How to Build a Cohesive Wardrobe?

HOW?!

Shakes nearest person.

I think--know--I've been doing things right. My clothes fit, they match my style, and I definitely am not starting from scratch.

There are people are this forum who can just make outfits out of ANYTHING no matter how small/big their wardrobe is and make it look amazing.

What makes up a cohesive wardrobe? To the point that everything goes together well, you don't get bored, you can switch up the dressiness factor, change up your vibe (more feminine, more androgynous at times) and you have fall backs?

I know you are supposed to fill in wardrobe holes, but what if you think you aren't missing anything? (Well, I guess now that I said that it means I do . . . Or I am incredibly not creative at executing outfits).

Do you think your wardrobe is cohesive? How did you build it to that point? What factors did you take into consideration?

Sorry for that semi rant. I just don't get what I'm doing wrong. I stare at my closet blankly, even though I have plenty of inspiration and I'm not at a style renewal/overhaul point.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm sure you're not doing anything wrong Sharon! Building a cohesive wardrobe takes time and fair bit of thought. I've been on YLF for a year now and am FINALLY starting to put something together that works and feels like me. For one thing, it took me 8 months before I even posted a WIW and then another couple of months to figure out what my actual style goals were.

I take a lot of inspiration from other members outfit posts. I will look at what someone is wearing that I like and then see how I can duplicate that same type of feeling with what I have in my closet. It may not be an exact interpretation but I can get much of it similar with my own twist.

In terms of making it cohesive, I started with what colours and shapes work for me. Once I figured that out (based on feedback from other members and Angie), I built from there. i just try to have fun with it all!

I don't know if this is helpful to you or not - just my two cents worth.

missvee

I think my wardrobe is cohesive if most of my clothes are getting worn regularly, and if I'm happy with the way they feel and look. Sometimes what looks good on paper isn't as comfortable or practical as I might think, so for me it's a question of regular evaluation and ruthless purging. I know I like certain colours and shapes, so trying to repeat the 'good' and minimize the 'so-so' is about as scientific as I get! I also find that my tastes change somewhat from year to year, so what might be a cohesive wardrobe one season may not be a total winner the next. And that's ok!

MsMary

Sometimes you have to fight for your outfits! For the last two days I have tried on MULTIPLE garments over the course of an hour or more before coming up with an outfit I was super happy with. If "not staring blankly at one's closet" is the test of a cohesive wardrobe, then I'm not sure there's any such thing.

Suz

(website)

Reading along eagerly, Shannon!! This, too, is my goal, and I'm not there yet. Of course I'm still just figuring out my style (after nearly a year here...sheesh!)

I do agree with others that narrowing (largely) to a specific range of colours can help. And so can thinking in terms of capsules (with overlap between capsules). I also think constant editing and re-evaluation must be key to keeping from boredom, along with the one-in-one-out rule (after one's wardrobe has reached the size one wants, that is).

I have also found Shannon's style "rubric" very helpful—more helpful to me personally than the style statements we sometimes talk about on the forum. Maybe this is similar to Angie's "3 to 5 adjectives to describe your style." Well, I haven't settled on my own personal adjectives, but I like the idea of figuring those out and aiming to keep my outfits as a whole consistent with that rubric.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I empathize, Sharon. I appreciate the answers so far and I'll look forward to reading more. I feel like I am attracted to more styles and silhouettes than what I feel are "cohesive." Thanks in part to my sewing hobby, I have a sizable wardrobe, even though I weed it out quite frequently. When I think about winnowing the styles and silhouettes, though--like trying to identify those that work best for me and forgoing others--I get that pouty-head feeling in my mind, like "No! You can't make me!" There's a part of me that says I want what I want, and don't tell me it's not flattering to me! And yet, I do want to look good and stylish and current and really, I'd love to look fab!

Anonymous

My wardrobe needs some basics in plain neutral colors in order to function. You might pick a dark and a light neutral that you feel looks good on you. Mine are black and dove grey plus dark denim. I have other neutrals but these are the ones I started with. Then you can add interesting tops, scarves, footwear, etc. in colors and prints that you especially feel wonderful wearing. Accessories are what keep my closet from boring me. Second to that would be tops, shirts and blouses. Don't be afraid to make some mistakes because we learn from them.
When I get something new, I try it on with lots of other things in the closet (playtime!) and write down what i think works in a notebook I keep for this purpose. It also has inspiration pictures from this site, catalogues, etc.. I get more use out of a piece when I can quickly pull an outfit together. Occasionally the new piece gets returned because I'm not happy with it as part of outfits. I hope this helps. Good luck and just keep having fun.

ManidipaM

Sharon, you're clearly not alone in this! My current wardrobe components range from outright preppy to almost costume-y boho, with some period thrown in!

What Firecrackers says resonated to strongly with me: "I feel like I am attracted to more styles and silhouettes than what I feel are "cohesive."... When I think about winnowing the styles and silhouettes, though--like trying to identify those that work best for me and forgoing others--I get that pouty-head feeling in my mind, like "No! You can't make me!"

I really suffer from that, even though I recognize that it would make daily life a whole lot easier to pare things down. But I think it is also important to listen to your instincts about yourself. This will NOT work if you get easily bored *and* are on a tight budget; on the other hand, if you are super-short on time, it will! What's it to be?

The other thing you talked of is feeling not creative enough with your wardrobe. I left this too late myself, but a recent bout of playing with my clothes for a few days showed me many more possibilities than I'd realized existed when I bought those garments. I was in state of desperation when I did this (had a trip overseas that promised cold and maybe snow, and I can almost do without woollens in my tropical winter!); but ever since, I try to set aside an hour or two every few weeks to play. It produces possibilities, and is very handy if your not an instinctive remixer. You may find that the wardrobe is cohesive alright --- all you needed was creative 'glue' to make it all stick together!

christieanne

I felt the same way after a big closet purge (focusing on size and age/current quality of garments) but then Angie started posting her Capsules and it sort of clicked for me.

Following the capsule concept, I started pulling two neutrals and one or two colors that I could see wearing together - for me it was black, gray, white and bright pink. The I looked back in closet and realized I have the emerald/cobalt beginnings of a second capsule.
At that point I sorted the rest of closet mostly by color and it makes so much sense now.

Am I thrilled to get dressed every day? No. Do I want to buy new things. Yes of course. Do I think everything even in my capsule is "me" right now? No, but while I maintaining a "me" list, I have some fail safe outfits for most occasions so if not up to the creative challenge I can at least feel good about my choice.

My advice is work the closet!

jenanded

Sharon, its such a good question. I thought I had 'read all the books' before coming to YLF just a few months ago and had life co-ordinated to a T and am still constantly buying and purging. I have been keeping a fashion diary for about 6 years now and its most interesting to look back on it. There are a few things that I really do keep similar across time. The reality is that we are constantly growing as individuals and as being a part of life as it happens! So I am trying to be realistic that I want to be part of life as it happens so if I have a few new shoes, tops and bits each season, with regular but less frequent updates on my basics that I can both have fun and also have something central. I agree with ChristineAnne and Suz that Angie's capsule really clicks and makes sense. A couple of capsules that cover the key areas of your life makes it easy, but the different small capsules allow you to prevent the boredom. I especially like that Angie says to look for the colours but ALSO what trends/feels do you want to feature in it!

Category