Sleepwear is an awesome item to get as a gift. Each Christmas, I buy everyone in the family a new set of PJ's. They caught on, and soon each Christmas I would receive a set of PJ's from one or the other girls, who were thoughtful enough to quiz me on what type I like best. If you get one new set every Christmas you will be set. I am going to have to cull this year because I have more than I need and some of the older sets are getting ratty.

Likewise I've learned to ask for loungewear (sweats/hoodies) for xmas. I am too picky about the rest of my clothes and clothing gifts usually fail miserably. But loungewear and sleepwear is easy. This year I expect I'm getting two new hoodies with college logos on them.

I think it makes perfect sense to try to wear some of your smart casual stuff in more casual ways, as you mention. But I don't think this looks *too* out of balance, especially since your smart casual stuff gives you so much pleasure, and you do wear it, just perhaps not as much as you'd like?

Well now, this is interesting.

Usage: 50, 37, and 13% (casual / work / smart casual)

Spending: 30, 15, and 50% (casual / work / smart casual)

I don't think this necessarily signals a problem. For example, my bakery clothes - I wouldn't ever bother having a lot of these or spend much on them. It's all tees and knee pants and a pair of chef pants.

But what I would be curious to know is how much of your wardrobe is casual / work / smart casual. How many items do you have in each capsule? Do you get to wear your smart casual stuff much? Can you expand your opportunity to wear them?

I was just thinking about this morning, obsessing over the navy skirt still. I love skirts. I don't get to wear them much anymore. The office A/C is too cold. Why should I get another skirt when I don't get to wear them that much? Except that this is so depressing. It occurs to me that I *could* wear skirts at the bakery; pretty much the same coverage as knee pants.

Wow, there is so much good advice here. Here is my take-away:

1. Seek versatile pieces
Buy pieces that can be used across more capsules. (Mo, Caro) Likewise, I was impressed that Zapotee could say, “I seem to use my entire wardrobe as a whole.”

2. Migrate pieces between capsules
Get more use from your smart casual capsule -- wear to work (Dana), migrate pieces that are worn to the casual capsule. (Claire)

3. Be OK with repeating outfits. (Annagybe)

4. LOA (Laws of Attraction concept)
Dressing for a smart casual lifestyle will open up more smart casual opportunities. (Shiny, Dana and others)

5. Similarly, expand your opportunities to wear your smart casual items (Rachylou).
Or, as Dana put it, “Since you have fab clothes, why not try to plan more activities to wear them. You'll have a great time and feel justified in your spending.”

6. Control/discipline
Stick to a list, no impulse shopping. (Jayne, Glory) Be ruthless about returning/on-selling items that have sat unworn in your closet for a pre-determined period of time. (Lyn D). Set an actual dollar limit for smart casual purchases (Merwoman). Work out a minimum number of clothes/outfits you need to keep you happy in the dressy category & do the one in one out on this section. (Caro) I think that if you spend 50% of your time in casual, 50% of your budget should go to it. (Laura)

Admittedly, this is the hardest area for me to follow, but I do think I can aspire to some more discipline. Finally, I really appreciate the sensible yet forgiving tone of many of your comments which revolve around the concept of...

7. Acceptance/cut yourself some slack
If you’re wearing the items and get enjoyment from them, why worry. (Alaskagirl, Suz, Elisabeth) If you have enough/right items then why worry? (Christieanne) Accept that some capsules will cost more (Queen Mum) and why worry if you love the items? (Rae). Go ahead and buy things that you enjoy for your imaginary life, but not at the expense of the life you already have. (Velvetychocolate)