Minimalist wardrobe: what would you wear?

[WhiteClover]

If you had to have a wardrobe of 30 items, what would these items be?

Bonus points if the 30 items include underwear.

I'll start off with a pair of good Chelsea boots

Following…
nude bra, bLack bra, mixture of black and nude knickers, black socks

Difficult one. Depends on your lifestyle I guess. Do you work in an office/outside/not work?

decent pair of jeans

A really good leather jacket.

1. Swimming costume
2. Stout walking boots
3. Waterproof trousers
4. Cagoule
5. Saltwater sandals
6. Plimsolls
7. Ankle boots
8. Thick walking socks
9. Silk thermal leggings
10. Silk thermal vest
11. Pair of bum-flattering jeans
12. A BIG cardigan with pockets
13. A black cashmere or merino wool jumper
14. A jumpsuit with pockets
15. A shirt dress with pockets
16. Shorts… with pockets
17. A flattering T-shirt
18. Another flattering T-shirt
19. One incredible frock for parties
20. Pyjamas
21. Leggings with a jaunty pattern
22. Knickers
23. knickers
24. knickers
25. knickers
26. knickers
27. knickers
28. knickers
29. bra 1
30. bra 2

Would actually love to do this and one small load of washing each week (plus towels and bedding blah blah), but I’d sort of resent being the one minimalist in a house with DP who owns 71 pairs of socks and 83 T-shirts. (I counted the other week when putting the massive pile of laundry away and realising my strata in the washing basket hadn’t even been washed, it was just layers and layers of fucking man T-shirts.)

Perhaps in reality if I had to stick to 30 things I’d opt for fewer knickers washed more frequently and add in some black opaque tights, a warm winter coat, and an extra jumpsuit or two. Realistically at the moment postpartum I just live in one pair of ugly maternity leggings and a pile of sick anyway, don’t need any clothes at all 😭

A sleeveless patterned dress cut to just above the knee, in colours which go with other things in your wardrobe, which looks good with black opaque tights or bare legs and with or without a cardigan or jacket over the top. Bonus points if it can also be styled with boots, sandals, ballet flats and trainers.

Oooh fun. Ok

Black tapered trousers
Loose fit cords or chinos
Jeans
Black skirt
Jersey skirt
Chino shorts

Long sleeve collared shirt x 3
Crew neck tee x 3
Boatneck knit top
Linen shell top
Silk top
Knit tunic oversized top

Shift type dress short sleeves
Maxi skirt or dress

Long sleeve merino knit x 2
V neck jumper
Big slouchy cardigan

Trench
Puffer
bomber

Hats

Deffo couldn't do it counting shoes and knickers!

The thing is OP, someone else's minimalist wardrobe will not be the same as yours.

Someone else might propose one in shades of black, white and tan which isn't your style at all. Another person might find that a black mini skirt is absolutely indispensable and goes with everything, whereas you hate your legs and would never wear one. Or they might suggest a capsule wardrobe mainly built around jeans, when you find dresses more comfortable.

Can you tell us about some items of clothing that you have worn again and again and again? What are your go-to outfits that you keep wearing over and over? These are the things to build your minimalist wardrobe around because they are the things you actually want to wear.

I don’t think I could do 30 items including underwear. I tend to do a loose capsule wardrobe but I’ve learnt it has to be seasonal. Right now I’m working on a small capsule for Spring at work (some bits will transition into other seasons):

3x wide leg trousers (sage, navy, natural)
2x straight cropped trousers (navy, natural)
2x straight jeans (light blue, sage)
5x good quality T-shirts (off white, navy, black, 2x stripe)
5x medium weight knits (off white, navy, black, 2x stripe)
2x straight blazers (navy, natural)
2x long, flowy cardigan (navy, natural)
2x work shoes (black, off white)
3x casual trainers (sneakers, high tops, chunky)
1x squishy work bag (off white)

I've done very small capsules, but that was when I lived in Australia and didn't need such a huge variety of clothes in terms of seasons. It really depends on your lifestyle. Someone upthread said himing socks/boots and these would certainly not be in my city-dwelling list. But if I had to live put of a backpack again, I'd definitely pack some chelsea boots, birkenstocks, ballet flats, plus a great pair of jeans, a wool coat, leather jacket and some cotton pyjamas. Everything else is negotiable

3 items def on my list. Pair of Blundstone or Frye boots, blanket size cashmere /lightweight wool scarf and a decent full grain veg tannned leather belt.

Black velvet loose leg trews;
Black cigarette pants;
Black loose leg trews for work, belted;
Loose leg or bootcut dark denim jeans;
Skinny light denim jeans;
Leggings, black;
Sweatpants, gray;

Hoodie, navy/ white thin stripe;
Sweatshirt, oversized, maybe a college/ university shirt, basic colour light gray or white;
Big chunky cardigan with a hood, black or burgundy;
Navy crew neck sweater, no wool (allergic) or acrylic (hate);
White crew neck sweater, Aran style;
Black short sleeved crew neck sweater in silk knit;
Black turtleneck, close fitting, black silk knit;
Long sleeved T shirt, black cotton;

Bermuda shorts, light denim;
Bermuda shorts, khaki;
Bermuda shorts, white;
Black fitted T shirt;
Gray loose fitting T shirt;
Pale blue T shirt;
White short sleeved peasant top, maybe with embroidery (white on white), though beads also nice;
Brightly coloured long sleeved blouse, maybe coral/ pink or green/ blue, cotton lawn;

Christmas top - black sparkly;
Summer dress - shift style with subdued embroidery;
Winter dress - stretchy black velvet;

Heavy black wool/ cashmere coat, classic styling, for funerals, etc.;
Heavy, down-filled coat, black, with interior pockets and hood;
Nehru jacket, heavyweight navy linen;
Rain parka, blue gray;

Socks, tights, undercrackers, bras - all extra, sorry. Ditto footwear, belts.