Towards a complete wardrobe

According to the standard SWAP guideline a basic wardrobe consists of 11 pieces - 1 jacket, 4 shirts, 2 tops, 2 pairs of pants, and 2 skirts. Switch out skirts for pants, tees for blouses, and a dress for any of the basics depending on need. Simple. Doable. Challenging but attainable.

So that's what Julie Culshawl, a seamstress in Australia came up with and it's been seconded by many, many others.

But what do New York fashionistas call a core wardrobe?

I pulled out my copy of the Lucky Shopping Manual (we all have our secret indulgences, this is mine) and chapter by chapter added up what they consider essentials, give or take a coat or summer skirt based on your latitide:

11 skirts
_ 2 all season work skirts
_ 1 day to night skirt
_ 2 summer work skirts
_ 1 denim skirt
_ 2 summer weekend skirts
_ 1 summer evening skirt
_ 1 winter evening skirt
_ 1 Leather or suede skirt
12 Tops
_ 2 Basic neutral color tees
_ 2 black tops
_ 4 tanks
_ 1 polo
_ 3 fun tees
15 Shirts
_ 6 work tops
_ 3 fun tops
_ 4 weekend tops
_ 2 fun tops
11 Dresses
_ 3 Summer weekend dresses
_ 1 summer evening dress
_ 1 summer daytime party dress
_ 2 summer work dresses
_ 2 winter work dresses
_ 1 winter weekend dress
_ 1 winter evening dress
7 Sweaters
_ 2 Fitted pullovers for work
_ 2 cardigans
_ 1 turtleneck
_ 2 weekend sweaters
7 jeans
_ 1 pair for heals
_ 1 pair for flats
_ 1 weekend pair
_ 1 color pair
_ 1 pair corduroys
_ 1 pair of favorite
_ 1 fun pair
9 pairs of pants
_ 3 pair winter pants
_ 3 pairs summer pants
_ 2 pair all season work pants
_ 1 pair evening pants
4 suits
_ 2 classic suits
_ 1 trendy suit
_ 1 fun suit
5 jackets
_ 2 wool blazers
_ 1 short jacket
_ 1 denim jacket
_ 1 summer blazer
8 coats
_ 1 classic coat
_ 1 parka
_ 1 spring jacket
_ 1 raincoat
_ 1 fall coat
_ 1 evening coat
_ 2 fun coats
_ 1 lightweight jacket

That's ... 90 items.

Total.

SWAPs sound so much easier now.

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And, because my inner logician demands it, I'll admit that there's some apple to oranges comparisons going on. A SWAP is just to get you a working, basic wardrobe to tide you over so you can add more, trendier, or more specific items. Lucky's trying to prepare you for all contingencies. Even so, this Texan girl is pretty sure that even the oddest of contingencies won't require 8 coats. Or 7 pairs of jeans. My little wardrobe would burst trying to hold them all.