If you’re anything like me, you’ve been wanting to amp up your closet for years, but have never quite figured out how to get it right. You’ve tried buying pieces that show off the style and character you know you have in your head, but each time you just end up frustrated. Your outfits don’t look like what you’ve envisioned, and that shirt isn’t quite as versatile as you wanted it to be. Those Pinterest girls make it look so easy, right?
There is more to building up a cute, wearable closet than it may seem.
This past year, I have finally fleshed out a closet that I love with actually wearable pieces. Let’s explore the six-step process that helped me curate my dream closet while keeping my wallet happy.
1. Get Inspiration
This is arguably the most fun step in fleshing-out your wardrobe: finding inspiration. There are many ways to do this. You can explore Pinterest and start a board of outfits that you like. You can follow people on Instagram who post outfits you love. Build up a picture collection that you can see all in one place. The larger the collection you build, the more you have to pull from later. It may be beneficial to seek inspiration from people who look similar to you so you can better imagine the outfits on yourself.
2. Look for Commonalities
Once you have your picture-perfect collection built, you can begin looking for commonalities between the outfits. These commonalities could follow certain aesthetics, silhouettes, color schemes, and prominent pieces. For example, I noticed that I liked the silhouette of a tall shoe, a shorter skirt, and a flared top with somewhat of an academia-ish look. Maybe you really like fitted pants and a baggy shirt that have an athletic feel. Often your taste won’t be limited to one kind of look, so explore all that your inspiration has to offer! Write down these commonalities to save for later on in the process.
3. List Requirements
Building a list of requirements is the most vital step in ensuring you end up with pieces that you’ll wear again and again. It’s time to be brutally honest with ourselves. What will we really wear? Make a list of non-negotiables qualities for the clothing you’re going to buy. For me, this included high comfort, full-length, and machine washable pieces that wouldn’t activate my sensory issues by being too tight. This list is individually-unique and accounts for personal preferences. If you’re struggling to make this list for yourself, take a look at the clothes you wear most often right now. What about them makes you pick them up frequently? Choose pieces that already work for you instead of trying to change your habits to wear something outside of your everyday comfort zone. I had to come to accept the phrase “It’s cute, but it won’t work for me.”
4. Build up the basics
The basics are important for every closet, but not everyone’s basics will be the same. Let’s look back on when you were looking for commonalities. What pieces were showing up over and over again? Is it a pair of baggy jeans? A satin skirt? A brown loafer? If these pieces are common in your inspiration, they will be good pieces to have in your closet to build off of. During my exploration, I found that dark-wash jeans, lace cami undershirts, and black mini skirts frequently popped up in my inspo. Those are now pieces that I reach for almost every day. Basics also don’t have to be basic! The ‘elevated’ basics trend making its rounds on social media is on to something. Instead of buying a plain white t-shirt, maybe you prefer a fitted tee or something off-the-shoulder. Maybe the sweater you want could have an open back element. As long as the piece is versatile, you can have fun with it!
5. find fun pieces
Nobody wants a closet of just basics. Unique, fun pieces can make an outfit and secure compliments from your friends and strangers. When you are picking out some fun pieces for your closet, there are a few questions to keep in mind. The first is “Can I think of three different outfits I could make with this piece?” Unique pieces are meant to add pizzazz to your wardrobe, but they should also be cohesive. If you have a really fun top, but you can only wear it with one pair of pants, you won’t reach for it as often. The three outfit test is usually a pretty reliable measure of whether the piece will be cohesive. The second question is “Does it fit my list of requirements?” Don’t lower your standards with fun pieces. If the unique piece doesn’t fall within your comfort zone, it’s more likely to sit in your closet unworn. These tests also apply for accessories such as shoes, jewelry, and bags.
6. Buy intentionally
Buying clothing can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! The best way to combat this is to grow your skillset for buying intentionally. Buying intentionally has three key components: quality, sustainability, and confidence. With fast fashion prominence and online shopping, it is easy to end up with some low-quality pieces. When you shop, look for brands that have a reputation for producing high-quality pieces. Even better, get face-to-face with a piece before you buy it to check the quality in-person. You get more wear out of quality pieces. Shopping sustainably will save the environment and your wallet. By shopping second-hand, you can get great pieces for a fraction of the price without the production of a new item. You’ll be surprised how many of the items you are looking for can be bought second-hand, especially with basics! Finally, have confidence that what you are buying is right for you. To have this confidence, you can make a plan for what pieces you’re looking to buy, try on an item before you buy it to ensure the fit, and use the three-outfit test. Confidence in your purchases will reduce unwanted spending.
No matter where you live or how you shop, this process can help you curate that closet of your dreams. No more nonsense spending on clothes that go unworn. It’s time to take that style out of your head and put it into action!