no brainer wardrobe : define

By Hayley Morgan •  Updated: 10/03/11 •  3 min read


from my pinterest “wardrobe” pinboard

Define Your Style

Before you begin to worry about the actual clothing you wear, it helps to know your style.  Now, I’m not talking about squishing yourself into a style pigeonhole.  I’m simply talking about observing trends in your life.  Is your home full of florals?  Are you a lover of bold colors?  When you pick out a sweater, do you pick a solid or a pattern?  Noticing these things will help you get a gist of what you find beautiful and lovely.

If you pop over to my Pinterest wardrobe board, you’ll quickly pick up on a rather distinct style.  I like classic things with a twist of quirky.  I like stripes and gingham.  I am drawn to black and navy and gray.  I layer simple pieces to create a cohesive look rather than relying on one bold and patterned thing.

I would suggest creating a Pinterest pinboard of your own to gather images of outfits that you like.  Don’t think on it too much, just pin it and eventually a pattern will emerge.  (If you need a Pinterest invite, leave me a note in the comments with your email address attached and I’ll send you one.)  If you already have a Pinterest board devoted to style you like, leave a link to it in the comments and we can peruse each others’ boards.

Know What You Don’t Like

Sometimes knowing what you don’t like is just as valuable as knowing what you do like.  Over the years I have come to realize that there are some things that no matter how cute, I just will not wear.  I don’t love synthetic fabrics, because I know that they make me clammy and uncomfortable all day.  I don’t tend to wear sleeveless things.  I don’t wear dresses very often, because they just don’t fit my lifestyle.

No matter how cute (or cheap) a synthetic and sleeveless dress may be, I know I simply won’t wear it when I get it home.  It will hang lonely in my closet until I eventually feel guilty and donate it to Goodwill.  This has happened many times, and will likely happen again.  However, I have gotten better about knowing what I do not like and that has saved me a lot of money, closet space, and time.

Also, if you’ve read my “About Me”, you know…I simply don’t wear shorts.  :)

Action Items for Day 3

*Start a Wardrobe/Style Pinboard if you don’t have one already–leave a comment if you need a Pinterest invite.
*Leave a comment and link if you have a Wardrobe/Style Pinboard so we can check it out.
*Think on the things you know you don’t like.

Previous posts in 31 Days to a No Brainer Wardrobe: day 1 a manifesto, day 2 the plan