Oh yeah, this resonates: "Instead of injecting boundaries and limits, for me it’s a process of discovering and labeling what’s already there."

That's more or less what I was getting at. Coming from a background of settling for whatever was the most affordable/durable/readily available, and, "It doesn't matter what colour your parka is; its job is to keep you warm (but no you can't have the white one because it will get dirty)," there really was a learning curve to figuring out what I genuinely liked and how things made me feel, crazy as that might sound. It probably took me all of my teens and twenties, trying out all kinds of weird proportions and colour combos, to reach a point where I have some kind of sense of what makes me happy w/r/t clothes.

And I think something that's hard for a lot of people is recognizing when they like the *idea* of something vs the thing itself. It's actually pretty easy to end up with a closet full of great ideas but only a few things you actually want to wear.

The closet numbers question is somewhat separate, to my mind. There are lots of reasons to go or not go minimalist (space, budget, psychology, whatever), and there are lots of different ways to do it, one of which is a tight colour palette. But you can have a clearly defined set of colours and silhouettes and still have a large selection of clothes with lots variety and choices within those parameters (Janet's style comes to mind). There are also, conversely, folks who are happy with a small number of items in a wide array of colours, shapes and patterns (I think Runcarla is a good example of this approach).

This has been a great read.

Personally, I find internal limits narrow the field of vision and provide a focal point for dressing as a creative process and because I am the one the setting the limits I also have the freedom to redefine my boundaries at any time.

External limits leave me cold, i'll try to push at the boundaries as much as possible.

So from a colour analysis point of view, if I chose to have my colours analysed I would enjoy the process and use the information to enhance my dressing, I can also see the logic of having more options because everything works together. However, if someone said "you are a summer you should wear X, Y & Z", I would have to politely tell that person to jog on mate.

RoseandJoan, I wholeheartedly agree with you, that self-imposed restrictions are freeing while restrictions imposed by others results in pushing it completely ignoring the boundaries & “rules.”

For myself, I don't think in terms of "my colors," "my palette," or "colors I can wear" but instead just buy colors I like, which all work together to my eye. I don't like to feel restricted or dictated to (in terms of fashion, style, or life in general, lol), so feeling like I "can" wear this color but "can't" wear that color rubs me the wrong way.

To answer your question, I place no restrictions on my wardrobe. There are colors that I love, which typically tend to be neutrals, and they are widely represented in my closet. But if I have a desire to step off the neutral path, as I did a few years ago with lilac, and more recently with cream, I do that, with no self-recriminations.

I have a limited number of jackets (3) because I don't really need them. But I was interested in wearing a longer jacket this past winter, so I bought an oversized one to wear over beefy sweaters. There are shapes that appeal to me, ex., cropped and boxy tops, which go well with my preferred high rise pants/jeans plus the few ancient pleated skirts I have, and my eye is always attracted by those kinds of tops.

Even though I don't need skirts, and I stopped buying black a number of years ago, in December I happily bought a beautiful knitted black skirt from an Icelandic designer.

I love high neck anything, and sleeveless items, so again, my eye is always drawn by those whenever I see them. I have realized that much more than color or shape, what drives my wardrobe choices is comfort. I am most comfortable in high rises, cropped (but non-belly baring!) tops, high necks and sleeveless tops. I imagine these things will always feature in my closet. Until they don't. And that's just fine. Because I don't like limiting my options, I am open to experimentation as long as a garment is comfortable.

I like to stick to formulas and find it freeing to limit myself. If i like a colour I will add it in but tend not to buy a lot of different colours. In fact I have had to encourage myself to add more colours.

Since posting on this thread two days ago, I have decided to stop buying color -- after telling myself for YEARS that I needed to add more color to my wardrobe. Wearing more white/cream/silver gray cheers me up on sunny days just fine. It's the wearing a darker gray with black that's a bit dreary. As mentioned previously, I won't be getting rid of my colored stuff; I will just stop adding to it.

I guess it has been a bit freeing to conclude that the only footwear that gives my fussy, problem fit are oxfords, combat boots, and some high cut slides, and that it is almost always too cool for my Raynaud's prone toes to wear sandals. Knowing this protects me from a measure of frustration. And I guess it provides an excuse to be the only person on earth who has two pairs of green oxfords and a pair of green combat boots. [Colored footwear is not part of my no color restriction.]

I am happy to try on almost any item of clothing, but will always have an instinctive reaction to things as to whether or not they 'feel like me'. Once something passes that hurdle, I then use logic to answer 'where am I going in this' and 'what can I wear it with'. I won't buy an item if it will not work with other items in my wardrobe and I don't know when and where I will wear it.

Such good replies. Sorry I wasn’t around to respond, but glad for the good discussion.