This is the only style guide you’ll need to rebuild your wardrobe and finally have the clothes that match your personality.
After months of procrastinating and dragging my feet, I’m finally done rebuilding my wardrobe.
I had outgrown my old style (which wasn’t much of a style, to be honest), and desparately needed clothes that would serve my current personality, not the old confused me.
The journey was interesting, to say the least. I had a blast shopping in the beginning, bought some pieces that I ended up regretting and ditching later on.
There was also a brief period of exhaustion where I just threw up my hands in defeat.
But then I mustered the courage to continue, with renewed perspective on my fashion sense, and at last I have done it!
See, the reason I am narrating this whole story of ‘How Akansha rebuilt here wardrobe’, is to tell you that this process can be frustrating and time taking.
There are a lot of things I wish I’d known earlier and mistakes that could’ve been avoided if I’d known how to rebuild a wardrobe properly, which is why I am writing this today.
This post is for you if you:
- Are tired of your clothes
- Are always running out of basic items to wear
- Feel like you never have anything good to wear
- Don’t really know your personal style
- Keep making purchases that you end up disliking later on
You fit into any of those boxes?
If yes, then read on, girl! I have got your back (and your wardrobe).
How To Rebuild Your Wardrobe
1. Do a Mindful Wardrobe Declutter
Rebuilding your wardrobe won’t happen overnight, but you do need to create a sense of urgency, which can only come from a proper decluttering.
I actually considered holding on to some clothes till I found better things. But then I realized if I hold on to something, I’d never muster the motivation to replace it.
So, during this step, be very honest with yourself.
If something doesn’t fit you, hasn’t been worn in a year, or makes you feel dull when you wear it, then let it go.
Don’t keep clothes for your fantasy self. Donate, resell, or recycle, but just get it out.
I’d advice you do this with a friend who’s not afraid to say, “Girl, no.” You’ll declutter twice as fast and laugh a lot.
2. Start With Your Undergarments
Undergarments are the most overlooked part of rebuilding a wardrobe, but it’s the easiest place to start.
Your undergarments are like the secret scaffolding of your entire outfit.
If they’re uncomfortable, saggy, worn out, or unflattering, your clothes will never sit right.
You need to toss out all the sad stretched-out bras, and also the undies with holes and the ones that roll down or dig into your skin.
Be ruthless while decluttering your underclothes, because darling, you deserve better.
Then, invest in a small but solid set of pieces:
- Two well-fitting everyday bras (get fitted, please!)
- A seamless nude bra for lighter clothes
- A strapless bra (a must!)
- Nude and black seamless underwear
- A shaping short or slip if you wear dresses often
This step will build up your momentum and rocket up your confidence. Once your base layer is solid, you’ll be ready and excited to build upward.
3. Invest in Key Staples
Every put-together woman you admire likely has a wardrobe full of staples she can mix and match endlessly.
Obviously, you wanna build a wardrobe that allows you to be that woman.
Some classic key stables are:
- A good pair of jeans (no distressing, no weird washes, flattering and high quality)
- White button-down shirt
- Neutral trousers
- Little black dress
- Black blazer
- A well-fitting coat (trench or wool depending on where you live)
- Neutral flats or sneakers
- Black and nude heels
- A solid handbag
Nothing needs to be super expensive, but it does need to look expensive and be good quality.
When it comes to your wardrobe staples, the fabric, fit, and finish matter, because you wear these items repeatedly.
Once you nail your basics, rebuilding your wardrobe will come ten times easier.
4. Pick a Color Palette
This is one of the things I actually did from the start while building my wardrobe. I found this tip on a YouTube video and loved using it repeatedly while shopping for new clothes.
You need to pick some colors that complement your skin tone and that you love, and then just look for clothes based on this palette.
This will save you time by narrowing down your choices. You’ll also be able to mix and match outfits without having to blink twice.
My color palette is: White, beige, black, light pink, light blue, lavenger, and sage green.
Everything I buy usually falls into this palette, and it makes mixing and matching very effortless.
This doesn’t mean you can’t wear other colors, by the way.
But this tip will help you a lot in the intial stage of building up your wardrobe so that it feels more pulled together. Less chaos, and more harmony.
5. Start Exploring Your Signature Style
Okay, so now to the fun part. We can’t possibly talk about building your wardrobe without taking your personal style in mind.
You need to ask yourself what your dream style looks like presently, keeping your lifestyle in mind as well.
Is it going to be classic, minimalist, artsy, boho, edgy, feminine, or somewhere in between? There are no wrong answers here. It all depends on you.
Once you have a basic theme in mind, start experimenting with affordable pieces in that style, and give yourself room to play.
Don’t box yourself in yet. Let your new style emerge and bloom!
I did a whole post on how to find your personal style. Skim through it you need more help in this department.
6. Create Outfit Formulas
A lot of stylish women I know don’t reinvent the wheel every morning. They use formulas instead!
Outfit formulas are great because they define your style and also serve as your shopping guide while you’re building your wardrobe.
Here are some classy examples:
- Blazer, basic Tee, jeans, heels
- Maxi dress, belt, denim jacket, sneakers
- Shirt, wide-Leg trousers, loafers, statement bag
You just need four-five outfit formulas that work for your life, that you can wear to office, casual, events, or errands.
Write down your formulas somewhere, and then buy your new clothes accordingly!
7. Shop Intentionally
Reinventing your wardrobe can take a major toll on your pocket, so I had to throw this tip in.
Before you buy anything new, ask yourself these three major questions:
- Does this fill a gap in my wardrobe?
- Do I already own something similar?
- Can I wear it at least 3 ways?
You need to void buying clothes just because they’re on sale or cute in the moment.
Impulse buys are why our closets are full but we feel like we have nothing to wear. Your new wardrobe shouldn’t have any such things.
Also, create a running wishlist in your phone’s Notes app and only shop from it. Trust me, this one hack will save you from wasting away your money on regretful purchases.
8. Get Some New Accessories
Your accessories can make or break an outfit, which is why you need some new accessories for your new wardrobe.
No need to load up. Just get a few versatile and quality pieces like:
- A gold/silver chain
- Statement earrings
- Neutral belt
- Everyday tote
- Black or tan crossbody
Accessories help your style personality shine through. So, pelase don’t skip this part thinking it’s extra. It’s more important than you know, ladies.
9. Take Advantage Of Sales
Sales can be both a blessing and a trap. On one hand, you can snag amazing pieces for half the price.
On the other, you end up buying random glitter tops and neon heels you’ll never wear just because they were 70% off. Ugh!
But if you manage to take advantage of sales the right way, while being mindful, then they will really really help you out in the process.
Here’s how to shop sales like a pro:
- Keep a wishlist on your phone of pieces you genuinely need or have been eyeing
- Stick to your color palette and style vibe (as I already said)
- Always check return policies (some sale items are final)
- If you wouldn’t pay full price for it, don’t even pay sale price
Hope this helps!
Ready For a Wardrobe Refresh?
If you wanna rebuild your wardrobe but feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or lost, don’t worry.
I’ve been there too, but it’s just a part of the glow-up journey.
You gotta be patient and bold, trust your instincts, and yes, make use of the tips from this post. They are golden, I promise!
And please, remember that your wardrobe should not be about impressing others. It should be about expressing yourself.
You’ve got this. And you’ve got me. So go forth and build your new wardrobe like a pro!
