Trying to streamline my wardrobe. If it doesn't spark joy

[Gubu]

But is useful, what's your take? As examples, I am a cold creature. I need lots of layers both winter and summer so I have lots of (5) very similar off-white merino jumpers that go under all sorts. I have a stack of longline vests that go under the merino jumpers. T-shirts that are past their best (a big baggy or saggy) get downgraded to my gym clothes. Having lots of these bases mean I don't have to do laundry as often (more eco friendly) but my wardrobe is exploding. How do you make your decisions on what stays and goes?

Utterly dull, but I plan around my washing.
I do one sports kit wash per week, so I need enough gym clothes for five workouts. Anything more than that gets chucked.
The longest I go without having to wash underwear is two weeks (if travelling) so 16 pairs of pants (always have a couple of spares).

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to need some basics to allow your joy sparking clothes spark their joy.

Those sound like good basic capsule items that you'd miss if you ditched. I suppose you could streamline to 2/3 of each though.

Oh, I like that idea, the basics help the nicer stuff spark joy. I definitely need to do some streamlining though...I just sorted out my knickers drawer and I could go on a gap year without concern

As someone who is constantly decluttering her wardrobe, I think it is impossible to only have items you love. I've ended up with some quite smart pieces/outfits and then find myself overdressed or scrabbling around when I just want something for a casual day at home. I think the important thing is more making sure you have what you need for each activity you do/normal days.

Also whether you wear each of the off white merino jumpers (in this example) or if you have favourites which mean effectively you only reach for one or two most of the time, then potentially the others are clutter.

It's very interesting to track what you wear each day and find out which specific items you are wearing a lot. Helps with decluttering and also shopping for new things. Until I did this, I didn't appreciate the importance and versatility of a basic t-shirt and would spend money on more wow pieces which proved harder to wear, which just created more complication and wasn't good value either. I think it's so easy to keep picking up something cheap to wear so as to have something new whilst baulking at spending £100 on a pair of trousers.

I think the secret of a really good capsule wardrobe is making a list of the (usually boring) bits that are missing and focusing on those.

The shopping experience is all about sparking joy, which is why we end up with a lot of random things that don’t get worn because they don’t fit with what we have.

If you focus on acquiring good quality basics for a while, they probably will spark joy, albeit the quieter satisfaction of a well fitting bra.

Sparking Joy is a great philosophy, and a good way to clear masses of deadwood. But it’s also easy to end up holding only your favourite comfy but bubbly sweater and a dress that doesn’t fit but reminds you of being 21.