It’s not the size of your wardrobe that matters; it’s the versatility. The more versatile your clothing and accessories are, the more you can continue to give off fresh, stylish vibes without having to constantly buy new items.
How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe
Most women have never been taught how to build a versatile wardrobe. In most cases, we just assume that you have to buy a new outfit every time you want a fresh look. But it’s possible to look good and keep a lean wardrobe that doesn’t take up a bunch of space or eat up your entire budget.
While there are multiple ways to build a versatile wardrobe – and plenty of catch names ranging from capsule wardrobes to conscious fashion – the “5S strategy is probably one of the simplest methods to follow. With this approach you build a wardrobe in five steps:
- Sum: Decide how many items you want to have in your wardrobe.
- See: Lay out everything on your bedroom floor to see all of your options at once.
- Sort: Rate items on a scale of 1-5.
- Select: Select the items that you want to keep.
- Shed: Donate, sell, or store the remaining items.
Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, the process might be simple, but you still have to go through the emotional process of picking, choosing, and parting ways with clothing. So the question becomes, what do you keep?
6 Items to Have in Your Closet
When building a versatile wardrobe, there are several items that act as “Swiss Army knives.” In other words, they give you stylish flexibility. They include:
- Little Black Dress
It doesn’t matter the year or the decade, no wardrobe is complete without a little black dress. It’s one of the most versatile items you can have. You can dress it up with a pair of heels or make it more casual with a pair of flats. You can wear it to a wedding, office party, or even brunch with friends. Don’t build a wardrobe without one!
- Pair of Staple Jeans
What’s a closet without a good pair of jeans? While you could probably have a couple of different types (including dark and light), you need at least one good pair. Pick a pair that you could wear every day. They should be comfortable, stylish, and make you feel confident.
Don’t be afraid to spend on jeans. You can easily get several years out of a pair of jeans. Never feel guilty about paying a premium – you’ll wear them hundreds of times.
- Knit Sweater
A good knit sweater serves a lot of purposes. You can slip it on for a cold, drizzly morning or dress it up for an autumn evening out. It’s the perfect lounge-around-the-home look, but also doubles as a go-to outfit for running errands. Get a couple of knit sweaters in neutral colors for maximum versatility.
- Leather Bag
Trying to find a bag that fits every outfit is nearly impossible. But if you’re serious about narrowing down to just a couple of staples, we highly recommend a brown leather bag. Whether it’s a leather tote, crossbody bag, or sleek purse, you’ll never regret having a leather bag in your wardrobe.
- Ankle Boots
The ankle boot is one of those shoes that you can get a lot of use out of in the late fall, winter, and early spring. (And if you have peep-toe style, you can even wear them during the warmer months.) Again, the key is to go with neutral colors and materials like black or leather, so that you can get the most wear out of them.
- Pumps
Finally, don’t forget about pumps. A classic pair of pumps might be the most versatile shoe around. You can wear them into the office or on a date night. They’re perfect for Sunday brunches or Friday night cocktails. You can wear them with a black dress or jeans. There’s almost nothing a good pair of pumps won’t work with.
Adding it All Up
As you think about ways to simplify your closet and make it more versatile, consider building your wardrobe around the aforementioned pieces. We’re not going to pretend like the process of streamlining your wardrobe is easy, but if you know which pieces to focus on, it certainly becomes less confusing.
