How to create the perfect wardrobe – the eternal million-dollar question, right?
I think it’s no coincidence that the wardrobe is often a central topic of minimalist discussions. It’s the perfect candidate to put the theory and basic principles of a minimalist lifestyle into practice:
- Decluttering
- Organizing
- Focusing on quality instead of quantity
- Selecting and buying things we love and use
- Reducing excess and unnecessary purchases
- Identifying our essentials
- Valuing and enjoying what we have
- Simplifying and curating
Of course, perfection is subjective (and also non-existing, but let’s just go with it for now), and in the case of a wardrobe it is a matter of individual aesthetics and lifestyle. However, the basic principles will probably be quite universal.
The perfect wardrobe is
+ Functional
It fits your lifestyle and you can (and want to) wear the same items over and over again. If it’s full of tiny party dresses, but the last time you went out was for your best friend’s birthday 6 months ago, it’s not exactly functional.
+ Full of versatile, but complementary items
You can style the individual items in multiple ways, but they also work together seamlessly.
+ Mirrors your aesthetics
My closet has a distinct aesthetics and color palette. I like simple items with a twist (an interesting cut or silhouette) and a mostly minimalist color palette (black, white, nude, grey, navy, dust pink). However, while a color palette is useful in 90% of the cases, if you’re style is quirky and eccentric, different colors and patterns might be the way for you. But they must reflect your personality and sense of aesthetics.
+ Is of high quality
Quality fabrics, good execution. Do not ever compromise on quality. This is what ensures that your wardrobe will make it into year 2 or 5. Check out my good and bad fabrics list here.
Building a wardrobe you’re completely happy with is not a weekend program, so adjust your expectations. Otherwise you might get overwhelmed, ending up with a lot more unnecessary purchases and even more frustration.
10 tips to build your own perfect wardrobe
Create a Pinterest inspiration board
Gather all and every outfit you could imagine yourself wearing. See a pattern? Probably yes. That’s the main style direction you’re working with. I would first focus on actually wearable items that fit your lifestyle. Put the nice evening dresses on a special occasions board. Even though I’m quite comfortable with my current wardrobe, I have a minimalist inspiration board that I can always turn to for more inspiration.
Define your style
After this visual experiment, it’s useful to try to put into words what your prefect wardrobe would look like. Write down your lifestyle characteristics, situations, events, colors, types of garments, and the adjectives you would like to associate with your clothes (minimal, practical, quality, colorful, neutral, feminine, layers, sporty etc). Work with that.
Also, a word on experimenting with different styles. I feel like our taste and aesthetics become a lot more defined as we become older. I’ve been drawn to the same color palette since I was 14, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had different style phases. Rocker style, feminine Spanish style dresses, crop tops, extra mini skirts, baggy jeans, sneakers, sky high heels, and side chains have all been tried at one point – though not all at once. Fashion shouldn’t be taken that seriously. Experiment, try what works for you and have fun.
Declutter your current wardrobe
Tough choices have to be made. For starters, make a Keep, a Maybe, and a Sell/Donate/Throw out pile. If you’re revamping your wardrobe, try to resist throwing out everything even if you’re momentarily not totally, 100% satisfied with it. Declutter only those you haven’t worn, don’t fit anymore, or are in a poor, beyond reasonable hope to repair shape. Try to work with everything else for now.
Organize your closet
Organize by category (pants, skirts, shirts, dresses etc) AND by color as well. This simple step instantly transforms your wardrobe into a tidy, easily scannable, clean place, where you can actually find the clothes.
Focus on your signature look and essentials first
This is subject to personal taste and lifestyle, but put together a list of the most frequently used items and focus on finding the perfect version of those. You can call it your uniform or signature look. Everything else comes after.
Do add some unique, statement pieces
Not all of our clothes must be basic or functional. Sometimes the function is to add flair to an otherwise simple outfit. But try to find the balance between unique statement and overly trendy and do not focus on this right at the beginning. You must know what the base is that you accentuate with a statement piece. Essentials first, seasonal second, statement third.
Find your go-to shops
While it’s good to be open and find unique, small designers from time to time, it’s also useful to have a couple of go-to shopping sites that fits your style and aesthetics. Make a list of those and also narrow your searches by style and colors if you’re looking for new clothes to ensure they fit into your wardrobe.
Never buy something you cannot pair with at least 5 other items
Otherwise you’ll be stuck with a closet full of clothes that might be amazing in themselves, but if they do not work together, you’ll be at the dreaded “I have nothing to wear” state all the time. Come up with at least 5 (more is of course even better) different combinations when you’re contemplating buying an item.
Do not compromise or settle
9 out of 10 times my shopping comes to a dead end when I look at the tag and see the materials. I refuse to buy synthetics, that’s a non-negotiable criteria for me. I also use my 15 most critical shopping questions before every purchase. If you find something, but do not absolutely love it or it doesn’t meet your standards, just go on and do not settle for less.
Be patient
It takes time. Resist the urge to build your perfect wardrobe completely from scratch in the matter of weeks. Start with your signature items, maybe do a seasonal shopping plan or a timetable for how you’ll expand your dream wardrobe and work with that.
+ 1 Enjoy what you have
Do not want more and more all the time. Do not give in to constant temptations. Find confidence in your unique style and enjoy what you have.
Great post! ❤
https://tiateilli.com
Some great tips here!
I really need to sort out my wardrobe and I will definitely start to colour co-ordinate my clothes cause my wardrobe is so messy!
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk/
Thank you for reading! When I feel my wardrobe is too messy or I don’t have anything to wear, I spend a couple of hours on getting out my clothes and putting together outfits. Then I make some photos and store them in my phone. This gives me some clarity on what exactly I have in my wardrobe, as well as some ideas to wear. Usually, I realize the situation is not hopeless at all:)