for most days... And try out a few new combinations for me. If the weather gets cooler again I will really struggle as I don't have many truly warm options.

Today I am wearing my black and white print harems and a black long sleeve tee. Will add a jacket when I head out.

I don't think I will do this in May, but I would up to trying again maybe in June July or August which are our coldest months. I will be totally in winter clothing which means lots of layers but also no need for lightweight options. It would be high summer for you which may be easier or harder as there also tend to be holidays and parties!! I will use May to try out my other clothing and possibly purchase the next two items on my list - jeans and a winter handbag.

Yet another rainy day here. I think it's been gross for 10 out of the last 14 days. No one wants to look at houses in the rain, so I've only had to wear client-worthy clothes a handful of times this month. I'm pretty sure that's the only reason I've been able to hold my numbers low. It poured today, so I never left the house and never changed out of lounge wear. Still at 26. Saving those last 4 for additional work clothes if the sun ever shines again.

On the bright side, I spent most of the day rearranging my closet and bathroom:-) Ditched a bunch more stuff. Still lots more to go, but it feels so much lighter in there already.

Day 21 (April 19)

Keen sandals (repeat): black harem pants (repeat); grey pima cotton sweater (substitution for grey linen tee shirt that ripped); pearl earrings (repeat). I remain at 31 items.

Day 21: magenta dolman tee, black floral skirt, black loafers. No new items.

Well, another day of heavy rain--this time with tornado warnings. Not the day for work or errands, so we just lounged in gear and lounge wear today. Day 19 for me and still at 26 items.

Sorry the weather's been so punk, carter. At least you haven't needed a lot of work clothes! Kiwigal, I was thinking about trying this again in June - like you say, it'll be full summer here by then so I won't need many layers. April was not perhaps the easiest month to choose, although March would have been worse. I'm already wondering if I'm going to get a chance to wear either of my two sweaters again; it's supposed to be in the 80s tomorrow.

Here are my pictures of this week's outfits.

I absolutely love the dress in number 1.