diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/outfits/new_v2.css b/app/assets/stylesheets/outfits/new_v2.css
index 3db4fe48..d9f376f2 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/outfits/new_v2.css
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/outfits/new_v2.css
@@ -248,7 +248,8 @@ body.wardrobe-v2 {
 
   .item-info {
     flex: 1;
-    min-width: 0; /* Allow text to truncate */
+    min-width: 0;
+    /* Allow text to truncate */
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     gap: 0.5rem;
@@ -306,6 +307,235 @@ body.wardrobe-v2 {
   }
 }
 
+.item-search-form {
+  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+
+  input[type="text"] {
+    flex: 1;
+    padding: 0.75rem;
+    font-size: 1rem;
+    border: 1px solid #ddd;
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    background: white;
+
+    &:focus {
+      outline: none;
+      border-color: #448844;
+      box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(68, 136, 68, 0.1);
+    }
+  }
+
+  input[type="submit"] {
+    padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
+    font-size: 1rem;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    border: none;
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    background: #448844;
+    color: white;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: background 0.2s;
+
+    &:hover {
+      background: #357535;
+    }
+
+    &:active {
+      transform: scale(0.98);
+    }
+
+    &:focus {
+      outline: none;
+      box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(68, 136, 68, 0.3);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+.search-results {
+  .search-results-header {
+    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
+
+    .back-button {
+      padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
+      margin: 0 0 1rem 0;
+      border: 1px solid #ddd;
+      border-radius: 6px;
+      background: white;
+      color: #448844;
+      cursor: pointer;
+      font-size: 0.95rem;
+      font-weight: 500;
+      transition: background 0.2s, border-color 0.2s;
+
+      &:hover {
+        background: #f9f9f9;
+        border-color: #448844;
+      }
+
+      &:focus {
+        outline: none;
+        border-color: #448844;
+        box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(68, 136, 68, 0.1);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  .search-results-list {
+    list-style: none;
+    padding: 0;
+    margin: 1rem 0;
+
+    .item-card {
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 0.75rem;
+      padding: 0.75rem;
+      background: #f9f9f9;
+      margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+      border-radius: 8px;
+      color: #333;
+      transition: background 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
+      position: relative;
+
+      &:hover {
+        background: #f0f0f0;
+        box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+      }
+
+      &:hover .item-add-button {
+        opacity: 1;
+      }
+    }
+
+    .item-thumbnail {
+      flex-shrink: 0;
+      width: 50px;
+      height: 50px;
+      border-radius: 6px;
+      overflow: hidden;
+      background: white;
+      box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+
+      img {
+        width: 100%;
+        height: 100%;
+        object-fit: contain;
+        display: block;
+      }
+    }
+
+    .item-info {
+      flex: 1;
+      min-width: 0;
+      display: flex;
+      flex-direction: column;
+      gap: 0.5rem;
+    }
+
+    .item-name {
+      font-weight: 500;
+      color: #2D3748;
+      overflow: hidden;
+      text-overflow: ellipsis;
+      white-space: nowrap;
+    }
+
+    .item-badges {
+      display: flex;
+      gap: 0.375rem;
+      flex-wrap: wrap;
+    }
+
+    .item-add-button {
+      position: absolute;
+      top: 0.5rem;
+      right: 0.5rem;
+      padding: 0;
+      margin: 0;
+      border: none;
+      background: rgba(68, 136, 68, 0.9);
+      border-radius: 4px;
+      cursor: pointer;
+      font-size: 1rem;
+      line-height: 1;
+      width: 1.75rem;
+      height: 1.75rem;
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      justify-content: center;
+      opacity: 0;
+      transition: opacity 0.2s, background 0.2s, transform 0.1s;
+      box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+
+      &:hover {
+        background: rgba(68, 136, 68, 1);
+        transform: scale(1.1);
+      }
+
+      &:active {
+        transform: scale(0.95);
+      }
+
+      &:focus {
+        opacity: 1;
+        outline: 2px solid #448844;
+        outline-offset: 2px;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  .empty-state {
+    padding: 2rem;
+    text-align: center;
+    color: #666;
+  }
+
+  .pagination {
+    margin: 1.5rem 0;
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
+    font-size: 0.9rem;
+
+    a,
+    span,
+    em {
+      padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
+      border: 1px solid #ddd;
+      border-radius: 4px;
+      text-decoration: none;
+      color: #448844;
+      background: white;
+
+      &:hover {
+        background: #f9f9f9;
+        border-color: #448844;
+      }
+    }
+
+    .current,
+    em {
+      background: #448844;
+      color: white;
+      border-color: #448844;
+      font-style: normal;
+    }
+
+    .disabled {
+      color: #ccc;
+      cursor: not-allowed;
+      border-color: #eee;
+
+      &:hover {
+        background: white;
+        border-color: #eee;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 @keyframes fade-in {
   from {
     opacity: 0;
diff --git a/app/controllers/outfits_controller.rb b/app/controllers/outfits_controller.rb
index d1397c49..e91fc156 100644
--- a/app/controllers/outfits_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/outfits_controller.rb
@@ -111,6 +111,17 @@ class OutfitsController < ApplicationController
     # in parallel rather than sequentially when rendering
     SwfAsset.preload_manifests(@outfit.visible_layers)
 
+    # Handle search mode
+    @search_mode = params[:q].present?
+    if @search_mode
+      search_filters = build_search_filters(params[:q], @outfit)
+      query_params = ActionController::Parameters.new(
+        search_filters.each_with_index.map { |filter, i| [i.to_s, filter] }.to_h
+      )
+      @query = Item::Search::Query.from_params(query_params, current_user)
+      @search_results = @query.results.paginate(page: params.dig(:q, :page), per_page: 30)
+    end
+
     render layout: false
   end
 
@@ -164,5 +175,52 @@ class OutfitsController < ApplicationController
                      :full_error_messages => @outfit.errors.full_messages},
            :status => :bad_request
   end
+
+  def build_search_filters(query_params, outfit)
+    filters = []
+
+    # Add name filter if present
+    if query_params[:name].present?
+      filters << { key: "name", value: query_params[:name] }
+    end
+
+    # Add item kind filter if present
+    if query_params[:item_kind].present?
+      case query_params[:item_kind]
+      when "nc"
+        filters << { key: "is_nc", value: "true" }
+      when "np"
+        filters << { key: "is_np", value: "true" }
+      when "pb"
+        filters << { key: "is_pb", value: "true" }
+      end
+    end
+
+    # Add zone filter if present
+    if query_params[:zone].present?
+      filters << { key: "occupied_zone_set_name", value: query_params[:zone] }
+    end
+
+    # Always add auto-filter for items that fit the current pet
+    pet_type = outfit.pet_type
+    if pet_type
+      fit_filter = {
+        key: "fits",
+        value: {
+          species_id: pet_type.species_id.to_s,
+          color_id: pet_type.color_id.to_s
+        }
+      }
+
+      # Include alt_style_id if present
+      if outfit.alt_style_id.present?
+        fit_filter[:value][:alt_style_id] = outfit.alt_style_id.to_s
+      end
+
+      filters << fit_filter
+    end
+
+    filters
+  end
 end
 
diff --git a/app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb b/app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb
index 13f36159..460eb5bb 100644
--- a/app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb
@@ -80,6 +80,12 @@ module OutfitsHelper
       end
     end
 
+    unless except.include?(:q)
+      (params[:q] || {}).each do |key, value|
+        fields << hidden_field_tag("q[#{key}]", value) if value.present?
+      end
+    end
+
     safe_join fields
   end
 
diff --git a/app/models/outfit.rb b/app/models/outfit.rb
index 0e066537..8c4db97e 100644
--- a/app/models/outfit.rb
+++ b/app/models/outfit.rb
@@ -296,4 +296,9 @@ class Outfit < ApplicationRecord
   def without_item(item)
     dup.tap { |o| o.worn_items.delete(item) }
   end
+
+  # Create a copy of this outfit, additionally wearing the given item.
+  def with_item(item)
+    dup.tap { |o| o.worn_items << item unless o.worn_items.include?(item) }
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/views/outfits/_search_results.html.haml b/app/views/outfits/_search_results.html.haml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..93d19e3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/views/outfits/_search_results.html.haml
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+.search-results
+  .search-results-header
+    = button_to wardrobe_v2_path, method: :get, class: "back-button" do
+      ← Back to outfit
+      = outfit_state_params except: [:q]
+
+  - if @search_results.any?
+    = will_paginate @search_results, param_name: "q[page]", params: { q: params[:q], species: @outfit.species_id, color: @outfit.color_id, objects: params[:objects] }
+
+    %ul.search-results-list
+      - @search_results.each do |item|
+        %li.item-card
+          .item-thumbnail
+            = image_tag item.thumbnail_url, alt: item.name, loading: "lazy"
+          .item-info
+            .item-name= item.name
+            .item-badges
+              = render "items/badges/kind", item: item
+              = render "items/badges/first_seen", item: item
+          = button_to wardrobe_v2_path, method: :get, class: "item-add-button", title: "Add #{item.name}", "aria-label": "Add #{item.name}" do
+            ➕
+            = outfit_state_params @outfit.with_item(item)
+
+    = will_paginate @search_results, param_name: "q[page]", params: { q: params[:q], species: @outfit.species_id, color: @outfit.color_id, objects: params[:objects] }
+
+  - else
+    .empty-state
+      %p No matching items found. Try a different search term, or browse items on the main site.
diff --git a/app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml b/app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml
index da37ffbf..93e97be2 100644
--- a/app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml
@@ -44,7 +44,14 @@
       .outfit-controls-section
         %h1 Customize your pet
 
-        - if @outfit.worn_items.any?
+        = form_with url: wardrobe_v2_path, method: :get, class: "item-search-form" do |f|
+          = outfit_state_params
+          = f.text_field "q[name]", placeholder: "Search for items...", value: params.dig(:q, :name), "aria-label": "Search for items"
+          = f.submit "Search"
+
+        - if @search_mode
+          = render "search_results"
+        - elsif @outfit.worn_items.any?
           .worn-items
             - outfit_items_by_zone(@outfit).each do |zone_group|
               .zone-group
diff --git a/docs/wardrobe-v2-migration.md b/docs/wardrobe-v2-migration.md
index a9731421..3492001c 100644
--- a/docs/wardrobe-v2-migration.md
+++ b/docs/wardrobe-v2-migration.md
@@ -49,17 +49,33 @@ Replace the complex React outfit editor (`app/javascript/wardrobe-2020/`) with a
 - Displays item thumbnails, names, and badges (NC/NP, first seen date)
 - Alphabetical sorting within zones
 
-**Item Removal** ([new_v2.html.haml:62-64](app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml#L62-L64))
-- Remove button (❌) on each item
+**Item Search** ([new_v2.html.haml:47-50](app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml#L47-L50))
+- Search form at top of controls section
+- Auto-filters to items that fit current pet (species + color + alt_style)
+- Uses `Item::Search::Query.from_params` for structured search
+- Toggles between search results and worn items views (full page refresh)
+- Pagination with 30 items per page using `q[page]` parameter
+- All search state scoped under `q[...]` params (name, page, etc.)
+- "Back to outfit" button to exit search
+
+**Item Addition** ([_search_results.html.haml](app/views/outfits/_search_results.html.haml))
+- Add button (➕) on each search result item
+- Adds item to outfit via GET request with updated `objects[]` params
+- Button hidden by default, appears on hover/focus
+- Preserves search state when adding items
+- Uses `outfit.with_item(item)` helper to generate new state
+
+**Item Removal** ([new_v2.html.haml:70-72](app/views/outfits/new_v2.html.haml#L70-L72))
+- Remove button (❌) on each worn item
 - Removes item from outfit via GET request with updated `objects[]` params
 - Button hidden by default, appears on hover/focus
 - Uses `outfit.without_item(item)` helper to generate new state
 
-**State Management** ([outfits_helper.rb:68-84](app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb#L68-L84))
+**State Management** ([outfits_helper.rb:68-90](app/helpers/outfits_helper.rb#L68-L90))
 - All state lives in URL params (no client-side state)
-- `outfit_state_params` helper generates hidden fields
-- Preserves: species, color, worn items (`objects[]`)
-- Can exclude specific params (e.g., to override in species/color form)
+- `outfit_state_params` helper generates hidden fields for outfit state
+- Preserves: species, color, worn items (`objects[]`), search query (`q[...]`)
+- Can exclude specific params via `except:` (e.g., to override species/color, or clear search)
 - Every action generates new URL via GET request
 
 #### Supporting Helpers
@@ -86,6 +102,11 @@ Replace the complex React outfit editor (`app/javascript/wardrobe-2020/`) with a
 - Creates a duplicate outfit without the specified item
 - Used for remove button state generation
 
+**`Outfit#with_item`** ([outfit.rb:300-303](app/models/outfit.rb#L300-L303))
+- Creates a duplicate outfit with the specified item added
+- Used for add button state generation in search results
+- Prevents duplicate items (checks if item already worn)
+
 **`Outfit#visible_layers`** ([outfit.rb:172-192](app/models/outfit.rb#L172-L192))
 - Returns array of `SwfAsset` layers to render
 - Combines pet biology layers + compatible item layers
@@ -97,6 +118,12 @@ Replace the complex React outfit editor (`app/javascript/wardrobe-2020/`) with a
 - Returns hash of `{item_id => Appearance}` structs
 - Used by `outfit_items_by_zone` to determine compatibility
 
+**`Item::Search::Query.from_params`** ([item/search/query.rb](app/models/item/search/query.rb))
+- Structured search query builder (vs. `from_text` which parses strings)
+- Takes indexed hash of filters with `key`, `value`, `is_positive`
+- Supported filters: `name`, `is_nc`, `is_np`, `is_pb`, `fits`, `occupied_zone_set_name`, etc.
+- Used by Wardrobe V2 to auto-filter items by current pet compatibility
+
 ### What's NOT Implemented Yet
 
 Below is a comprehensive comparison with the full feature set of Wardrobe 2020 (React version).
@@ -104,18 +131,19 @@ Below is a comprehensive comparison with the full feature set of Wardrobe 2020 (
 #### Critical Missing Features
 
 **Item Search & Addition**
-- ❌ No search UI at all
-- ❌ No item browser/results display
-- ❌ No way to add items to outfit
-- ❌ Missing from Wardrobe 2020:
-  - Free text search with autosuggest
-  - Advanced filters (NC/NP/PB, zone, ownership)
-  - Filter chips display
-  - Paginated results (30 per page)
+- ✅ Basic search UI implemented (text search only)
+- ✅ Item results display with pagination (30 per page)
+- ✅ Add items to outfit from search results
+- ✅ Auto-filtering to items that fit current pet
+- ✅ Empty state messages
+- ❌ Still missing from Wardrobe 2020:
+  - Inline search syntax (`is:nc`, `fits:blue-acara`, etc.) - currently only supports plain text
+  - Advanced filter UI (NC/NP/PB toggles, zone selector, ownership filters)
+  - Filter chips display showing active filters
+  - Autosuggest/autocomplete
   - Keyboard navigation in search results (Up/Down arrows, Escape, Enter)
-  - Preloading adjacent pages
+  - Preloading adjacent pages for faster pagination
   - NC Styles intelligent hints
-  - Empty state messages
   - Item restoration logic (restoring previous items when trying on conflicts)
 
 **Outfit Saving/Loading**
@@ -391,21 +419,32 @@ Browser displays (instant if Turbo, full page otherwise)
 
 ## Next Steps
 
+**Recently Completed:**
+- ✅ Basic item search functionality (November 2025)
+  - Text search with auto-filtering by pet compatibility
+  - Pagination with 30 items per page
+  - Add/remove items with state preservation
+  - Clean URL-based state management with all search state scoped under `q[...]`
+
 ### Phase 1: Core Functionality (MVP)
 
 **Goal:** Basic usable wardrobe that can compete with essential features.
 
-1. **Item Search & Addition** 🔴 Critical
-   - [ ] Search input field in sidebar
-   - [ ] Basic text search (query Items API)
-   - [ ] Paginated results display (30 per page)
-   - [ ] Checkbox to wear/unwear items
-   - [ ] Add items to outfit via URL params
-   - [ ] Empty state message
+1. **Item Search & Addition** 🟢 Complete (basic), 🟡 Enhancements pending
+   - [x] Search input field in sidebar
+   - [x] Basic text search (query Items API)
+   - [x] Paginated results display (30 per page)
+   - [x] Button to wear items (Add button on search results)
+   - [x] Add items to outfit via URL params
+   - [x] Empty state message
+   - [x] Auto-filter items to current pet compatibility
+   - [x] Back to outfit button to exit search
+   - [x] Search state scoped under `q[...]` params
    - Optional enhancements:
+     - [ ] Inline search syntax (`is:nc`, `fits:blue-acara`)
      - [ ] Autosuggest/autocomplete
      - [ ] Filter chips display
-     - [ ] Advanced filters (NC/NP/PB, zone)
+     - [ ] Advanced filter UI (NC/NP/PB toggles, zone selector)
      - [ ] Keyboard navigation (arrows, escape, enter)
 
 2. **Outfit Saving/Loading** 🔴 Critical