I am neither a minimalist in wardrobe or style (quite the opposite in fact!), but I often wish for that Zen feeling I get when I look at minimalist closets and houses. So calm and neutral and soothing! If I could wave my hand and get rid of all the clutter and chaos in my house and life I think I'd be so much happier! But then it'd only be a matter of time before I was missing this or that perfect matchy matchy item or pop of color to complete my outfit...

Minimalist, that's going to get my attention! I've been striving for a small wardrobe for a few years and am fascinated by those who have small wardrobes where everything fits together and everything gets heavy wear. The closest I have come to this is our current winter season. I am only using 52 items right now and have been hovering around this number for the past couple of months. I'd say about 30 (ish) items are actually pieces worn for daytime and the rest are gear items (horseback riding, workout gear, or thermals for layering under daily clothes). I often see numbers around the 30 mark for a 'minimal' closet when talking about wardrobe size. I am always curious about the journey someone takes for minimal wardrobe size. I also like minimal style, the clean lines and neutrals colors are lovely, but I have yet to attempt that side of minimalism with my personal style.

I have 'simplicity' tendencies (as I think of it, rather than pure minimalism, as I'm not focused on cutting possessions to the bare minimum but rather making sure I'm avoiding excess) in every aspect of my life/possessions except my closet & bookcase! But even then, everything has to fit neatly in the storage space I have and I won't, for instance, buy more book shelves to expand that space. The vast majority of my reading comes from the library anyway, but I love a book case full of books & little treasures (I find one on each trip), almost like a scrapbook as furniture. And occasionally I add to my collection with a Better World Books order, which feels like a decadent treat.

If the secondhand clothing market suddenly vanished, I'd eventually become a minimalist as my current clothes wore out because I'm so (ethically) fussy about buying retail. As it is, though, I can build a quality wardrobe in my favourite colours and good fabrics, for pennies on the dollar, and I enjoy doing it. I don't feel overwhelmed at all by choice in the morning when I get dressed! And I enjoy wearing different combinations/'remixing' and layering. When I travel, I can make do with a tiny capsule wardrobe, but it doesn't make me any happier or better dressed, and I can't imagine wanting to do it permanently!

I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on this thread though, and I find people who prefer tiny closets fascinating. hehe I love reading wardrobe & packing lists for just that reason!

One thought I've had on this subject before, and the Project 333 in particular, is that if I did that challenge and extrapolated for 4 times in a year, it equals the number I have. So in essence I don't see 333 as minimal, but restrictive unnecessarily. 132 items all used throughout the year is going to give oneself a lot more mental breathing room (or even 66 items each half year) than only 33 for a few months. The total sum is the same.

Hand raised - also with Suz in that I have what I consider a medium or even big-ish wardrobe, but that is because I am a minimalist/lover of simplicity. Small-medium wardrobe size, simplicity in style, and simplicity in house & home.