We’ve all had that moment where we go to pick an outfit before going out and think, “I have nothing to wear.” It’s all either clothes so old we don’t like it anymore, clothes that don’t fit the occasion or pieces that we have nothing to match with anything else. I had that dilemma this summer and spent most of it just swapping out shorts and t-shirts since I didn’t think I had much else to wear. It wasn’t really clothes that made me feel super confident, it was just “meh,” with me wearing it just to wear it. That’s where the idea of rebuilding my wardrobe came in. I had pieces I really liked, but didn’t know how to wear them or had no place to wear them. Then the typical end-of-summer shopping spree before coming to school came about. I was able to rebuild my wardrobe with pieces I love to wear now and don’t look in my closet thinking that original thought anymore.
- Clean Out Your Closet
The very first thing to do is clean out your closet. Get rid of those pieces that you cannot stand to look at or don’t fit anymore. It might just be a few pieces, or it might be half your closet. Get rid of whatever makes you feel like you have a weight off of your shoulders after not seeing it in your closet anymore. What you do with it is up to you, whether it be to donate it or resell it somewhere.
- Categorize Your Items
It’s easier to know what you have in your closet once it’s put into categories and you can see it. So separate those puffer jackets, tube tops, and dresses. It might even make it easier to keep them categorized while in your closet, which is something I do, so you know where to look for something when picking out an outfit.
- Time To Shop
Now, after cleaning out your closet and categorizing what’s left of it, it’s time for my favorite part: shopping! The most important thing to think about when shopping is shopping for basics. That’s what I did when I shopped for my clothes. I found basic, solid-colored clothing that’s easy to swap out with different bottoms whether it be mom jeans or a skirt. Make sure to look for tank tops, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, or whatever you like, that have different designs and styles. For example, I have a white ribbed spaghetti strap tank top, a cropped orange tank with small brown buttons down the middle, and a green ruched hem tank top with lace, just to name a few. They’re all the same essential type of shirt, which is a tank top, but they’re all different at the same time from color to design.
- Add Unique Pieces
Of course, wearing basics doesn’t have to be everything in your closet. Don’t forget it’s YOUR closet, so adding pieces that make you you is one of the most important things. My closet wouldn’t be my closet without my zebra stripe skirt, the pink top I bought after I saw one of my favorite actresses wear it, my go-to pair of dad jeans, and so much more. Even if it’s pieces you up-cycle to make them fit you or pieces you find while thrifting or at the mall, just make sure you love wearing every piece you have.
In the end, your closet can help define you and your style whether you stick to a certain aesthetic or style, or like certain colors or patterns. Whatever it is you wear, make sure it makes you think, “wow, I look good,” each time you look in the mirror.