Step 2 of wardrobe planning takes a closer look at how we live. Reviewing our lifestyle means figuring out what we frequently do. This defines what types of clothes, shoes, and accessories we mostly need. Think, for instance, what you’d wear working full-time in a corporate environment compared to working from home.
And here comes the challenge. For proper wardrobe planning, we’ll need a list of *all* activities and occasions. Compiling such a list can be quite a big task. However, it’s worth the effort. Because once we have it, we only need to review and update it should our lifestyle significantly change.
But first, let’s recap the three steps of wardrobe planning:
How to Plan Your Wardrobe in 3 Steps
- Step 1: Consider Your Environment – Where you live determines what kind of clothes, shoes, and accessories you need.
- Step 2: Review Your Lifestyle – How you live determines what types of clothes, shoes, and accessories you need.
- Step 3: Clarify Your Needs – Your environment, personal preferences, and lifestyle decide which and how many outfits (clothes, shoes, accessories) you need.
But now, let’s move on to step 2 of wardrobe planning 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.
- Daily Commitments – Typically, these include what you do for a living and other things you do daily.
- Regular Commitments – These include, for instance, business meetings, sports, or lounging at home.
- Frequent Commitments – Meeting clients, seeing friends, or spending time outdoors on weekends are examples.
- Occasional 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.
If your business and personal life requirements are more congruent, 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?
So, step 2 of wardrobe planning is done. Let’s proceed to the next step and find out what you actually need:
Wardrobe Planning Worksheet Collection
Plan and create a wardrobe full of clothes you love to wear!
More Tips and Inspirations
Here’s where you find all of my wardrobe planning articles:
I’d always recommend decluttering your wardrobe as part of the planning process. Thereby, you’ll get a much better idea of what to keep and what to discard.
- Wardrobe Decluttering a la Marie Kondo: Pros and Cons
- Wardrobe Decluttering a la Marie Kondo: Lessons Learned
A well-planned and well-curated wardrobe help you transition into slow fashion. I’ve listed a range of attainable steps for creating a ‘slow wardrobe’.
I’m sure you want your carefully selected clothes to last longer. My series of wardrobe maintenance articles provide tips on how to take good care of your clothes and extend their lifespan.
- 7 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Clothes
- How to Take Care of Luxury Fabrics
- Laundry Symbols Explained
If you like the ‘less, but luxe’ idea, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more tips and inspirations. And don’t forget to join my email list to receive weekly updates plus content that’s exclusively available to my readers.
Thanks for sharing this post and your thoughts! Let’s share our experiences!
Let me know how you get on with reviewing your lifestyle and planning your wardrobe. Do you find it difficult to be realistic about what types of clothes you need? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.
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