Whether you’re refreshing your style or need to re-build your wardrobe, having a checklist can help you remain organised and focused.
Building a wardrobe checklist of essential clothing items can save you time, money, and stress. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started.
Assess Your Lifestyle
Really consider your daily activities and the occasions you typically dress for. Are you a professional, or someone who works from home? Do you attend social events often, or do you generally stay at home? Understanding your lifestyle is important, you will want to match your clothing quantities to “levels of formality”. Levels of formality are basically dress codes across the spectrum: formal/dressy, traditional business, smart business, relaxed business, smart casual, leisure, sport/exercise, renowear. I include lifestyle analysis in my Wardrobe Audit & Planning service.
Versatility
Choose clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Versatile pieces like solid-coloured tops, jeans that suit your body type, and blazers in your best neutrals can be paired with various accessories to create multiple looks without needing a vast wardrobe. By selecting versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched, you can maximize outfit options while minimising the number of items you need to own. This approach not only simplifies daily dressing but also encourages readiness for diverse scenarios, from casual outings to work commitments, enhancing both convenience and style.
Colour Palette
It’s simple to mix and match different pieces if your items are part of your unique colour palette. Why? Because all colour within a palette should “go” with each other, due to their common properties of hue, intensity and depth. While you probably won’t have clothing in every single colour of your palette, you would have chosen colours you both like and align to your personal style.
Neutrals
Neutral colours are the backbone of a hard-working wardrobe. Even if you love colours and wear them constantly, it’s easiest to start with a neutral base (e.g., skirt, trousers, shorts) and then expand from there with colour. Have enough of your ideal neutrals throughout your clothing items. Neutrals include black, white, taupe, ivory, grey, navy, olive, tan, camel, khaki, cream, chocolate.
Climate
Your checklist should include clothing suitable for the climate you live in. For example, if you live in a warmer climate, focus on breathable fabrics, lightweight layers, and limit heavier/warmer clothing like coats.
Statement Pieces
While basics form the foundation of your wardrobe, it gets too boring unless some statement pieces are included that work with your personality and needs. Again, think about your lifestyle and collect a statement piece that meets multiple purposes effectively (e.g., bright coloured blazer that can transition across work, evening and weekend socials).
Accessories
Don’t forget the accessories on your checklist, which can transform an outfit and add interest to your look. Include accessories like bags, jewellery, hats, belts, hats in your checklist to finish and “polish” your outfits. Here are some ideas on leveraging the power of accessories.
Wardrobe Review and Update
As your style evolves and seasons change, periodically review and update your checklist. Remove items that no longer serve you or fit your lifestyle, and add new pieces as needed to keep your wardrobe current and functional. Plan at a specific time/s each year to check what is still serving you, what is no longer relevant, and what gaps need to be filled.
Then finally bring it all together! Here is an example of a wardrobe audit of a “Sublime” palette (cool, light, softer) who lives in a sub-tropical climate and is a professional worker in a corporate stetting, is social on weekends but also enjoys quiet time pottering about at home:
This professional woman’s wardrobe has a total of 136 items, so I’d describe it as a medium-size wardrobe and large enough for her needs. But this is because the wardrobe essentials are well-covered. Notice how the colours have the same properties of hue/value/intensity (something you learn about in a Colour Analysis consultation) and contains appropriate neutrals, so all items can be mixed and matched easily. This maximises the versatility of the wardrobe. She also has a few (but not too many) statement or “hero” pieces which will serve her well for more special occasions. If you feel as if you don’t know how to put together a specific outfit, consider booking my Find Me an Outfit service.
