Curate A Wardrobe You Actually Want To Live In
When you open your closet, do any of these statements hit home?
I want my wardrobe to reflect who I am now, not who I used to be.
What is my personal style? What colors and cuts actually suit me?
I want a cohesive look, not a mix of random items.
I want a wardrobe that fits my lifestyle—work, weekends, going out.
I was certainly at that point lately—feeling like I had just outgrown my style. That I had evolved, but my wardrobe hadn’t. That had to change. So I did.
I put together a simple four-step approach, and oh boy, I didn’t expect that curating my wardrobe would go far beyond just updating a few clothing pieces. Honestly, it became—and still is—a beautiful journey of self-discovery.
But let me tell you: this is not a quick fix. It’s a dynamic process that you’ll repeat any time you feel the need to reconnect with your current self. This time, we build our wardrobe intentionally—with joy, peace, and of course, with style.
Image courtesy to Taylor Heery.
1. Lay the Foundation
Hold on—it's tempting, I know. But we won’t be hopping onto our favorite online store and marking every trendy piece as a favorite, or rushing into the nearest shop to try on more pieces than allowed in the fitting room. Remember? We’re playing the long game now. Successfully.
Start by reflecting on your current wardrobe:
What do you love and reach for with excitement?
What don’t you wear—and why?
What do you like or dislike about each item (think color, texture, fit)?
Make a Pinterest mood board. Total game-changer. It helps you start identifying your true style. There’s only one rule: stay honest with yourself. Pin for your true self, not your dream self (you know, the fancy businesswoman or the dreamy horse-riding girl—we’ve all been there). Pin what catches your eye without overthinking it.
Pro tip: I created separate mood boards for different “capsules”—spring/summer, autumn/winter, dog walks, athleisure. Highly recommend.
Optional: Need more clarity? For the next few weeks, take note of what you wear, why you picked it, and how you feel in it. Take photos if that helps you evaluate fit, color, or combinations later.
2. Identify Your Do’s and Don’ts
This step is key. Because when we’re tired or impatient, we tend to fall back into our old habits and settle for “just okay” pieces. But no—we’re not doing that anymore. You’re on a beautiful journey of building a wardrobe that’s evolving as you are. Let’s keep it personal, intentional, and you.
By now, you’ve got a clearer image of your current taste—these are your first do’s and don’ts.
Now extend that insight with the style you aspire to.
Go back to your Pinterest boards. What themes or patterns keep showing up?
Identify gaps in your current wardrobe: do you love flowy skirts and cardigans but only own jeans? Obsessed with strappy sandals but only have sneakers?
Also look for potential in what you already have. Maybe that shirt you forgot about works great in a different combo. You might want to upgrade it eventually, but for now, stick to filling the real gaps.
With that knowledge, pick out a few key pieces you want to add—those that will give you more mix-and-match options with what you already own. These are the items to start looking for.
3. Declutter Your Wardrobe
You’ve done the groundwork. Now it’s time to go back to your wardrobe and sort through it with intention.
If something doesn’t match the vibe anymore—let it go.
But of course, if you love it, keep it! Ultimately, it’s all about you feeling good in what you wear.
Not sure about an item? Store it out of sight. After the season’s over, revisit and reevaluate.
And for those pieces you like but that don’t really fit your evolving style—consider keeping them as a backup for dog walks, house days, or muddy adventures.
4. Complement Your Wardrobe
Start looking out for those few key pieces you identified—but challenge yourself to be brutally honest when trying things on:
Is it exactly what you’re looking for?
Does it check all the do’s and none of the don’ts?
This is where it gets fun. You just keep going from here.
Remember: this is a long game. Flip the script—instead of rushing, enjoy the process. Revisit your Pinterest board every now and then and check in with yourself: does your style still reflect your life and vibe?
Let it evolve with you.
Let it be joyful.
Let it be you.
Have fun. ✨