5 Practical Tips To Wear All Your Wardrobe
Have you ever looked at your wardrobe, filled to the brim with clothes, yet thought, “I have nothing to wear”?
If so, you’re not alone! Many people fall into the habit of only wearing about 20% of what they own, leaving the remaining 80%—the “Pareto Principle” of wardrobes—unused. But this doesn’t have to be the case! With a few intentional tweaks, you can maximize every item in your wardrobe and rediscover pieces you’ve forgotten about.
1. Audit & Edit Your Wardrobe
To start, it’s essential to know exactly what’s in your wardrobe. Set aside time for a thorough wardrobe audit. Pull out each piece and consider whether it suits your current style, fits well, and aligns with your lifestyle.
If your weight fluctuates, consider storing a few key items—like jeans, blazers, or trousers—in a different size. This way, you’ll have a few essentials ready without cluttering up your daily choices.
Once you’ve edited down, start building outfits from the remaining pieces. Try on combinations and see how different items work together.
2. Emotional Attachments
Wardrobes often hold more than just clothing; they carry memories. Sentimental pieces, from university sweatshirts to wedding dresses, can be hard to part with. If these items aren’t likely to be worn but hold a place in your heart, consider storing them separately in airtight containers. This way, they don’t take up valuable wardrobe space but are still preserved for the future.
3. Shop with Intention
Even the biggest wardrobes have missing pieces/categories, common gaps are shoes or lightweight jackets. When editing a wardrobe and outfit building with the client, I often ask what they wear on their feet, or what happens if the temperature drops by a couple of degrees? These are “blind spots” that might not stand out until you consciously look for them.
Stick to filling these gaps and resist impulse buys or sale temptations. Remember, it’s only a bargain if you wear it.
4. Rotate and Reorganize
We tend to wear the same things repeatedly simply because they’re the most accessible. Rotate and place less-worn items at the front of your wardrobe to give them a chance. Set a personal challenge to wear each of these items at least once over the next month.
You can also rotate by category. If you always reach for the same pair of jeans, move other pairs forward to encourage variety. Small changes can breathe new life into your style.
5. Versatility
Aim for each item in your wardrobe to pair with at least three other pieces. Jackets are a great example: a leather jacket can elevate countless outfits, a denim jacket works with almost anything, and a blazer can instantly polish a casual look. By rotating these staple pieces, you’ll keep your style fresh and feel inspired to experiment.
The same also applies to shoes. Challenge yourself to incorporate each pair you own into different looks.
I’d also add a caveat here no online shopping when stressed to make yourself feel better or after a couple glasses wine. It rarely ends well.
Personal Styling
Making the most of your wardrobe isn’t just about buying more; it’s a more sustainable practice of appreciating what you already have and shopping with intention. By organising, auditing, and getting creative with styling, you’ll find new ways to enjoy each piece.
If you would help maximising your wardrobe, please reach out to learn more about my Wardrobe Edit Service.
Thank you for reading!
Lisa
