How to Create YOUR Perfect Wardrobe: Part 1
Reader Linda inspired me to take a look at my old posts on creating a wardrobe that works for you. So I wanted to put together a new tutorial on creating a wardrobe that is perfect for you: how to know what to keep and what to let go of; and how to create a shopping list that will prevent you from buying more “mistakes” in the future. How to create a wardrobe full of only things that you enjoy wearing. So no matter what you pull out of your closet, you’re going to be happy wearing it. There will be no more days of “ugh, I don’t really like this, but I haven’t worn it in forever, so I guess I should.” Because THAT’S not fun! Who wants that??
First of all, note that this post is about creating YOUR perfect wardrobe, not THE perfect wardrobe. There are NO “Ten Key Pieces You Must Have In Your Closet.” There is no Pinterest pin of the perfect wardrobe items. I know how appealing those graphics are, all color-coordinated, everything reduced to a simple formula: The Seven Neutral Pieces that Will Create the 7,259 Outfits You Will Need for Every Possible Scenario for the Rest of Your Life. Because everyone’s life consists of different scenarios, different needs, different tastes, different budgets, different size availabilities, etc. In fashion there is NO OSFA (One Size Fits All)…and I’m not just talking about measurements.
Anyway, I’ve said all that before. Right now I went to get into the STEPS. I’ve refined this process over the years – and right now, this is what is working for me. In five years it might be different again (!), but for right now, I like this process.
It’s the opposite of “take out everything you want to get rid of.” That’s a complex parameter. How do you know what you want to get rid of until you know what you want to keep?? So, let’s start at the other end.
STEP 1. Take out all the things you reach for and wear all the time. These might be things that go with 27 other items in your closet, or that always make you feel pretty or strong…or invisible…or however it is you want to feel. Only you know what that is. This is not “take out the things you LOVE.” This is “take out the things you WEAR.” I always have things I LOVE, that I just don’t seem to be able to wear, for whatever reason. And they taunt me, “If you LOVE ME, why aren’t you WEARING ME??” That makes me feel guilty. Your clothes should make you feel GOOD. We’re trying to create a workable wardrobe that you’ll feel good wearing. And, there’s no magic number for this…it might be five things, it might be twenty-five things. It might be ALL THE THINGS. In which case, You Win, now get away from the computer and go do something fun.
Note: It’s good to actually remove these items from your closet. Put them on your bed, a chair, the floor, another closet or clothing rack. But the following steps will be easier once there are fewer items hanging in the closet, especially if you’re starting with a tightly-packed closet.
Also – you’re doing this with all your clothes, not just “this season’s.” I know I always have a certain amount of cross-over from cold weather clothes to warm weather clothes, and you wouldn’t want to accidentally get rid of something that goes with your favorite winter cardigan because you don’t reach for it in the summer.
STEP 2. Take out all the things that GO with the things you took out in Step 1. The cardigan that goes with the dress you wear all the time. The tee that goes under the cardigan you reach for several times a month. There will probably be more items in this grouping than in the first. And remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re selecting something that you don’t necessarily LOVE. You’re selecting the things you wear. The things that create the outfits you wear all the time. There’s a reason you wear some things more than others.
Make sure you include accessories in this step. Pull out the shoes, bags, belts that go with the items you enjoy wearing.
Now…what’s LEFT hanging in your closet are the things that you rarely reach for, and that don’t complete outfits based around the things you wear the most. This is The Rack of Misfit Clothes. The mistakes, the gifts, items that hold sentiment or emotion, things that were in style then but appear dated now. Items you purchased out of necessity for a special event or occasion, that you don’t really like. The things that fit once but that don’t now…even the things that never fit but that you hoped would someday. They are things that are missing buttons or have a small stain you keep promising to work on, or that need ironing that you never get around to. These are the things that probably produce guilt or remorse every time you notice them hanging there. They’re the “shoulds,” the failures, the past, the thing that may happen…SOMEDAY.
STEP 3. Let them go. They’re not serving you. Separate them into whatever piles work for you. Donate, sell, pass-down, cut up for craft projects, masks, rags, etc. If “letting go” is the hardest part for you, store all these “misfits” in a box or tub, whatever, for a period of time – 3 months, 6 months, a year (this is will depend on the kind of storage space you have). Mark the date on your calendar or phone, that on November 3 (or whatever), you will revisit that box of clothes. If you find you have not missed or needed them, get them out.
This is the stage where it’s useful to have help – a child, spouse, friend, neighbor, volunteer. This is where I usually get stuck, because lugging stuff to the car and delivering it wherever it needs to go…or photographing to list online, just feels like Such a Big Task…that the box gets left where it was…or I start defending those items, “well, I might wear this dress if I get invited to a party by a person I don’t even know yet,” and back it goes into the closet, because it’s an easier solution. But in the long run, it’s really not.
STEP 4: Put all the items from Steps 1 & 2 back into your closet. Appreciate how much room there is. In the coming days, enjoy how much easier it is to get dressed in the morning knowing that everything in there is part of an outfit you enjoy wearing. Notice how much better you feel when you go into your closet.
Caveat: These are just guidelines. If you want to keep that 1970s sequinned butterfly top just because, even though you KNOW will never, EVER wear it – then keep it. Give it a special spot. Hang it on a pretty hook on the closet door so you get to see and enjoy it all the time. Think of it as art. Just don’t do that with everything 🙂
Okay, as noted in the title of this post, this was Part 1. This is how to whittle your wardrobe down to just the pieces that work for you. Part 2 will be how to fill in the gaps so you have complete outfits and never have to pass on wearing something because there’s a piece missing. AND how not to end up with all new things in your closet that you also won’t wear!
I hope you found this “backwards” method interesting or helpful. Let us know!
You can see it in action here…
jodie filogomo
What an interesting concept.
I was just telling Lesley, that I LOVE everything in my closest and it’s fun for me to hang out there. I know, I’m crazy!!
But I loved seeing your hanging rack, so I can get more ideas of other themes for our #WearitWednesday!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
No, that’s great that you love everything in your closet!
Sheryle Birdsong
I love this and I’m going to try really hard to let go of about 75% of things I don’t/or can’t even wear. I don’t think you can really make much money selling clothing— and with the current crisis, I don’t know if anyone is keen to buy used clothing. I always try to talk myself into selling them and making some money but the effort,I think, exceeds the return of $5 for an item. It’s an emotional task that’s for sure. Thanks for the step by step to get started!
bettyewp
Oh, gosh 75%! How many things do you HAVE?? Ha ha, I’m not saying that in a judgy way, I just want you to have stuff to leave the house in!
🙂
Linda Root
Your “backwards” method works for me! I like your tencel dresses & linen blend cardigans. This helped me visually see what I am missing. I have few summery tops & cardigans. I like how you mention the fabric type & occasionally the brand. Can hardly wait for Part 2!! I have too many neutrals but my color palette is defined, at least. I’m on the fence about accessories. I’m leaning towards “less is more” but I like a punch of color or feel so drab. Lately, I feel like a Christmas tree in statement necklaces but like statement earrings. I keep shoes simple due to THE feet. Totes & bags look fun! Always in need of sunglasses & one summery hat. I think my accessories are dated. It is hard to get around to the accessories before the closet cleanout is complete. Thank you so much for doing this!
bettyewp
Oh I’m so glad you like this different approach! Yeah, I’m very fabric aware (some call it “being a pain in the ass”). I guess I should have named more of the brands, I didn’t think of that because most of my things are old and no longer available. But there’s definitely a trend of Old Navy, as they fit my size, budget, and aesthetic pretty much. I have several Bobeau tops, several Junarose dresses, several Anthropologie tops, but most everything else (in war weather wear, anyway) is just single items from brands.
I was surprised when I looked back at the picture of everything on the garment rack, at how much color and print there was! I think of myself as wearing more neutrals, but I guess that’s really mostly in the cold weather. I feel a little lighter and more fun in the summer 🙂
It’s hard for me to do accessories, too. In the past year I’ve been making a little headway though. I have probably more shoes than I ever have (and there are still outfits I can’t wear because I don’t have the “right” shoes), and I have several bags, and that NEVER happens. It’s hard cuz they’re expensive…so I always used to try to find THE ONE THAT WOULD GO WITH ALL THE THINGS. Well, that doesn’t really exist (unless you just do all black all the time). I’ve finally wrapped my head around the fact that I must have SEVERAL (at least) pairs of everyday shoes to complete the most outfits. Phew! It’s exhausting!
I’ll post Part 2 next week – “Now That You’ve Stripped Your Wardrobe Down…How to Build it Back Up (hopefully better than before!)”
Have a good weekend!
Sheryle
Yikes! I hoped to get my wardrobe weeded out in time to be ready for Part 2- may not make it by next week! Here’s the problem- I’m not the Weight I want to be But when I find pants or tops that FIT (i.e. I can get myself into them) then I will buy multiples of them— it’s a bad habit— and in search of jeans that FIT, I today unearthed 2 boxes of jeans- some need waist taken up ( I have a smaller waist and large hips and thighs ) so there they all are— piled up! Do you suggest just keeping 1 or 2 of things and getting rid of the duplicates?
I know this sounds like a great problem to have but I can’t even find the few regular things I always wear. Help!!!!!
bettyewp
You don’t have to be ready by Friday! It’s a lot easier for me to WRITE about it than to DO it. You’ll just hang onto the posts and do the steps when you’re ready!
A box of jeans, hmm. WILL you take the waists in? Can you do it for yourself or do you need to pay for the alteration? Do you enjoy wearing the same thing over and over again? I get the challenge – I have spent a LOT of time buying things just because they fit, whether I liked them that much or not…or whether they were a useful addition to my wardrobe or not. But – I’m trying to not do that anymore. It has gotten easier over the years as there is more available in plus sizes, but…it’s still an easy trap to fall into. But for me, I don’t like wearing the same exact thing over and over again. Only you can decide that for yourself. Maybe for now, just keep one of each thing easily accessible and put everything else back in that box and shove it way way back (ha). See how you manage with just one of each. Check on yourself every couple (3?) months – ask if you miss anything you’ve packed away. If yes, add it back in. If no, let it go.
Let me know how it goes!
Sheryle
Thanks for your response!!! Yes I’m going to try to stop buying just because I can get my butt in the pants!!! There are lots of good ideas to consider in your answer. I love the idea of keeping one pair out and putting duplicates away and seeing how many times I actually missed them. I only recently found out how much it costs to have things altered— so if I get something altered, I want to love that piece. I can do some hemming but jeans stress my sewing machine and me. I’m going to copy these and get started. Thanks again- I love your writing and photography- and if I may, I’d like to compliment you on how healthy and put together you are looking. It’s like watching you through pictures of your journey- you’re a beautiful and interesting woman with lovely interests and ideas!
bettyewp
Yeah, alterations are pricey! I have to REALLY like something to think it warrants that expense. And think I’m going to keep and wear it for a LONG time.
Jeans are hard! I’ve seen tutorials on how to keep the look of the original hem…and even watching it happen, I don’t understand it! I bought a pair of skinny jeans back in Feb that need hemming…but then we quickly moved into the coronavirus era…and they’re still folded up on a shelf, unwearable til tailors are open again.
And what a lovely compliment, Sheryle! I originally started this blog to sort of document my …learning how not to be such a schlub! So it’s really nice to hear I’ve actually made some headway!
xoxo
Iris
Oh my goodness – I need to print this out and use it diligently. I have a closet full of stuff I never, ever wear. I seriously need to get it cleaned out – especially as I pack away winter and bring out spring and summer. I’m bad for hanging onto something, “I might wear” but never do – or haven’t for years. My mother never got rid of anything and I’m beginning to be too much like that. Gotta change that trait. Thanks for the inspiration.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
I saw a meme the other day that really…said it just right…”If you’re not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You’re not going to start using it more by shoving it in a closet somewhere.” Just switch it to clothes/closet/wear.”
I wish I could be as good about STUFF as I am about clothes. I try to keep thinking that when I go, poor Katie is gonna have to go through all this stuff and do I really want her to have to deal with that at THAT time? No.
I can be more objective about clothes as MOST of them do not have an emotional component to them as I bought them all for myself. But STUFF?? MOST of the stuff I’m hanging onto was my mother’s. And I only have things of hers that I LIKE, but still. Like I say about clothes JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE SOMETHING DOESN’T MEAN YOU NEED TO OWN IT. The problem is IT’S ALREADY HERE, ha ha. Ugh.