Wow, Claire -- thank you for sharing this with us. What a beautifully curated closet. Can you tell us (and show us!) your printed tops? Curious about those and why you feel they work (or don't) where others haven't. I know the drapey, silky nature is part of it, and the neutral print. But I am curious about the other elements.

So...something else that's burning a fire of curiosity in me...not only do you have a minimal wardrobe, but even with this minimal wardrobe -- where presumably you must have to repeat items a lot more often than I, with my medium sized wardrobe, would repeat -- your clothes do not wear as fast or hard as mine!

As you know, I have the exact same BR sweater. I love it (still) but I have to say, it is looking well past its prime this year. The white has changed tone. It is pilling. And as a result, I've pretty much relegated it to at-home wear.

I have taken good care of it. I have washed it in cold water, delicate cycle, with air drying. Every time -- unless maybe my husband messed up one time when I was not around. Yet it does not look anywhere near as pristine as your sweater.

I'm wondering what accounts for this difference. Maybe in addition to our harsh climate, our harsh water does a number on my clothes? Or maybe it has to do with the way I wear them? (Though I have to wonder...is typing known as a sweater-killer?)

Another thought experiment I'm going to try: If I went back to wearing gear at home all day....how many items of clothing would I need or be able to make do with?

I still think I'd need more than you have (due to the variety of activities) but truthfully? Probably not a lot more if I picked as carefully as you do.

Interesting recognition.

I'm in awe! I wish I could be as discriminating in my choices in having a smaller wardrobe - something that I need to work on. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ah, with my away time I have lost my sass detection skills! I'm sorry to hear about summer, I hope you're all healthy again now? I'm looking forward to hearing your summer development thoughts, as you know that's my toughest season and your insights are always super handy. So far I have a good high-low mix with nearly all items in natural fibers (getting closer to 100% naturals but not quite there yet), and that worked really well for me this summer since we actually had quite a nice and warm one.

Pastrygirl, I have made, many, many mistakes along the way. I just quickly get those items to the consignment store so I don't feel so guilty. The worst offenders for me are things that just aren't versatile enough. I'm aiming for everything mixing and matching, but I'm not anywhere near 100% success with that yet.

Mo, I like your plan, but I'm so loathe to spend the money for really nice lounge wear. You can't find that stuff second hand; most people wear it to shreds. You have some great ideas. Post anything new you find in that category, please!

Jeanie, Hi. No, I never run errands in my workout clothes. Errands are an event for me, and a good excuse to "dress". I know. I need to get a life.

Pil, okay I'll tell you, but you will seriously doubt my laundry habits (I do a load every other day or so, I promise!) I have made it through the summer on one pair of yoga pants and two white athletic Ts. They are nearly falling apart, and we will have the ceremonial burning of them as soon as the weather turns. Also I was in my swimsuit and cover up a lot (we have a pool) and don't forget pajamas! For winter Iast year I had long yoga pants, the same two T's and a fleece jacket. I've culled the jacket and I'd like to graduate to a nice bulky wool cardigan which I hope to find at a thrift store. I try to keep this capsule really small because I a) don't want to use up a lot of my resources on it and b) want to encourage myself to get into some real clothes!

Suz, okay, I'll take close-ups of the prints tomorrow. On the BR sweater, my season for wearing it is about 3 months, and it was already starting to pill when I put it away for the summer last year. I was very disappointed, since it wasn't cheap. I only washed it by hand literally, and never did anything strenuous in it. I did wear it a LOT, but still, none of my other sweaters have pilled (and they're all used!). I did give it a good shaving with a regular disposable razor when I got it out for F/W. I think you have a more active lifestyle than I do. You are going a lot of places and walking to do your errands much of the time. I do think there's a huge difference in wear when I take my clothes off and hang them up every time I come in the door (never cooking, eating or cleaning in them), but it's not very glamorous to be in gear all the time at home. I LOVE your work at home wardrobe Suz! Please don't change the way you're doing things. I'm trying to work up to where you are!

Aida, we have missed you around here and in SoCal for sure! My main insights this year were that I don't really need summer clothes, because of the monster A/C everywhere! Also loose fitting long sleeved shirts and loose light weight long pants are completely doable (just not the body con ones).

This does look seriously luxe and very clean and classic. I would love to have something like this but my mind craves variety. Maybe after some time on YLF I will be reformed.

Oh no, now I'm lolling back atcha...I gotta get that book. I THINK I'm a minimalist but I'm so not....

Interesting! I can see how that'd work, the AC was cranked up when we were in AZ in _March_, I can't imagine the dead of summer. I really like wearing relaxed fit cotton pants and long sleeve linen button up shirts in the summer. I bet long sleeve linen would work well for you! If you know your size in JCrew, it might be worth checking out their clearance or at JCrew factory for their boxy linen button-ups for a lot less than their usual cost.

I can learn a lot from you, Claire. Thanks for being a style role model.

What a pleasure! I love reading your posts Claire and I love seeing your amazingly well edited closet and since we have been virtually hanging out for a while I know how incredibly chic you look when you go out for errands! Aida had an interesting point about blue - maybe navy is more your summer color? Anyway I have nothing much to say, I am more an appreciative admirer. Well I did notice your three flats look very similar, but I think it is brilliant that you duplicated what works for you (in subtle variations). Hope you post your winter outfits too!

I am in total awe. This is amazing.

10 item wardrobe?! You are an inspiration! Each item out there is just lovely! Great choices!

Wow. Seriously wow. Your closet is a work of art. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Such a beautiful wardrobe! I love it so much, Claire. You curate so carefully and with such discipline.

As much as I'd love a closet like this, it wouldn't work for me. I often don't wear gear at home--I wear real, albeit very casual clothes, even to cook and clean, so that I can dart outside with the kids at a moment's notice. I have a few dressy pieces that I enjoy saving for dates and other slightly dressy events. And then I have a work capsule. But! My work capsule approximates your closet, and it's used for similar purposes. So I do have a tiny bit of Claire clothes clarity hiding in there, after all. It's just stuffed in with everything else! (Also typing in loungewear, BTW--leggings, cami and drapey tee).

When I saw this post, I got so excited about what I would read here - and, as always Claire, you do not disappoint! When I look at your photos, I see inspiration for what my closet could be: streamlined, and with a very specific vision.

I am in such awe of your curating skills And feeling motivated

Thank you all so much.

Vicki, you flatterer. You saw just about everything here when I was in town, didn't you? The long sleeved blouse is a Theory shirtdress that I made into a blouse. I haven't stopped shopping, I'm still looking for another top, and even after that I might do a one-in-one-out. I'm certainly not depriving myself in any way. I seriously haven't found some of the things I'm looking for and I guess I'm not in a hurry to be "done" you know? I'm really enjoying the process. There is space between my purchases. I get to put each new item through its paces and see how it affects the landscape of my wardrobe before I run out and buy the Next New Thing. The only items missing from this closet are the crummy ones. It's not like I got rid of some gorgeous, fantastic stuff! I had some really very mediocre clothing that was tainting the niceness of the things I loved.

Shevia, how nice. You know, I have not given up on blue. We'll see what next S/S brings. About the ballet flats, AGL has kind of a cult following (just check out the reviews on Nordstrom.com). I found them at Last Chance for 1/6 the price and they are the kind of shoe you can resole and the leather is very, very good. I duplicated because they were readily available and far superior to anything else for the same price (and pampered my fussy feet).

Now if I could just hone in on one great brand that makes the St.Tropez style sandals I love. The Sam Edelman Gigi is pretty darn close, but they are a bit heavy and flop around too much, so I haven't duplicated them. The navy ones are Coach, but the shape of the footbed doesn't quite match my foot. The sparkly ones are cheap-o Reports (from Ross) and are light weight, but the cover on the footbed is the type the gets skinned easily at the toes. Any suggestions? I'm all ears. I do need a little padding underfoot.

Ariadne, we cross posted. Thank you, and your wardrobe sounds perfect for your needs too. A year ago, I had your philosophy, as I had to be ready to jump in the car and drive DD here or pick her up from there. Now she has a car! And DH sometimes takes our car and parks it at the airport for 4 days (when I don't need it). So I'm really and truly firmly At. Home. Funny how a year can change things. Your typing outfit sounds better than mine. I'm jealous.

Just had to chime in as well to say your disciplined approach is amazing! You have perfected the "less is more" closet!

*Waving* at you from somewhere across the Valley, Claire?! (I LOVE Last Chance/Nordstrom Rack/My Sister's Closet!)

What a fantastic wardrobe and wonderful post! Thank you so much for detailing so eloquently your thought process and journey. And photos too! You are SO inspirational!

And I think I now have a new wardrobe/purging/keep-me-from-buying-trend-filler philosophy and mantra: "I had some really very mediocre clothing that was tainting the niceness of the things I loved." That is so perfect that I need to tattoo it on my closet...and wallet! Thanks for sharing!

You're amazingly disciplined, Claire! I love your wardrobe...it's like an ad for California Closets or something...it makes me feel so zen looking at it! I wish I could be happy with fewer things...my house is so cluttered and my life is so chaotic! I think I probably could pack the equivalent of your whole wardrobe when I go on a trip! Almost, anyways. About the only thing I have in common with you is that I also take off my clothes and change into PJs (not even gear!) when I get home. You should write a book on the minimalist wardrobe. Show those Parisians a thing or two!

Claire I'm speechless! Deep down this is what I aspire to. My lifestyle however, in reality, probably requires a slightly larger wardrobe. I am finding the need for variety is not as strong as it once was and I am happy wearing things I love over and over. The neutrals are beautiful and I relate very much to this element of your closet. Thank you for sharing and I hope to be as disciplined as you one day.

Beautiful, I only wish I could be so disciplined.

You are a genius. That is all.

Claire, you are such an inspiration. I will never get by with so few garments in my climate, but I want to pare down and only have pieces I love, based on what I've learned from you and others. I admire the neutral colors and rich textures you've put together - gorgeous!

Thank you for this post, Claire, I was so looking forward to your fall/winter edition. When you showed your earlier ten item wardrobe, I thought "how can she do it?" But I realized then that it doesn't mean you're wearing the same ten items all year, and plus, I'm home also and could do this too since a lot of the time I'm not leaving the house nor am I seeing the same people who would (horrors!) see me in the same outfit every day. I'll never attain your level of discipline but can shoot for maybe twenty items per season.

I am truly impressed. If I tried cutting down to so few items I would just end up with plain black t-shirts and sweaters and would bore myself and everyone else. Each thing in your closet stands on its own as a statement and also blends well with everything else. I wish I could learn the trick to that!

LOL, Claire! My "typing" outfit is old black leggings, a grey GAP tee, an old cami, and no bra. And I wore Ugg knock-offs to the laundry room. It's basically a full-body slipper. Nothing to be jealous of, heh.

That gives me an idea for a thread: WIWWT (What I Wear While Typing). Loungewear/Gear/At-home-wear. Everyone could post to the single thread whenever, just for fun.

Claire, you are an amazing example of someone who knows how her style should merge with her lifestyle in a polished and minimalist way. I am in awe at your disciplined approach. You rock!

Oh wow! This is fantastic Claire. You are so disciplined. I don't think I could ever go that small with my wardrobe, even if I wouldn't have four seasons...

Shemarie, yes! We're totally neighbors. I've gone to your profile page more than once to see where you lived (when you were moaning about the heat). I had a feeling we lived in the same neck of the woods. Kyle too! We should meet-up sometime!

GP you are so funny. It takes all kinds. I love your closet because it's like a store. I could do some damage in there for sure. Enjoy your full, hectic life with your beautiful kiddos and their activites. I'm sure you wouldn't have it any other way. Funny, it was packing for a trip that started me on this quest.

Really, you ALL inspire me so much, so thank you. I'm glad we can have a positive, synergistic effect on one another. Natalie, Deborah, Ingunn, Kyle, Una, AJ you have all made me want to "up my game" in one way or another.

Ginkgo, you could just pull items out of your existing closet to make a capsule of 10-20 favorites to "have a play" at this. That's what I did at first. It's a good exercise and helps you see exactly what you have that works together and where potential holes might be.

Greyscale, one of my main missions was to find "stand alone" tops, because in our weather, I'm often just in my first layer. Thank you for noticing them!

Ariadne, a "full-body slipper"? That's cracking me up. Okay, you win. I should post my ratty gear so you all will know how much I need to improve in the SAHM department.