*This article may have affiliate links, which means we may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links we provide (at no extra cost to you). For more details, please read our privacy policy/affiliate disclosure. Thank you for supporting the work we put into this blog!
- Why?
The way you dress and groom makes a statement about who you are—a statement to the world and a statement to yourself. It would be best if you were content and confident with the way you present yourself to the world and happy that your look helps define you as a person. Ultimately, it would help if you were satisfied that your wardrobe was right for you. As you set out on this journey, remember one thing: Be authentic!- Size & Body Type
Dress for your body type, not for someone else’s type or someone else’s idealized type. Your wardrobe has to work for you and must be appropriate for your wants and needs.
Confidence can make anyone look good in anything, so ignore the size tag on a piece of clothing and stop trying to squeeze into clothes that are too small, just because you wish you were that size. Search for style items that complement your size and body shape, and be confident in your skin!
Remember that certain fashion items will better suit certain body types, so consider various clothes, shoes and accessories when putting together an ensemble.
- Be Inspired
Do your research. Scroll through social media and the internet to find people whose look and style you admire. Turn these people into your style icons. You might like the simple, minimalist look of one celebrity, you might admire the vivacious, eclectic and colourful attire of another, and you might find another celebrity or media personality who always makes fantastic grooming choices. Follow one, or combine a number of these looks, and make a note of what you like about each. Making a list or a catalogue of your icon’s fashion choices will help you discover the core elements of a great wardrobe. Make a ‘mood board’ with images of your figures. Once you’ve decided upon why you like an icon’s style, you can narrow down your particular likes and motivations, which then become the foundation for your style. “This is what I like, this is why I like it, and this will inform how I build my wardrobe in the future.”- Closet Clearance
Do I need this? How long since I wore it? Do I like it? These are the questions you need to ask the next time you stand in your closet. Clearing out your wardrobe can help you offload items you no longer like or wear for whatever reason and can also help you clear your mind and sharpen your true individual style.
Go through your wardrobe with conviction, and create piles such as keep, donate and sell. If you can truly say that you like and wear a piece of clothing, keep it. If it hasn’t seen the light of day for a long time or reflects a different phase in your life to which you will never return, donate it.
Finally, you’re likely to find some quality items that you don’t want to take with you on the next phase of your fashion journey, and these can be sold. Selling some of your unworn items gives you something else – money to buy more clothes and items which define who you are!
Clearing out the closet can be cathartic and perhaps even fun. If you can find a friend to help you with the process, you can look back on the clothes which took you on crazy adventures or disastrous dates. You might even find yourself asking,
“Did I wear this?”
One tip for this step: Be ruthless!
- Savvy Shopping
A simple rule for shopping. Once you have completed the closet cleanout, only fill the hole in your wardrobe. Yes, only buy what you need. This can be a challenge. Let’s face it; we all love and succumb to impulse buying. However, if you want to save money and have enough to update your wardrobe in the future, then follow this advice and only buy what you need to complete your wardrobe. Purchase clothing via discount stores, many of which offer quality garments. Make a list of what you need, and stick to this list, whether you are shopping in-store or online. After finding your inspiration and completing the ‘mood board’ which defines your style, you can make this list. Learn to mix and match and get the most out of the clothes you already have, and consider your footwear when making these decisions.- Basic Instincts
Trust your instincts. You are creating a style that defines you. Decide upon what you like and who you want to be, and abide by that. No one knows you better than yourself, and even though you must dress in specific ways for certain contexts, remember that this journey is dedicated to expressing who you are as a person. Of course, one must dress for the climate and the particular context in which you live. Assembling outfits for the different seasons can be fun, especially if you’re able to stretch one piece of clothing or accessory across all four seasons. Where you live also has a great influence on your lifestyle – do you live near the beach or the mountains, are you surrounded by nightlife or peace and quiet? These factors will influence how you dress.- Accessorise
A bold necklace can turn jeans and a white t‑shirt into a statement. Layered, delicate jewelry offers a more feminine aesthetic, and edgy ankle booties, a bright clutch or pearls can sharpen any outfit.
The conclusion is that accessories can add another dimension to any outfit and transform it from casual, to chic, to formal, to smart or to any look you are aiming to create. Consider your favourite colours and designs, look again at the clothes in your wardrobe, then search for accessories that can maintain your style.
- A friend In Need
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. True friends know you well. They know your personality and your ambitions, and they know what looks good on you. They should also be able to tell you what doesn’t look good on you, so seek and heed their advice. Better still, seek help and advice from professionals. Enlist the help of a personal stylist. Yes, it will cost money initially but will set you on the path to strong fashion choices in the future. Another advantage of a stylist is that they can help find garments that are on-trend and right for you. Another worthwhile stop is to visit a tailor so that the clothes you wear fit you perfectly. Something you may have noticed is how celebrities, including your style icons, look great in ANYTHING. Why, because their clothes fit them perfectly. You could enjoy the same advantage.
- Signature
Do you have a signature garment? One pair of jeans, a scarf, jacket or shirt that you are content to wear on any occasion, in which you feel comfortable and happy. Maybe you prefer V‑neck shirts or faded jeans. Perhaps you have mastered layering to look good or can enliven any outfit with nothing more than a scarf. Any of these times could be considered a signature garment, and knowing what your signature garment is can help you find your specific style. Consider this garment and start to build your wardrobe around it.
