How to Rebuild Your Wardrobe; Building a Wardrobe From Scratch

If youre saying to yourself, I need a new wardrobe. Where do I start? Youre in the right place, because this post is all how to rebuild your wardrobe!

After trying a capsule wardrobe for four months, I realized how important it was to have quality pieces I love wearing. The non-quality, fit okay pieces didnt get worn as often, which was the majority of my wardrobe at the time.

My wardrobe rebuild was simple and efficient to transition from a capsule wardrobe I liked to one I loved, so I am going to teach you the process in this post!

Regardless if you want to build a wardrobe from scratch or swap out only a portion of your wardrobe, learning how to rebuild your wardrobe using my personal process will work for you!

The Benefits of Building a Wardrobe from Scratch

Before we get into the process of learning how to rebuild your wardrobe, I want to share with you the benefits of building a wardrobe from scratch, so that you know what to expect.

You get to design your wardrobe

Often times, a wardrobe is already created and we purchase pieces that we like in the moment versus being thoughtful about how it works with the clothes we already have.

When you take the time to learn how to rebuild your wardrobe by designing a specific color palette, style, and have it align with your lifestyle, you change the wardrobe game!

You get to be selective

Similar to designing your wardrobe, you get to choose the price, quality, and quantity of your wardrobe.

If you value high quality pieces and you arent willing to settle for anything less, then you increase the confidence you have within yourself and when youre wearing your wardrobe.

Confidence Boost

When people tell you how great you look because you learned the proper steps of how to rebuild your wardrobe into a wardrobe that works for you, you cant help but feel great!

Also, the pieces you add to your wardrobe make you feel like a million bucks, so you really wont need anyone to complement you to feel great. Thats just a bonus!

Related Post: Confidence Building Exercises; How to Feel Confident

Dont dismiss pieces you already have and love

The cool thing about learning how to rebuild your wardrobe and designing it is that you get to keep pieces you have that you love wearing.

Just because you want to build a wardrobe from scratch doesnt mean you cant shop your wardrobe first.

Small vs Large Wardrobe

I honestly prefer a smaller wardrobe, because you only wear a small portion of your wardrobe. With a smaller wardrobe, you ensure that your pieces are worn and loved.

A large wardrobe often isnt loved as much because of the overwhelm it can bring when youre trying to decide what to wear. Having a small versatile wardrobe reduces the overwhelm and youre able to decide much quicker on the things you want to wear.

The size wardrobe you choose is up to you. Im going to teach you where to start, and how small or large will be your decision.

Ill link to a few capsule wardrobe options later in this post for you to look into when making the final decisions.

Related Post: Creating Your Own Capsule Wardrobe, Including My Project 333 Experience

How to Build a Wardrobe from Scratch

Now that you know why you need to learn how to rebuild your wardrobe and the benefits that it can provide, lets get into my process for building a wardrobe from scratch.

Analyze Your Lifestyle

What does your current lifestyle look like? What are your daily routines?

The pieces you use to build your wardrobe need to work within those guidelines to ensure youre always prepared.

Consider the following:

  • Work Life Do you need professional attire or business casual?
  • Fitness What form of exercising do you do? Does one kind of workout gear fit every workout you do or do you need different pieces for different workouts?
  • Lounge Are you a matching pajamas person or do you prefer an old tshirt and flannels?
  • Hobbies What hobbies do you enjoy? Do you need clothes that you can get dirty?
  • Recreation Play any sports or go hiking on a regular basis?

Note which category you spend the most time doing or need more outfit options.

Also, do any of these overlap in what pieces can work for them?

Lastly, ask yourself if you like the way you currently dress for each of these. Do you wish you dressed a little nicer than how you currently dress?

Are you ready to uplevel your current wardrobe?

Do you feel confident with how you dress now, you just want to start over with better quality pieces that fit you well?

Gather Wardrobe Inspiration and Brainstorm Your Ideal Wardrobe

Choose Your Fashion Idols Carefully

When choosing whos fashion style you admire most, it is important to assess whether or not their style works for your lifestyle.

Be very selective with your fashion idols. Choose at least two, but no more than three.

It is important to hone in on the exact style and wardrobe that you want to immulate. This makes the process of building a wardrobe from scratch a little more tangible.


For example, I LOVE Kate Middletons style. It is classy, feminine, and simple.

However, she often wears dresses for events, and I have very little need for dresses. I still pull my inspiration from her, but I make note of the outfits she wears that dont fit my lifestyle.

Another fashion idol of mine is Reese Witherspoon. She has a similar style that really shows her personality. She is classy, feminine, and fun. The patterns she wear really reflect the amazing woman she is.

I can relate a lot more to the pieces she wears on a consistent basis, but pairing the two together make me feel like Ive hit the jackpot with my fashion idols.


With that said, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you choose the right fashion idols for you:
  • Whos style inspires you most?
  • What is the overall style of your idols?
  • Why do they inspire you?
  • What are they known for wearing?
After asking those questions, compare your style to theirs using the following questions:
  • Do you wear similar pieces as they do?
  • Do you wear the same colors?
  • What do you like about their style that you arent doing yourself?
  • What do you not like about their style and would change?

Once you have a couple of fashion idols, you can move onto the next step, which is about creating a vision board!

Create a Vision Board

Vision boards help you see what inspires you all in one place. It will be how you identify patterns and give you ideas for what pieces you need to add to your wardrobe.

Vision boards can be digital or magazine cut outs glued on a poster board.

However, you decide to create it is up to you. I personally prefer a digital vision board on Pinterest, because that is what works best for me.

Once you have your vision board created, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What pieces repeat throughout your vision board?
  • What colors appear most and work well together?

Identifying both of these will help you identify your style and colors youre drawn to most.

Identify Your Style

Between your fashion idols and vision board, youll have a better idea of what style you want to create for your wardrobe.

Here are a few examples to help you identify your style:

Classic Style Outfits

Boho Style Outfits

Hipster Style Outfits

Glam Style Outfits

Minimal Chic Style Outfits

The possibilities are endless, and this certainly isnt the ultimate list of styles.

Pick a style that you feel most connected with and use that to help you as you rebuild your wardrobe.

Create Your Color Palette

This is my favorite part of learning how to rebuild your wardrobe, because I get to be creative and try different colors based on the inspiration of my fashion idols and vision board.

Now that youre inspired and have named your style, it is time to create your color palette.

The simpler this is the better, because it will ensure that you have plenty of versatility within your wardrobe. This in turn provides you with more outfit options.

The first thing you want to consider is your skin tone.

Is your skin cool or warm toned?

Characteristics of Cool Toned Skin:
  • Pink undertone
  • Burns easily
  • Veins are blue and purple
  • Best colors include blues, purples, greens, black and grey
  • Avoid oranges, yellows, and browns
Characteristics of Warm Toned Skin:
  • Yellow undertone
  • Tans easily
  • Veins are olive and green
  • Best colors include oranges, yellows, reds, olives, and browns
  • Avoid blues and purples

Choose a neutral

After you determine your skin tone, it is time to choose a neutral:

  • Black
  • Brown

By choosing only one neutral, youre making it easy to get dressed, even in the dark.

This increases the versatility within your wardrobe and provides you with endless outfit possibilities.

My skin tone is cool, so black is the best option for me personally. Browns wash out my skin and make me look sick.

Pick Your Accent Colors

Now that you have your neutral, it is time to pick two to three accent colors. The fewer options you have, the better.

They dont have to necessarily pair well together. For example, you could choose orange and pink or green and purple.

I personally love blue and grey for my accent colors.

Now Choose Your Pattern

Several pieces in your wardrobe will likely be solids, so it is important to have a signature pattern or two.

Here are a few pattern options:

  • Polka dots
  • Stripes
  • Animal Print
  • Plaid/Flannel
  • Floral
  • A fun retro pattern

Again, these options are endless, but it is important to choose only one or two.

Im a big fan of solid pieces, so I only have one pattern style, which is flannel. Ive found the simpler I keep my wardrobe the better, but that is just me.

Write Out Your Wardrobe Wish List

As youve looked through your fashion idols style, created your vision board, and developed your color palette, youve probably identified a few pieces you want to include in your wardrobe.

Write out your wish list before going into your wardrobe to find these pieces.

If you want to ensure you have a denim jacket or classy blazer in your wardrobe, write it on your wish list. It doesnt matter if you have one or both in your wardrobe now.

This prevents any thought looping or trying to rethink of pieces you want to include later when you start building your wardrobe.

Basics Every Wardrobe Needs

Regardless of your style, there are basic pieces that work for any type of wardrobe you could want to create.

This is what really ties in all of the lessons of learning how to rebuild a wardrobe, because it is foundational to any and all wardrobes.

These need to be on your list for your wardrobe rebuild:

Tanktop

Layering is key to creating an effortless versatile wardrobe. Tanktops are where layering starts, and is always good to have in your wardrobe.

Short-sleeve tee

Whether you choose a basic short-sleeve tee or something a little fancier, this is a must for your wardrobe. It works for all seasons as a stand-a-lone piece or for layering.

Long-sleeve tee

A long-sleeve tee works great for cool summer days, layering with a vest or denim jacket, and for lounging around in at home.

Blouse

Having a quality blouse is very helpful when up leveling a casual outfit. Whether you pair it with jeans, capris, or slacks, this is a great piece to include in your wardrobe.

Sweater

Who doesnt love a quality sweater? Not only are they cozy to wear, but they make any outfit look a little more polished.

You can invest in a cashmere sweater for special occassions or a wool sweater that is great for everyday life.

Little Black Dress

Having at least one little black dress in your wardrobe is necessary for special occassions. When you pick a classic style, no one will know that you wore it to previous events. [I know this to be true, because I do it all the time.]

Of course, your dress doesnt have to be black, but choosing a neutral is best when you want to wear it for years to come to special events.

Cardigan

I love a comfy, beautiful cardigan. It is great for layering over anything and is a staple in my own wardrobe.

This is a piece you really want to invest in versus purchasing a cheap quality item. It will last much longer and keep its shape better.

Blazer

Whether youre a business professional or enjoy looking a little edgy, a blazer is a great piece for any wardrobe.

I love wearing my black blazer with a monochromatic outfit. It is sharp and classy.

Denim Jeans

Everyone needs at least one quality pair of denim jeans that fit well. They are easily paired with anything and extremely versatile.

You can dress them up or down and always look good.

Black Skirt

Black skirts are great for work and interviews. They bring about a professional presence, but are also versatile.

Outerwear

Quality coats are a must if you live in a climate that gets cold. Investing in one or two that pair with everything in your closet is a must.

Shoes

Obviously you need shoes within your wardrobe, but I want to point out something specific.

When you invest in shoes, be sure they work with at least half of your wardrobe. Having a black and nude pair of heels or flats is a great starting point.

If you prefer color, be sure to pick one of your accent colors since it will pair with many things in your wardrobe.

Accessories

When it comes to accessories, you want to make sure you have the classic metal pieces that are timeless. Gold, white gold, silver, or whichever you prefer is completely up to you.

Once you have your staple metal pieces, you can expand into more colorful options. Keeping your pieces versatile will give you more opportunities to wear them, so keep that in mind when shopping.

I personally have two rings and a necklace [all white gold] that my husband gave me, and a pair of pearl earrings that my parents gave me. They match everything I own and are all I need.

You may not be comfortable having that few of pieces, but it works for me.


Once you have all of your basic pieces for your wardrobe, you can fill in the gaps with other fun pieces. This is where you get to bring your personality to life within your wardrobe.

Are you ready to put what youve learned about how to rebuild your wardrobe into action?

How to Reuild Your Wardrobe Now that You Have a Vision

Establish Your Wardrobe Guidelines

Having guidelines makes it simple to build a wardrobe you love. It will keep you from throwing your hands up in the air wanting to do this process all over again.

Here are the wardrobe guidelines I suggest:

  1. Pick one neutral
  2. Decide on how many pieces you want
  3. Follow your color palette
  4. Consider trying a capsule wardrobe

Pick one neutral

Again, going back to deciding on your color palette, having one neutral is a key difference between creating a new wardrobe and creating a wardrobe you LOVE!

Yes, I promise it makes that big of a difference.

Decide on how many pieces you want

This is a bit tricky and will need adjusting after some time. Start with a small number that helps you put together the basics and any items on your wish list.

See how that feels then add to it if it isnt enough. Ill have some capsule wardrobe suggestions for you in just a minute that you can try.

Once you find your sweet spot, take note of it and then implement the One In, One Out Rule that keeps you from adding in too many pieces in your wardrobe.

Follow your color palette

While this may seem restricting at first, I promise it provides a lot of freedom.

When you follow your simple color palette, youre able to look for just the pieces you need to add to your wardrobe. It removes any distractions of adding things that arent on your wish list and keeps things versatile.

Consider a capsule wardrobe

If youre unsure of what you need and dont need, try a capsule wardrobe. This will help you identify what you do and dont want.

For me, it opened my mind and allowed me to explore my clothes in a new way, and I love them!

Here are a few you can try:

  1. Project 333
  2. 1010 challenge with Style Bee
  3. New Minimalism Capsule Wardrobe Challenge
  4. Styling You Capsule Wardrobe Challenge
  5. Un-Fancy Capsule Experiment
  6. Shop your Closet Challenge
  7. 77 Remix
  8. Year-Round Wardrobe

Shop Your Wardrobe First

Yes, I know you want to build a wardrobe from scratch, but if you already have great pieces for your wardrobe rebuild, there isnt any reason that you cant use them.

This will save you money, so shop your wardrobe first.

Declutter What Doesnt Fit in Your Ideal Wardrobe

If it doesnt fit within your guidelines, it is time to declutter it! This could be due to:

  • Poor quality.
  • Doesnt fit you well.
  • It is the wrong color.
  • The style doesnt represent you well.
  • You just dont like it anymore.

For these pieces you can sell, consign, or donate. Depending on your goals for your new wardrobe, selling may be the best option.

Selling the clothes you decluttered

You can sell on Facebook, Poshmark, ThredUp, or any other service that will pay you directly for your pieces.

Often times this is the best return on investment.

If you have a lot of clothes you want to sell, offer a black bag special. You bascially bag up your clothes, put a price on it, and give a decent description of the things within it.

If you arent in a hurry to sell these clothes, selling them one by one is an option. Just make sure it is worth the effort youll put into it.

Consign the clothes you declutter

This wont provide you with the greatest return, but it does allow you to gain more when you choose store credit over cash.

If you need new pieces and your local consignment shop has those pieces, it is a win-win!

Donate the clothes you declutter

For the items that arent worth selling, donating them to a homeless shelter, domestic violence center, or Salvation Army is a kind and thoughtful thing to do.

Do not throw away clothes that could help clothe someone else.

Choose Versatile Pieces for Maximum Impact

The more versatile your wardrobe is the better. Youll love your outfit options for longer and have a difficult time growing bored of your wardrobe.

Classic vs Trendy

While trendy pieces can be cute, they arent pieces that last in a wardrobe. Choosing quality classic pieces provides a better return on your investment.

This isnt to say that you cannot include some trendy pieces, but the bulk of your wardrobe needs to be classic.

Choose Quality Pieces Over Quantity

I cannot stress this enough! Quality pieces last longer, fit better, and provide a better return on your investment.

It may take longer to build your wardrobe due to the investment standpoint, but it is worth it!

Dont sacrific it now, because youll regret it later.

Brand name doesnt mean quality

When shopping for quality pieces, look at the build and fabric over the name brand. Just because something is a popular name brand item does not mean that it is made to last.

Pace Yourself

Creating an amazing wardrobe doesnt happen overnight. It takes time to find the right pieces.

Set a budget for each piece of clothing or the entire wardrobe altogether. This will help you look for the perfect pieces versus getting desperate and settling for less.

Related Post: 27 Things to Cut out of Your Budget to Save Money

Shop secondhand first

Youre likely to find quality pieces at a fraction of the price when shopping secondhand. It is eco-friendly and easier to build a wardrobe with secondhand pieces compared to purchasing new from the designer.

Ethical shop suggestions

If you cannot find the pieces you want secondhand, ethical shopping is the next step. Here are a few shops I recommend:

Create a New Wardrobe that Will Take You to the Next Level

Consistently evaluate the pieces in your wardrobe.

Pay attention to the fabrics. Note how you feel about wearing them. How well are they holding up? How are they to be cared for?

Use one kind of hanger

This is one of my favorite tips for wardrobes! When you have matching hangers, your wardrobe feels more uniform.

It doesnt matter if you use the white hangers from Walmart or fancy felt hangers that were special order. When they all match, your wardrobe feels more versatile and up leveled.

Store the pieces in your wardrobe well

Pay attention to the care of the pieces in your wardrobe. If they are okay to hang, then hang them. If they are supposed to be stored in a drawer, do that.

When you take the time to store the pieces in your wardrobe well, you feel better about your wardrobe. That may sound strange, but it is true.

Care for your pieces to help them last a long time

It doesnt matter if you invest $150 in a pair of denim jeans. If you arent taking care of them properly, youre wasting resources.

  • Learn how to read labels
  • Mend clothes that need quick repairs
  • Resole your shoes
  • Again, store things properly

Doing all of these things will help your wardrobe last longer and youll look better because you took the time to care for your outfits.

Organizing Your Wardrobe

Finally, lets talk organizing your wardrobe! This is key to having an efficient system for your wardrobe that will help you take care of your clothes and help you see all that you have.

Hanging clothes

For the things you hang, organize them by sleeve length. Often times, we are looking for something according to sleeve length before color, so this allows you to see each section easier.

If you prefer to organize things by color, do so after organizing them by sleeve length.

Clothes in drawers

When it comes to organizing your drawers, I love folding like Marie Kondo. This allows you to see everything in your drawers much better than folding flat.

If you havent heard of Maries folding style, here is a video demonstrating how she folds.

[I will say that I dont fold my socks or undies, but everything else I do follow her folding style.]

Now It Is Time to Take Action!

You deserve to love the way you feel in your clothes! You also deserve to get excited about getting dressed when looking at your wardrobe!

Now that you know how to rebuild your wardrobe, it is time to take action and make it happen!

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below for me!

If you're saying to yourself,

The post How to Rebuild Your Wardrobe; Building a Wardrobe From Scratch appeared first on The Tannehill Homestead.


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