I think you’re doing great. Not everything we buy will be a hit, despite our best efforts! I have given up on cardigans, personally, but I can see them working well for your classic style once you figure out the styling strategy. What you’ve done in terms of shopping this year sounds very reasonable to me.

I just counted up and realized I have bought 35 non-gear wardrobe items this year so far. (Not counting some new running capris that were needed to replace some that slide down — I don’t count gear that doesn’t get worn in real outfits.) Plus I bought some pieces that were pricey (and some that were definite bargains!). Definitely more than I purchased last year, but I also realized I edited far more than 35 pieces OUT of my closet, so overall I’m trending in the right direction to tighten up my wardrobe with things I love.

If I had spent 500 dollars for 18 items (makes an average of approx. 28 dollars per item) the majority of which seems to have great workhorse potential, I would be very happy and would consider this a shopping success!

I love Bijou's comment. Sometimes I push myself to wear a certain outfit, then allow myself to repeat wear (if I like the outfit) and there you go, the numbers are up ;). And it's true, not everything needs to be a foundational piece you can't live without.

We all want our purchases to become workhorses right away. But it doesn’t always happen for a number of reasons. We had a weird spring here, in Toronto. I went from a wool motto to a long sleeve t-shirt almost overnight and had only one day so far with an appropriate weather to wear a cardigan. Plus a lockdown, with nowhere to go.
Like you, I mostly buy essentials for my wardrobe, items. But we all need to inject a bit of excitement once a while.
I’m sure you will find your cardigans useful still in S/S months.
As for the ## and $$, only you can know if it’s OK for your wardrobe/lifestyle/budget. I would be happy if my number of the new things was close to yours. It’s not, I indulged in shopping therapy way too much and need to correct it.

I like that you track essential and experiment wear, it can be useful to gauge if an item can easily fit in the wardrobe. Having said that, some of the experimental items can help extend or cary the use of an essential item so they are a worthy investment too.

Hooray for identifying that the essentials will be work horses. How great is that realization. The number doesn’t seem as important as the spirit of discovery and experimentation.

I agree with Nemosmom’s last sentence 100%. The only “tatty bits” I like hanging around in are when I am literally painting the fence or covered in dirt planting things. Otherwise I prefer to look at least a bit polished.

I am with rachylou - spring is a trap! So tempting after slogging through winter, especially through a pandemic winter, yet I never get good use from spring items in our climate. I’m either still chilly or I’m too hot. I think your spending seems totally reasonable especially given the traumatic 12+ months we’re all having. As far as cardigans, maybe they will be way more useful to you in the fall and winter when you replenish your sweaters? Some folks just prefer to wear a cardigan closed like a sweater, with a layer underneath if needed. I think that would look great on you!