Everyone around talks about how important it is to find your personal style. Every day, we are attacked by hundreds of pictures of celebrities, style gurus and fashion influencers. If you open your Instagram or TikTok feed in the morning, you might keep scrolling till the evening – the pictures will never end. We consume tons of information from TV and mass media about trends, styles, what to wear and what to not – and let's be honest: often we don't even want or need that information. In real life, not every person has a personal style, and not everyone needs to have one. Sometimes, all we dream of is to have a functional wardrobe that has pieces for every occasion and makes our lives easier. And that's it!
This is the guide for those who are in search of clarity, simplicity and efficiency, and also for those who have no idea where to start.
Before we delve into practical recommendations, let me encourage you not to rush yourself. Remember: you've been wearing your existing clothes for years, and it's okay to wear them for several more weeks, months and even years, while you are in the process of rethinking your wardrobe. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a fabulous wardrobe. Very often people are tempted to buy everything new right away, but in real life, fast changes don't typically work. Wanna guess, what happens when someone buys a brand-new wardrobe in a very short period of time? Soon after, they usually realize that these shiny new toys just don't fit their lifestyle, and some of them also don't do any good for their appearance. They try to make them work, but the more effort they put in, the angrier and more frustrated they become. So, let's agree not to rush. Every strategist needs to take their time to analyze the situation, so they can come up with a plan later. Let's be strategic thinkers, too!
Step 1: Identify Your Real Wardrobe Needs
You might need a pen and a paper for completing this step: we're going to analyze your current lifestyle. Ask yourself: what do I typically do during the day and week? How much time do I spend on work, running errands, going to gym, and going out? The list of activities will vary for each person, there is no one-fits-all template what "normal" lifestyle should look like, so the only working strategy is to make your own list. It might include work, chilling at home, kids drop off and pick up, spending time with your family, walking your dog, gardening – everything that you normally do.
Now let's look at the list you've made and answer: what kind of clothing do you really need in your life? Be realistic: if most of your time is spent at home, then you need comfy and cute loungewear, not power suits and ball gowns. Let's write down everything that comes to your mind: "that would be nice to have more pairs of comfortable everyday shoes", "my sleepwear is worn out", "I have a problem deciding what to wear when I go to the playground with my toddler".
Now let's break it down by categories. How many pants would be the right amount for you and how should they look? For example: "I need 2 pairs of casual pants or jeans, maybe one pair of fancy trousers for going out sometimes, and 4-5 sweatpants". How many tops? Sweaters? Jackets? If you don't wear skirts, just don't put skirts as a category in your list. If you love stiletto heels but there are no occasions to wear this kind of shoes, be honest with yourself: you can live a happy life without them.
Now you have a basic list of essentials that you will ACTUALLY WEAR. However, this list is yet incomplete. Let's consider the climate you live in. Are there harsh winters there? If yes, add to your list a warm down or wool coat (or whatever fits your lifestyle) and reliable boots. What else might you need for cold weather? Winter accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves? Thermal underwear? Thicker sweaters? Add everything that will help keep you warm and safe. Is there a lot of rains? Let's think about whether you need rainboots or any waterproof shoes would be fine. Hot summers? That might mean more breezy sleeveless tops and shorts.
The last thing I suggest you do during the Step 1 is to check your intimates drawer. We all need to update our bras every several years because the fabric is stretching out. Is it time for your bra refresh yet? Also, check if you have enough socks and tights. I've heard so many stories about "one woman who decided to wear a dress on the spur of the moment", but she didn't have matching pantyhose so had to jump into jeans instead. That's happened to all of us, right? And we can easily prevent situations like this just by stocking up in advance. I love to buy a bunch of tights of different weights and colors each year in the beginning of fall season and live happily without worries.
Step 2: Decide on a Color Palette
When there are too many patterns, bright colors, and statement pieces in one wardrobe, it's nearly impossible to successfully combine them in outfits. What most wardrobes lack is basic garments in neutral, easy-to-work-with colors. So, after making a list of items that you actually need, it's time to think about cohesive color story – a secret sauce to a mix-and-match wardrobe that always looks effortlessly put-together.
I've found one color formula that works the best for building wardrobes from scratch. It's good for two reasons:
- You have enough colors to make the wardrobe interesting and not boring, however you are not overwhelmed with possible color choices;
- It's customized for you and includes the hues that you like and that look great on you. The key word here is YOU.
Now, let me introduce you to this magic formula.
I call it 1+2+1.
One light color + two neutrals + one your best color (or statement color).
How it works: first, you will need your version of white in the wardrobe – this is the most important part. It might be pure white, off-white, ivory, ecru – any shade that flatters and makes you look fresh. White is your wardrobe's best friend. That can be a life changer, just think about it:
IF YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR WARDROBE SEVERAL BASIC TOPS IN DIFFERENT STYLES IN WHITE (FOR EXAMPLE: WHITE T-SHIRT, BUTTON-DOWN, AND A SWEATER), THERE WILL NEVER BE A DAY OF STRUGGLING IN YOUR LIFE "WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WITH THESE PANTS / SKIRT" ANYMORE.
Look at the Tops category in your wardrobe needs list. There might be: tank top, cami, regular t-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt, button-down, sweater tank, lightweight summer sweater, chunky wool sweater, rollneck sweater and etc. It's not necessary to have every item in white, but do your best at least to cover the gaps. For a starter, you can purchase a couple of white tops for the current season. If it's summer, that might be a cami top and t-shirt, for winter time you might opt for a shirt and some kind of knitwear. With time your arsenal of white basic tops is going to expand, and you will end up with owning tops in different fabric weight, sleeve length, for different occasions, and this is a goal. Don't be afraid to have too many light tops – if you wear them all regularly, that's a good investment.
As for white bottoms, they are versatile but obviously not so practical. You are the only person who can say if your wardrobe will benefit from adding white denim or other bottom piece.
Now let's move on to neutrals. I encourage you to pick up two neutral colors that you like and that will become a backbone of your updated wardrobe. Some examples of neutrals are: gray, navy blue (and blue hue family in general), black, brown, tan. The definition of a "neutral" would differ for different people, so if you are tempted to set army green or taupe as your neutral, just do that. The world is your oyster! However, you don't have to limit yourself with only one particular shade (unless this is what you want). If you choose brown, you can use any variation from the brown family, from the lightest one to the darkest!
The last step is to choose a "wow color" – the one that would bring you joy and make you feel like a million bucks! Neutral wardrobes are easy to manage, but add a splash of color and the most basic outfit will tell much more about your personality. Try to remember, what color makes you happier and brings more complements. If in doubt, start building a wardrobe in neutral colors and decide on your best hue later. Don't rush it! And don't be afraid to make a mistake: this is just clothing, you always can change your mind and try another color/s instead.
Example of color palette:
Cream, tan/beige, navy blue and green. Or: White, gray, black and pink.
There are no strict rules in this game: you can own white pants, lime green sneakers and metallic shirts. If it works for you and you don't struggle when building an outfit, then just enjoy it! However, I can say that in general:
- White is great for tops and accessories (and shoes if it fits your taste and lifestyle)
- Neutrals are fantastic for bottoms, outerwear, shoes and your investment pieces (like blazers)
- Your best color should go closer to the face – in your scarves, hats, tops
Step 3: Search for Real Outfit Examples That Match Your Criteria
If you've successfully gone through the previous two steps, now is the best time to go to Pinterest or social media to look for inspiration. You already have the list of the items that you need in your life (this is a prototype of your future shopping list) and a color story chosen by you. Now let's merge these two documents.
Before you go to the store and spend any money, I suggest you to make a "reality check" and see how these ideas can be combined into real outfits. We are going to cheat and look at other people's pictures using Pinterest.
So how we do that? If you think that your wardrobe might benefit from purchasing a puffer vest, you just type in "Puffer vest outfit" in Pinterest (Google, TikTok, Instagram) and look at the pictures. Which one would you wear? Probably, there will be a ton of influencers who style puffer vest with a crop top and leggings, but we need to stay realistic and grounded. The only people who can wear a puffer vest and crop top together are the ones who live on Instagram. So just move on and keep scrolling.
Is there some particular aesthetic you are leaning towards? Are you attracted by the look of thick and cozy vest that covers the butt or shorter, sporty vest seems more comfortable? Let's not forget to consider the climate you live in and your lifestyle. Example: if you live in Brooklyn and take a subway every day, I would recommend you to buy an elongated vest. Why? Because trains in Brooklyn are often run above ground, so the seats are cold. At the same time, if you typically move by car, the better option can be a shorter, lightweight, packable vest that allows you more comfort when driving.
Let's get back to the Pinterest search. If you see something that matches your criteria and looks wearable for you, save the picture. You can also get more specific: "brown puffer vest", "puffer vest outfit winter". The idea is to take your time and make research now, so you can see different options and strategically pick the one that is the best for you.
It's not necessary to check every item in your list the same way, but try at least some styles that are new for you. That would be much easier to incorporate them in your own wardrobe when you have some examples of other people.
Step 4: Slowly, One by One, Start to Buy Missing Pieces for Your Wardrobe
Finally, we come to the last step: making your wardrobe project come true. Don't try to buy everything at once, start with some simple, basic pieces. Very often, wardrobes lack bottoms (especially, pants) and shoes. White tops in different fabrics and styles are great to begin with, too.
If you choose the most plain and versatile styles, without any decorations, ruffles, embroidery, in solid colors, they would become your best soldiers. Also, let me deliver good news: from now on, you are not the person who doesn't have their personal style. If your outfits are made of basic essentials, your style can be called Casual, Smart Casual or Cosmopolitan, depends on which system to use. Lots of celebrities dress like this on a daily basis! If you type "*celebrity name* street style" in Pinterest, this is most likely what you are going to find. Casual outfits can look really chic and timeless, especially if you choose items of good quality and good cut.
After some time, your aesthetics might get more refined. You might want to experiment with other styles: to expand the existing color palette, to add some artsy touches, to introduce more dramatic or romantic pieces. And this is great, because you can easily build more advanced wardrobe based on what you already have. The beauty of a well-curated base is that it's endlessly adaptable.
But for now, the goal is simple: to make a functional wardrobe. If you wake up early morning and see heavy rain outside, I don't want you to stress out because there are no shoes and outerwear in your closet for a weather like this. I want you to be ready for every possible scenario. Remember: you have the power to make your own life much easier, so just do that! Think strategically and work on your wardrobe now, and your wardrobe will work for you for many happy years after.
