How Many Clothes Should You Have?
Every now and again, I get a client who wants to know what, exactly,
should be in her closet. She wants a precise list of pieces so that she can figure out what she has, determine what she needs, tick off the list,
and never worry about the matter again.
When I tell her that no such list exists, she gets annoyed - as if I'm
trying to be coy or am withholding vital information for no other reason than to torment her. Truthfully, I'm not.
The reality is that everyone's needs are different. Heck, your own needs
today are probably very different from what they were ten years ago, and what they will be ten years from now. Lifestyles change. So do your
wardrobe needs.
Instead of asking yourself: "What should be in my wardrobe?" perhaps the
more appropriate question is, "Can I go everywhere I need to go with what's in my closet now?"
For most women, the answer is, "No."
Most tend to spend the bulk of their clothing allowance on their work
wardrobes and then look rag-tag during off hours. Many women who work at home or stay at home tend to short-change their own wardrobes and spend
the money on their kids or in other places instead. When either group is faced with a new situation like travel, a special function, or a
dramatic weather change, they're totally unprepared. That's when they go looking for a list so they won't be caught short
again.
So how can you develop your own list?
By taking a few minutes to jot down your needs and then compare that list
to what's in your closet. You'll find those gaping "holes" right away. Here's how:
1. Write It Down
Jot down a basic list of activities you do in an average week, month,
and year. You might also include occasional activities.
Here's an example:
Weekly
Work
Church
Exercise
Take kids to their activities
Errands
Eat out
Monthly
Volunteer at library
Association meeting
Host dinner party
Luncheon with friends
Go to the movies
Annually
Association Conference
Cross-country trip to in-laws' house
Beach vacation
Ski vacation
Autumn weekend in the mountains
Summer stock theatre tickets
Occasional Activities
Parties
Going to the ballet or opera
Weddings, graduations, funerals
Seasonal stuff like swimming, hay rides, skiing, berry picking
2. Check Your Closet
With list in hand, go flip through your closet and compare your
typical activities to the contents of your wardrobe. Do they match? Or are they way out of balance? Chances are, they're somewhere in
between.
3. Identify the Holes
Put a star by those activities where you're hard-pressed to come up
with something decent to wear from what's in your closet right now. Is it your casual wardrobe? The evenings out? The funerals? How about
your outerwear wardrobe? See any holes?
4. Brainstorm Mix and Match Possibilities
Before you head to the mall or start clicking away online, determine
which pieces you have that could work for multiple activities. Could you pair some of your dress work pants with a casual top for a great
weekend look? Could you wear a dark suit skirt with a beaded or lace top for a snazzy evening outfit? Could that dark suit also work well at
a funeral? Could you pair one of your work blazers with a sweater and jeans for a great fall weekend ensemble?
Write down (or snap a photo of) whatever you come up with, put it in a
small clothing reference notebook, and keep that notebook in your closet or some other handy place for easy reference.
5. Confirm Your List
Now you should have an idea of what you REALLY need to fill out your
wardrobe. Start with the items that will have the biggest impact FIRST (weekend wear if you have no casual clothes, a winter coat if you have
none), and then move on to the other items as your budget allows. Before you know it, you'll have everything you need to see you
through.
Building a functional wardrobe takes a little time and thought, and is
subject to change as your needs change. Whether you're in school, in a demanding career, staying at home, or enjoying your retirement, you need
to build the wardrobe that's right for YOU, that will take you wherever you need to go. There is no magic "one-size-fits-all" list. You alone can
accurately determine your needs, so take a little time to see what you have, what you need, and how to get from Point A to Point B in the most
cost-effective manner possible. Remember: you don't need to have a lot to LOOK like you have a lot. You just need the right pieces to get the job
done.
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| Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable
wardrobes. Visit her online at www.fashionforrealwomen.com . |
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