I've always loved fashion. As a middle and high schooler, I poured over fashion magazines and spent much of my freetime putting together outfits that I had nowhere to wear. Even one of my childhood aspirations was to be a fashion designer.
To me, clothes serve more than a functional purpose of keeping us decent and protecting our skin from the elements. Clothes are an avenue for self-expression. It's not all about vanity. The right outfit can be an instant confidence boost, which changes how you carry yourself. I also believe that everyone has a sense of style that's unique to you, your personality, and lifestyle.
That said, I did not always have the best taste, especially in middle school and early high school. Think neon knee-high socks, fedoras, fingerless gloves, and bedazzled peace signs. I specifically remember wanting to be "funky." My style has definitely matured, tjhough I think I've retained some of that funk and channeled it in a more whimsical way (at least I hope).
Now that I've graduated, I feel like I've entered a new chapter, and my wardrobe should reflect it. I spend more time in business casual attire than I do lecture-approved graphic tees and jean jackets. I'm also past due for a closet clean-out. I literally cannot fit anymore clothes in my closet or drawers. However, I want to be highly intentional with this clean-out and subsequent additions. I don't want to purge anything I haven't worn in six months only to buy it again.
This brings me to wardrobe curation. I've conducted some research on how to curate a wardrobe (i.e. -- YouTube videos, which I've organized into a playlist here. [Be advised: some strong language]). Out of that research, I've come up with these seven steps to curating your personal style.
One: Assess current wardrobe
The first step of wardrobe creation varied. Some suggested to look for inspiration first, but Ashley from the YouTube channel bestdressed recommends to look at what you're already wearing first. This will give you a better grasp on what your current style is.
I documented what I wore each day in January with a simple mirror selfie. Right now I'm capturing my winter wardrobe, but living in Wisconsin means I spend a good portion of the year in winter clothes. I'm also taking into consideration that this is work wear, though it's not that different from how I dress outside work -- just imagine more Star Wars tees.
Two: Dissect and analyze
After documenting your outfits, ask yourself few questions:
How did this outfit make me feel? How did each clothing item make me feel?
Does this reflect my current lifestyle and personality?
What elements are found across these outfits (color, pattern, texture, styling, formality, beauty notes, fit, silhouette, brand etc.)?
What elements do I want to incorporate in my dream style?
These questions also apply each item in your closet. The point is to determine what you're drawn to, what you feel the best in, and what is flattering on you.
Personally, I'm drawn to anything cinched at the waist, stripes, florals, and blues. I also love fun details like peplum, ruffled/puffed sleeves, and square necklines.
In this step, you should also assess your physicality. Audrey Coyne has great resources on in-depth body and coloring analysis. Knowing your body type and coloring is an essential element to curating your personal style. Each piece should compliment you specifically.
Three: Visualize with a mood board
Finally, we have made it to the inspiration station. Collect inspiration from many sources: Pinterest, magazines, Instagram, movies, designer runways, celebrities, and more. Audrey suggests to find a few celebrities who share your body type/coloring and look at how they dress.
After collecting inspiration, do another round of analysis, ask similar questions as in Step Two, particularly the common elements. Maybe there's a recurring item, such as a white blouse, or a similar color palate.
Some advice mentions culling your inspiration to a limited number of images. This approach forces you to narrow your aesthetic, which is the whole point of wardrobe curation. The leftover collection of images become your target style.
Honestly, this step will be difficult for me. I love so many styles and aesthetics -- like all versions of academia, cottagecore, vintage fashion, and royalty core -- that it feels impossible to choose just one! I know I don't have to be solely committed to one, but I want it to be cohesive. I plan to come up with three to five words that describe my target style.
Four: Use what you have
Next, pull pieces from your current wardrobe that fit your target style. Store what doesn't in a container or in the back of your closet. It's too early to purge anything yet!
Essentially, you're creating a capsule wardrobe. I'd limit your capsule wardrobe from anywhere between 20 to 30 items. You want it to be smaller than your current closet but large enough to not have to do laundry every 3 days.
I've had experience with a capsule wardrobe when I studied abroad. I was worried that I would get bored with my clothes, (as I often did when I had my full closet available), but I didn't. I also found that I was more experimental with my limited options. I discovered that I love layering turtlenecks under tees and wearing denim on denim.
Capsule wardrobes are beneficial not just for closet space and versatility. They aid in limiting decision fatigue -- a phenomenon about our capacity to make decisions. The more decisions we have to make, the more fatigued our brains become, which hinders the quality of our decisions. Feeling like you have nothing to wear when your closet is overflowing can be a sign of decision fatigue. Too many options can be overwhelming. (This is also why I would recommend picking out your outfit the night before; it's one less decision to make in the morning!)
Five: Create a uniform
Once you've gotten the basics of your target style, create a uniform. Creating a uniform is making a repliable outfit formula. It can be dressed up or down. This is what will make your style uniquely yours. Another way to think of this step is choosing staple items that reflect your target style.
A uniform works for any location, event, season, or level of formality. It will also help you on days when outfit inspo is lacking or when the alarm rings too soon. All you need is your uniform, plus a accessories to change it up.
Your uniform should feel like you and make you feel your best. The items don't have to be the same as the oft recommended ones (a little black dress, white tee, neutral colors, etc.). It can be as basic as a simple top, jeans or pants, and cute shoes. If you're aiming for a vintage look, your staples might include cigarette pants and a boatneck top. But if you want a preppy wardrobe, you may choose a sweater and a pleated skirt.
Right now I think my uniform is a t-shirt/blouse and a high-waisted skirt. This is easily dressed up or down, and it often just depends on my shoes!
Six: Give it a trial run
Spend at least 30 days with your capsule wardrobe. You may want to document this process with mirror selfies as well. Take notes on what you wish you had or didn't store.
After you finish your capsule trial run, sift through your wardrobe and cull items that you know for sure don't fit your target style/current capsule. You could exchange items that you are indecisive about and do another capsule.
Seven: Shop intentionally
Lastly, fill in missing items over time, taking budget and quality into consideration. Creating a wishlist is a great way to avoid impulse buys. This will also help you decide what to splurge on and what to save on. For example, maybe you splurge on well-made leather boots but save a on thrifted denim jacket. Give yourself time to find these pieces. Curating your wardrobe is an investment!
Extra things to consider are creating a year-round color palate and choosing year-round fabric, textures, and patterns. This will ensure that all your pieces will mix and match well. Considering the fabric and construction of the item will also give it better longevity in your closet.
Overall, curating your personal style is about building a wardrobe that will carry you through many years to come.
Lastly, a few reminders: First, personal style development and wardrobe curation is a lifelong endeavor. This process will take time, so be sure to value progress over perfection. And it's not the most important thing in the world. Sometimes I feel silly talking about fashion, because it's often perceived as vain or self-absorbed, but I truly have a passion for it!
Second, if you want to make a dramatic change to your style, but don't feel confident or worry about what others may think, ease yourself into it. Eventually people will learn to associate your new style with you just being you.
And finally, fashion and style are subjective. What you love, someone else may hate, and that's okay! Just do you do. In the same vein, if any of these steps don't work for you, ignore it. My tips aren't the Holy Grail of wardrobe curation.
Let me know if you have other suggestions for developing your personal style!