I've had a couple of requests lately (yes, I'm talking to you Peri, Elizabeth and Suz ) to provide some numbers with respect to my reduced wardrobe and thoughts on how it's working and any discoveries I've made along the way. So here goes…

As most of you know, I've been working towards a more simplistic wardrobe - what I mean by that is a wardrobe that doesn't overwhelm me with it's sheer numbers, where a smaller number of items work well together creating many outfits, where I find balance between variety and minimalism. 

I have expressed how much I'm enjoying my wardrobe these days and even though I wear many of the items over and over, I have not found the repeating cycle to be too frequent nor am I getting bored with wearing the same ensembles. 

Here's the breakdown of what is currently rotating in my closet. These are the items I physically have in my closet and wear. The list does not include gear or my winter outerwear. Out of season items or things that are not currently fitting/I'm taking a break from, are stored downstairs

Pants: 4 pairs (burgundy skinnies, black ponte knit jeggings, olive cargos, black faux wrap0

Jeans: 4 pairs - 2 slim BF's, trouser style, dark wash skinnies for tucking

Blazers: 5 - black suit blazer, red, purple (new), peat wool w/leather sleeves, light wash denim w/leather sleeves

Leather jackets: 7 -black x2, off white, purple, blush, navy, cognac (faux leather)

Dresses: 7 - dark red, black & white tunic, black and white sleeveless, black ponte, "Tiffany" (plus 2 recently thrifted not yet shown - black/white/grey drapey, burgundy)

Skirts: 7 - black suit skirt, cobalt knit pencil, black knit pencil, animal print, black and white geometric, dark red knit, blue/black pencil

Sleeveless layering tops: 6 - white drapey x2, black drapey, dark grey "tie dye", black and white stripe, Danier asymmetrical patterned

Short sleeve tops: 2 - black and white ballerina, Danier hi-lo black/blue print

Long sleeve: 3 - cream with animal print front, crisp white, black and cream print wrap

Cardigans: 3 - dark red, bronze metallic open weave, grey drapey

Knit pullovers: 9 - Lord & Taylor grey stripe voluminous, gold metallic, black, animal print, navy, green cashmere, white mesh sleeve, grey mesh sleeve, cream chunky cowl neck

Booties: 7 - black patent, black Chelsea, purple-blue suede, red, sand Tom wedges, black mid calf Docs, cream python

Knee high boots: 2 - black Blondo, cognac

Shoes: 4 - gunmetal Naot, animal print Cole Haan pumps (dress wear only), black kitten heels, Fluevog black/animal print flats

Total: 57 clothing pieces and 13 footwear pieces - not too big and not too small. It's my Goldilocks closet!

This has come to represent my ideal closet size. I repeat individual items frequently but do not wear them in the same exact outfit each time - this is what keeps me from getting bored. To the eye, the outfits have variety. 

I also think part of the key for not feeling in a rut is I have a fairly decent (at least for me) footwear collection. And my handbags are very much a part of my outfits - take a simple black pencil skirt and black pullover and wear it with black patent booties and black handbag. Now take that same skirt and pullover but wear it with the purple suede booties and animal print clutch and the outfit looks different.

For the record, my handbags include: black leather w/gold hardware, Elliot Lucca snakeskin, quilted cobalt with cream, large cream, citron, two-tone cognac, vintage navy Coach, black w/cream trim, cognac backpack. And clutches include black patent, citron, white, red w/animal print, olive snakeskin w/cobalt zipper, blush.

In looking at the footwear and handbag items, maybe a smaller wardrobe can function more fully with a good selection of accessories? I can't imagine using the same handbag every day.

I'm also wondering if in finding pieces of better quality and more luxurious fabrics, I just feel more satisfied with each item and therefore don't mind wearing it more frequently? Does quality (no matter the price point) equal satisfaction?

Ok…that's my rambling for now. I'll be back to read any comments with great interest and would love to know what you see when you read this - what jumps out at you?

I should say now that I have an extremely busy day tomorrow so apologize if I can't fully reply until later.