So you’re finally at a point where you’re ready to get started on building out your wardrobe. Wardrobe building can be a great way to get a fresh start on your style or if you want to do a total 180 on what you choose to wear. It can be a little intimidating, whether you’re starting completely from scratch or you have a little foundation to build from.
But building a new wardrobe doesn’t have to be intimidating! With so many options out there, you might think it’ll be a long or difficult process to dive right into. So, below, I’ve put together four steps for building out your wardrobe to keep the process as simple as possible.
1. Go through your closet.
Closet organization is something we’re all familiar with. [Read: Closet Organization Tips For Men] But just a basic go-through of your closet is a good step to keep in the wardrobe-building process, whether your wardrobe is already pretty well-stocked and you want to clear some things out or you’re starting from square one. It helps to take a look at what’s already in your wardrobe, what might need to be added, and if you want to take your wardrobe in a totally new direction.
So take a bit of time to look through all the things you have in your closet. This can mean simply sorting your clothes, deciding if there are certain pieces you’d like to keep, and figuring out what pieces of clothing will work for the wardrobe you’re interested in building out as you move forward. Keep in mind there’s no right or wrong way to go through your closet either!
2. Determine your personal style.
Whether your personal style is mostly comprised of pullover hoodies and jeans or something that leans more toward a specific category, like street wear or casual simplicity, figuring out your personal style is important. Doing so will better enable you to determine how you’d like to dress moving forward and give you an idea of what pieces you’ll want to be on the lookout for once you start gathering pieces.
So what are some things to consider when determining personal style? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What are pieces you’ve leaned toward in the past?
- What makes you feel good? Is there a certain cut, color, or particular fashion style?
- What are the pieces you already own that you wear all the time?
Answering these questions can prove to be a good start because they’re centered around you and your preferences. From there, you can work on defining your style and what kind of clothes would fit that style the best.
3. Gather your basics.
You’ve probably heard all about how basic pieces can really help to solidify your wardrobe as a whole and your individual outfits on their own. The same can be said about building out your wardrobe. From utility pieces like ankle socks to ever-popular classics like a crew neck shirt, nailing down your basic pieces will help establish a solid base for your entire wardrobe moving forward.
Here are a few ideas on how to gather your own basics:
- Aim for quality pieces that you can get a lot of life out of.
- Neutral colors are prime for basic pieces, but don’t be afraid to add some pops of color.
- Look for versatile shirts like a long sleeve henley that can be dressed up or down for different outfits.
If you’re feeling stuck on where to look for those basics, Fresh Clean Tees has a great selection of shirts and jackets to check out. From single tees like the v-necks to varied t-shirt packs, you can build out your basic selections easily.
4. Mix in statement pieces.
Once you've started to gather the basic pieces for your wardrobe, you can build more nuanced outfits with statement pieces. Statement pieces can be a wide number of items, but they’re usually going to be accessories that draw in a specific style you want to incorporate into your wardrobe or just a standout piece that you’re excited about.
Think along the lines of bold patterns or colors, watches and jewelry, shoes that add a little flair, sunglasses, and hats. These sorts of pieces can be more neutral or they can fit in with a style like modern, punk, vintage, or grunge — all depending on what you’re looking to do with your personal style.
For example, a black bomber jacket can serve as a statement peice in a few different ways. It can be used for color blocking and be incorporated into different fashion styles like casual, vintage, and street style. Statement pieces really add that extra bit of personality into your wardrobe and you can get as wild as you’d like to with them.
With that, start to build out your wardrobe should be easy. You can add in moves that might fit with your wants, budget, or style goals, but these four steps are a great starting point for your putting together your new or upgraded wardrobe.
— Paige Lyman
