Can I get by on hardly any clothes?

[Toastedtoacrisp]

For years now I don't like what's on the market, not even much vintage or used. Most styles don't appeal to me and I don't even have a fixed view of what my 'style' even is.

During the pandemic I wore just a few things, shorts and a tee when hot, jeans or cords with a jumper when cold. I don't care for trends but my wardrobe is relatively current. I am slim, average height, so ought to be able to find stuff, but as much as I love clothes, I am also somewhat tired of them.

Is it possible, do you believe, to only own a small scattering of clothes and remain appropriate? I wfh, like to walk outdoors, and do creative stuff, so don't need to dress up much, or only on rare occasions. I am not trying to get minimal, this is just who I am, and would love to go forward not buying much apart from, say, circling 4 outfits through a year.
Anyone else like this?

I love accessories and that's fine, I am passionate about them and try to buy quality over quantity (not hard really, for me, lol) but it seems most people have a good amount of stuff, and I would love to just rely on a few trusted things and get by. Right now, for the coming summer, I have two pairs of shorts, one pair of jeans and one dress. I have a few tees and vests and that's it. I could afford to buy more but nothing interests me. Maybe I just don't like contemporary styles? I am neither in the skinny nor baggy jeans camp, but do prefer pared down outfits. I don't much like skirts or dresses either (too many flounces and tiers).

Does anyone else have a really small bunch of clothes, decent quality, but stupidly minimal? Or does anyone else dislike current styles so feels out of place?

Have always thought in terms of clothing, and my memories are definitely based around what I was wearing.

While that Dolce dress wasn't to my taste, I understand the value of investing in one great dress and wearing it to multiple events. This attitude is how I built up a great collection of Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dresses (and caved into buy one Vampire's Wife frock too).

Although I have a lot of clothes, I don't really care about being in seen in the same clothes. In some instances, I have spent a lot of money on them and I want to wear them! If nothing else, the pandemic taught me that life is short and it's silly to save things for best.

I spent a few months in CA pre-pandemic and read the baggage allowance incorrectly, which meant I took a cabin-sized bag for almost three months. I loved having a limited wardrobe. It was surprisingly liberating. However, I did buy a few pieces when I was there as I had events to attend that I hadn't anticipated. On my return, I continued with a minimal approach to dressing. I even gave up shopping for a time as I decided I owned everything I needed. For a time, this continued, and during the pandemic, it made even more sense. Despite endless online browsing, I prefer to buy in person. I think the biggest difference is now my attitude to why I am buying something has changed and only purchase clothing I absolutely need. Also, there's little I want to buy at the moment. But, this may well change. Am sure it will, there'a few A/W things I already have my eye on.

However, and all that said, have never curbed buying accessories. I think if one is going to streamline one's wardrobe, then these are all the more important to invest in and add to. Regularly.

The DG dress was a strange one, as was the original question, - would it make me look like Mrs Thatcher? Answer: no way!
It does raise questions about spending £3k on a dress and wearing it a lot, or buying cheap from Next or River Island and wearing items once or twice.
I think we've got so used to cheap clothing that culturally it's become a habit to have lots of clothes.

The Dolce Year of the Rabbit dresses were works of art. They were so beautiful in themselves I wouldn't even think about whether they suited me if I owned one.

There's also to my mind a distinction between having lots of clothes and lots of cheap, disposable clothes. I have lots of clothes and it might be weeks before a dress's turn comes round to be worn again. I don't expect to ditch what I buy after one season. Far from it.

I understand that nobody ‘needs’ lots of clothes but sone people certainly ‘desire’ them.
That can be said of anything. Nobody ‘needs’ a 4 bedroomed house. I had a friend who grew up in a 3 bedroomed semi and there were 5 children and mum and dad. She said her dad had to saw the end of one of the beds off to fit in the tiny box room. Growing up I didn’t know anybody who lived in a house with more than 3 bedrooms and lots of my peers came from big families, close in age.
Personally I’d rather have more clothes and wash less. I said before that I would not wash my clothes with towels. Neither would I mix whites with darks but if you do that’s fine. I never have to worry about getting the washing done because I always have something to wear.
I do think there is a difference if you work from home. The op has said she wears her pyjamas for work well that is something you cannot do if you have a job like mine. So I absolutely do need more clothes than someone who can wear pyjamas for work.
As long as you are happy then it’s fine.