Since we are really hashing this all out this week on many threads, I thought I'd share I have been trying to both streamline my wardrobe, and buy purposely, this last year.

I scratched down a rough plan of purchasing 12 items plus 2 accessories per season for 2012. Also allowed a budget of $1000. Haven't followed it to the letter, but am not that far off course, either. I will be closer to 30+ items bought, with more accessories than I'd planned, and also had an extra $500 windfall towards the budget.

At the same time, I've been trying to purge to get down to 150 pieces. That has been the harder part. I have done very well with one in one out, but started with around a dozen to two dozen items more than my ultimate goal number. I still want fresh things in my closet each season, so I'm going to have to buckle down on what needs to go to make room for them.

After almost 2 years here I know my past years shopping habits and budget enough to know how much I can cut back and what's just wishful thinking. I feel I can happily follow a plan of 2 items per month and not feel needlessly restricted or that I'm shopping out of control either. This also allows a complete turnover rate of around 6 or 7 years for most categories. A lifespan I am comfortable with.

(EDIT: my chart didn't translate well, but you get the rough idea. For me, putting it on the computer instead of scratching it down on a random tab of paper was a big step towards realization)

Goal of 150 items and purchase plan of 2 items per month for 2013

Wardrobe Amounts Buying / replacement rates

Dresses 16 / Skirts 9 = 25 2 dresses / 2 skirts
Ratio 2:1 8 yrs / 4.5 yrs

Pants 15 / Shorts 5 = 20 2 pants / 1 shorts
Ratio 3:1 7 yrs / 5 yrs

Jackets 13 / Coats 7 = 20 2 jackets / 1 coat
Ratio 2:1 7 yrs / 7 yrs

Sweaters 15 1 cardi / 1 pullover
cardis/pullovers 7 yrs
Ratio 1:1

Shirts 35 2 tanks / 2 s.s. / 2 l.s.
12 tanks/12 short sleeve/12 long sleeve 6 yrs / 6 yrs / 6 yrs
Ratio 1:1:1

Shoes 35 2 summer / 2 winter
9 yrs