Building your wardrobe from scratch: The ultimate guide 2024

Building your wardrobe from scratch is a great way to create a space that’s totally you! With the right tips and tricks, you can design a wardrobe that looks awesome and is organised and easy to maintain. In this guide, you’ll find easy and exciting ideas to help you build your perfect wardrobe and make your home even better.

See also: Dreamy walk-in wardrobe designs for every kind of space

Step 1: Discover your style

To find your personal style, start by thinking about your daily life. Your wardrobe should match how you live and what you do each day.

Casual Days: Consider what you wear on weekends or when you’re just relaxing. Do you like comfy clothes or trendy outfits? Are you into activewear or more laid-back looks like jeans and t-shirts?

Office Vibes: Think about what your job requires. Is your workplace formal, business casual, or more relaxed? What colours and styles are okay to wear there?

Party Nights: Look at your social life. How often do you go to events? Do you like dressing up or keeping it casual?

Knowing these details will help you create a wardrobe that fits all parts of your life.

Read also: 60 modern wardrobe designs for bedroom

Step 2: Exploring different style types

Let’s explore some popular style types in more detail:

Classic: Elegant and timeless with simple lines, neutral colours, and high-quality materials. Think of famous icons like Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy.

Modern: Trendy and minimalist with bold shapes, clean cuts, and a focus on practicality.

Bohemian: Relaxed and creative with lots of layers, earthy colours, and different textures. Think of festival outfits or a free-spirited style.

Romantic: Soft and dreamy with flowing fabrics, pastel colours, and pretty details like lace and ruffles.

Edgy: Bold and unique with dark colours, unusual shapes, and standout pieces. Think leather, studs, and asymmetrical designs.

Sporty: Comfortable and casual with athletic fabrics, loose fits, and a focus on ease. Think sneakers, hoodies, and joggers.

Minimalist: Simple and tidy with a focus on quality and essential pieces. Think neutral tones, basic shapes, and a small, versatile wardrobe.

Creating a style inspiration board

Making a style inspiration board can be really useful. Here’s how to create one:

• Pick a platform: Use Pinterest, Instagram, or make a physical scrapbook.
• Collect images: Find pictures of outfits, accessories, and styles that you like.
• Organise: Arrange the images by similar themes to spot trends you like.
• Analyse: Look for common things like colours, patterns, and shapes in the pictures.

Step 3: Assessing the size 

To figure out the right size for your wardrobe, you need to measure the space. This will also help decide on the type of doors you need, whether they should be sliding or swinging. For instance, if you choose a wardrobe with two swinging doors, you’ll need at least 2 to 3 feet of wall space. If you prefer sliding doors, you should have at least 6 feet of space in your room.

For the depth of your wardrobe, 1.5 feet is usually enough if you just fold your clothes. But if you need to hang coats, blazers, or long dresses, it’s better to make the wardrobe 2 feet deep.

Usually, wardrobes are between 7 and 8 feet tall. If they are shorter than this, it can reduce how comfortable and spacious they are.

Small vs. large wardrobe

A smaller wardrobe is often preferred because only a few items are regularly worn. With fewer clothes, each piece gets more use and love.

On the other hand, a large wardrobe can be overwhelming and make it harder to choose what to wear.

A smaller, versatile wardrobe helps reduce stress and makes it easier to pick outfits quickly.

The choice between a small or large wardrobe is personal. Guidance on how to start and decide the size will be provided, including links to capsule wardrobe ideas for final choices.

Step 4: Organising your wardrobe

Organising your wardrobe

• Sort: Group clothes into categories like tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and knitwear. Break these down further into casual, work, formal, and special occasions.
• Review: Look at what you have. Check the condition, fit, and how often you wear each item.
• Purge: Get rid of clothes that don’t fit, aren’t needed, or don’t match your style. Donate, sell, or throw them away.

Making a checklist

• After sorting your wardrobe, make a shopping list to fill any gaps.
• Basics: Look for versatile items like a little black dress, a white button-down shirt, a tailored blazer, and dark jeans.
• Seasonal needs: Identify what you need for the current weather, like warm coats for winter or light dresses for summer.
• Style goals: Add items that fit the style you want to achieve.

Adapting your wardrobe

• Storage: Store seasonal items to free up space. Use quality storage solutions like vacuum-sealed bags.
• Transitional pieces: Find items that work across seasons, like lightweight jackets or versatile dresses.

Seasonal essentials

Summer: Choose light fabrics and bright colours. Essentials include sundresses, shorts, tank tops, and sandals.

Winter: Focus on warmth with coats, sweaters, boots, and layers.

Spring/Autumn: Pick transitional pieces like trench coats, cardigans, and adaptable tops and bottoms.

Step 5: Wardrobe maintenance

• Read labels: Understand the care instructions for each garment.
• Separate laundry: Wash similar fabrics together to prevent damage.
• Cold water wash: Gentle on most fabrics and helps maintain colour.
• Air dry when possible: Reduces wear and tear on clothes.
• Iron carefully: Use the correct heat setting to avoid burns.
• Store properly: Use hangers or folded storage for different items.
• Protect from moths: Use cedar blocks or mothballs.
• Regular Cleaning and Organization
• Seasonal cleaning: Rotate your wardrobe and clean out unused items.
• Regular tidying: Keep your closet organised for easy access.
• Spot cleaning: Address stains promptly to prevent setting.
• Professional cleaning: Use for delicate fabrics or heavy stains.

Mistakes to avoid 

Don’t buy on a whim

It’s easy to see something trendy online or in a store and think you need it right away. Try to resist the urge. This feeling is like a temporary crush and will pass.

Avoid sales temptations

Shopping sales can be tempting, but they often lead to impulse buys. It’s better to buy things you actually need. If you find a sale on something you already love and know works for you, that’s fine. Otherwise, skip the sale.

Don’t overdo inspiration

Having a Pinterest board for ideas is great, but constantly looking at influencers with huge wardrobes and big budgets can be overwhelming. Focus on finding your own style rather than copying others.

Limit influencer influence

If you find yourself always tempted to buy what influencers are showing, consider unfollowing them for a while. They show off items in a way that might not fit your real life. Instead, focus on developing your own style.

Don’t rush for perfection

Trying to make your wardrobe perfect right away can be stressful. Building a great wardrobe takes time, so don’t pressure yourself to get it all right at once.

Stick to your budget

Always keep an eye on your budget when shopping. It’s easy to get carried away, but sticking to what you can afford helps avoid financial stress.

Prioritise quality over quantity

Instead of buying lots of items, focus on getting fewer, high-quality pieces that will last longer and fit better.

FAQs