The Ultimate Guide for an Outfit Planner

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Is there anything worse than having a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? When trying to find an outfit for a night out, your room may look like a tornado tore through with clothes strewn everywhere.

Though you have plenty of clothes, you may feel that your existing wardrobe doesn’t fit your current style. However, buying a whole new closet may not be a viable option for some. 

Instead, you can become an expert outfit planner by revamping your closet and spicing up your style. 

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to outfit planning, be sure to keep reading for some of the best tips and tricks to help you build the closet of your dreams.

Determine Your Style

Before you purge your closet and head to your local shopping mall, you’ll need to narrow down the style that you want to emulate. This helps keep you on track when shopping and ensures a cohesive look.

Whether you follow fashion icons or create your own vision board, there are plenty of ways to narrow down what you’re looking for.

Popular options you can draw inspiration from are academia, preppy, beachy, chic, and Y2K styles. However, there are hundreds of style aesthetics, so doing your research and finding elements to integrate into your closet is essential.  

This can be a difficult step, as there are so many styles to choose from. Though you may feel pressured to stick to one, overlapping a few styles can help create a unique and individual style.

Mixing styles is one of the best ways to stay true to yourself and express your individualism. Though you may be influenced by one style, sticking to your individual taste is the best way to feel confident with your closet.

Assess Your Current Closet

After you’ve honed in on the style and aesthetic you want to emulate, you’ll want to go through all of your clothes. 

No, seriously! You’ll want to take everything out of your closet and drawers and evaluate each piece individually. This forces you to think about the clothing you have before you refold or place it back in the closet.

Though this can be a painstaking task, it will help you make realistic decisions about the clothes you’re holding on to. If you still have your favorite Hollister shirt from high school, it may be time to let go.

Decluttering your closet allows you to make space for any new pieces that you’ll invest in while keeping the articles that have stood the test of time.

Once you thin out your closet, you can begin curating new clothing.

Buy the Basics

Once you’ve assessed and decluttered your current wardrobe, you’ll be able to head to your local mall or favorite online shopping site.

This is one of the most crucial pieces to building a wearable and lasting closet. These pieces will act as a foundation, allowing you to create multiple outfits by mixing and matching.

Though the discussion around accumulating statement pieces will come later in the post, your basics are the most essential part of your closet. If you have a strong foundation, you can pair any statement piece to create a great outfit.

These basics will look different for everyone, as someone’s foundational pieces may be drastically different than another.

For example, for a minimalist style, you’ll invest in neutral pieces with limited additional elements. On the other hand, those going for a more gothic look will accumulate lacey, black, and leather details to build upon.

Invest in Quality Pieces

When it comes to buying new clothing, you may find yourself enthralled by the sight of sales and discounts, these won’t be lasting pieces.

Though that five-dollar tank top may be great for hanging out in when looking to build your own wardrobe, you’ll want to get high-quality pieces to wear in your day-to-day life.

When buying clothes, you’ll need to do a bit of research to determine the quality of the piece. Looking into the fabrics used, the quality of the stitchwork and the brand reputation can help you decide if the clothing is well-made.

Well-constructed pieces will often be more expensive, but you won’t need to purchase clothing as often. With proper care, these items will ensure that your closet stands the test of time.

Don’t Dismiss Sizing

One of the most common mistakes shoppers make when outfit planning and accumulating is buying the wrong size.

Whether intentional or accidental, purchasing the incorrect size can take up space in your closet for an unwearable piece. One of the most common causes is buying a piece based on appeal, as opposed to practicality.

This includes buying clothing you know won’t fit you simply because you like the way it looks, intend to tailor it, or plan on losing weight to fit into it. However, these are rarely achieved, so skipping the buy is best.

When shopping in stores, trying the piece on can give you the most accurate look into how the clothing will fit you. Even if it is your size, it may look different than how you pictured based on your body shape.

Online shopping can be tricky, as you can’t try the piece on. Instead, you have to rely on taking your own measurements and the provided size chart.

Luckily, many websites have a section for customers to post photos and reviews. This can provide valuable insight into how the piece looks and fits different body types.

The Essentials You Should Have

As your style evolves, you may find yourself on the hunt for staple pieces in your closet. Though you’ve likely purchased all of the basics necessary to wear daily, you’ll want to invest in other clothes to help evolve your style.

Keeping the following options in mind will help you build a wearable, practical closet filled with pieces that you can wear for years to come. 

Remember, the following essentials can span across different styles and aesthetics. You can find variations of each piece to fit your personal style and work for your closet.

Hot Tops

To begin, you’ll want a set selection of tops and blouses to choose from. These include the basics of fitted, plain teeshirts and tank tops, as well as classic oversized teeshirts and sweaters.

You’ll also want to invest in work-appropriate blouses that you can wear to the office, out for brunch, or to any business casual events.

Another option you’ll want to include is cardigans, button-down shirts, and shawls. Though they may seem 

The Best Bottoms

Though many people have their tried and true pants, it may seem like there aren’t as many unique and fun options. However, this is far from true! Pants can influence your outfit and act as the focal point.

You’ll want to have a solid pair of denim jeans, skinny jeans, and leggings. These will be the pants you wear for more casual outings, though you can dress these options up.

Similarly, you’ll want to have skirts and work trousers, both fitted and wide-legged to wear to more formal events.

Don’t Forget the Dresses

Finally, you’ll need to invest in a few dresses. Whether you love or hate dresses, having at least one on hand for formal events is essential.

If you could only have one dress in your closet, choosing a black dress is one of the best options as you can wear this to any event. From funerals to weddings, you can never go wrong with a black dress.

However, if you like dresses, you’ll be able to expand this collection. Sweater or knit dresses, slip, skater, and a-line dresses are all great to have on hand, as they vary in their formality. 

Important Outerwear

While many of the outerwear pieces you’ll need will depend on where you live, the climate, and how drastic the seasons you experience are, there are some key pieces to invest in.

You should have a classic leather jacket, blazer, raincoat, and winter jacket in your closet. Other traditional outwear options include denim and bomber jackets, as well as a classic hoodie or zip-up jacket.

However, some of the pieces are more practical, so choosing a winter coat because it keeps you warm is crucial. Even though there are cute and stylish jackets, these pieces are more functional.

Add Accessories

After you build up your clothing closet, you’ll want to include additional accessories that can help elevate your style.

Though these won’t always be the focal point of your outfit, they can help you refine your style and highlight different elements of your look.

Key pieces you’ll want to invest in are the different shoe types, other leatherwear like belts and handbags, and jewelry. These pieces are great as they can influence your style without breaking the bank

You can also choose statement pieces to be the center of your outfit. To achieve this style, you’ll wear minimal or neutral clothes, and a bold necklace, loud blazer, or eye-catching shoes.

Situational Clothing

Though you’ll want to invest in long-lasting, quality clothing that defines your style and makes up the majority of your wardrobe. These pieces won’t be as abundant, as you won’t need them for the core of your closet.

However, you should have some situational clothing on hand for when you need it. This includes clothing for specific events, vacations, and activities.

For example, when going on vacation, you’ll need clothing to wear in warmer climates. Similarly, for weddings and showers, you should have a cocktail dress on hand.

Keep Comfort in Mind

While curating your wardrobe and finding fabulous pieces that you can wear for years to come, you’ll likely be enthralled by all the available options. However, none of this matters if you buy uncomfortable clothing!

Though they say that beauty is pain, it doesn’t have to be. Instead, finding clothing that is comfortable and easy to wear can help you feel as good as you look.

This includes finding clothes made from comfortable fabrics, pieces that have flat stitching, and non-restrictive materials. 

While those leather pants may look great, they might make you feel uncomfortable and sweaty after a few hours. Not only will you suffer from discomfort, but odds are, you won’t wear the piece again. 

Plan Outfits

Finally, you’ll want to plan out outfits to ensure that everything you intend to purchase can be worn at least one way. This will make a wardrobe wearable.

Buying pieces that can be styled in multiple ways and paired with various other clothing options is beneficial, as it ensures that you never run out of outfits to wear. 

Before buying a new item, you’ll want to ensure that you have options to pair it with. Taking the time to plan an outfit ensures that the article of clothing will be worn.

Planning out outfits also makes it easy for you to quickly pick something to wear! You won’t have to stress about what you’ll throw on to wear to brunch or a night out, as pre-planned outfits are readily available for you.

Outfit Planner Tips and Tricks to Look Your Best

Keeping these tips in mind can help you fall in love with your closet wardrobe! By investing in a closet you love, you’ll feel like a fashion icon every time you get dressed.

Remember, when outfit planning, it’s crucial that you wear what you feel comfortable and confident wearing. These tips can help you build your own wardrobe, you should stay true to your personal style.

If this guide to outfit planner tips inspired you to revamp and make your wardrobe your own, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll find more helpful fashion content.

Written by Megan Taylor
Megan is a beauty expert who is passionate about all things makeup and glam! Her love for makeup has brought her to become a beauty pro at Glamour Garden Cosmetics.