I should have read this thread before commenting on "playful" in the other thread! I see now what you mean by "playful." I did miss the boat on that :^) .

It sounds like you know yourself pretty well. I would be bored with a 30-item wardrobe also. And 30 items does not mean the same thing when you have four seasons vs. when you have only, say, two.

As for your questions:

#1: I liked the pants. I was wondering (as were others) whether they were just not warm enough. They look like a pretty lightweight fabrication.

#2: I liked the turtleneck dress with the toppers, but I didn't care for it with the sweaters.

#3: I thought the blouse looked great in all the outfits, even the one where it peeked out quite a bit beneath the sweater, which surprised me. That type of layering seems to be on trend right now.

#4: These pix make me think that I need to up my accessories game! I have very few, but you are right that they can really change up a look. I was just reading in a book how accessories are the key to having a successful wardrobe if it's going to be on the small side (which mine is).

#5: I didn't see anything that great about the pants. They were just kind of there. Since you have an abundance of clothes, I would get rid of them.

#6: I loved all the incarnations of the layered dress here.

#7: You look way better than I do in this weather! You can hardly see me at all (just a bit of my face!), since I'm so bundled up!

I think that your outfits all match your style goals, though I do wonder a bit about the blush thrifted blouse in this respect. The blouse is quite complex, with lots going on--the intricate details, the silhouette, and even what appears to be a lustrous texture. But if you love the blouse, you want to trust your heart, no matter what your predetermined style moniker is. :^)

#1:Grey pant fits awesome, but looks light weight. So the color and fabric may be the reason you skip wearing them.
#2: Oh yes M'am
#3: You can :). But I donot like volume on my sleeves personally. I have enough mass on my hand without external help :D. So it may irritate you with toppers which is a sad necessity usually for us :(.
#4: Business casual is your thing Ingunn and no 1 does it like you
#5:They look good on you. Grey pants fit you better but if you love something and it looks good why not wear it
#6: Yup I see this getting lots of love
#7: Nothing sad about it and you look good in them. I love the beanies. (P.S: I am learning to knit and I hope to make few of these;))

I have come back to look at your pictures 3 times Ingunn. But you know I am at a total loss for what to say? I think you look fantastic in all of these, even the outwear. The gray pants in #1 are espacially good. I do wonder if maybe Angie has hit on something... maybe you just arent drawn to the look. Or one thing I find for myself is that separates must be very similar toned OR quite a contrast, no low contrast looks that arent a column of color. I have a hard time with low contrast pairings. Do you? Perhaps you dont have as many tops that provide an amount of contrast you like with these?

Your analytical wardrobe skills are so, so, SO fine tuned, Ingunn. Faultless. You won't go wrong with a much more intuitive process. Can you follow your heart without following your head with your next season of wardrobe purchases? For most, that's the only way they shop - which often leads to a dysfunctional wardrobe - and the reason I have a job. (Not always though. Some are able to create a functional wardrobe completely intuitively). For you, it's harder to turn off the analysis. At least - that's my impression. The analysis and puzzle part of your wardrobe is what makes it a fun style journey. Is that accurate? Do correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't want to take away your fun, Ingunn. Not at all. I shared the idea because you might find the challenge fun too. Whichever way you want to go is perfect. xo

I'm very grateful that you found time to comment and answer my myriad of questions, Gigi, Sarah and Ramya. You've all helped me see a few things in a different light. Sarah, your suggestion is spot on. I have few tops and in particular a lack in footwear that I like for my grey trousers. I still like them, and have no intention of donating them. My guess is that when the weather warms up and I can start wearing lighter shoes, I'm going to find more use for it.

Angie, you are one in a million. I must admit that at first, when I read your challenge, I was baffled. Frankly, an intuitive approach to this is hard for me because I so enjoy thinking about the possibilities. On the other side I can get so tired from all this thinking, and it sounds in fact appealing to let it flow a bit for a while. I do in particular enjoy the mixing and matching, but that won't have to go, does it?

Last year I planned my outfits in detail before each new week. I don't do that anymore - not since early Autumn, I think. It started to become tedious, and I din't need to anymore. The next step is probably to let go a little more and let chance rule also with the next acquisitions. It sounds intriguing to just make outfits as I go and then let you and the fabbers analyze them instead:)

I think I got more than I asked for this time, but I'm all the wiser and it's definitely all good fun.

Have not read all the comments above, but taking a stab at the trouser analysis. IMO, the gray pants are quite light for you and are the one element in all these photos that "is not like the others". Except for the white jeans and crisp white shirt, most of your other outfits are low contrast, and darker over all from one end to the other. Nothing else you wear is really gray, either. Is gray a color you like, especially this light gray?

Personally I have a similar issue with some very nice, well fitting, light taupey tan slacks of mine: too light for the rest of my outfits and just a touch on the masculine side - and I'm not even sure why I feel this way. Possibly because when I pair them with denim and/or navy, I feel like a preppy guy, and when with purples, teals or brights, like I just couldn't figure out what to wear on the bottom, and with greens, just not good. ?? I feel I'd rather look more cohesive (same situation with your multiple outer layers which you feel are "too much"??). I'm much happier when I wear dark gray, black/gray birdseye weave, black or black/gray tweedy pants, when not wearing jeans, or corduroys for this cold winter.

And IMO, the gray pants are not as feminine looking as the darker ones in #5. The pants in #5 are a really good ingredient in the outfits you've shown, a bit of subtle print mixing, enough interest to not fade away like plain black or navy slacks might do, but not flashy or attention diverting. That might just be me, but something to think about?

cjh, I think you are spot on with most of your analysis. Wow! I haven't been able to put this into words myself.

I do like grey, and have several grey tops like t-shirts, v-neck sweater and hoodie. They are a cooler grey, though. I like these trousers, but not with blazers because I feel too masculine in that. Touché! Thank you! I've never understood why before, because I love blazers in general. I do like the outfits I've shown here, and will be wearing the trousers with sweaters for the remains of the winter. In Spring, I might pair it with my denim jacket or leather moto, and probably Chucks sometimes. That is a lot more to my liking. I think the #5 pants are good placeholders until I find a patterned pair in a more exciting/updated style, and I'm probably keeping them for now. You're right about this, too:)

Lots of good analysis in this thread.

Oh that's interesting … the definition of simple. I am most likely thinking of it as a more classic version of minimal. Because minimal, to me, implies a more avant garde style sensibility.

Ingunn, think of purchasing your next season of wardrobe items as more of a relaxed beach holiday, instead of a sight seeing city hustle and bustle. There is some analysis. But it's less planned and more spontaneous.

And for the record, I am much more of a sight seeing city hustle and bustle type too. I find beach holidays stressful. But once I really switch off and make a point of RELAXING, I love those types of holidays just as much.

Make sense?

Denise, that makes a lot of sense to me, too.

Angie, I'm the same! I enjoy a few days on the beach too, though.

I am enjoying this thread Ingunn!
I love all your mixing of pieces, and find your style not so much 'simple' but clever and interesting.
You look adorable in that hat too

Ingunn, I have decided that this year I am going to try to use my gut more when I purchase things. I am a big thinker too and can enjoy trying to "figure the puzzle out." So you won't be the only one trying to be more relaxed and intuitive with purchases this year. :^)