Building a Wardrobe
Common mistakes when building a capsule wardrobe
The common mistakes that derail a capsule wardrobe, from single-use pieces and poor fit to clashing colors, missing basics and rigid rules, with ways to avoid each.
The collection
Building a Wardrobe
Choosing and keeping clothes that work together over many seasons, from judging quality and fit to avoiding common mistakes when buying fewer, better pieces.
Building a Wardrobe
Comparing new and secondhand clothing for long-term wear
A comparison of new and secondhand clothing for long-term wear, covering condition checks, fit and alterations, cost per wear and the repair needs of each option.
Building a Wardrobe
Judging the quality of a garment before buying
How to judge a garment's quality before buying by inspecting seams, fabric hand, linings, interfacing and fastenings, using quick checks you can do in a store.
Building a Wardrobe
Keeping a simple inventory of what you own
How to keep a simple inventory of your clothes, including a format you will update, the few fields that matter and a yearly review that prevents duplicate purchases.
Building a Wardrobe
Understanding how a garment should fit your body
How a garment should fit at the shoulders, chest, waist and hem, including ease, grainline, and how to tell a fit problem from a sizing problem.
Building a Wardrobe
Wardrobe basics that work together across seasons
How to choose a small set of neutral, versatile clothes that mix across the year, using a shared palette, layering pieces, suitable fabrics and simple outfit tests.