What's the minimum number of shirts/jeans/pants/shoes etc. you could survive on?
Well, assuming by "survive on" you don't literally mean survive on, but rather "function in your normal life/work mix", I get by with:
For work: about 10-12 pairs of dress pants/"dockers", several long-sleeve shirts, some of which are tie-compatible, and a decent number of short sleeve polo-style or button-down shirts for variety, along with the obvious socks, undershirts, underwear, and a couple pair of dress shoes (black, brown).
For "life": I have a few pairs of jeans, many pairs of shorts (jeans, khakis, cargo), a large number of running shorts/shirts/socks/hats, sandals, many t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc.
All told, however, I probably have about 10 large suitcases worth of clothing.
Right now, however, I'm wearing black dress pants, a light green long-sleeve dress shirt, tie, undershirt, briefs, black socks, and black leather shoes. Also a watch and two rings.
I like the idea of being able to fit all my stuff in a couple of suitcases.
In case you have to disappear on short notice or something?