What is the relation between Your Wardrobe and your Lifestyle?

“To me, clothing is a form of self-expression – there are hints about who you are in what you wear.” – Marc Jacobs

Ever felt lost? Following the tips on your colors and pieces but still feel like your closet is not really yours? Theoretically you have followed the tips but perhaps, you overlooked (or felt overwhelmed) “according to your preference”.

What are your preferences now and what are you going through, which phase are you in and how are you feeling? If the answer to all these questions now is not what it used to be a year, month, week or even a day ago – you know you need a change.

Happens if you are drawn towards dressier or more casual items rather than you can credibly wear in your current life stage, change it. Imagine having to be in your 30s or 40s while having a closet holding on to outfits of your 20s, would you not be frustrated? Well of course you would be, might even start circling back to “I really don’t have anything to wear”.

Know your wants and differentiate between your needs. Set a clear objective to purposefully buy more things you would enjoy wearing every day, by then you should be making the most out of your time and wardrobe. Adapt your wardrobe to you and your current lifestyle, not to a magazine. Incorporate essentials that are versatile, timeless and comfortable – allow yourself to get creative with your accessories and embrace the change.

Planning

To get the full benefit of your time and your wardrobe, might be useful to start taking note of your everyday activities. This helps you think about what activities you do every day and what kind of clothes you actually own. You do have a style somewhere between all the styles pieces you ow, you just need to navigate through. Categorize it according to (classic (the dressy), casual (the relaxed), smart (dressed a’notch) and edgy (the statement)). After noting down the occasions/activities, consider how much time spent on each. Again, go back to your closet and observe, are those clothes serving these purposes (activities and occasions) whether it was for your casual, smart casual, pro attire and are they on point? Who inspires you when you think of clothes? Which brands do you usually like wearing (every brand has a character in my opinion) it definitely- influences your decision and contributes to something, no?

Managing your change

I have noticed out of a personal experience that most of my wardrobe has had plenty of formal wear given the amount of time spent at work. If it wasn’t for the office it was for an interview if it wasn’t for an interview it was for a formal evening with friends (these were either happy ones or sad ones you know). Having been constantly too busy to keep up an active or social life; in return the items I had serving those occasions were to a minimum or even close to none.

Shopping was dedicated to professional wear, but as for casuals I have kept my 20s wardrobe. You know this shirt you had since collage maybe and those pants you shopped for by chance because you were near by the movies or just because your friends decided to go on a shopping spree and you had to just had to grab ANYTHING?. Shocking! I was then drawn to understanding what has changed, found out where the discrepancies are and took a decision to learn more about essentials that can help me balance out a healthier vibe and an active conscious role in boosting my spirit. You’ll notice that if you successfully eradicate pieces from your wardrobe that does not serve/ compare to your desired style, you will then be able to keep a smarter closet, finally get dressed instantly and will love and enjoy the process of getting ready for whatever the occasion is. Your closet does not need to be daunting every time you remember you have to be somewhere!

Essentials are the key to balancing between both your lifestyle and closet. Not to overwhelm you but, clothes are just clothes it is how you style them for the occasion that counts.

 “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” — Lauren Hutton

# Tips

You do not have to look like no one you are your own person. But if you do want to replicate a style that is dear to you, close to you or inspires you, then -by all means- do just that!

In the end of the day, it is your choice, your wardrobe and your vibe. Express yourself!

“Create your own visual style… Let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” – Orson Welles

For more ideas on outfits and colors, visit our ‘Shop by Look’ category on www.thesolidessentials.com and let us know what you think!