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Do you feel like you have a ton of clothes but no good outfits? Have you been wanting to be more intentional, mindful, and sustainable with your wardrobe? If so, learning how to maximize your wardrobe will help you transform your wardrobe, mindset, and ultimately, your outfits! If you’re constantly shopping but never liking anything or you simply want to learn how to be happy with what you have, read on for how to maximize your wardrobe – and potentially change your life.
How to Maximize Your Wardrobe
1. Make an Effort To Wear Pieces You Don’t Wear As Often (Shop Your Closet First)
There are a lot of benefits to maximizing your wardrobe. Learning how to truly love your clothes instead of getting tired of them in a few weeks is a big one that can’t be ignored, but one of the best benefits is that you can shop less, but feel like you have more options.
How? When you maximize your wardrobe you are making an effort to wear pieces that you typically don’t wear as often. Dipping into your existing wardrobe to create new outfits instead of buying new clothes (or hitting “submit” on that online order) is called shopping your closet.
After all, there’s a difference between having a wardrobe full of statement items that you don’t wear (because you can’t really wear them again) and having pieces you love but have maybe been overlooked because you find yourself stuck in a style rut wearing the same item over and over again.
If you genuinely still like the clothing item(s), then you need to make every item count. You can do this by rotating through your wardrobe and making an effort to wear all your clothes.
For example, I have a coat collection that sparks joy and I love them all and certainly don’t want to get rid of any, yet I still reach for the same coat over and over again. However, this doesn’t mean I need to get rid of all the coats that I’m not wearing! Sometimes you do need to declutter your wardrobe but in this case, this means I need to take a break from that particular piece and make an effort to wear some of my other outerwear.
After giving these items a chance, then I can reevaluate their importance in my wardrobe and ask myself, “Should they stay or should they go?”
Pro tip: A clothing rack (or valet hook for small spaces) would be a great tool for you to incorporate into your closet to give you a visual reminder of clothes you want to wear more.
Becoming well acquainted with what’s in your wardrobe is a key step to maximizing your wardrobe. After all, you can’t make the most of what you have if you don’t even know what you have!
2. Repurpose Things That You No Longer Wear
It’s important to regularly clean out your wardrobe and get rid of things that just take up space. You know, like the bridesmaid dress from 10 years ago and your several sets of ‘paint clothes’.
However, there are exceptions to just going on a tossing spree. Maybe that bridesmaid dress can be altered into a party or cocktail dress that allows you to wear it on more occasions.
What items don’t work for you as they are, but if altered, you could find yourself wearing a lot more? Formal gown into a party gown? Jeans made into shorts? A dress made into a top?
Note: Just be mindful that you’re not making excuses and holding on to things you have no intention of ever changing. Be honest with yourself, but also realize that repurposing your no longer needed clothes is a great way to get more out of your wardrobe!
Related: 13 Fun Ways to Upcycle Clothes Without Sewing
3. Get Well Acquainted With Thrift Stores
Though you still want to be mindful when shopping, thrifting and shopping second-hand can allow you the freedom to try out new styles, save money, and get unique pieces. Whether you’re on a tight budget, care about sustainability, or just like the thrill of the hunt, thrift stores play a big part in maximizing your wardrobe.
I know it might seem a little contradictory to talk about shopping less and then telling you to thrift to shop more, but thrifting and finding things at a reasonable price means you can bring in more ‘fun’ pieces to experiment and play with. One “new” red blazer for $5 can give you a ton of new outfit possibilities that you might not have had previously.
It’s not just about shopping to shop either. New pieces, and yes, you can find quality ones too, can inspire you to create new and different outfits in your wardrobe without having to scrap everything and start over.
4. Wear Pieces in New Ways
Not to be confused with repurposing, wearing clothing pieces in new ways is taking one item and transforming it – without even taking as much as a hot glue gun to it!
For example, your maxi skirt could get pulled up to your chest and become a midi dress. Your large silk scarf could be turned into a bandana top for a sunny beach vacation. Your cardigan could be worn as a halter top. Styling old items in new ways allows you to create a range of different styles from the same items.
Once you start opening up your mind and thinking about wearing things backward or in a way that wasn’t intended, your wardrobe possibilities are just going to explode – without having to buy anything!
Not only is experimenting with different combinations and styling techniques a great way to explore various outfit pairings, but it will also push you outside of your comfort zone to create unique and personalized looks.
5. Declutter What You Don’t Love
Pretend your closet is a store. Now go through it item by item. Would you buy what you’re holding in your hand if you were at the store right now? Depending on the answer, you know what to do – put it back in its rightful place or donate it!
Now let’s say you were at the (real) store and found an item you love. You would probably think about how to wear it and if it matched anything in your wardrobe before taking it home, right? (If not, this is a good practice to start!)
Now at your “closet” store, you need to ask yourself those same questions. Does it match what you already have in your closet? Can I think of different ways to wear this?
If the answer is “no”, then it’s time to declutter these items. If they don’t offer real value and you don’t love them, then they are only taking up valuable space.
So when treating your closet like a store, take inventory. Do you already have something similar in your wardrobe at home? Too much of the same inventory and you’re going to have to put it out at a loss.
Related: What I Learned Taking My Clothes out of Storage After 15 Months
6. Aim for Quality Clothes
When I first started my website, I’ll admit, I was embarrassed to be seen at thrift stores and I’d make tons of online orders at cheap foreign sites just to have something new.
Obviously, things have changed. But what was funny (more like interesting) was that even after all that mindless shopping, I still never felt like I had enough to wear because the cheap items I got looked so bad I would be just as embarrassed to wear them out in public!
Now, I’m not immune to an impulse buy or a statement item, but I don’t let them take up the majority of my wardrobe anymore. I make the most out of my wardrobe by focusing on quality basics. By doing this, I can wear something over and over again and I don’t have to worry about it falling apart or a button popping out!
Related: 6 Investment Pieces To Have by the Time You Turn 50
7. Stock Your Wardrobe With Basics
Just like how you want to aim for quality, you also want to aim for the majority of your wardrobe to be made up of wardrobe basics.
If your wardrobe is full of pretty blouses and bold colors, you’re probably someone who feels like they don’t have much to wear. Those pieces are cute, don’t get me wrong, but there’s not a lot of mixing and matching power in them. High-quality staples in neutral colors reign supreme when it comes to building a wardrobe.
All in all, you maximize your wardrobe the best by mixing and matching different clothing pieces, and that’s easiest to do when you have lots of basics!
8. Have Fun With Accessories (Don’t Be Afraid To Add Some Flair)
Yes, neutrals and wardrobe basics matter, but don’t think that maximizing your wardrobe means being subject to a life of “boring” for the rest of your life!
It’s a good idea to focus on versatile accessories that can instantly elevate any look and provide numerous style options. Leather belts, silk scarves, and jewelry can transform a basic outfit into something stylish and fashionable.
And the beauty is that once you build your wardrobe with basics, you can more easily create your own fashion flair. Though you don’t want to fill your wardrobe with these pieces, incorporating some accessories and statement pieces can be a great way to break out of a style rut and inject some personality into your look.
Whether it’s a leopard print faux fur coat or sneakers with a pop of color, incorporate a few fun items that are out of your daily norm but “feel like you” into your outfits.
9. Don’t Store Away Out-of-Season Clothes
Storing away out-of-season clothes may seem like a practical solution to maximize your wardrobe space (and it is), but if space allows, don’t box up your off-season clothes just yet.
Instead, transfer them to a spare closet or keep them out of the way of your daily pieces, because keeping them easily accessible will provide even more outfit opportunities.
With a few tweaks, your summer clothes can still work in winter, and vice versa. With tights and leggings, shorts, skirts, and dresses can be worn in the cooler months. Chunky sweaters can be worn in the spring when paired with shorts and sandals.
Talk about maximizing your wardrobe when you can potentially use all your clothes all the time.
Plus, your off-season wardrobe may have the perfect item for a unique occasion. By storing it away, you risk forgetting about this hidden gem and miss out on the joy of rediscovering it.
10. Keep Your Closet Organized
Keeping your closet organized is essential to maximizing your wardrobe! An organized closet ensures that you can easily locate your clothes, accessories, and shoes, saving you time and frustration when getting dressed each day.
When you organize your closet, all your clothes are neatly displayed, allowing you to see what you have at a quick glance. This visibility prevents you from forgetting about pieces hidden in the back or buried under a pile. Even better, it helps you rediscover items you may have overlooked before, expanding your choices and ultimately maximizing your wardrobe.
Want to save money? Who doesn’t? An organized closet helps you avoid buying duplicate items. When your wardrobe is in order, you can easily identify what you already own, preventing you from purchasing similar or identical pieces unintentionally. This also ensures that you make intentional and purposeful additions to your wardrobe when the time comes.
Did you know that proper organization helps extend the lifespan of your clothes? Hanging or folding your garments correctly can prevent them from becoming wrinkled, misshapen, or damaged. By taking care of your clothes and organizing them appropriately, you can maximize their longevity, ensuring you get the most use out of each item.
Feeling short on space? An organized closet optimizes space to its fullest, allowing you to utilize every inch efficiently. This helps prevent overcrowding and unnecessary wear and tear. By making the most of your closet space, you can make the most of your wardrobe!
Maximizing your wardrobe and getting the most out of what you already have is a truly rewarding and practical approach to fashion. By implementing some simple yet effective strategies, you can refresh your style and feel confident in your outfit choices every day.
Ultimately, by adopting these strategies, you can unlock the full potential of your wardrobe, reduce waste, save money, and feel confident in expressing your unique style every day. Maximize your wardrobe, maximize your potential!
Now that you know how to maximize your wardrobe, learn the principles that make for a great wardrobe that stands the test of time. Up Next: 10 Principles for a Good Wardrobe That Will Transform Your Closet
