Build a Guilt-Free Wardrobe & Change Your Life
The old approach: capsule wardrobes
A capsule wardrobe includes staple pieces that are easily mixed and matched. Usually, the goal is to invest in 10 or so seasonal pieces that are “worth it” - removing splurge guilt and encouraging minimalism.
Someone else’s capsule wardrobe template ignores your personal habits and style. So how do you build a wardrobe that feels professionally tailored to you?
5 Principles of styling and wardrobe building
Instead of recommending fashionable staple items, we’ll take a look at the building blocks of styling. What makes something flattering? How do you know if you’ll actually wear a top over and over?
By the end of these steps, you’ll be able to:
Shop with purpose and avoid wasteful buying
Recognize the best of your existing wardrobe
Effortlessly assemble flattering outfits
1. Shop for your lifestyle
People tend to buy items they enjoy shopping for and trying on. Oftentimes, these aren’t the pieces they actually need (think - cocktail dresses when you don’t go to cocktail parties). Follow this exercise to ensure you’re building a practical wardrobe that matches your lifestyle:
Write down your weekly activities.
List which pieces you wear for each.
Note the percentage of your week you spend on each activity.
Take inventory of what’s in your closet and see how it matches your chart. Where should you declutter, and where should you invest?
2. Find your color palette
Are you wearing colors that you like, or are you shopping for colors that flatter your hair and skin tone?
Signs you’re wearing the wrong colors include:
Buying clothes you love, but feeling like they’re a little off when try them on at home
Feeling like high quality items look cheap
Overwearing makeup to compensate for how clothes makes you feel
Follow the flowchart to find your “season” and stick to that family of colors. There are hundreds of free resources online with detailed color palettes and style guides for each!
3. Invest in wearable pieces
If you want to splurge on a few pieces for your wardrobe, here are some guidelines to make sure you’re spending smart:
Invest in comfortable things that feel good on your skin. If they’re scratchy or too tight, you’ll probably save for special occasions only!
Invest in pieces that are top layers so they elevate your basics (ex. vests, jackets, scarves, purses).
Invest in pieces you can dress up and down so you can wear them more often.
Consider investing in multi-color pieces rather than solids. This way, they’ll match and enhance more of your basics.
4. Follow the color wheel
When choosing outfits, you can use the color wheel to pair colors that bring out the best in each other. There are three types of color pairings that stylists lean toward:
Complementary colors are directly opposite from each other on the color wheel (ex. blue and orange).
Analogous colors are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (ex. plum and magenta).
Monochromatic colors are different shades of the same color (ex. sky blue and royal blue).
5. Dress for your body shape
While women come in all beautiful shapes and sizes, the most flattering outfits create an hourglass shape. Some women naturally have this shape, and others can find ways to create it.
For instance, if you’re top heavy (inverted triangular shape), wear fuller skirts. If you’re bottom heavy (pear-shaped), wear voluminous sleeves. If you’re equal (round or rectangle shapes), add equal volume to the top and bottom of your outfit and use a belt to accentuate your waist.
Why is style important for women?
Your outfit directly relates to how you look and feel - it can completely change your day! Creating a wardrobe that supports your style is an important step in elevating your life. Consider this:
When you like your outfit, you speak kindly to yourself (and to others).
When you like your outfit, you feel accomplished and make productive choices.
Your style builds your personal brand, changing how people perceive and treat you.
Something as small as your dressing habits can make a huge impact.
