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The new year is a great time to assess your wardrobe and make any needed adjustments. Have you always been intrigued by the concept of a capsule wardrobe, but never quite took the plunge? Or, maybe you’re feeling weighed down by a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. Now is as good of a time as any to clear the clutter. Here are 6 tips for a new wardrobe outlook for the new year.
1. Find Your Go-To Pieces
I love the challenge of finding pieces that I can get the most mileage out of. When you identify what those workhorse pieces are, you’ve built a solid foundation. The items are different for everyone, based on lifestyle, style preference, budget, etc. Try to invest in quality pieces. They’ll last for years. This isn’t a plug to go on a huge shopping spree. It’s about intentionality and establishing some key foundational pieces. You’ll likely find you actually need (and desire) a smaller wardrobe.
Once you’ve identified YOUR basics, have some fun! Supplement with fun accessories, trendier items, or colorful shoes. My go-to’s:
- Chambray shirt – my classic go-to for years and years. Dress it up, dress it down, it’s comfortable and versatile. I just feel like myself in it. Here’s my favorite.
- Black pants – dressy black pants are great to have on hand, as are a more casual black pair in a denim material.
- White button down shirt – classic.
- Dark denim jeans – dark denim is more versatile than light denim, as it can more easily be dressed up with heels and a blazer, for example, or paired with your favorite tennis shoes for a casual look.
- White t-shirt – great for layering
- Black leggings – It’s crazy how athleisure has taken off in recent years. But, it’s no wonder. Leggings are so comfortable, so why not work out in them and then wear them all day? I’m all for it. There are no rules. Go for it! *Affiliate link.
- Blazer – so versatile. Layer it over a cami or button down. Go classic with black or reflect your personality and sense of style by wearing a blazer in your favorite bright or signature color.
- Anything leopard or camo – an easy way to elevate an outfit and infuse a little sass. It’s just fashion! Have fun with it! *Affiliate link.
2. Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
There are lots of approaches here. The by the book approach is to select very few items to wear for a season. 33 is a common number. Others just take the spirit of it and condense their wardrobe down to what they wear and love and what mixes and matches well together. I’m more of the latter.
I suggest selecting a few tops and a few bottoms that you wear often. Pull in other items for layering and pops of color, and create outfits. Keep in mind that, though not everything needs to match, the better your items work with each other, the more flexibility you’ll have with creating a variety of looks using the same pieces.
Take pictures of the outfits and keep them handy so that whenever you’re stumped as to what to wear that day – or to pack for a trip – you’ll have inspiration right at your fingertips.
3. Ask Yourself These Questions.
- Does my current wardrobe reflect my lifestyle? If you’re a stay-at-home parent with a wardrobe full of pencil skirts and heels, you may want to consider swapping some of those pieces out for some kid friendly options.
- Are there any gaps in my current wardrobe? Identify what they are, enter them into your phone so they’ll be with you when you’re out and about. Use it as a rolling list. As you gradually acquire these pieces, you’ll likely identify other gaps as seasons, lifestyle, and interests change and grow. The list also helps to give you focus so you’re not as tempted to reach for whatever’s on sale.
- Do I own anything that does not fit me RIGHT NOW? I know, I know. It’s so tempting to hold onto things that used to fit, or that might fit again someday. If you’re in that camp, allow yourself a small amount of space to fill with these things. Let go of everything else.
- How do I know what to keep? Keep what you feel good in (you feel most like yourself when wearing it), what fits, and is in good condition. Also, keep what you have the space to keep.
- Would I buy this again? If not, it’s not an automatic toss. But, it’s a good gut check question to ask yourself. The money has already been spent, so no use feeling guilty about “wasting” money.
4. Declutter First, Then Organize.
An organizing project is first a decluttering project. You may get rid of 1 item or 100, but decluttering is always the first step.
Then, when it’s time to organize, see this post. Keep in mind the goals of finding what you’re looking for quickly, knowing what you own, and fitting your wardrobe within the space you have.
5. Find Clothing Sources For YOU
We’re exposed to content on a daily basis that insists THIS jacket is the one you need, THESE pants are a MUST HAVE, etc. We certainly see this in the form of advertisements, but also friends, family, bloggers. This can be really helpful – and it’s fun to step outside your comfort zone to try new things. But, just remember that these things need to work for you – your preferences, lifestyle and budget. No one else’s.
When you find something that fits you well, make note of the style and store. These go-to sources might not be the same as your sisters or your friends, but they work for you. When you need something new, you’ll likely have the most luck if you start your search with one of your tried and true sources.
6. Develop a Maintenance Plan
Go through your wardrobe at least once/quarter, when the seasons change. Add an entry in your calendar/phone for these wardrobe checks. See if there’s anything to declutter. It shouldn’t take much time if done regularly.
Stained/broken clothing is best handled in real time. Anything with a stubborn stain can be downgraded to a dust rag or a “paint shirt” – but be mindful of how many you really need to keep in this category.
Designate a container in your home for donations. As you identify clothes that are in good condition but you no longer need, put them in the donation container. When it’s full (or sooner), swing by your favorite donation center. It’s great to be able to bless others with things we’ve outgrown.