How to Build a Wardrobe from Scratch

Co-authored by Dina Scherer and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 17, 2022 References

If you’ve been feeling stuck in a rut with the clothes you wear or you aren’t happy with your style, it may be time to build a new wardrobe. With so many options and clothing types out there, it can be hard to know where to start! By taking your own style into account and finding staple pieces to build your closet on, you can find pieces that make you look and feel good when you wear them.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating a Foundation of Staple Pieces

1
Take note of your fashion needs for your lifestyle. Think about your day to day activities and decide what kind of clothing you need to wear to accommodate them.^{[1]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}^{[2]
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Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} For example, if you are super athletic, you may need more sporty clothes. If you work in a professional office environment, you may need a few business casual outfits.^{[3]
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- You can also try to define yourself in a new way. If you were previously super sporty but you want to change up your look, feel free to go for a more elegant or chic style.
- Ultimately, your wardrobe should really reflect who you are as a person.^{[4]
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  Dina Scherer
  Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
  Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.}
2
Pick out a color palette or style you like.^{[5]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} Think about the colors you normally gravitate towards: pastels, nudes, or bold colors are all great options. You can also take a look at different styles that you like: streetwear, high-fashion, or boho are all styles you can create in your own wardrobe.^{[6]
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Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.}[Image:Build a Wardrobe from Scratch Step 2.jpg|center]]
- You can also pick out a print that you love, like zebra or leopard.
- Look at the pieces you already have as a starting point.
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3
Measure your body to find out your clothing size. It’s important that your new clothes fit you well. Take the measurements of your upper and lower body to give you an idea of what size you are. You should always buy clothes that fit your body as it is now, even if you are planning on losing or gaining weight in the future.^{[8]
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4
Select 3 to 4 solid colored T-shirts for versatile options. A good white, black, and gray T-shirt are essential items for any wardrobe. Pick out a couple of these T-shirts with a V-neck or crew neck to make a base for the rest of your clothing.^{[9]
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- You can also grab a few long sleeve shirts in the same colors for the winter time.
Tip: Prioritize quality over quantity. Look for well-made items that will last you a long time, not cheap ones made with bad quality material.
5
Grab 2 to 3 button-downs for professional outfits. Even if you don’t work in a professional environment, it’s always good to have a few button-downs for formal events or job interviews. Find a few white or blue button-downs to add to your wardrobe.^{[10]
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- You can also use button-downs in streetwear looks or more casual outfits.
6
Pick out some black, dark wash, or light wash skinny jeans for casual pants. Denim is a great staple to have in your wardrobe. Pick out different colors of jeans to pair them with almost any top in your closet for multiple outfit variations.^{[11]
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- Black jeans are great for solid-colored outfits, while light or dark wash denim pair great with almost any color.
- Purchase a pair of white denim jeans if you want to wear them in the summer.
- Add in a pair of straight-legged or flare jeans for some variation in your style.
7
Pick out 1 to 2 pairs of comfortable, casual shoes. Ballet flats, loafers, or boat shoes all work well with many outfits and keep your feet comfortable. Grab a few of these shoes in black or brown to be able to wear them with a ton of different outfits.^{[12]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Expanding with Casual Pieces

1
Purchase a lightweight sweater for the fall. Make sure you have enough clothes to keep you warm in the chilly weather. Add a gray, black, or white lightweight crewneck sweater to your wardrobe to wear in the fall or winter.^{[13]
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- Add an oversized sweater to your wardrobe if that’s more your style.
2
Grab a waterproof jacket for the rainy season. A lightweight, waterproof jacket is great to have during the warm and wet months. Find a solid raincoat with a hood to keep you dry during the fall and winter.^{[14]
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- Choose a neutral-colored jacket so you can wear it over any outfit.
3
Select a bold floral piece for the spring and summer time. A floral mini dress or button-down looks great when the flowers start to bloom. Find a bright-colored dress or button-down shirt with a floral print to complement the warmer months of the year.^{[15]
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Tip: A-line dresses look great on most body types.
4
Buy a maxi dress to keep your outfit casual. If you wear dresses a lot, you may want to cover up your legs sometimes. Find a solid-colored maxi dress to make your outfit casual and have a good staple in your wardrobe.^{[16]
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5
Pick up a pair of sneakers for physical activity. Pick up some running shoes to exercise or spend time outside in. Make sure they’re super comfortable and that you can wear them during long stretches of physical activity.^{[17]
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- Pick all white sneakers for a minimalist look, or go for black ones for a versatile option.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Adding Dressy and Professional Clothes

1
Buy dress pants for any formal events. Pick up some khaki, black, or navy blue slacks to complement any outfit you wear for formal or professional events. If you work in a formal office environment, you may want to buy 2 or 3 pairs.^{[18]
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- If you wear suits to work, you can purchase a matching suit jacket for versatility.
2
Grab a little black dress for nights out. Find a black mini dress that hugs your figure to wear out on dates or to clubs. Pick one with spaghetti straps for the summer months or find one with long sleeves to wear in the winter.^{[19]
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- Buy a black slip dress for a more silky, high-fashion look.
3
Add 1 to 2 pairs of heels or dress shoes for formal events. Pick out some black, brown, or nude heels to complement dresses or skirts, or find some laced up dress shoes or loafers to pair with suits and slacks. Start out with 1 pair and add a second pair if you wear them often.^{[20]
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4
Buy a peacoat or a trench coat for formal outfits. It’s always good to have a longer piece of outerwear to wear over suits or dresses. Find a black or camel-colored peacoat or trench coat that hits below your knees.^{[21]
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Tip: Long coats like these can be kind of expensive, so try looking around at thrift stores for a cheaper option.
5
Add a blazer to your wardrobe for professional looks. Buy a structured blazer that fits you well in the arms and the waist to wear over button-downs or blouses. You can buy a black blazer for a versatile piece, or grab a checkered one for a more casual option.^{[22]
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- Blazers work great in streetwear outfits as well as professional ones.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Incorporating Accessories

1
Grab 1 large handbag for everyday wear. If you carry a purse with you, make sure it can fit all of your essentials, like your wallet, keys, phone, makeup, and any other items you travel around with daily. Use a structured handbag in a professional environment or a more slouchy one to keep it casual.^{[23]
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2
Buy a backpack to take your things on the go. If a handbag isn’t big enough for you or you prefer a sporty look, invest in a large backpack to hold your phone, keys, and wallet, as well as your laptop, water bottle, or books. Backpacks are especially helpful if you spend a lot of time outside the house.^{[24]
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- Try to find a waterproof backpack to protect your things from the rain and make your backpack last longer.
3
Add in jewelry or watches slowly.^{[25]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} Although pieces like necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches aren’t totally necessary to wear an outfit, they do make it feel more complete. As you start wearing your new wardrobe, buy pieces of jewelry in the same color scheme as your clothes to complement your new look.^{[26]
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Tip: Gold jewelry goes great with earth tones and nudes, while silver jewelry complements bright colors and pastels.
4
Select a few scarves and hats to keep you warm. If the winters where you live get super cold, invest in a few wool or cotton scarves and hats to bundle up in. If you live in a warmer climate, you can find a few silk scarves or sun hats to wear instead.^{[27]
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- Baseball caps are also great for keeping the sun out of your face.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I build a comfortable wardrobe?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Make sure your clothes are comfortable and don’t squeeze or stretch over your body. Also, make sure the shoes fit you well and don’t pinch or tug at your toes or heels.
Question

How can I improve my wardrobe?

Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Dina Scherer is an Image and Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Modnitsa Styling, based in New York City. With over a decade of experience, Dina specializes in color analysis, style development, closet editing, and personal shopping. She helps her clients elevate their personal style and curate a wardrobe aligned with their lifestyle. Dina holds degrees in Advertising and Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, and a Certificate in Image Consulting from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Dina Scherer

Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper

Expert Answer

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Don't be afraid to ask for help! An objective opinion can really help guide you to create a wardrobe that's authentic and exciting to you. You can always search online for different forums and online classes, or even work with a stylist.
Question

Where do I start when reinventing my wardrobe?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Take an inventory of the clothes that you gravitate towards in your closet. Try to get a really good idea of the things you want to wear all the time. You should also find what clothes you don't wear or don't feel good wearing.