Wardrobe Basics: Make a List {Part 1}

Step 1: Clean Out 
Step 2: Make a List {Part 1}{Part 2}
Step 3: Shop
Step 4: Mix and Match
Step 5: Accessorize

Now that you have purged your closet of all that extra baggage, you’re ready for a fresh start. Don’t freak out if you only have a few items left in your wardrobe. This doesn’t mean you’re going to have to spend a fortune filling it back up. Remember, we’re going for quality and versatility, not quantity. Your wardrobe won’t do you, or your self-esteem for that matter, any good if it is full of clothes you dislike and will rarely ever wear for whatever the reason may be. But, before we can talk about making a list and then going shopping you need to know your style and be confident about what it is you are looking for.

A lot of you probably already have a good idea about what you do or don’t like when it comes to different styles. If so, shopping is going to be a lot easier for you. Unfortunately this was not something that came easy to me right away. Before reworking my wardrobe I was stuck between the clothes I had owned since high school and a few pieces of an attempted “grown up” look. It was a random wardrobe with no clear style direction. I’d often see outfits I loved but was unsure about how to translate those looks into my own style in a way that would flatter my body. However, with some experimenting and a little bit of research I have since been able to develop a style that I feel confident in. If you’re like me and having trouble determining what your style is, here are a few pointers:

1.  Learn from your past experiences.
We’ve all tried on clothes in the dressing room before that we winced at the sight of. What might have looked great on the hanger just didn’t do for your body what you were hoping for. Please note, and drill into your memory, that this is not a problem with your body but with the article of clothing. If a particular style doesn’t work for your body, make note of it and move on. Finding your own style can sometimes be a little bit of trial and error, but from these experiences you can learn what styles, shapes, and colors most flatter your body and should be the ones that you incorporate into your wardrobe.

2.  Use Pinterest as your personal style tool.
Pinterest is a great tool in getting a sense of what your style is. If you’ve created a fashion/style board on Pinterest, scrolling through your pins can show you a lot about your style. As an example, below is a picture from my style board on Pinterest. From this little clip you can get a pretty good idea about what I like in terms of fashion. It is quite apparent that I am in love with stripes and layering. It is also clear that I tend to like more neutral and muted colors. Keep in mind that the goals is not to replicate the outfits that you pin, but use them as inspiration to develop your own style that is fitting to you.

3.  Be realistic. Be you.
When you think about your style and the look you want to achieve through your wardrobe make sure it is a style that is both functional and reflective of the person behind the clothes. As a mother of an active one year-old it is not realistic or functional for me to wear heals on a day-to-day basis. I also prefer a skirt or a pair of pants over a dress, which is why I own very few dresses. If you live in a hot climate, heavy layering may not be a realistic option for you. These are all things you should keep in mind.

Once you’ve determined your style, you can then begin to make a list of the pieces you need in order to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Tomorrow I will be posting Part 2 of this step and discussing the essential pieces that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. If you missed Step 1 of Wardrobe Basics click {HERE}.

See you tomorrow!

Linked to:
http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/09/terrific-tuesday-79.html
http://www.muchadoaboutsomethin.blogspot.com/search/label/tell%20us%20tuesday
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/readers-choice-awards-live-laugh-linky-77/

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