Wow! I'm amazed at the number of items on people's lists! We're talking must-haves right? For me that is different than a list of all of the items I need for a well-rounded wardrobe.

Here's my must-haves:
Jeans
Black Booties
Cotton Sweaters
Cotton Tees
Black Pumps (but they need to have some type of strap in order to stay on my foot)
Nude Sandals
Sneakers
LBD
Leather Jacket
Dressy pants
Dressy top
Skirts - dressy and casual
Shorts - one pair
PJs
Sweatpants
Belt
Swimsuit
Flip-Flops
Exercise Gear

Marley you're right. I got a bit carried away with my list and it's more a list of the smallest wardrobe I could happily do.

Good question:
Underthings:
1. Hue pindot knee socks
2. Gap pullover bralettes
3. Gap panties
4. opaque black tights

Bottoms:
5. Jeans
6. Black leggings
7. Black skirted leggings
8. Black Ponte pants

Tops:
9. Tunics - black & gray
10. JCrew Jackie cotton shell black (the uber basic - this is no other)
11. Dressy tank tops (white/black/gray)
13. Dressy camis

Sweaters:
14. Tunic sweaters casual
15. Tunic sweater dress
16. Long vee neck cardigan sweater that doubles as a dress
17. dressy silk vee neck sweater
18. cropped sweater

Belts:
19. Embellished hip belt for pants
20. Hip belg

Shoes:
21. black booties dress
22. black booties dress/rate
23. black knee boots
24. black pumps
25. black paddock boots

Handbags:
26. crossbody dress bag day
27. evening bag

Blazers
28. long blazers
29. long light toppers 3 season that can swing as blazers
30. fitting casual blazer
31. tux blazer
32. dressy blazer

Coats:
33. puffer
34. trench
35. leather jacket
36. light rain jacket
37. winter dress coat

Dresses:
38. dress dress
39. shift dresses
40. mini dresses to wear as tunics

Gear:
41. leggings, tops, sneakers, swimsuit
42. snow boots
43. gloves, hats

Lounge/sleep:
44. long sweatshirt
45. tanks
46. leggings

Jewelry:
47: wedding/engagement rings
48. Long pendants
49. watch
50. diamond studs

Sorry I thought we were shooting for 50. Did I get that wrong. This encompasses all seasons and most occasions very comfortably It could be stripped down to minimum or increased to cover more contingencies for me.

I forgot an apron! I love wearing aprons when cooking or cleaning and do not iron mine. They are fine right from the dryer. Don't own any pajamas.

Thinking about this has made me realize that most of my wardrobe is negotiable; IOW, if I were to do a "one in, one out" I wouldn't necessarily feel compelled to replace with a close to identical or comparable item. Also, I've gone without what I might think of as "must haves" for months or years at a time which tells me they aren't actual necessities!

My Must Haves:

Brooks Addiction walking or running shoes. For gear, folks
At least two or three exercise bras, again gear

At least two nude T-shirt bras.
Multiple pantie that don't show VPL
One or more pairs of 12 hour shoes. My black Dansko Pros have been decrepit for years so need to be discarded, but I need to break in my Dansko Primas just a little more. I don't think anything but a clog will work for extended wear on my fussy feet.
Fingerless gloves. I have Reynaud's so this is a medical necessity.
Casual sandals
Sandals passable for work
Professional looking shoes for skirts
Casual comfortable shoes
Jeans in various cuts
Colored jeans

Really, most stuff is negotiable. I seem ridiculously drawn to black&white and black&gray jackets, but I would put them in the category of *always want* and not *must have*. My *ALWAYS WANT* list always includes ridiculously comfortable (on my ridiculously fussy feet) footwear.

Must haves like if I were stuck without a suitcase for a one week trip:

Jeans
Shorts (assuming I'm still in the south)
Nice Tee Shirts (at least 3 so I can go more than one day without laundry)
Underwear and Bras (at least 3 of each)
Comfortable Sneakers
Socks
Jacket
Sunglasses
Handbag
Metallic Belt

And if I had to go out I'd add:
Black ponte pants
Nude wedge sandals (depending on weather, maybe booties)
Silk Blouse

I have no bags or jewellery or pyjamas on my list.OOps!

I was trying to think of what I would want to have a simple wardrobe for a year if I was not to shop at ALL during the year. This would take me everywhere -to weddings,funerals,running board meetings,watching sport,kids athletics,lunching with friends,hosting bbqs,going to the gym, beach holidays, and the most common -working from home!

I would feel able to cover all weather and all activities but there would be lots of repetition.

What I am going to do is match up my favourite pieces with the list and see where I have far too many duplicates and any areas that are very thin. I think I am covered but there are a couple of pieces in there that are not 10/10 (smart work trousers being the first that spring to mind..mine are a 7/10, good colour and fabric but the fit is off).

I could make do with a lot less if I had to but to be honest I would struggle emotionally.

This is such a fun thread. I love reading your lists, fabbers!

As I'm heading into the heat of a relocation in a few days, I think this i s an opportunity to make a capsule of my most needed pieces. What I did was to remove everything I love from my closet (which is now ready for the cold season). What's remaining in there will be packed away until I'm relocated and have a new wardrobe to add the things to again. So here's what I will keep available for the next few weeks:

Tops:
1. White shirt
2. Graphic soft shirt, b/w
3. Plaid shirt, forest green
4. Denim shirt
5. White v-neck tee
6. Grey v-neck tee
7. Navy/cream mid weight Breton
8. White/navy lightweight Breton 3/4 sleeves
9. Charcoal silk/cashmere sweater
10. Black cotton/wool turtleneck sweater

Sweaters and cardigans:
11. Long grey cardigan, doubles as wrap dress
12. Gray v-neck cashmere sweater
13. Dark purple angora boatneck sweater, cropped
14. White chunky crewneck sweater
15. Grey cashmere hoodie

Bottoms:
16. Blue straight jeans
17. White straight jeans
18. Black skinnies
19. Navy slim dress pants
20. Black dressy statement pants with asymmetric pleats
21. Black midi pencil skirt
22. Dark purple midi full skirt

Dresses:
23. Forest green dress
24. Graphic wrap dress, b/w

Toppers:
25. Navy trenchcoat, watherproof
26. Plaid coat in navy/grey
27. Red coat, dressy
28. Army green parka
29. navy blazer
30. Taupe moto leather jacket

Shoes & boots:
31. Tall cognac boots
32. Black pointy toe booties
33. Dark brown booties
34. Black rain boots
35. Casual chelsea boots, black
36. Brogue chelsea boots, black
37. Cognac brogues

Bags & accessories:
38. Black leather tote bag
39. Cognac messenger bag
40. Grey wool/silk jersey scarf
41. Grey cashmere poncho
42. Mid blue cashmere pashmina
43. Leopard wool/silk scarf
44. Plaid scarf in black, cognac and white
45. Black leather gloves
46. Cognac leather gloves
47. Black beanie
48. Cognac belt
49. Black belt
50. Cream/grey snake patterned belt

In addition I will keep available a dressy capsule:
1. Black lace dress
2. Sparkly top
3. Suede black clutch
4. Black pumps
5. Tall heeled dressy black boots

This has been interesting! I believe I could go on for a very long time with only these pieces in my wardrobe. This also adds weight to my theory that I could manage very well with a wardrobe of 50-60 pieces each season. Maybe I'm going to give it some time and test it out?

Very interesting to read everyone's lists! I am not a big shopper but there are a few items I am really needing this winter:

An oversized knit cable sweater

Tons of leggings, and hopefully some faux leather ones

black leather biker boots

A navy pea coat

sweater dresses

I love wearing leggings and skirts in winter, but I need some toppers that are quite long, as I have a long torso. I don't understand why crop sweaters are in, they don't go with the ubiquitous leggings... except of course on teenagers, but showing my bum is not an option!

Okay, finally! I had to think about this. In the spirit of all those "must have" lists in books and magazines, I kept mine short and sweet:

trench coat
all-purpose dress
great fitting jeans
striped Breton pullover
chambray shirt
silk blouse
cashmere sweater
T-strap sandals
ballet flats
chelsea boots

I've purchased quite a few things the past few weeks but I'm still looking for the ultimate items:
1. winter coat
2. black leather belt
3. sports bras - high impact
4. better running shoes
5. trench coat
6. nude shoes/heels

This would be my most minimal clothes list (for this season) so I could carry on with my usual activities.

Black and nude t shirt bra
running bra
black panties
flannel pjs
no show socks, running socks, hiking/warm socks - black or gray preferred

trail shoes or hiking boots
dark gear synthetic pants (could double with running leggings)
running shoes
exercise leggings/pants
gear wicking tee
zip up fleece top
gear raincoat

black booties
dark wash or black skinnies
black leather belt
black jacket (leather or peacoat or velvet)
favorite graphic t shirts
neutral cardigan (probably charcoal)
neutral scarf (probably patterned grays)
fashion sneakers in black/white

beat-up tee shirt and beat-up jeans for work
indoor slip on comfortable beat up shoes for work and inside house time

I could of course add a lot more to the 'fashion clothes' category for diversity (white belt, light wash skinnies or bfs would be the first additions).

Fabulous ! What a great thread. Yesterday I did a post on my "common core" wardrobe ( and then someone pointed out that is what the school curriculum in many states is now called...lol ). My core is what I would replace if something happened to my entire wardrobe and I had to build up. Unlike you, I would NEED scarves and some jewelry. ( I actually mention you and Clare in my post...how funny. )

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....dorbe-plan

Now to go back and read everyone's list ! Oh, I didn't mention shoes, but I would need black high boots, short black boots and black wedges ( about 1 inch ). I could rule the world with this. : ) That is if I weren't a SAHM.