As I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep last night I was thinking about my closet, as I often do. Usually I try and imagine an outfit for the next day, which I was. But also I was ruminating on the purchase rate and size of my closet. I know, I've gone over this before. But something else struck me.
I've decided that roughly 24 pieces each year is a purchase rate I can live with. Gives me enough newness while not letting my closet spin out of control. Also this turns over my closet in 5 or 6 years, wear and purge rates being equal. That equates to about an item every other week.

I was also thinking on what categories I'm buying in, and how much. For instance, 8 shirts, 4 shoes, etc etc.
This is the part that struck me - seasonally, these numbers equate to an outfit head to toe. Here's what I mean: 8 shirts means 2 each for spring, summer, fall, and winter. 4 shoes means one pair for each season. Sandals for summer, flats for fall, boots in winter, heels or espadrilles maybe in spring. Then I add one bottom: pants for winter, skirt for spring, shorts for summer, maybe another skirt or a dress for fall. Buy a coat for winter, jacket for spring, light sweater for summer, heavy sweater for fall. You get where I'm going? Add the accessory (hat for summer, scarf for winter, bag in spring, fab belt in fall for instance).

Head to toe each season you have:
1 topper
2 shirts
1 bottom
1 shoe
1 accessory

x 4 seasons = 24.

So I've been equally spreading my purchases through the seasons with this number to create full outfits without even realizing it. Awesome!

Yeah, I know it might not get your motor running quite like it did mine, but in case you share the analytical geeky gene, I thought I'd share