Have you ever stood in front of a full closet and felt like you had nothing to wear? You’re not alone who can't decide with best color combinations. It’s easy to amass a pile of clothing over time and then feel overwhelmed when putting together outfits. This is where learning how to style clothes can really help. Styling clothes rather than just wearing them lets you express your unique personality and preferences to elevate your look. This article will share tips on how to style clothes to help you confidently create outfits that reflect your individuality.

WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app is a valuable tool for helping readers achieve their objectives, such as confidently elevating their wardrobe by learning to thoughtfully style their clothes to express their unique personality rather than just wearing them. 

Table of Contents

• What is an Outfit & 7 Reasons Why You Might Be Struggling to Put One Together

• How to Develop a Sense of Style from Scratch

• 4 Things That Will Make It Easier for You to Put an Outfit Together

• A Stylist on How to Style Your Clothes, Instead of Just Wearing Them

• 15 Wardrobe Resolutions to Undertake to Make You More Stylist

• Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today
  
  

What is an Outfit & 7 Reasons Why You Might Be Struggling to Put One Together

When you say 'outfit,' you`re talking about a cohesive set of garments that create a particular look. The outfit is more than just clothes. It’s about expressing your personality, matching the occasion, and feeling comfortable. 

Dictionary.com defines an outfit as a set of usually matching or harmonious garments and accessories worn together. The key word for me in the definition above is harmonious. The clothes don’t have to match, but the overall look should be harmonious, easy or pleasant. That’s not to say that you can’t wear clashing colors or prints (you love a clashing outfit, especially when it's print), but even clashing outfits have something pleasing to the eye, making them work. And that's exactly what I will show you how to do!   

1. You're Overwhelmed by Your Closet

If your wardrobe is so full that you can't see what you have, you'll gravitate towards wearing the same few items hanging at the front of your wardrobe, on the chair, or at the top of the laundry basket. If you think this might be one of your hurdles to creating outfits, you should edit your wardrobe to clear some space.  

2. You Have Clothes You Can't Wear

If you have clothes in your wardrobe that no longer serve you, they will prevent you from putting outfits together that you can wear. Examples of this are: 

• Clothes that are too small or too large for you. 

• Clothes that don't align with your current lifestyle. 

• Clothes you don't like but can't bear to part with because they were a gift or you spent good money on them. 

• Clothes that are tired or damaged and that you avoid wearing. 

• Or clothes that you can no longer wear for health reasons.
  
  

If you have clothes that fall into one or some categories, remove them from your closet to free up space.  

3. Your Closet Is Missing Essentials 

A wardrobe that is easy to use is built on a strong foundation of essential items. These clothes form the skeleton of your collection and your outfits. 

We will need a slightly different collection of essentials, which must work for our lifestyle, shape, and style preferences. With the correct essentials, it will be easy to build outfits. With them, you'll be able to complete outfits.  

4. You Don't Have the Right Shoes 

They are permitting you to purchase more shoes! Shoes are the key to every outfit. The wrong shoes will ruin an outfit, and the right shoes will make it. The best way to identify which shoes are missing is to make a note whenever you put a great outfit together but can't find the right shoes. 

That sounds obvious, but how often have you hung something back in the wardrobe and forgotten about it because you don't have the right shoes? Next time, actively notice, make a note, and (if possible) wait to hang the item back in your wardrobe until you've found the right shoes to wear with it.  

5. You Don't Have Enough Accessories 

You are talking about more than just jewelry here, although jewelry is important, as well as belts, bags and scarves. One of the most important accessories for putting outfits together is a belt - one for your hips/jeans and another for your waist. They're one of the simplest ways to: 

• Improve the look and fit of clothing. 

• Finish off a look. 

• Tie together a disjointed outfit. 
  
  

Look at what accessories you have in your collection and make a note to add anything missing.  

6. You Don't Have the Right Color or Prints 

If your closet is a mishmash of different colors and prints, it might be difficult for you to combine pieces. Wearing color and print is wonderful, but if you struggle to assemble outfits, you can return your collection to a more limited color palette. You can add more colors and prints as you become more confident putting outfits together.  

7. You Don't Know What Flatters Your Shape 

If you don't know which clothes are the most and least flattering for your shape, you will keep buying clothes that you don’t wear, and you'll continue to put outfits together that look better in your head than they do on you.

Related Reading

• What Are Neutral Colors
• Color Wheel for Clothes

How to Develop a Sense of Style from Scratch

The first step in improving your sense of style is to look at how others do it. Pay close attention to what types of pieces they wear, what colors they mix, what shoes they pair with their outfits, how they accessorize, and so on. Pretend you are a researcher in a foreign culture and trying to discover the local customs as much as possible. 

Use your everyday environment as your lab: 

• Sit in a cafe and just watch people passing by

• Pay close attention to your co-workers’ and friends’ outfits

• Check out what my fellow commuters are wearing on my train ride to work
  
  

Cultivating Your Fashion Eye: Learning from Inspiration

Use Pinterest and fashion blogs to supplement your real-life studies and expose yourself to a broader range of styles. The key throughout this whole process is to be as precise as possible. If you see an outfit you like, figure out what makes it great. Is it the overall vibe of the look (e.g., preppy, bohemian, or minimalist), the color scheme, or a specific piece? Let’s say the two pics above caught your attention. 

• Was it because of the neutral colors?

• The simple lines? 

• Do you just like big sunglasses and black tote bags? 
  
  

That is how you train your eye, by observing and paying close attention to how other people wear clothes and what types of things resonate with you and which don’t. 

It’s super basic, but if you ask them about it, people with great styles who are ‘into fashion’ will probably tell you they do this already and have been doing so for years. Over time, you will get a better sense of what kinds of clothes you like and how you like them to fit, and you can then use that information to upgrade your wardrobe, either by wearing your existing clothes in a new way or by adding some new pieces. 

Imitate, Imitate, Imitate

How do students in art school learn their craft? By studying and copying the styles of other artists. You are usually about ‘developing your unique style’ and ignoring other people’s rules. For a beginner, imitating others can be a super helpful creative technique because it gives you a concrete blueprint to use as a starting point. Most fashion newbies who email me mention feeling overwhelmed and just plain confused. They know they need to experiment but don’t know where to start. 

Advice is always the same: 

• Imitate! Pick one outfit and copy it. Then assess what you like/don’t like about it, rinse and repeat. 

• Find an outfit on Pinterest or a fashion blog that you could imagine wearing for one of your regular day-to-day activities, such as going to work or on the weekends. 

• Use your clothes to replicate that outfit as closely as possible, or go into a store and try stuff on.

   

Imitating Helps You on Two Levels

By trying to copy an outfit as perfectly as possible, you are forced to pay attention to details, like the fit of the pieces and how they work together to create the overall silhouette of the outfit. When it comes to fashion, details like that matter. For example, the two outfits above consist of a white t-shirt, jeans, and a brown belt. The cut and fit of those pieces, as well as the silhouette and overall vibe of the outfit, are entirely different. 

On top of that, imitating is also a great way to experiment and hone in on your likes. In the best-case scenario, you love your copied look and have discovered a new favorite you’ll want to wear all the time (go ahead; outfits aren’t copyrighted). And if you don’t like the outfit on yourself, you can use that as an opportunity to learn more about your style by trying to figure out exactly what you don’t like about it, like: 

• What are the pieces' fit, colors, and materials? 

• Can you think of a way to tweak it to make it better? 

• Are there any aspects you do like about the look? 

• How could you incorporate them into your wardrobe?  
  
  

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Talk a lot about defining your style and building your wardrobe around it. If you are a fashion newbie, that may sound challenging. How do you know whether you prefer bright colors over neutrals or feel best in flowy bohemian pieces over tailored separates? 

Here’s How

The only way to ever reach a place where you can confidently say, "Yes, this is my style" is by exposing yourself to a wide range of aesthetics and experimenting to find out what you like and don’t like. 

Everyone you see with a great sense of style right now has gone through this experimentation phase at some point in their lives and could likely tell you millions of stories about all the terrible outfits they wore before they finally settled on a style. As a fashion newbie, you can do your best to speed up that process, but you still need to go through it. 

Professional Advice

• Make it fun but effective: Actively seek out new styles, colors, and silhouettes outside your typical comfort zone, all for research. 

• Set the stakes super low to avoid being overwhelmed: Go into stores to try on some stuff, take mental or actual notes of what you like/dislike, and leave again without buying anything. 
  
  

A helpful way to push yourself out of your comfort zone is to set yourself little challenges. For example, go into a store you have never bought anything from and challenge yourself to find an outfit you like and would wear. Or try on that one piece that you love on other people but think you can’t pull off yourself, and see if you can build an outfit around it. 

Use Your Most-Worn Pieces as the Starting Point

Even if you aren’t all that happy with the state of your wardrobe right now, chances are you own at least a couple of individual pieces that you do like. Using those pieces as the starting point is an easy, fail-proof way to start upgrading your wardrobe and how you dress. 

Here’s How

• Figure out what separates your favorites from the rest of your clothes, i.e. why you wear them more often. 

• Think colors, fabric, fit/silhouette, overall style and details. 

• Make sure you are precise at this point. 
  
  

Professional Advice

Instead of settling at ‘I like that pair of pants because it’s comfortable and has a nice fit’, find out what exact feature of the piece makes it so comfortable and well-fitting. The all-natural material, the high waist, the thicker fabric? 

Discovering Your Personal Style Through Self-Analysis

Once you have defined what you like about your favorite pieces, you’ll be left with a detailed list of things that are all your style and that you can use as a guide while shopping. Since you have been wearing all those things for a while already, there is a much lower risk of buying something that will end up unworn at the back of your closet. 

Another thing you can do is to do a little online research to see how other people are styling your most worn pieces. One of your wardrobe favorites is a simple mariniere/ striped top. Type in “striped top” on Pinterest or Google Images, et voilà: a whole set of new outfit ideas to experiment with.

4 Things That Will Make It Easier for You to Put an Outfit Together

1. Dress to Flatter Your Shape  

If you want to make putting outfits together easier, identify your shape and the styles that work for you. When you dress to flatter your shape, you’ll find it much easier to mix and match pieces that look great on you.  

Dressing to flatter isn’t everyone’s priority. But if you struggle to put together outfits that look as good on you as they do in your head, Spend time understanding the styles and shapes that work for you. Incorporate that knowledge into your outfits. Build a capsule wardrobe of clothes that align with your:

• Style preferences

• Lifestyle

• Body shape
  
  

Your outfits will be instantly recognizable as ‘you,’ but also look good on you and be easy to assemble. You might want to take my free body-shape quiz if you don't know your body shape. If you know your shape but don’t know which clothes are the most and least flattering for you, create a specific guide for each elementary body type here that will help you confidently shop for clothes that work for you. 

2. Know Your Style  

Understanding your style will help you put outfits together more easily. This isn’t essential, but knowing what you like and what you want to look like will make it much simpler for you to develop a capsule wardrobe that is easy to combine into outfits that you enjoy wearing. If your closet is a confusing mix of styles, none of which feel like you, you will continue struggling to put outfits together. 

3. Use Color Theory to Put Outfits Together  

The pieces that make up your outfit need to complement each other in some way, otherwise the outfit will feel disjointed, or jar. One of the simplest ways to ensure that items complement each other in an outfit is using color.

Before we dive into using color to put outfits together, there are five key terms that you'll want to understand: 

• Hue: This is, quite simply, the name given to any color on the color wheel 

• Shade: How light or dark the hue is (this is also known as tint) - mixing shades of one hue is a great way to build an outfit

• Complementary colors: These colors are opposite on the color wheel. They look great together and, when combined, make a great outfit. 

• Undertone: Some colors have a warm undertone, and others have a cool undertone. Building outfits around the same undertone will help ensure the pieces work together.

• And neutrals: A neutral is the easiest hue to work with. It typically works well together in any combination and can be mixed and matched with most other hues and prints. A neutral could be black, grey, white, cream, navy, khaki, tan, or brown. 
  
  

4. Get the Proportions Right  

If you’ve ever looked at your outfit and felt something looked off, or maybe you looked a little frumpy or dumpy, then the chances are the proportions of your outfit are wrong. The rule of thirds will help with that! 

Rule of Thirds to Perfect Outfit Proportions

If you struggle to understand this or are unsure about an outfit's proportions, a simple tip is to grab your phone, go to the camera settings, put ‘grid-lines on,’ and then take a mirror selfie of your outfit with your phone. 

The grid on your phone is the same grid used in the rule of thirds, so you can see how your outfit lines up. The more you practice, the better you’ll get, and eventually, it will become ingrained -you’ll just know if an outfit's proportions look right.  

4 Simple Ways to Correct the Proportions of an Outfit 

The simplest styling techniques to help you get the correct proportions in your outfit are:

1. Tuck your top in on one side or just at the front. You can also tie a knot in your top to bring the length up. These techniques have the bonus of highlighting and defining your waistline to create a curvier silhouette. They will also lengthen your legs. 

2. Another option is to use a belt to break up your outfit into the correct proportions. 

3. You can use layering to alter the proportions of an outfit.

4. You can use color to correct the proportions of your outfit:

• Using tucking in to correct the proportions of an outfit.

• Using the rule of thirds to improve the look of an outfit. 

• Using the rule of thirds to improve the look of an outfit. 
  
  

Discover Your Perfect Colors with WhatColors

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, our patented color match technology lets you get your season based on your skin tone. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Related Reading

• Outfit Color Combos
• Fashion Tips
• What Matches with Blue
• Yellow Color Combinations Clothing

A Stylist on How to Style Your Clothes, Instead of Just Wearing Them

Melbourne-based stylist Stuart Walford is all about styling clothes, not just wearing them. To him, "dressing is like storytelling. Everyone has a different tale to tell." In today's trend-driven world, this narrative is often based on the viral templates seen on TikTok. "It's so energising to see the community online and IRL embrace the power of styling and accessorizing to help elevate any possible outfit combination," Stuart says. "This would be up there as one of my favourite viral trends as it's completely accessible to anyone and simply involves getting creative with the accessories, shoes and embellishments one might find scattered throughout their closet." 

What Makes TikTok Trends Different Today? 

TikTok is a fiend for a trend; they form the basis of its attention-seeking algorithm. Most fashion trends floating around the video app circle around values that uphold fast fashion, think Shein hauls and fleeting microtrends. TikTok trends come about the same way Ernest Hemingway wrote about bankruptcy in 1926, "Gradually, then suddenly" (or how John Green wrote about falling in love, "slowly at first, then all at once"). 

That’s to say TikTok trends can influence our perception of culture, almost overnight. A potential anecdote to consumerism-driven trends is one where users show how they style their clothes instead of just 'wearing' them. With over 11.5 million views, this video shows people wearing a base outfit, like a plain mini dress or a pair of jeans, then styles it up with other garments and accessories. It's a trend not exclusive to any aesthetic, working on styles varying from elevated basics to colorful maximalism.

Why Styling Clothes is Good for Your Mind and Wardrobe

As opposed to trends that require purchasing new items or owning a societally approved body ("Is it a 'fit or is she just skinny?"), this video template allows anyone to experiment within their means. "It's fascinating, especially when it comes to more basic ensembles, for example, indigo jeans and a white T-shirt. The pieces remain essentially identical but your interpretation versus mine as to how we style these common archetypes varies greatly," Stuart continues. "It puts the spotlight back onto the power of dressing, using styling as a tool for storytelling." 

Fashion isn't simply the physical clothes someone wears; style comes from a breadth of tangible and intangible sources. It can be how someone owns the same item as you, but it can be styled to the point it's unrecognizable by playing with silhouettes, shapes, or accessories. 

Level Up Your Outfits with Accessories

When asked about items that can help elevate an outfit, Stuart immediately points to accessories. "Accessories are a great way to bring personality into any outfit. Like the knickknacks scattered around our house that we collect and acquire over time, they should tell a story," he says. "Always keep an eye out for interesting belts and vintage jewellery, as these are great, effortless ways to really change up a look." 

There isn't a formula to this trend, though videos see people throwing on layered garments like:

• Sweater over the shoulders

• Mini skirt over pants

• T-shirt under a dress
  
  

Playing around with silhouettes (like tucking in a top or unbuttoning a shirt), then adding accessories like sunglasses, a statement belt, or a scarf before finishing it off with jewelry. "Styling is really about playing with combinations and adding your own personal flair to the clothes you purchase," Stuart says. "There is no singular solution so I'd encourage you to quite literally play around in your wardrobe until you find new ways of putting your clothes together. It can be as simple as tying your shirt in a unique twist rather than using the buttons as intended." 

As encouraged by DIY makers and fashion upcyclers, no item is off-limits when it comes to fashion. "Take the laces out of shoes and replace them with ribbons or new laces to change the energy up. Once you start playing around, you'll naturally open up new ways of thinking and eventually approach dressing in a whole new way," Stuart says. "You can have a lot of fun when you include multiple elements, so for the best transformation, I'd go the full gamut so pull out your hats, bags, hosiery, eyewear, and go nuts!" The one piece of advice Stuart offers in terms of what to avoid? "Overthinking." 

7 Tips to Help You Discover Your Personal Style

1. Know Your Colors and How to Coordinate Them

You recently posted about the importance of wearing colors that match your natural coloring and are, therefore the most flattering for you. If you don't already have a palette of go-to colors that make you look amazing, do yourself a favor and find out with professional color analysis. It will make dressing and shopping so much easier. 

It's also super important to know how to combine your colors and understand what level of contrast makes you look your best. While some people look great in black and white, others look best in softer combinations, such as navy and peach. Explore and allow your best colors to express your individuality and personal style. 

2. Invest in Timeless Neutral Pieces 

Classic, timeless pieces never go out of style, and buying them in your most flattering neutrals is one of the best investments you can make in your wardrobe. Don't skimp on great pieces such as:

• classic trench

• Blazer

• Shirt

These are key foundation pieces in a professional wardrobe but also work for your social and casual wardrobes. 

When you buy them in your best neutrals, they will easily stand the test of time and can be paired back year after year with other items in your best accent colors. Audrey Hepburn favored black and white, which worked with her dark hair and fair complexion. Nicole Kidman looks great in creams and tans, which flatter her warm undertone. 

3. Be Objective About Your Body Shape 

Forget scrutinizing and focusing on every flaw you see in the mirror. Absolutely any body shape can look beautiful in the right pieces of clothing. Instead of honing in on what you don't like, focus on what you like to show off with clothing that fits you perfectly. 

Learn to look at clothing about how it fits and emphasizes your best parts. Don't get hung up on a specific size or think something is wrong with you when the clothes don't fit. Discover the most flattering shapes, styles, and fabrics for your particular silhouette. If you've got lots of curves, clothing that drapes and moves in and out with your curves will flatter you. Clothing that falls in a straight line enhances straighter body shapes. 

4. Take Some Creative Risks 

Trust your instincts. If you absolutely love something that's outside of what you would normally buy and makes you feel good, go for it. The key is to be willing to experiment. Start with something small, such as a piece of jewelry, and see how it feels to wear it. 

If you love it and it feels like you, the only way to develop and hone your own sense of style is to try different things. Remember, great personal style is personal and unique to you! Get inspiration from those whose style you admire, but put your own twist on it. 

5. Pull Outfits Together With Accessories 

We're often advised against wearing too much jewelry, but the fact is, most people don't wear enough. Well-selected jewelry and accessories are the glue that brings pieces of clothing together and forms a stylish outfit. Your choice of:

• Handbag

• Earrings

• Scarves

• Belts

• Shoes

• Nail colour 
  
  

You all have the power to reflect who you are and make your style authentically yours. Choose accessories that highlight rather than dominate or overpower you, and allow your personality to shine through. 

6. Become Attuned to What Things You Like and Don't Like 

When developing your style, it can be easier to start by thinking about what you don't like and then rule these out of any future shopping or outfits. You don't feel good wearing anything overly flowing or hippie-esh, so it doesn't makeup part of your style. 

By ruling out the things that don't align with us, we will naturally become aware of what feels good to wear. Keep a visual reference of what you like, and use this as your inspiration and filter to build your style. Once you have a feel for what works for you, stick with it, no matter what trends or fashion fads may come and go. 

7. Accept Yourself - Exactly as You are Today 

One thing I often hear from women is that they are waiting for the moment they become a certain or perfect weight. The fact is that day may, or may not, arrive. Learning to be comfortable with your looks and dressing in a way that reflects who you are are key components for developing your own personal style. 

Great personal style is not dependent on a certain weight, age, or predetermined notion of beauty. The most radiant woman in the room has something more powerful than just the right clothes, hairstyle, and makeup. She has inner confidence. Make the most of what you have and put your best face forward.

15 Wardrobe Resolutions to Undertake to Make You More Stylist

1. Don’t Buy Something for Just One Occasion

We’re all guilty of it: 

• Wedding

• Birthday party

• Friday night reunion dinner with your friends
  
  

Heading somewhere exciting means we inevitably need something special or new to wear. If you like the piece you buy, it rarely gets more than one outing. Instead of purchasing something specific for certain events, try to have a few dressier pieces in your wardrobe that are more versatile. If you go for something simple and more classic rather than trend-led, you can wear it repeatedly. Accessorized cleverly, it will never feel like the same look.

2. Don’t Buy or Keep Something That Doesn’t Fit

It’s not uncommon to hold on to items that no longer fit you, hoping they will again one day. It’s also not unusual to buy something in a size too small as an incentive to lose weight or because it’s in the sale and they don’t have your usual size. 

Holding on to these items you can’t physically wear is one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to reduce the size of your wardrobe. Be realistic and honest with yourself. If it doesn’t fit you, it’s time to sell or donate it.

3. Don’t Buy or Keep Something That Doesn’t Suit You

As well as holding onto things that don’t fit, many of us keep pieces that we know don’t suit us. Often, we’ve bought something on a whim because it’s a big trend or because we saw someone else wearing it and thought it looked amazing, but because it just doesn't suit us, we've never actually taken it out of the cupboard. If a piece of clothing doesn’t make you feel confident and comfortable, it has no place in your life.

4. Don’t Buy Something Just Because It’s a Bargain

It’s easy to be won over by a big discount, and you should make the most of huge markdowns, especially when it comes to investment designer pieces, but only if that piece is something you need to add to your arsenal. Never buy something just because it’s a great deal. No matter how affordable, it’s a complete waste of money if you never wear it.

5. When You Buy Something, Get Rid of Something Else

An excellent way to keep your wardrobe at a sensible size is to adopt the one-in, one-out policy: every time you add something new, take a piece out (and sell it or donate it to charity). Not only will it keep your rails and shelves from overflowing, it also means you must be much more confident about your purchase. You’ll never buy something unless you completely love it, knowing that you will have to lose something special from your wardrobe. 

6. Clothes Swap With Your Most Stylish Friends

Swapping pieces with friends is a great way of keeping your wardrobe fresh. Operate your one-in, one-out policy by getting rid of something you haven't worn in months and trading it for a piece your friend has got bored of wearing (but you have always had an eye on). 

Whether you host clothes-swap parties with a big group or just have a deal with one friend, trading clothes is a great way to have an exciting wardrobe without spending money or causing further environmental damage. 

7. Don’t Go on Extravagant Shopping Sprees

Often, we get stuck in style ruts, feel like we hate everything in our wardrobes, and have nothing to wear. When this happens, more often than not, we go on a big shopping spree and spend huge amounts of money on precisely these trend-led items that end up sitting in our wardrobes forever, never being worn.

Don’t let it get to this point. Look out all year round for pieces you love, and note what you lack when you realize it. Think of it as a constant and evolving process rather than returning to square one every few months. Allowing yourself to buy one nice piece now and then rather than having two huge shopping sprees a year will likely result in much better-thought-out decisions and, as a result, a far more stylish wardrobe.

8. Make an Effort to Discover New Brands

Another reason you get stuck in style ruts is that you become attached to and comfortable with specific shops. It’s great to have your core favorites who you trust and know last well, but there are always so many new, unique brands hitting the market that are waiting to be discovered.

From high-end designer labels to more affordable mid-range brands, keep exploring all year round. You’ll end up with extraordinary, stylish finds (that, bonus, nobody else has). 

9. Make Some Tough Decisions

Nobody likes throwing things away. To part with a piece of clothing sometimes means letting go of memories, which can be tough to do. There’s no need to hold on to everything you’ve ever loved, especially if it’s something you haven’t worn for decades. 

If you can’t bear to part with something, put it on trial and see how many times you wear it in the next six months. If it doesn’t see an outing, it's officially time for it to go.

10. Create a Uniform

One of the big misconceptions about being stylish is that you should never buy something similar to what you already own. Of course, nobody aims to have an entire wardrobe of only 15 navy blue jumpers and ten identical pairs of black skinny jeans. 

Don’t be afraid to use your knowledge of what suits you. All of the most stylish women in the world have their uniforms. They keep it simple, know what they look good in, and stick to this formula when choosing new pieces. 

11. Know Your Wardrobe Inside Out

It sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget what's sitting in our wardrobes, and, for many of us, there will be great pieces hidden away that haven't seen the light of day for years or that will have been forgotten about during lockdown. 

Before buying something new, ensure you have an apparent idea of what is already in your wardrobe. If you have a clear-out and declutter, you will know what's in there, and this will prevent you from accidentally buying things you don't need. 

12. Invest in What You Already Own

Many of us are guilty of throwing pieces away when damaged, but just because something is a little worn does not mean it needs to be discarded. Invest in the pieces you already have in your wardrobe by knowing where to get things fixed in your local area, from a great seamstress to shoe and handbag restoration companies. It is worth spending a little bit of money to get things fixed rather than re-buying the same thing time and time again. 

13. Embrace Rental Fashion

Thanks to a growth in awareness about sustainability, it has always been challenging to rent clothes, with massive growth in the number of fashion rental companies available. Renting instead of buying is a great way to get a more stylish wardrobe for several reasons. 

You can frequently feel that you are wearing something new, which is great for special occasions like weddings or parties where you may previously have bought a one-occasion outfit. Another advantage is that you can be a little more adventurous with what you try; you may step out of your comfort zone and find great pieces you would have been too afraid to buy.
 

14. If You're Not Sure About a Piece's Wearability, Try the Hanger Trick

At the beginning of the season, place all your hangers in the same direction. Each time you wear a piece, turn the hanger the other way. Very quickly, within the season, you will see what you wear and don't. 

According to Vestiaire Collective co-founder Fanny Moizant, women usually only wear 40 to 60 percent of their wardrobe. She swears by this hanger trick and shares more of her wardrobe detox tips here. 

15. Don't Underestimate the Power of a Capsule Wardrobe

To be truly stylish, you need a manageable budget or three walk-in wardrobes worth of designer clothes. You don't need a lot to look good. 

What you do need, though, is to make good, sensible decisions. Buy what you need, buy what makes you feel great, and hold on to nothing more. And look after your clothes. You can do it in just 15 pieces. Just think of the space you'll save.

Related Reading

• Colors That Go with Brown Clothes
• Stylish Outfits for Women
• How to Choose Eyeshadow Color According to Dress
• What Color Goes with Brown
• Casual Outfits for Women
• Bright Color Palette
• Neutral Color Palette
• What Colors Go with Everything
• Colors That Go with Navy Blue
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• What Color Goes with Navy Blue
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• Color Matching Clothes

Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

Nail colors are a fun way to express your personality and style. You can change them with the seasons, customize them for special occasions, and even match them to your outfits. That’s why picking the perfect colors that suit you is so important. 

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the ideal nail color with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.