I can't even begin to estimate costs, but if I lost everything in a fire tomorrow, this is what I'd want to replace quickly - all items I can wear now:
1) UO skinny jeans
2) CoH ambers
3) Inc ponte knit pants in gray
4) SW metallic spectator booties
5) Bras, underwear, socks
6) One white and one black cami
7) I'd buy at least 5 pretty short-sleeve blouses in flattering colors and necklines.. one or two with a pattern. This would depend on what is on sale at the moment.
8) I'd hit F21 and buy two graphic tees
9) Flat tall boots (probably black)
10) heeled tall boots (probably wine)
11) Boyfriend jacket
12) Black blazer that has something special about it (maybe tweed... maybe an interesting collar...or an interesting cut)
13) A blazer in an interesting color OR pattern
14) A velvet blazer
15) One pair dress slacks - probably black. Ideally, they would match the black blazer to make a suit.
16) Pencil skirt - possibly in a fun pattern or color (not black), just to shake things up
17) Sheath dress - (probably black, but if I found one in red, I'd be in heaven)
18) two merino wool V-neck cardis, one in black and one in an interesting color
19) two long cardigans, one in black and one in gray
20) a few scarves that add interest and go with the blouses
21) a cream purse with silver hardware
22) a cream clutch
23) a purse in an interesting color
24) A 3/4 length wool coat in a fun color
25) A 3/4 puffer
26) A cocktail dress - only if I found one I really love. I hate finding one last-minute.
27) A pair of pumps in a giraffe print
28) long pearl necklace
29) short gumbo pearl necklace
30) silver stud earrings
31) silver hoops
32) another clutch in either animal print or interesting color/texture
33) A sweater dress in a color other than black
34) micro fishnets
35) A patterned cardigan - probably in a black and white pattern
I've basically just described the pieces in my current wardrobe that are getting the most use right now. In fact, many of these items just went into my luggage, as we are soon leaving to go visit family. If I had to pare my fall/winter wardrobe down to just these items, I could do it. I could do it with less; for example, I'd get rid of the skirts and dresses, as I don't wear these as often in the winter.
Bear in mind I am a full-time telecommuter, so I don't need much of a professional wardrobe. I would be more likely to wear the dress slacks with the velvet blazer for a holiday party!
You'll see that I've picked silver details instead of gold, and black/gray versus browns. I do wear gold and browns, it's just that if I was starting from scratch, I'd focus on one or the other first.
I'd probably start with the pants (and all these brands could be replenished with a few clicks of a mouse, as they are still available, so that wouldn't take too much stress and time), and then focus on the blouses next. I would be at the whim of retailers and whatever's in store now for the blouses, so this would give me a good idea of what sort of color theme I have going on, for the interesting clutch, purse, cardigan, etc. I would stick to short-sleeve blouses because I'd be thinking ahead to spring and summer.
