Have you ever looked at your overflowing closet and thought, “I have nothing to wear”? Before heading to the mall or online shopping, take a moment to explore your own wardrobe. The key to unlocking new outfit possibilities is learning how to shop your closet. This process involves rediscovering forgotten pieces, mixing and matching creatively, and making the most of what you already own. Not only does this save you money, but it also promotes sustainability and personal style.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to shop your closet, reorganize your wardrobe, and create fresh looks with ease.
How to Shop Your Closet: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Declutter and Organize Your Wardrobe
Before you start styling, it’s essential to have a clear view of what you own.
- Sort Your Clothes: Separate your clothing into categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear. Use a clothing rack, chairs, or your bed to lay out and sort your clothing.
- Declutter Ruthlessly: Remove items that no longer fit, are damaged, or haven’t been worn in the past year.
- Organize by Category: Arrange your clothes in a way that makes it easier to see everything at a glance.
- Use Hangers and Storage Bins: Keep your wardrobe tidy by investing in space-saving hangers and bins for seasonal items.
2. Rediscover Hidden Gems
Often, we overlook items in our closet simply because they’re tucked away or buried under piles of clothing. Take time to pull out pieces you haven’t worn in a while and give them a second chance.
- Try on old favorites and see how they fit.
- Experiment with layering and different styling techniques.
- Look for pieces that can be altered or upcycled for a modern look.
3. Mix and Match Creatively
One of the best ways to maximize your wardrobe is by mixing and matching different pieces to create new outfits.
How to Shop your Closet – Building Outfits:
The hardest thing to do is find clothing that go well together. What I do is I find one piece of clothing that I like whether it’s a cute top or some overalls and I plug that baby right into Pinterest. For example, “Yellow Overalls Outfit Ideas.” Whatever clothing you have just ask Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration on how to style that specific piece of clothing.
- Pair unexpected items together – Try a dress over jeans or a blazer with a casual tee.
- Layering is key – Use cardigans, vests, and scarves to change up your look.
- Accessorize smartly – Statement jewelry, belts, and bags can transform a basic outfit.
- Experiment with colors and patterns – Don’t be afraid to mix prints or bold colors.
4. Identify Your Wardrobe Staples
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
Every closet should have a few key pieces that serve as the foundation of your wardrobe.
- Classic white button-down shirt
- Well-fitted denim jeans
- Neutral-colored blazer
- Comfortable and stylish shoes
- Versatile little black dress (LBD)
- Statement accessories
5. Repurpose Old Clothes
Instead of discarding outdated clothes, consider repurposing them:
- Turn an oversized shirt into a cute crop top.
- Convert old jeans into some stylish shorts.
- Use fabric from unused clothes to create headbands or scarves.
- Dye or add embellishments to refresh worn-out items.
6. Use Inspiration to Style New Outfits
Sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration to see your clothes in a new light.
- Browse Pinterest or Instagram for outfit ideas.
- Watch styling videos on YouTube.
- Look at fashion magazines or celebrity styles and recreate similar looks.
- Challenge yourself to wear a different outfit every day for a week using only what you own.
7. Create a Wardrobe Capsule
A capsule wardrobe consists of a small collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched effortlessly.
- Select neutral base pieces.
- Add a few statement items.
- Keep shoes and accessories minimal but impactful.
- Stick to a cohesive color palette.
8. Take Photos of Your Outfits
To make outfit planning easier, take pictures of different looks you create and save them for future reference. This helps eliminate decision fatigue when getting dressed in the morning.
9. Plan Your Outfits in Advance
Instead of rushing to find something to wear, plan your outfits ahead of time based on your schedule and the weather.
- Use a weekly planner to map out your outfits.
- Arrange clothes in your closet accordingly.
- Keep backup outfit ideas for unexpected occasions.
On a side note, check out this daily outfit planner. It is so cute and easy to put together! You can literally plan your outfits for the entire week, rinse and repeat.
10. How to Shop Your Closet – Maintain a Shopping Wish List
As you go through your closet, you might identify gaps in your wardrobe. Instead of impulse buying, maintain a list of items you truly need. This will help you make mindful shopping decisions in the future.
FAQs About Shopping your Closet
1. How often should I shop my closet?
Ideally, you should shop your closet every season to rediscover pieces, reorganize, and create fresh outfits. However, if you’re feeling uninspired by your wardrobe, you can do it more frequently.
2. What if I feel like my clothes are outdated?
Fashion trends come and go, but personal style is timeless. Try accessorizing differently, layering, or mixing in trendy items to update your look without replacing your entire wardrobe.
3. What if I have a small wardrobe?
Absolutely! A minimalist wardrobe can be even more versatile when you focus on quality and mix-and-match potential.
4. How do I make old clothes look new again?
You can refresh old clothes by steaming, ironing, restyling, or even slightly altering them. Accessories and layering also make a significant difference.
5. How can I stop feeling like I need to buy new clothes?
Unfollow fast fashion trends and focus on developing your personal style. Engage in styling challenges, explore thrift shopping, and find new ways to appreciate what you already own.
Final Thoughts
Shopping your closet is a fun, creative, and sustainable way to refresh your style without spending money. By decluttering, rediscovering hidden gems, mixing and matching creatively, and repurposing old clothes, you can breathe new life into your wardrobe. Remember, fashion is not about how much you buy but how well you style what you already own.
