Quick guide to creating your own wardrobe: practical, sustainable and elegant

It is important to keep in mind that in addition to being a more responsible attitude, you will save much more space in your closet or dressing room. A good wardrobe will make you love and enjoy your clothes for much longer.

We are sure that you have heard about it from numerous bloggers, designers and journalists from the fashion world who even reduce it to 37 items of clothing and accessories. We are more in favor of each person making their own wardrobe regardless of the number of items of clothing. Read on for our quick guide on how to make your own wardrobe, why you need it, and how to create your own.

What is a responsible wardrobe?

A wardrobe mainly consists of a limited selection of clothes and accessories that complement each other, from which you can create multiple versions. They tend to be classic pieces that do not go out of style and composed mainly of neutral colors. The idea is to define your wardrobe with the clothes that you like the most, that best suit you and, above all, your lifestyle. Using it again, mixing it and even redesigning it will allow you to buy less frequently and, above all, with more intention. It is very important that you wash these clothes well so that they last longer without deforming, shrinking or fading.

Why have a wardrobe?

It has multiple benefits, here we describe the main ones:

• It is more sustainable and responsible. The most sustainable and responsible garment is the one that is already in your closet. If we buy less, use more and wash well, we can avoid the thousands of tons of textiles that end up in landfills each year.
• Save time. A well-chosen wardrobe will save you time and avoid many "what should I wear?" diaries. In addition, it will be much easier for you to find and choose your clothes every day.
• Save space. Having fewer clothes frees up closet space, which means less clutter and more peace of mind. It will also be easier for you to see what you really have.
• Save money. With a good wardrobe, you will shop less frequently. Which means less money spent on new clothes that in many cases stay in the closet forever.

How to create your wardrobe

1. Think again. To create a good wardrobe, we recommend that you carefully review each garment you have in your closet and think about which ones you really wear. Make it a goal to have worn it at least 30 times. Then separate them into: those that you love, those that you never find an occasion to wear and those that best suit your style. This simple exercise will help you understand what your style is, what colors you like, what style suits you and what materials are your favorites, and therefore, what you really like and wear.

2. Optimize. Get rid of clothes that no longer fit you or that you cannot adapt to your style. Consider repairing damaged or discolored clothing items to give them new life. If you have clothes that you don't want but are in good condition, there is no need to throw them away. Give it to friends or family, donate it to a charity or sell it on Wallapop or Vinted , so it can be used again in someone else's closet.

3. Organize. Reserve space in your closet for those of your basics that not only fit your preferences and lifestyle, but also the current climate and/or season. Put away out-of-season items and when the weather changes or a new season arrives, reconsider your wardrobe.

4. Consider. In the future, shop less frequently and with more intention. A wardrobe essential does not mean not buying anything new, but rather complementing the clothes you already have. Look for well-made, high-quality clothing or accessories made from sustainable fabrics. If you can see yourself wearing it at least 30 times, if you like it and if it fits your lifestyle, it's a safe bet to join your wardrobe.

What your wardrobe should include

There is nothing written about what should and should not be part of your wardrobe: it depends on your preferences and needs, which may change over time. The number of elements it includes is also not written, although we suggest that you limit it to 30-40 items of clothing and accessories. We've put together our best tips below as a starting point.

1. Choose a color scheme, mostly neutral . Think white, cream, grey, navy and black. Neutrals work great not only with each other, but with any other color as well. You can also add some deeper colors that you like and that suit your skin tone well.

2. Choose classic or timeless styles . Your wardrobe must survive trends. You must keep in mind that you will wear these clothes season after season and year after year.

3. Choose durable, quality fabrics. We recommend natural fibers, such as organic cotton, linen and wool, which are not only durable, but sustainable and breathable. It is very important that you wash your clothes with natural, quality laundry soaps like those from Home Healthy Home, which are designed to take maximum care of each type of fabric and make them look as good as the first day.

4: Choose versatile and interchangeable clothes. Some good basic pieces to include are: a couple of t-shirts and tops; 3-4 simple button-down shirts; a pair of elegant black pants; one or two pairs of jeans; a cardigan and a sweater to match; a versatile black dress; a jumpsuit, a pair of shorts and a skirt; 2 jackets; 3-4 pairs of shoes. You can add one or two printed elements too, but make sure they are timeless, they won't go out of style. Stripes are always a good option.

5. Add pieces with your personal "touch." These pieces will finish off your look and freshen up your style, even if you wear mostly the same items over and over again (although we recommend sticking to accessories that you can easily mix and match). It can be a statement piece of jewelry, a scarf, a belt, sunglasses, or a bag from your favorite brand. For a little more variety and to elevate your everyday style, there's also the option of renting statement pieces. Also consider subscribing to rental fashion like ECOADICTA, a sustainable way to experiment with different styles at the same time.

6. Have fun. Rewearing does not necessarily mean repeating looks, over and over again. We suggest changing the style of your basics in different ways. For example, wear a white shirt with a tailored suit and heels for a sleek, clean look at the office, or wear it unbuttoned with jeans and sneakers on the weekend. And before you start panicking about the things you could have, reframe your attitude and look at your closet not as a limitation but as an opportunity to experiment. This is a great opportunity to explore your personal style.

How to take care of your wardrobe

For clothes to last longer, it is important to wash them with the appropriate soap if you can wash them at home or as indicated on the manufacturer's label. Here, you can see what kind of laundry soap It fits better with your clothes.

Now you know how to create your own wardrobe, so that your favorite pieces can live life to the fullest. Be practical, conscious, imaginative and enjoy!