The wardrobe is an essential part of any woman's life. That said, it needs to have all the right clothes not only for everyday casual use, but also for all the different events that a woman will have to grace in her lifetime. Those events can be formal, like a job interview, a dinner with company executives, the graduation of a child, or a night at the opera. They can be informal, too, like a party in the Bahamas, a skiing session in Colorado, or a day on the tracks.
This is where the importance of building a flexible wardrobe comes in. Essentially, this means coming up with a simple collection of clothes with an adequate number of pieces that you can mix and match year-round. The best part is that, if you pick the right kinds of clothes, you won't ever have to worry about them going out of style.
But before you start to buy tights, dresses, sweaters, tees, jeans, and all other types of clothing, do take note that there's a practical method to building a flexible wardrobe. Buying anything and everything, though, isn't it. Rather, you should focus on preparing an all-around wardrobe that will ensure you're ready for any occasion. Here's how:
Assess Your Lifestyle
Before building your wardrobe, take a long, hard look at your lifestyle first. What do you do for work, and what do you like to do when you're off the clock?
Your answers to these questions will determine your overall style and, for the most part, the kind of clothes you'll want to buy. If you're a more career-oriented person who wants to project a professional image, you'll need more formalwear like dresses, coats, and blazers. Similarly, you'll want to stock up on athleisure if you're the sporty, outdoorsy type. Should you prefer to relax while working from home and don't have to adhere to a strict office dress code, buying lots of casualwear should be fine.
Consider the Weather, Too
Aside from your lifestyle, you'll also want to consider the weather in your area. This will have a big impact on the kinds of clothes that you should fill your wardrobe with, as well as the types of outfits you'll assemble most often.
If you're living in a place with hot, humid weather like Miami, invest in lighter and looser tees, breathable undergarments, and cotton dresses. Even your formalwear should look more subdued. You also won't need to do as much layering, as you'll want to keep things light and breezy.
On the other hand, if you live in a colder state, you'd be wise to buy hosieries or tights that come in heavier deniers. You should also invest in thicker cold-weather clothes, hats, and footwear. It's also a good idea to invest in additional layering pieces like cardigans, jackets, scarves, and the like.
Determine Your Color Palette
Not everyone is a style maven who can rock any combination of colors. That's why it is important to come up with a unified color palette that will guide you in buying clothes and accessories that mesh well together. By picking pieces in the right colors, you can easily mix and match them with each other sans the headache of determining if they make for a good color combination. When in doubt, or if you're still exploring your options, stick to neutral tones like beige, gray, white, and pastel hues.
Get the Essentials
Now that you've got some of the most basic guidelines down, here are a few must-have items that will form the foundation of your flexible wardrobe:
T-shirts
The humble t-shirt may look simple, but it's more than enough to get you through your casual, everyday activities. The best part is that you can buy t-shirts at just about any store. They're also relatively inexpensive if you know where to look. Ideally, you should go for shirts in neutral colors like white, brown, and gray. You can then add more colorful options later, such as shirts in sky blue or fiery red hues.
Denim
Denim is ultra-versatile and can be worn for most casual or work purposes. The idea here is to buy two pairs in every color you like, making sure that each pair is simple and something that you'd be comfortable wearing for many years. Straight or tapered leg denim should suffice, and it would be best to avoid fancy ones since they're harder to pair with other clothes.
Button-up Shirts
These shirts are perfect for casual use but work just as well in semi-formal settings. This is because they don't look too corporate but appear formal enough to pass off as business attire. Ideally, you should get more button-up shirts in neutral colors, as they're easier to mix and match. Once you've gotten the hang of wearing them, though, go ahead and buy a few pieces in colors that let your personality and fashion sense shine.
Dresses
The right dresses will have you looking stunning for those more formal events or romantic dinners. A black dress with spaghetti straps is elegant and timeless, especially if it's made of satin. In addition to the little black dress, try adding a few A-line satin dresses in neutral shades to your wardrobe. With these items in your fashion collection, you'll never run out of go-to formalwear.
Suits
Great-fitting suits that aren't too big or too tight will help you look like you mean business. As with the other items on this list, go for neutral colors first. For an additional touch of professionalism, have your suits tailored for that snug, perfect fit.
Outerwear
Whether you live in sunny Florida or snowy Colorado, make sure you have a good piece or two of outerwear just in case the situation calls for it. A sturdy trench coat is an excellent option, as are similar heavier coats. Again, picking options in neutral colors would be best.
Jackets
Jackets should be in your wardrobe for the simple reason that you can use them any number of ways. Depending on the type you get, you can even show off your unique personality. For example, a leather jacket can make you look cool without trying too hard. Blazers are also perfect for adding a professional touch to any dress or shirt.
Belts
Belts are both functional and fashionable accessories that people often take for granted. Not only can they ensure a snug fit for your bottoms, but they can also elevate your look from meh to magnificent. Having said that, get at least one simple option that focuses more on function over form. You should also get another option that's more stylish and stands out, such as a statement belt. Whatever kind of design you pick, though, make sure that both belts are durable and something that you'd wear for years to come.
With the right outfit combinations, you can always count on your wardrobe for whatever events you'll have to attend in the future. As long as you assemble it correctly, you'll never run out of clothes to wear, and you'll always find an ensemble that's appropriate for any situation.