Wardrobe Building Blocks: Your Guide to a Cohesive Closet

Have you ever considered starting over with your wardrobe? What would you change? Would you reinvent yourself or stick with the classics? Blank slate or not, you can always choose to revamp your wardrobe. Consider doing an assessment and figuring out your personal style. Then, fashion your closet with these wardrobe building blocks.

Wardrobe Building Blocks: The Basics

1. Classic tee: A simple t-shirt can go a long way. On days that I struggle deciding what to wear, I grab a simple tee, a statement necklace, and a sweater. Tees are also great for wearing with skirts, under a blazer, or with your favorite pair of denim.
2. Blouse: A blouse is my go-to for looking put together, even on my most casual days. What I like most about blouses is that they are super forgiving, especially those that are silk or chiffon. Even ones that are made with polyester hang so much better than cotton. I have a full chest and midsection and I don’t like to wear anything that is fitted through the waist. A blouse is great for covering flaws. Plus, it goes with everything!
3. Jeans: A good pair of jeans will be your best accessory. At the same time, a good pair of jeans doesn’t have to be super expensive. I encourage you to check out different retailers and find a brand and/or style that works for you. I’ve found that my favorites are AG, Loft’s Modern Skinny, and J.Crew’s Toothpick.
4. Pants: Depending on your lifestyle, I recommend having several pairs of pants. They are great for work or for days you want to look more polished. My favorite pant is the Winnie from J.Crew Factory. I have them in 5 colors and they are incredibly comfortable.
5. Dresses and skirts: Dresses and skirts are great for the office and even better for special occasions. You never know when you’ll need a dress. Take my advice and have several dresses in your closet that can work for most occasions. I hate when you have something come up and you don’t have the right dress so you go to every retailer imaginable only to end up settling for something mediocre.

Wardrobe Building Blocks: The Essentials

1. Coats: I used to be a coat-a-holic. I had more coats than I could count! I love them so much and when you live in a climate like Seattle, they seriously are a must-have. I recommend having a dark coat and a light coat. I have a black and white coat and a solid camel colored coat so depending on what I’m wearing that day, I can choose one over the other.
2. Jackets: When the weather is nice, have a couple of lightweight jacket options. There is nothing worse than getting your outfit just right and not having the right jacket to go with it.
3. Shoes: Have a wide variety of shoes. I recommend having at least two of each type, especially if they are comfortable.
4. Accessories: Whatever your preference, be sure to pick up a couple of accessory options. Figure out what works for you! I love jewelry, but not everyone does. If you’re more of a scarf person, pick up a few in various colors and prints. If your style is more minimal, think about picking up some dainty layering rings or a simple pendant.

After you finish collecting the basics and essentials, I would suggest starting to incorporate some nice wild cards. Pick up a standout dress or an amazing shoe. You deserve it!

Fashion Tip: Having too many options will make it more challenging to get ready so focus on what you really want or need. Also, think about what items give you the best return on investment. Quality pieces will save you more over time.

Here are some other posts to help guide you in developing a cohesive wardrobe.