How to Discover Your Personal Wardrobe Style Without Spending Any Money

Have you ever stood in front of your closet and felt like you didn't have anything to wear?  Maybe the space is packed with clothes, but you still struggle to put together outfits that make you happy.

You're not alone.  Many of us feel the same way.  In fact, studies show that the average woman wears only about 20%-25% of her clothes most of the time.  We stick with the same few pieces because we're not sure what suits us best.  Even those few outfits that please us may be happy accidents rather than intentionally chosen statements of our personal style.  Worse, we may be wearing the "good enough" choices we've merely settled for.  (I have a few pieces like that in my closet right now.)

As a result, we continue to shop for new clothes, especially inexpensive fast fashion, hoping to find something that suits us better.  When we aren't sure of our best personal style, it's easier to buy those cheap, trendy pieces.  It may seem like less of a risk.  After all, designers, buyers, and trendsetters have decided they're attractive, so they must be, right?

Yet we're still not really happy with our wardrobe, so we buy even more.

8 easy steps to understand your personal style

You'll find it much more satisfying to dress in things that suit you.  Instead of buying a lot that ends up unworn and crowding your closet, you can buy fewer pieces that really make you happy.  You'll be able to afford higher quality without spending more than you already do (You might even spend less!), so you can replace pieces less often.  You can use your time and energy being and doing interesting things, instead of merely worrying about trying to look interesting.

1.  Get it all out.

Remove everything from your closet – every piece, every shoe, every accessory – and pile it on the bed (or the floor).

2.  Try it on.

You want to remove every piece that

• doesn't fit
• doesn't make you feel confident
• you haven't worn in a year or more

These decisions don't have to be difficult or time-consuming.  You'll know right away if something is too large, too small, too short, or whatever.  You'll know which pieces you haven't used – and yes, there's a reason you never reach for them.  And you'll be able to tell which pieces strike you as unflattering or uncomfortable to wear.

Box up all of those items and remove them from the room.  You can store them for three to six months if you're worried you might want some of them after all, but I'm willing to bet they'll be out of mind once they're out of sight.

Related article:  Why Hanging on to Skinny Clothes Hurts You – and How to Get Free

3.  Notice your palette.

At this point, you'll likely notice that you tend to favor certain colors.  Maybe most of your remaining pieces are black, white, and brights.  Maybe you favor neutrals and earth tones.  Maybe you'll see a lot of navy, denim, and pastels.  Why do certain colors look good on you?  

4.  Notice your cuts and styles.

Have you retained a lot of crisp and defined shapes, or pieces with curved and flowing lines?  Vee necks, round necks, crew necks, or something else?  What about sleeve length, whether fitted or loose?  Solid colors, stripes, or prints?  Do you like to wear dresses and skirts, trousers, or some of each?  Why do you think your choices flatter you?

5.  Consider your climate and lifestyle.

Do you have long, cold winters and sultry summers?  Or do you experience cool, rainy winters and hot dry summers?  Do you work in a formal office, at a preschool, from home, or somewhere that requires a uniform?  Are you outdoorsy or sporty, or do you simply run a lot of errands and walk the dog morning and evening?  These answers will determine the type of wardrobe you need.

6.  Investigate some options.

Briefly explore Pinterest by typing in search terms that include the information you've discovered, such as "capsule wardrobe tailored casual black/white/brights+denim."  Simply scroll down and notice combinations you like.  What do you like about them?  Which elements appeal most to you?  Can you see yourself wearing these outfits while doing your normal activities?  Could you start to create similar outfits with some of the pieces you already own?

7.  Shop your closet.

Now comes the fun part, as you start creating outfits with your chosen pieces.  You'll know for sure a piece is a keeper if you can wear it with at least two or three other things in your closet.

If you have 20 items (tops, bottoms, and third pieces or accessories) that share a palette and some style cues, you can probably mix and match to create at least several dozen combinations – more than enough for a month of outfits without an exact repeat.  Take flat lay photos if you like, and create an inspiration board.

Box up and remove any wardrobe outliers.

8.  Fill any holes.

Maybe you notice that you really like white or pastel shirts in a soft, flowy style, but you only own two.  You may be happier with the versatility and look of your wardrobe if you buy two or three additional tops that share these qualities.  Maybe you like wearing pants or a skirt with a third piece over a black or white tank top.  You'll want to be sure to have several tanks so you're always fresh.

What you're shopping for is pieces you know you'll like that will increase your preferred options.  This isn't random buying for the sake of something new, and you aren't putting yourself at the mercy of the fashion industry.  You're creating your own, personalized look to please yourself.  Your purchases will be your own timeless classics, as defined by you.

Now, even if you have fewer items in your closet, they'll all be pieces you can wear with confidence to express your preferences.  You'll love having a wardrobe in your own personal style, and that struggle to feel comfortable and happy in what you're wearing each day will be over.

Related article: How to Use the Three-Word Method to Simplify Your Wardrobe and Home

If you enjoyed this article, look for my book, The Minimalist Wardrobe: Buy Less, Choose Well, and Feel Confident Every Day, available on Amazon.*

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