Build A Wardrobe
February 4, 2009 by Holly Williamson
Filed under Accessories, Clothing, Fashion, Shoes
You can forever banish the phrase “I’ve got nothing to wear!” Building a wardrobe means having the minimum amount of clothes to get you through the maximum number of occasions in style. It doesn’t just happen – you have to plan! not long ago I took editor Loma Gregg into her own closet and removed over 100 pieces of clothing. They went bye-bye. From her new base we were able to add key items – basics, accessories and a ‘need list’ for the future.
Before You Build Your Wardrobe
Once you know your lifestyle needs get into your closet and see if you have what you need. First try everything on to make sure your clothes still fit. Look in a full length mirror with good lighting. Look at all angles. Look at the side. Look at the back. Move in your clothes to make sure they really do fit well. Better yet – get a friend to come over and giver her opinion. Tell her to be brutally honest – and then listen!
By getting into your closet and trying all your clothes on, you actually have the opportunity to shop your closet. You may find a suit with hopelessly out of date shoulder pads. Get rid of the jacket but you can still wear the skirt or the pants with other outfits.
Now that you’ve gone through your closet, what’s left? Do you have what you need? What’s missing? This is the time to start your shopping list. You may find that you have a great dress that you never wear because you don’t have the right shoes. Write it down and take this list shopping with you. Get items altered – sometimes its only a hemline change or a tuck that’s needed. . . Don’t hang on to things just because they ‘were’ your favorite. If they don’t look good now, make you feel good now – they’re taking up valuable real estate!
Fitting Your Wardrobe to You
To build a wardrobe that best suits your lifestyle, you have to think about your lifestyle needs. Which means looking at your calendar each season, and also how do you spend your day. Do you wear a suit to the office? Can you change that business outfit with a pair of sexy shoes for night? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors doing sports? Think about your needs. Once you determine the clothes that no longer fit or suit your lifestyle, get rid of them and make room in your closet for the clothes that you really enjoy wearing.
Wardrobe Staples
When building a wardrobe start with the classics. They’re the things you reach for over and over again. They usually have simple lines and a timeless style. They look great on their own and great with trendy items.
When you build your wardrobe on classic designs in neutral colors, it’s easy to bring in patterns or color for pazzass.
You can’t go wrong with a classic fitted suit in a season-less fabric, black pants, a crisp white shirt and a simple black dress. Then add on accessories to give it your own personal style.
Shopping
Don’t spend a lot of money on generic items like simple tee’s or cotton summer dresses and especially not on trendy items that will be in this year and then hopelessly out of style this time next year.
No matter the cost it if it doesn’t fit, and flatter your body, don’t buy it unless you’re willing to invest money in having it tailored. You’ll know you’ve succeeded in building the right wardrobe for you when you can say “I’m not sure I know what I’m going to wear, but I know it’s in my closet!
Favorite places to shop for finding inexpensive items to fill in the quality classic basics is Ross, TJ Max and Marshall’s. You can find name brand items and a fraction of the price!
Co written by Holly Williamson & Kim Johnson Gross
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