o you constantly feel like you have nothing to wear, despite having lots of clothes? Are you always shopping for the latest trends, and then find yourself donating those same clothes a couple of months later?
Your wardrobe is more than just a collection of clothes – it’s a reflection of you! Whether you are starting your closet from scratch or simply refining your current selection of clothes, building a functional and stylish wardrobe requires some planning in advance.
Building a wardrobe isn’t necessarily just about following trends, but instead about curating pieces that you can style in many ways to make you feel confident and comfortable everyday.
No matter where you are in your journey of curating your closet, we are here to help! Together we will:
- Find basic, closet staples
- Figure out how to thrift effectively
- Go over the do’s and don'ts of shopping for your new wardrobe
First: The Basics!
Fashion Trends Are Always Changing, so it is Important to Have a Couple of Timeless Pieces in Your Wardrobe
Don’t underestimate the power of a basic white T-shirt. The key to building a sustainable wardrobe is having neutral pieces that you can style in many different ways. Layering and accessorizing are going to be your best friends!
Start with one white and one black tee. Then, try the same colors in long sleeves and tank tops. For these basics, try to make sure you feel confident in the fit that you choose. You will be wearing these a lot, so it is important that you like, and feel comfortable with, the cut you pick.
The best part about these basics is that no one will be able to tell if you are wearing high-end or not, so feel free to invest what you can right now! You can stick with a T-shirt that is under ten dollars or, if you know that you will be wearing this piece with a lot of outfits, you can invest in a more high quality shirt. It is completely up to you how much you want to invest.
Now, if there is ever a time to splurge, it is when it comes to jeans. If you find a good pair of jeans that fits you well, buy them! Jean shopping is admittedly a difficult task, but the most worthy investment. Premium denim will last you many years and can always be dressed up or down. Get at least one quality pair of jeans that:
- Has no holes or rips
- Is straight leg (this is arguably the easiest to style many different ways)
- Is light/medium wash
- Most importantly – is comfortable!
How will we be wearing these pieces? There’s really no wrong way to style a basic! You can throw on a blazer on top of one of your basic tees paired with some slacks and suddenly it is a cute, business casual outfit. Or, you could wear your jeans with one of your tank tops and pair it with a belt and some chunky accessories and you’re ready for a night out! It may take some trial and error, but the results are worth it.
Some other basics you may want to consider adding to your closet:
- A neutral blazer: this is such an elegant way to elevate any outfit. Whether you are going to work or window shopping, a blazer can take your outfit to the next level.
- Sweaters! These are perfect for either layering over your basic tees, or being worn alone. Either way, these are a classic staple to your closet and can also be dressed up or down.
- Slacks: just like a blazer, slacks are perfect for business casual or a lunch with friends! Tan, black, or grey are all great colors to consider. You will get many years out of a good pair of trousers.
- Casual skirts: these are one of the more exciting basics to shop for. With some tights and jewelry, you can dress up any skirt for a fancy dinner. Or, with one of your basic tees, this could be an outfit just for running errands! Try to stick to denim or a neutral color, A-line skirt to be the most versatile.
A quick recap: start building your wardrobe with basics that can be styled many different ways. Look for neutral colors and clothes that are a good, comfortable fit!
How to Make the Most Out of Thrifting
Where to Look, What to Buy, and How to Save
Thrifting may seem a bit overwhelming at first. More and more people have begun shopping second-hand, and for good reason! Not only is thrifting good for your bank account, it is also great for the environment. Thrifting keeps (still wearable) clothes out of landfills, and avoids the chemical pollution that manufacturing new clothing promotes.
There are plenty of tips and tricks to make the most of your thrifting experience. Here are ten thrifting tips to build your wardrobe to its fullest potential, while keeping your pockets full:
- Before you go, make a budget. An easy way to not spend too much impulsively is to bring only cash. This will ensure that you do not spend too much.
- Make a list of what you’re looking for. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the many racks, so if you have somewhere to start it can alleviate some anxiety. This can also help save some money on impulse buys!
- Consider wearing tight-fit clothing because many times there will not be fitting rooms.
- A big trick to thrifting and consignment stores is to go to the stores nearest richer towns. These locations will often have higher quality clothes, and sometimes even name brand luxury items!
- Try to get to the thrift earlier in the day. This will ensure that you get first dibs on the clothes that were most recently put up.
- It will be helpful to be at least a little bit knowledgeable on brand names to know when you discover a high quality piece.
- Be mindful of the material of clothing you pick up. Try to avoid synthetic material because, although they are usually easier to clean, they tend to age poorly and can shed microplastics due to being derived from fossil fuels. Look for cotton, wool, linen, and silk, which are breathable materials. They may require a bit more care (like handwashing), but they age much more beautifully than synthetics. Check clothing tags to discover what they’re made of!
- Always check the clothing condition! Sometimes, a piece can seem in good shape upon first look, but with some further inspection you may discover stains, rips, or discoloration. If you feel comfortable stitching up small imperfections, go for it! Otherwise, there’s no shame in putting a ripped shirt back on the rack.
- Do not buy simply because it’s a deal! Just because a shirt is $3, does not always mean that you actually like it. Many times, we find ourselves drawn to certain thrift pieces because we feel like we’re saving money.
- Consider online shopping! If there aren’t many thrift stores near you, or you just can’t seem to find anything you like, you can always turn to the internet. Depop and Poshmark are both great online resources for buying (and selling) secondhand. This allows you to search for specifics and talk to the people who are selling. You can barter prices and, oftentimes, can score some high quality clothing!
How to Shop Smarter
The Do’s and Don'ts When Buying Clothes to Grow Your Closet
Shopping effectively may seem like a given, but it is actually a skill that you may have to work at. Smart shopping will help you build a sustainable wardrobe, as well as save money by avoiding impulsive buys.
Do’s:
- Know your size! Clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around. Keep some notes on your waist, bust, and hip measurements. Sizing (unfortunately) tends to differ slightly from store to store and between brands. Knowing your measurements will ensure the best fit!
- Try it on! Nothing is worse than coming home from shopping and realizing nothing fits correctly. This will be easier with the last tip in mind, but it is still a good idea to make sure you really like a piece before buying it.
- Consider the versatility. When first building your wardrobe, it is important to stick to clothes that can be worn many ways. This will ensure a timeless wardrobe that you do not have to completely redo every year.
Don'ts:
- Try to avoid trends that don’t match your style, or that are obvious microtrends. Either way, these clothes will probably sit unworn in your closet.
- Although there are exceptions, of course, it is helpful to not buy clothes that only fit a specific occasion. You should be focusing on clothes that can be worn more than once!
- Do not ignore comfort! If you do not like a piece in the dressing room, chances are that you will definitely not like it at home. If it pinches or is uncomfortable in any way, reconsider buying. You will not get a lot of wear out of clothes that are uncomfortable.
And there you have it! Now you can start building a wardrobe that will last you many years, and won’t break your bank account. Happy shopping!
