Are Your Lifestyle and Your Wardrobe a Good Match?

An essential step on our way to a well-curated wardrobe is to take a close and honest look at our lifestyle.

I remember standing in front of my jam-packed closet, thinking I’ve got nothing to wear. I’m sure many of you can relate. One of the foremost reasons we feel this way is our wardrobe simply doesn’t match our lifestyle.

Our lifestyle is shaped by what we do. But we often buy what we’re drawn to and not what we truly need to get us covered for all we’re up to.

Naturally, we have to take our day-to-day life into account. But also the things we do less frequently need to be considered, for instance, family gatherings, weddings, or other special events. And, of course, vacations. Often, these are the highlights of the year for which we want to dress extra fabulous.

Having a clear picture of your current lifestyle helps you evaluate what you need. You can then cross-check what you currently own and prioritize your shopping list.

Your Way to a Well-Curated Wardrobe

This article belongs to phase 01 of wardrobe curation, which is all about discovering what influences you in your choices and analyzing the current state of your wardrobe. And then, based on your findings, start planning your wardrobe more strategically.

Please refer to my Ultimate Guide to a Well-Curated Wardrobe for a complete overview. I wrote this guide for all of you who want to be more strategic about their choices and build a wardrobe that perfectly suits their life and style. So, if this is you, check it out!

I also created a printable workbook to support your journey. Sign up below to get it instantly delivered to your inbox.

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The Well-Curated Wardrobe Workbook

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But now, let’s move on and take a closer look at your lifestyle.

Activities and Occasions

Ask yourself …

• What does my day-to-day life look like?
• In what kind of activities am I involved, how regularly?
• Which occasions do I have to consider? How often do they occur?

And then, compile a list of all activities and occasions you’re involved in. Separate your list by daily, regular, frequent, and occasional commitments.

1. Daily activities and commitments – Typically, these include what you do for a living and other things you do daily.
2. Regular activities and commitments – These include, for instance, business meetings, sports, or lounging at home.
3. Frequent activities and commitments – Meeting clients, seeing friends, or spending time outdoors on weekends are examples.
4. Occasional activities and commitments – These can include business events, family gatherings, parties, weddings, and more. But also vacations.

Check If There Are Any Special Requirements

Once you’ve finished your list of activities and occasions, reflect on any special requirements for your clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Ask yourself …

• Is it indoors or outdoors?
• Formal or casual? Or anything in between?
• Is there a specific dress code I need to follow?
• Do I have to wear a uniform?
• Does the activity demand functional clothing, e.g., to protect me?

Different Wardrobes for Different Parts of Your Life?

Depending on your lifestyle, you may feel the need to create more than one wardrobe. A typical example is when you have to follow a strict dress code at the office, but you prefer a different style for casual clothes. Then creating two different wardrobes can be a solution. They can, of course, share items, especially seasonal clothes that are not regularly worn.

But if your business and personal life requirements are more congruent, I would always recommend you go for one core wardrobe. Having just one wardrobe means you’ll need fewer items in total, but have more choices. And if you choose your hardworking basics wisely, it’s easy to dress them up or down. So you’re all set for most activities and occasions in your life.

Give Your List a Reality Check

Let’s be honest. It’s quite tempting to answer the questions above, having your ideal lifestyle in mind. You know what I’m talking about. The kind of lifestyle that includes all the things we should do or always wanted to do. However, I know from experience that not being realistic here doesn’t help. You’ll only end up with a wardrobe full of clothes that you possibly love, but never wear. To illustrate the mismatch between dreams and reality, see the (bit extreme) example below.

Can this reality check be frustrating? Yes. Definitely. But, there are, so I believe, only two options. The first is, be realistic. The reward is a wardrobe that works for you and your current lifestyle. The second is, take it as an opportunity to discover what you really want. Is this ‘ideal lifestyle’ only a vague dream or a real goal? If it’s a goal, take action! And adjust your wardrobe as you go.

Ask yourself …

• Does my list reflect my real or a dream lifestyle?
• What is it what I really want?

And now, let me know which elements of your lifestyle are currently under, over, or well represented in your wardrobe? Share your findings in the comments below!

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