In January ( and it's not quite over!) I've removed about 50 wardrobe items,

approximately: 10 pants; 9 jackets/cardi's;6 skirts;3 shoes;9 bags, many were clutches;2 dresses; + miscellaneous.

As well as some each month last year.

Unfortunately, that has had only partial impact on total wardrobe size , since I added quite a few items last year. A good thing is that more of the culled items were in professional or dressy/imaginary categories, and most added were in categories of casual wear, hiking/gardening, and very warm indoor cozy items for deep winter. I have worn these a lot. Hence the process has been successful in shifting % items from roles/goals that are no longer needed to those more representative of how I spend my days, and many of these "capsules" are in good shape for this year.

I still have a plethora of jackets--hello, I am Unfrumped and I buy jackets. Even though many actually qualify as "casual", this category is too big, since now I don't need to "dress" in a topper every day ( as noted before, I never wore them all day anyway, since wore a lab coat all day, but did leave the house in a topper most days, and to attend various professional events. They take up a lot of space. Somehow, I hope to whittle down further, within the types and seasons of use.

Here's a funny thing about jackets, now. I have always liked wool types not only tropicals, but flannels, tweeds--maybe echoes of the "September issues" each fall, and Ralph! But blazers aren't really "outerwear" for me when it's really cold, and then (lined, fitted ones) are too hot for months--so I've come to see that really, jackets in the lightest weights are most useful for 3rd piece completers--I always need one on errands in summer, and in really cold weather I will be wearing warmer and thicker tops, will have trouble layering a fitted blazer over, and will mostly wear a coat, outerwear jacket/nanodown or something. I still would like at least 1 or 2 blazer-type jackets to be able to look "professional" for after pandemic, when I can go to some conferences in person, but would layer a coat over these in colder weather. I am down to 2 wool blazers and not sure will keep in future. So, trying to think about versatility in this category.

My wool sweaters are scaring me. Found moth hole in a Vince cashmere despite careful storage. I had a carload of cashmere and merino because I thought that's what I "needed" for work in winter, and I did wear a warm sweater almost daily for about 5 mos of year--still had too many for the hassle of storage, though. I have 4 in rotation this winter and am storing several that are shorter, and styles that work with skirts or higher-waisted pants. Including, a few dressier midi skirts that I would wear to church or semi-dressy event with one of these. But again, some more will need to be cut, as is too much trouble for limited wear.

Parted with 2 dressy dresses that had fit/style issues now AND to me require dressy pumps, which I doubt I will ever wear again. Hence keeping skirts that I think work with dressy flats/ankle strap flats-low heels. And a tuxedo-style trouser, for same reason.

Holding zone: I have kept about 6 trousers and 4-5 skirts in holding zone. Pants are more for fit but are good fabrics, colors, styles I would wear agai--even buy again, and skirts because of just not wearing in pandemic. Skirts I would wear to church when it resumes--mostly winter, actually, with warm tights and dressed down a bit, and to some evening events.
But, I always kept all my don't fit/not sure holding zone items hanging in the spare closet, along with out of season items. So saw them anytime I went in. For the first time, I have put all these in plastic bins. I still have a lot of off-season items hanging, but at least all visible items fit and are intended for the coming warm weather. So then can see better if/why not wearing, and edit further. The holding bins are mostly F/W items, so will review next fall, and if don't fit/don't like, then poof, begone.

I've been more successful with my editing past couple of months. First, getting through some stages of adaptation to perfect storm of retirement and pandemic last year. Second, enjoyed reading Jill Chivers' Year Without Clothes Shopping and Cait Flanders' Year Without Shopping. Not doing that, but have done a mini-ban and really started to get good ideas about what I need to keep and what I don't. Enjoyed those books not just for shopping accomplishments, but how they related to achieving other difficult goals as well, which is timely. Third, started trying to be more aware of items I "love" vs don't love but just talk myself into all the reasons why I should keep. Not really able to do a lot of 30-sec "joy" tests, but doing better.

Have had many more good insights that have helped me let go of items and hold off adding others, but it's time to wake up now! Hope this is helpful to some. Please share comments and other good editing ideas.