Of the tasks required to leave the house, getting dressed is among the most daunting. Will the weather take a turn? Can you do everything you need to in your current outfit? What are you going to be comfortable in all day long?
These questions prove intimidating when you’re tired and thinking ahead to your next obligation. That’s why it’s important to have clothes you like and want to wear for any occasion. Together, those clothes build a wardrobe that works for you. Not sure where to get started? Here are some ideas for inspiration.
1. Start With Undergarments
What you wear under your clothes is just as important as the clothes themselves. They serve as the foundation of your wardrobe and can make or break outfits. That’s why it’s crucial to have undergarments that fit and function how you need them to.
Think about the outfits you wear most often. Are you sporting athleisure regularly or opting for silky skirts and tops? Do you wear thick or thin materials? Are you willing to prioritize comfort over appearance or vice versa? Knowing what garments you’re drawn to wear most often can influence which bras and underwear options will be best.
Most people will need a variety to fit different occasions. You’ll probably want a comfortable wireless bra or two to wear under T-shirts and a strapless bra for strapless tops. You may want a few sports bras for working out and push up options for date night. For underwear, you’ll need lounge options, no-show pairs to avoid lines, and plenty of 100% cotton pairs, too.
If you’re not sure where to start with rethinking your undergarment variety, test out different styles. Buy one bra and one pair of underwear to see how you like them. Then, once you find what works best for each, purchase enough to last you at least a week or two. The amount you need will vary based on how often you work out, travel, and do laundry. With the right undergarments in place, your wardrobe is well on its way to being perfect for you.
2. Invest in Basics
It’s hard to build an outfit if you’re lacking basics. These go-to pieces serve as a base you can add to when creating an outfit that’s uniquely you. But you need to ensure they last to do that. So, prioritize investing in quality basics if you can.
What’s considered a basic will vary from person to person. For one, slacks in an array of neutral tones may be basics. For others, classic tees and jeans may fall under this category. Think about what you gravitate toward — for work and in your personal life — to see what basics are for you.
Then, begin your search. It may be best to seek out products made from natural materials like cotton, wool, or silk. These tend to show fewer signs of wear than manmade materials, so they’ll last longer. Plus, they offer a host of other benefits like sustainability measures, breathability, and comfort.
While these options will cost more, they’re well worth the investment. When you purchase a clothing item you love that fits well and is made to last, it elevates your wardrobe. And that can give you a boost of confidence no matter the occasion. Plus, when you consider the cost per wear, high-quality pieces often end up being more economical over time than cheaper alternatives that wear out quickly.
3. Try Out Trends
Trend cycles are incredibly short and sometimes hard to keep up with. But if you love fashion and want to ensure your closet reflects the latest and greatest, trends are a natural fit. It’s just about finding ways to incorporate them into your everyday wear.
To avoid overcommitting to trends — especially microtrends that don’t last — be picky. Find one or two each season that speak to you and give them a go. You’ll save yourself time and money not testing out every trend and still feel modern.
If you’d rather spend your wardrobe budget on long-lasting pieces, you can still try out trendier pieces. See if an accessory or hairstyle trend is popular. These can be paired with outfits you wear regularly and tend to be less expensive than buying new clothing pieces.
Remember that your wardrobe has to work for you. If you hate trends and prefer classics, lean into that. However, if you want to test out styles you’re seeing everywhere, don’t shy away. You just have to find ways to incorporate them into your existing wardrobe here and there.
4. Match Your Lifestyle
Ultimately, what you wear has to fit the life you lead. Running after kids makes short dresses and skirts a challenge. Chronically messy people should probably avoid wearing lots of white. If you fail to account for daily life when building your wardrobe, you’ll find yourself rebuilding it again in a year.
Avoid that reality by evaluating your lifestyle now. It may be helpful to have a few buckets of wardrobe needs in mind. For instance, you may have weekday, weekend, and lounge clothes. These buckets help you buy intentionally for each category until you have enough options in all three.
Then, it’s just about identifying any gaps in your wardrobe. You may change sizes or move somewhere with a different climate. These changes may require you to adjust your clothing options, too.
Taking this approach ensures you cover every priority area in your life. It also makes it more manageable to keep everything organized because you’re not buying clothes in general. Instead of purchasing tops, you’re buying work tops for warm weather. It may not sound like a big difference, but it can be all you need to build a wardrobe that works.
Love Your Clothes
Like it or not, what you wear matters. It can boost your confidence or destroy it or make you comfortable or extremely uncomfortable. That can drastically change your mood and how you feel in daily life. So, take the time to think about what you put on your body each day. When you can’t help but feel confident, you’ll be grateful you did.
