How to make a small wardrobe work

After the post I did about my wardrobe, I got lots of questions if it’s really that small. Yes, it is. Where most women would probably freak out by the idea of having less clothes, for me it simply works.

It wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized having too many clothes made creating outfits more difficult, rather than making it easier. My closet (or actually, my room!) was often a mess, I didn’t have a clear oversight and every morning the big question rose: What to wear?

That needed to stop and so I started out by doing a major wardrobe clean out. I got rid of everything I didn’t wear and although it was tough in the moment, I feel like I stil profit from it today. My wardrobe only contains items I absolutely love, is uncluttered and tidy and it’s a lot easier to come up with what to wear.

These are some tips and tricks on how to make a small wardrobe work:

(1.) Start with the basics
As with most things you build from scratch, it’s important to start with a solid foundation. Same goes for your wardrobe. A good foundation to me consists of some basics that I can always fall back on whenever I don’t know what to wear, or if I want to add something a bit more classy to my outfit.

(2.) Be critical
Whenever you’re shopping, don’t get carried away by how trendy it is or by the fact that it’s a great bargain. Ask yourself how you’re going to mix and match it; can you come up with at least three different outfits? If yes, it’s a winner. If not, be strong and leave it be. You’ll thank yourself for it later. A small wardrobe works best if everything is more or less interchangeable. That’s also where the basics come in, they often function as the glue that holds your wardrobe together.

(3.) Look for versatility
Completely blanking out in front of your closet in the morning, not knowing what to wear can be a pain in the butt, period. Don’t give up just yet! This is where you get to be creative. That dress that you’ve got, would it be possible to wear it as a skirt? Perhaps there are a few items you could layer up, to create a completely different look. Let’s get inventive!

(4.) Out with the old, in with the new
Do closet detox sessions on the regular. If you’re not wearing something anymore, it’s probably best to get rid of it. The decision whether to keep it or not can be tough, but if you’re doing things right (sell the items that are still in good condition for example) you can treat yourself with a little shopping spree afterwards.

(Image src: stylizimoblog)