How to be Build Your Dream Wardrobe and be Intentional

2020 WILL be the year I curate my dream wardrobe. I have been disappointed in my current wardrobe for some time now. I am the epitome of “I have nothing to wear”! I sit and stare at my closet and find myself totally uninspired. When I’m uninspired by my wardrobe I find myself not wanting to get dressed at all or just wear my default; sweats. I work from home so this is easy to do. I also find myself turning down invites from friends and avoiding social events all together because I don’t have things to wear that I feel comfortable in. To be fair, it’s not all the clothes fault, I am in a weird place with my body and confidence overall at the moment and it affects multiple areas of my life but that’s another post. In addition to working on my health and doing the inner work, the next thing that affects my mood the most is my wardrobe. I think how you present yourself to the world is often a direct reflection of your mood and how you feel about yourself. When I look good I feel good. So this year will be my journey back to looking and feeling good. 

My Goals for this Intentional Buy Year

1. Make a LIST. Make a list of all the items I NEED and WANT. This list is created after a thorough assessment of my current wardrobe. For instance in the pics above I have pulled out some key pieces in my wardrobe. Many items I have forgotten I had and some new items I picked up during the Christmas sales. I have sooooo many clothes and shoes I don't want and have honestly just forgotten about. Doing a deep declutter and assessment will allow me to see the GAPS and identify what I have and what I need. Building my LIST I will start with the pieces I NEED and move on the the items I WANT. 
2. Set monthly budget of $500 p/month, initially. (As my income grows and debt lowers I’m willing to revisit this number after 6 months) Setting and sticking to a budget is very important. For one, it will help with planning and keep me disciplined. Having great style does not mean spending a TON of money. You can also spend a ton of money on low quality items. By setting a specific budget my goal is to make it easier for me to be very intentional about how I spend that money instead of spending frivolously. 
3. Identify Intent: What is my intent of this challenge? Simple. To curate a stylish/seemless/classic/timeless wardrobe that makes me feel confident. I think it comes down to that plain and simple. I want a wardrobe I love and will love year after year with few updates needed season to season. 
4. Explore/Determine my personal style. This goal is a BIG one for me dolls. If I asked you to describe your personal style into 3 words what would you say? Honestly, I want to know down below in the comments. At one point I feel I had this question nailed but not so much these days. 
5. Buy only high quality pieces that align with your vision and budget. I have in the past been a quantity over quality buyer. As a professional woman in my 30’s this is no longer ok. I would always rationalize buying 4-5 handbags from Zara (many I never wore) to investing in one quality designer piece that will last me ages. I would ultimately tell me self I could never bring myself to spend that kind of money on a handbag but in reality I DID spend that kind of money…..on bullshyt! I understand the value of cost per wear a lot better and find the pieces I buy on impulse don’t bring me joy past the purchase point. 

So now on to the rules. For me, This is what will make it an intentional buy year because I will be asking myself the following questions: 

1. Can I wear this piece at least 10 different ways with what’s in my wardrobe NOW?
2. Does it fit in your clothing allowance budget? $500 p/month
3. Does this item reflect the woman I strive to be? Does it align with your future goals, desired lifestyle or identified personal style?

THEN Ask Yourself…..

1. Is this item on “THE LIST”? My 2020 Wardrobe Wishlist is coming soon
2. Is this a wardrobe staple or replacement of a staple? Wardrobe staples /basics should be purchased first as they build your wardrobe foundation
3. Is this a trend? Will I be over it next year? Be honest
4. Can you thrift or buy this item secondhand? Although I haven’t been the biggest fan of thrifting and secondhand items, I do see the extreme value in it and will make a more conscience effort to choose that route. Not only for sustainability reasons but for budgetary reasons as well. 

My purpose of this Intentional Buy year is simple; to wear what I have, invest in what I don’t in order to never have to say, “I have nothing to wear.” As a borderline shopaholic who enjoys buying things just to buy them I do recognize the challenge this will be for me. I am very much a I see it, I want it, I buy it type of shopper. This has not proven to be very smart, sustainable or or worthwhile for me. It’s time to change my spending habits and this is where I begin. So please come along and join me if you like, I need all the support I can get for sure!