I think if things got really tight I could probably do with what I have and only replace things in case of dire need, like the divine Miss M is talking about. I've done it before when I lived in NYC, and it wasn't fun, but it worked.

If it was needs this would be my yearly list:

-running shoes (less than 50$ at an outlet)
-a dark and light bra ($15-$8)
-one pair of fashion sneakers (if I'm doing PPP $25)
-2-3 tees (assuming I had less tops than I currently have, i.e. this was a year or two ago) (3-10$ each)

The prices are what I pay now and find plenty of options at off-price retail.

If items wore out and really did need replacing, these are my short-hand out of pocket price ranges, I'll go above them for a super-duper love affair, but I don't generally have to - looking at all my purchases for the year they all fall in or below this range regardless of the original retail price. Now I'd need time to hunt, and access to my usual stores as the caveat. If I needed an interview outfit the next day, I might double some of these prices.

Dress shoes/flats $20-$9
leather booties/sneakers $35-$20
Jackets/Blazers $35-$20 (not leather, but good enough blazers for office jobs)
Sweaters/tops/cardigans $15-$3
Belts $10-$3
Dresses $15-$7
Pants/Jeans $20-$9
Leggings/tights/hose $9-$2
scarves $13-5

skirts $10-5

Rabbit's got some good items and price ranges that I agree with. Honestly, I'd probably be fine for a year at least with whatever I have now. And if I had to restrict my budget big time, I'd just shift to thrifting only and resign myself to maybe not being quite as up on trends, which is pretty much what I did in college. If my budget were that tight I'd be mostly interested in practicality, and only secondarily on trends and fashion.

Occasionally I have dreams / daydreams that I've lost all my stuff and have to start completely over. In that case, my basic list would look something like this:
One pair dark denim jeans
2-3 knit tees for the various seasons
Vneck cardigan
Casual flats
Jacket or coat
A bra, a couple pairs of underwear, and pjs

Then with a bit more time, money:
A button front shirt
Cotton pants
A pencil skirt
Low heels or wedges
So then I'm ok for business casual occasions and can mix and match with the other stuff.

Then I'd add in a pair or two more of jeans, cords if it's winter and a sweater, a pair of shorts in the summer, a pair of comfy sneakers and socks. A couple more pairs of shoes and a second jacket.

Oh, starting over from scratch would be quite the mental exercise for me.
I think the list I came up with would be what would emotionally satisfy my need/want to shop and have new clothes within the confines of having a tight(er) budget.

Welcome to my life!! My yearly amount is around $75 that if you include birthday money, money from my personal spending money, vouchers and my actual budgeted amount (around 43 a month).

And because things have been much the same for some years the replacement issue is very real. I asked Angie once how many pieces per season you need to keep a wardrobe up to date. She said 6 or 7. Since this works out to 12 to 14 pieces a year I can't actually do it, as I need to also spend my budget on replacement needs - with the big figure being at least 2 new pairs of footwear a year, which are expensive , since one pair of orthotic shoes costs around $220.

So I do work out my "wardrobe freshening" needs very carefully, and it does depend a bit on how the rest of my life is going.Like last year I started work full time, so refreshed my work wardrobe (though some items crossed to casual). I also put some extras into my lounge wear. This year I have bought some new gear. My summer casual wardrobe has been mostly neglected for several summers and will be a focus this summer (I literally hadn't bought a new tea for 2 years)
I do always like to buy a casual, stand alone casual sweater for winter, and plan also this (Australian) winter to get a top. I guess these are fashion needs not real replacement needs
This summer I plan to buy new flat sandals, a couple of tees, and maybe some more real hot weather stuff - some shorts and perhaps another dress. Most of these are wardrobe holes/ replacement but of course I will keep fashion in mind when I do.

I guess what I am trying to say with the ramble is that for my replacement needs are integral to wardrobe planning. To allow myself to buy things and keep up with fashion I deliberately only buy a few each year so I can replace them!

Interesting question.

I think a starting point budget is a great idea if you could be facing an income drop. That way you have something to work off.

If you love clothes and sometimes have the "itch" to shop that will allow you to do so within those confines, and if you truly need to replace an expensive item (boots, warm coat) then you can do so one month and then have a month off purchasing.

For me I like to sometimes take a small break from shopping entirely for a couple of months. That way in the third month I can buy one or two pieces at once. I am not a real planned shopper and find my best finds spring upon me, so I like to have the opportunity to seize those pieces when I can, and then hold off for a while.

I'd be fine if I didn't buy anything - I don't like to admit that though

Lyn I had to laugh as I relate and my next instinct was "Shh don't tell DH!"

I'm sure most of us could get by one calendar year not shopping and still look put together and reasonably current. SHHHHH! is right!!

When my divorce was final, I found myself living on a substantially smaller income. I cut back everything. For two entire years, I didn't buy one single clothing item. Nothing. It is entirely doable. I don't even remember feeling deprived at the time.

In a way I suspect that completely stopping buying things, like Sterling is talking about, is somehow easier than just buying a very few things. You don't even bother looking if you're not buying anything, whereas if you're limiting money or items you're always debating with yourself whether the items you choose are the right ones. I think that's what I'm still trying to work out with my budget and SYB this year. It's like dieting - a restrictive diet 24/7 may not be fun, but it's straightforward, and the trouble always comes when you try to go back to a more regular situation.

A really interesting question and responses! To start with the main question, i.e., "If you're on a limited budget, what's a 'minimum' shopping list that would satisfy the desire to shop and have new things?"...Since I have a pretty full closet, I would get any needed shopping fix from replacing items and then getting a few items to refresh the wardrobe. These last few months, after a closet purge, this mostly meant getting pants in a more modern shape to replace some that had worn/stretched out, some very basic layering tops to go under jackets (to go along with a style shift), and updated shoes. This list of wardrobe refreshers would differ for everyone, of course.

The funny thing is that, like Sterling and Laura, I think it's sometimes easier to go on a shopping "fast." After some extensive wardrobe updating a couple of years ago, I think I barely bought any clothes for a good year or more, perhaps excepting only undergarments, socks and a few accessories. Sometimes it seems that the act of browsing makes me want to buy more, whereas "out of sight, out of mind" really works; by replacing the mental space that clothes formerly consumed with other hobbies, I barely miss acquiring new clothes at all. (Admittedly this generally takes place after a shopping "binge," which makes the "fast" easier. I think I need to learn how not to get into binge/purge-fast cycles with my interests.)

I'll also note that I think *not* getting a pricey but much-desired item causes me to shop more. I'd been coveting two expensive-for-me jackets this spring, but instead of buying them, I got some cheap ones that didn't quite work from eBay plus various on-sale substitutes in a mini-binge. Finally I caved and got the two jackets I really wanted, and wouldn't you believe it, I suddenly no longer wanted or needed the other ones (fortunately most were returnable or consignable). And in fact, after these purchases, I think I'm set to do another shopping "fast" through the end of the summer, possibly longer.

Oh, brilliant teaser, Mo!

Every season I would have to budget for ongoing jeans replacement, cash for the cobbler to keep my boots and walking shoes in shape, and one tee/top/tunic to keep my spirits up.

This post has me thinking about how short/sharp a list I can make for my re-entry into the work world next spring.

Running shoes, winter boots, and a winter coat. Other than that, I have at least some current options in each category.