Seriously.

I really like it when people LIKE what they wear. So do that, and you really can’t go wrong. When I purge, the only question I ask myself is, “How do I feel when I wear this?”

d

My basic list (and I work in a fairly creative profession, but I think there’s more latitude in these things across the board than there used to be)is:
1) a cocktail dress you love (people don’t wear formal-length gowns much anymore — if you need one randomly, you can buy it, or borrow one, but having one in your closet just takes up space)
2) really flattering black pants
3) a neutral cardigan (black/blue/brown, even red can be surprisingly neutral. All the white on this list gives me hives)
4) a cashmere v-neck in a flattering color, a white button down, a black turtleneck (or vice versa) and tees or tanks in a variety of colors
5) a pair of really flattering darker wash jeans
6) a really, really good quality bag (you use it every day; a good bag elevates every outfit), as well as good quality shoes (heels, flats, casual kicks, boots)
7) A light peacoat or trench a casual blazer or jacket
9) a wrap dress you can wear to work or dress down on the weekends
10) If you work in a job that requires it, a beautifully made classic black, grey or navy suit. I think you really only need the blazer, pants and a slim-fitting knee-length skirt. I honestly don’t know where you could find a chic ankle-length skirt suit, and I hate to dwell on that, but it troubles me that people might actually be wearing those.

I am kind of a clotheshorse and I work in fashion, but I really believe that you will get more wear out of well-chosen, high quality pieces that you LOVE than khakis you buy because they seem practical.

Uncluttering is good, but only if it’s done in a mindful way. A “big picture” post about wardrobe clutter could have examined the factors that lead to wardrobe bloat — mercurial weather, several different social/professional requirements, a shopping habit, an inability to declutter, a poorly set-up clothing storage space — and talked about how addressing those factors will determine how and what you keep/acquire. Your list of items doesn’t really explain how a woman on the East Coast has to handle having several separate outfits for temperatures ranging from 0 degrees to 99 degrees. It doesn’t talk about how to assess what percentage of your wardrobe goes to each activity. It doesn’t really explain how to balance the craving for variety and stylishness against space and budget constraints.

A shopping list is well and good, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues that lead to overlarge wardrobes that don’t work. Pin down the problems, proffer solutions … and then you can find guidelines that people will deem useful.

I realize I’m coming across as harsh here, but I’m merely frustrated: you have a real opportunity here to provide insightful, useful tips on how to manage one’s closet. A lot of the commenters have given feedback explaining what does and doesn’t work about the list. That expands the opportunity you have.

I also found it problematic that you don’t tackle necessary wardrobe considerations like shoes, outerwear, luggage and bags.

Finally, why no consideration for style? An uncluttered wardrobe does not have to automatically equal a dowdy one. Unfortunately, this shopping list doesn’t reflect that.