Contrary to what it might seem like, having a good wardrobe isn’t materialistic, or unaffordable. I raise this because often a good wardrobe is associated with people who are into fashion, enjoy shopping or even privileged and can allegedly afford nice clothes. When in actuality, a good wardrobe is ultimately about either how you feel (what is a good wardrobe according to you?) and / or simply having it there in the background so you can navigate yourself well throughout the day without really needing to think about clothes too much. 

It was actually a couple of years ago when I understood why Steve Jobs would wear the same thing every day; mental energy truly is a currency and having to invest your attention on clothes really can be draining, when instead you can be investing in something else more worthwhile. Being well presented doesn’t take a lot of effort. But being stylish does.

I don’t like excess, wastage or showmanship. Nor am I hoarder so when it comes to clothes, I try not to hold onto things. I’m definitely more into having a sense of style than being fashionable - they really are two completely different things.  

Whilst clothes aren’t the most important thing in the world, everyone deserves to feel good and present the best version of themselves. So here’s how to potentially go about sharpening a wardrobe that is based more on style and living a life well lived, than just acquiring ‘stuff’…

1. Don’t buy something just because you like it

Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say this, but I assure you there is a lot of logic behind it. That is not to say buy things you don’t like, but to say you shouldn’t be buying everything you like. Often we see stand-alone things which are really appealing, but just because you like it doesn’t mean you’ll wear it or even get much use out of it. Especially as there are a lot of things you can be attracted to, but as I’m sure we’ve all experienced, attraction doesn’t always lead to substance :p

2. Complete your outfits

You know when you open your wardrobe and you feel as if you have nothing to wear despite the amount of clothes towering over you - this would be why. (Or if you’re a woman, equally likely because you can’t find the right thing to wear which is in tune with how you are feeling that day. But that’s a different matter.)

The problem with getting carried away and buying only things you like as mentioned above, is that sometimes you can keep liking the same style, same category of clothing e.g. you might end up having ten lovely tops but no bottoms to go with them.

Believe it or not, it can be hard to force yourself to complete your outfits (maybe you’d rather buy another pretty dress than force yourself to buy a top which you really need with that pair of trousers.) Which is why building a good wardrobe takes discipline. And also why thinking about clothes can be draining.

3. Choose longevity over impulse purchases

I know I’ve bought well when even years later, I take out a dress and I’m still so in love with it like it was the first time, and still feel like wearing it again and again. Not only do I feel so satisfied at having a wardrobe made up of pieces like this so there is little to no clutter, but I equally don’t feel wasteful, which is really important to me.

I’m all for buying special, one off pieces, but even those pieces should be something you feel you will be able to wear long into the future. And how can you tell whether that would be the case? That really comes down to the way you assess your clothing before you buy it. Are you someone who knows what they like and envision yourself in it for a long time to come, or do you just like it at the moment?

4. What you buy (can be) more important than where you buy

Quality over quantity for sure. It doesn’t matter if you buy something from a charity shop, a bougie boutique or from a luxury brand, it’s about what specifically you’re buying not where you are buying from as you’ll be able to find the most wonderful unique pieces from the most unlikely of places.

The only reason why I added a parentheses in the heading, was to imply on occasion what you buy isn’t always more important than where. This is because ultimately what you want is to purchase selective, high quality pieces which will be endurable. In that respect where you buy might make a difference to the quality of the product. 

However, given the global supply chain manufacturing has and how so many brands actually purchase material and manufacture clothing from the same places... but then just put a different price tag on it, it really is about having an eye for high quality products and differentiating them because you could have one store that would sell a range of high quality goods, right next to a stand of clothes made of disposable fabric.

5. Accessories matter

I honestly think accessories are the hardest thing to get right - as a woman. And that’s because there is just so much crap out there. There is also a plethora of options when it comes down to - in want for a better word - ‘transforming’ an outfit. And I’m not referring to taking your day dress and ‘transforming’ it into evening wear with a pair of shoes or earrings (here’s a nod to the interns at the countless fashion brands who copywright this statement repeatedly in their product descriptions because, well, let's face it...how many ways are they to sell a dress?) But I’m referring to subtle transformations that can help make the outfit ‘pop’, feel more ‘complete’ or ‘harmonised’ and just altogether more put together.

6. Trends don’t matter

Trends are the fastest way of getting caught up in fast fashion; you love something in that moment and then come next season, next year and you never really want to see it again. The best thing about the rise of online shopping is that it has enabled people to purchase things out of season and beyond trends at any point of the year. Previously if you wanted a party dress, you’d be forced to wait for Christmas for the retailers to start displaying those. 

Don’t get me wrong, trends play an important role as they dictate the collections and production of clothes worldwide. And it’s likely you will always be buying something that’s in trend because most things will be made accordingly. But that’s not to say you need to be conscious of it. If you like a trend, invest in it, if you don’t just leave it. The only thing that matters is what you like and what makes you feel good.

7. Money can’t buy taste

Yes, money can make a lot of things better and easier. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves. But as we all know, there are many important things in life that money can’t influence. Skipping over love, happiness and health (although arguably money can buy you the best healthcare in the world… and then again if fate has its way, even the best treatment in the world might fail to help you recover)... money really can’t buy you good taste.  

You can spend little money on your wardrobe and honestly look better and more stylish (whatever your end goal is) than someone who has spent a lot of money. Whilst money can allow you to invest in better fabrics and cuts (unfortunately there is no way around that one) the ability to know how to look refined, or balanced in your un-refinement, is a skill. 

And finally…

There is a place for bad taste

Oh yes there is! Nestled in good taste...obviously. The late Diana Vreeland, American Vogue’s former editor who went on to become a real cultural icon, put it so well when she said:

It’s like guilty pleasures; you might know it’s bad taste but it feels really good...and fun. And sometimes that tacky choker really does bring out the rest of the outfit. Just as long as you’re aware of it being in bad taste, then I would say you’re officially savvy enough to go rogue.

And if all else fails, well, who cares. It’s just clothes.

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