Building a Wardrobe

I could write a post about exactly what “basics” that every wardrobe needs, but style changes so drastically from person to person. What works for my style, may not be the same for yours. For a long time, I felt that the clothes in my closet were a bit disjointed and “all over the place”. I was still finding my personal style and many of my pieces didn’t seem to fit anywhere. It’s easy to find yourself in a rut like I did, but I started getting organized and now find that I have a versatile wardrobe that fits who I am. Here are my tips on how to get there:

Versatility of the individual item.

Versatility is the name of the game when buying essential items for your closet. You’ll always have stand out pieces that are fun, but you really do need more items that can be worn several ways. I use the “Three Outfits” rule when deciding whether or not I should buy something. I try to imagine three different outfits or items the piece could coordinate with before I buy it. It ensures that the item is versatile and will serve me well for years to come.

Coordination with other clothes.

Coordination is an important part of what makes a great wardrobe. It’s easy to see an entire outfit somewhere and want to duplicate it yourself, but try to think of each item individually. You’ll get sick of wearing the same items the same exact way. The article of clothing should be able to coordinate with several existing pieces in your closet.

Fitting into your personal style and wardrobe aesthetic.

While it’s great to have some items that may be out of your comfort zone, sticking to your personal style 80% of the time will help create the wardrobe that fits you best. This doesn’t mean you have to buy boring items, in fact, you may have a really fun style, but clothes that fit your style and personality are going to go better with each other and leave you with a well functioning closet.

If I branch out and buy something that normally wouldn’t go with the rest of my wardrobe, I find the best compromise possibly. For example, I wanted a pair of cowboy boots, but the style really doesn’t fit the rest of my wardrobe. I bought shorter cowboy boots with a gold toe that feels more “me” and is more versatile than I’d imagine.

 

Maybe you have a lot of random items that you enjoy wearing and don’t need advice to create a cohesive wardrobe, but know that building a wardrobe has long term benefits. Even when my style evolves, it only takes subtle changes to do so. Because I have so many versatile pieces that I love, I’m able to create many different outfits without having to invest in new clothes often. This mentality of shopping smarter has saved me time and money over the years and I hope my tips can help you do so as well.

 

March 16, 2015 by thedressdecoded | 4 Comments