A wardrobe hole is an item of clothing, pair of shoes, or accessory that you need but is missing from your wardrobe. When getting dressed you intuitively reach for something to complete an outfit or add that fab finishing touch, but you don’t have it. That’s a wardrobe hole. These missing items go on your shopping list. 

Wardrobe holes can be wardrobe basics, essentials, outfit completers, or statement pieces. You can have multiple wardrobe holes. Sometimes an entire capsule or wardrobe category can be a wardrobe hole. Super cute occasion wear, loungewear or sleepwear can be a wardrobe hole. Comfortable shoes that go the distance but are not sneakers can be a wardrobe hole. Trendy jeans, the right layering pieces, breezy Summer dresses, casual tops that aren’t t-shirts, or non-scratchy knitwear can be wardrobe holes.

Wardrobe holes clearly present themselves when I’m helping clients edit their wardrobes and create ready-to-go outfits. We make a note and prioritize the most important pieces so that a client’s current wardrobe can function more effectively right away.

My recent wardrobe holes include non-sneaker, gold Summer shoes, since I passed on some old pairs I hadn’t replaced. I was constantly reaching for gold loafers and flats to wear with summery white pants and dresses this year, and really missed them. I found them, and they became instant workhorses. I’m wearing my gold loafers into Autumn.

My next big wardrobe hole is a textured oatmeal or cream wool coat with gold or light neutral buttons. I passed on the one I had because it pilled terribly no matter how much I de-pilled it with my collection of tools. It was an absolute workhorse. I keep reaching for it, and desperately miss it. In fact it was the first item on my Autumn and Winter shopping list this year. I’ve found one I love, but it’s more than I’m prepared to spend. I’ll either get it on deep discount, or find a cheaper option.

Over to you. How do you identify wardrobe holes, and have you been successful in filling some of them?

Burgundy is an earthy berry colour that looks great with black and cream. If black is not for you, substitute it with dark neutrals like charcoal, chocolate, or navy. If cream is a little warm for your skin tone, choose a cooler off-white, optical white, stone, or a bone that has a little grey in it. Choose the shade of burgundy that works best with your complexion, which might be more red or brown. 

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Patterned Burgundy Sweater

A roomy and long argyle sweater in the palette is paired with relaxed faded-black straight leg jeans. It’s topped with a long cream puffer and casual cream combat boots that match the cream in the argyle sweater. Easy and visually effective.

2. Burgundy Sweatshirt and Jacket

Here, a cool optical white is used instead of a warm cream. A burgundy slogan sweatshirt is layered over a white shirt that picks up the white writing on the sweatshirt. A burgundy faux leather blazer tops that to create a twinset effect. The lot is worn over a black bubble skirt. Silver and black Mary Janes are the shoes of choice. The black straps of the shoes match the black skirt and model’s hair.

3. Burgundy Pants

A pair of burgundy cropped flares is paired with a patterned tunic which has burgundy, black and cream in it, along with pink, lilac and toffee. Cream and black boots match the patterned top. A toffee bag matches the bits of toffee in the pattern.

4. Burgundy Patterned Dress

A burgundy patterned midaxi dress is combined with tall chocolate brown boots. Black boots would work as well because there is black in the patten of the dress. It’s topped with a bone coat which picks up the bone in the pattern. I see a cream, burgundy or brown bag. Add eyewear, jewellery, and watch as desired.

Buying the right items off-season and at reduced prices can be very cost-effective. You’ll wait to wear them, which is annoying, but they’ll be ready to go when the right occasion and weather emerges. Avoid scrambling last minute and paying full price. 

Budget permitting, buy dressy occasion wear, swimwear, and highly elusive items when you see them. Put the items away, but be sure to remember them when the need arises. It’s a relief to shop your closet instead of stores for items that are dead right for you.

Shopping at the start of a new retail season is somewhat off-season because items seldom match the current weather. New seasonal stock is rich in colour, silhouette, fabric, and size assortment, so there is more to choose from. Be the early bird.

An outlet is a store that sells new goods at a lower price than regular retail locations of the same brand. Prices are greatly discounted at up to 70% in some cases. It’s a way of buying higher-end products at a more affordable price. Outlet stores also have a seasonal influx of new inventory, so you can check them out a few times a year. 

Outlets in the US are popular and many manufacturers have dedicated lower-priced collections for outlet stores. Often, these items are not found in regular retail stores. That said, outlets also sell overstock and season’s-passed items, which were originally available at regular retail stores.

It’s thought that items from outlets are inferior quality or defective in some way, but nowadays that is not my experience at all. Quite the contrary. If you’re in the area and are up to browsing brick ’n mortar outlet stores in a mall, they are well worth a look. Some of it will be disappointing, but a lot of it will be great.

A couple of weeks ago I had a spontaneous and extremely successful outlet shopping experience while on vacation in New Orleans. There was a premium outlet mall in walking distance from our hotel and I loved it. I was discerning about quality and bought gorgeous items from Coach and Kate Spade. I came home with two handbags, two handbag straps, and a belt.

These are the exact items.

Handbags are my thing and I am very particular about the quality, silhouette, colour, size, comfort, and functionality. Both bags ticked all the boxes and have been worn a lot already. The quality is impeccable, and they were discounted 65% to 70%. I passed on some bags at the beginning of the year, so there is room for these wardrobe pets. The broad straps can be worn with these bags, and with my old Furlas too. The brown belt perfectly matches a pair of taupe patent boots I got last year. I’m awfully pleased with my bargain beauties. I will definitely shop the outlets again.

Over to you. What do you think of outlet shopping? Do you shop at outlets, and have you had good experiences?