How To Curate Your Most Wearable Wardrobe

How many times have you found yourself sitting in front for your wardrobe thinking, “I have nothing to wear”? This used to happen to me with alarming regularity. And my reaction was to go out and buy more clothes. And yet, when it came to getting dressed for work, or a dinner date, or cocktails, I would find I had nothing to wear. Again. Till one day, I realised what the problem was. 
While my knee-jerk reaction to not having anything to wear was to go out and buy more clothes, I wasn’t buying the right clothes. By that I mean I was buying senselessly. It dawned on me that I’d buy anything that caught my fancy without thinking about how it would fit in with the rest of my wardrobe. And as a result, I had many nice clothes, but not much that worked when it came to putting an outfit together.

Once I’d figured out the problem, the solution was simple. I set a few ground rules for next time I went shopping. I was only allowed to buy clothes that –

1. Went with three other pieces in my wardrobe.
2. Could be dressed up or dressed down.
3. Or was something I absolutely loved. (Not to be used to impulse buy.)

Once I began to implement these ‘rules’ each time I went shopping, my outfits started coming together and getting dressed became much easier. Take for example the latest addition to my wardrobe – distressed white jeans from American Eagle Outfitters. When I saw them, I instantly knew I had to have them. Not only because they were a great fit and the high-waist complemented my pear shaped body, but also because they could easily be matched with different tops and shoes to create a variety of outfits for different occasions.

When I want to dress them up, I throw on a vest and add a pair of peep-toe booties. Keeping the outfit monochrome makes it impactful.

Add a bright top and block heels and voila, you have a breezy brunch outfit.

The beauty of this pair of jeans is that they’re truly versatile and can really be worn just about anywhere. I can throw them on with a cropped top and my New Balance and just as easily use them when I’m just chilling.

Do you have any shopping rules? I’d love to hear what works for you in the comments below.

All images in this post are in collaboration with my very talented friend
Myke Motus.