How to Maximize Your Wardrobe

So, a few years ago I lost about 20 lbs in 1 month (I’m 5’3″ so that’s A LOT) not intentionally. Life happened. *Kanye shrug* Because of this I had to rebuild my wardrobe on a very limited budget and this is when and why I created “The Rule of 5”. This is also a great way to help you create your capsule wardrobe but that is another post 😉

The Rule of 5 simply put is a Rule (obvs) that you use while shopping to determine if your should buy an item. Also, by using The Rule of 5 you will challenge yourself to maximize your wardrobe to it’s highest potential. Which, hello, we all want to get the most wear out of our favorite pieces.

We have ALL seen that cute top or dress and thought OMG, this is so amazing I have to have it! After purchased it goes in the closet and is never seen again. So, you quite literally just threw money away and ain’t nobody got time for that. The Rule of 5 keeps throwing money away to a minimum at least in the wardrobe department.

We use The Rule of 5 in order to determine if something is

1) your personal style

2) if you will actually ever wear it

Ask yourself right there in the middle of Nordstrom, Target or your bedroom (hello, online shopping) “what do I currently own that I can wear this item with?” Specifically, create 5 outfits head to toe with this one piece you want to buy with pieces already in your closet. Again, this will maximize your wardrobe and will help to teach you your personal style. NO, you can not say this top will look great with x,y,z already in my closet IF I buy this pair of shoes. NO, NO, NO! You have just added another item you won’t potentially wear and you just threw away MORE money. There is nothing worse then cleaning out your closet and finding item after item that has never been worn and still has the tag on it.

Exception to the rule in regards to shoes or handbags: can you create 10 outfits from that pair of shoes or handbag you just added onto your shopping list? Sorry not sorry, I did increase the number because they’re accessories and we get way more wear out of our shoes and handbags than we do clothes.

Other exceptions to the rule:

• Vacations. You should be able to wear most things again but I’m DYING for a crop top maxi skirt set that I prob wouldn’t wear on my weekly Target run. It’s understandable to want that full tropical vibe while on vacation that wouldn’t necessarily fit in your day to day life. So, #TreatYoSelf that’s what vacation is all about.
• Prom
• Weddings. Not if you are a guest, you better wear that dress to every wedding your invited to the whole Summer. If anyone judges you, jokes on them because they threw their money away worrying about what someone else thinks and your money is sitting right in the bank or went towards a new handbag. #shewon
• Special Occasions in General. Personally, I will NOT but anything unless I can get multiple wears out of it but you do you.

Even if you are questioning a dress or jumpsuit ask yourself, “How can I give this dress 5 different vibes with items I already own”. Layer with a jacket or vest, switch up your shoes, handbags, hairstyles. Your accessories MAKE an outfit. #bible Maximize, maximize, maximize! Remember, we are making the most out of what we already own!

By implementing The Rule of 5 you will only bring new clothes into your closet you will actually wear. You can’t wear a new top if you have nothing at home to wear it with. You’ll also have better stronger knowledge of your personal style and what pieces fit in to it.

Now that we have discussed The Rule of 5, let’s put it into action!

I NEVER wear skirts, like ever. I wear dresses all the time but something about styling a skirt was too much for me. Now, that I’m blogging I’m challenging myself and my styling again. Girl, the mundane day to day of the corporate world will kill every ounce of creativity you have, IF you let it. But I regress, I loved this pleated maxi skirt and kelly green is one of my favorite Summer colors but in order for me to accept it I had to create 5 looks with it from pieces I already own. Yes, it was gifted and I still challenged myself to The Rule of 5.

P.S. I’d never share something with you all I wouldn’t spend my money on.

Here are my 5 looks …

Similar Top | Skirt | Sunnies | Bag: Target ($1 SPOT but $5)

For this look I originally was going for tropical. I have some colorful fringe and pom pom sandals and was going to take these photos by the water however, I forgot my sandals *face palm* So, you’re getting weekend brunch vibes instead. This chambray button up gets TONS of wear, it’s a key piece to my Canadian tuxedo [POST HERE] no matter the bottoms I wear. I’ve recently been tying it up over dresses and jumpsuits for a fun light weight layer for Spring.

Similar Sweatshirt | Skirt | Sneakers | Similar Handbag | Similar Sunnies

ORIGINAL POST

This look above is so true to my day to day personal style, a gray sweatshirt and sneakers. If you watch my Insta Stories you know how accurate that is. I’ve never met a grey sweat anything I didn’t love.

Similar Top | Skirt | Sunnies

This top first worn HERE

Hey girl, Hey!!! Back when I was buying things that would look cute on The Gram I bought this top, wore it once for photos put it back in my closet and never saw it again. Then one day I was like, “Self you really like this top, let’s challenge our self to wear it” I still haven’t thought of 5 outfits to wear with this top with but I do love it and now even get wear out of it. Now, I’ll have to challenge myself to 5 looks incorporating this top.

Similar Top | Skirt | Similar Clutch

Here I was going for romantical date night or GNO so I paired this skirt with a lace top and gold lace up sandals. You can’t see my sandals because I have to get better about taking detail shots. I’m learning yall, bear with me.

Similar T shirt | Skirt | Similar Handbag | Similar Sandals | Similar Sunnies

Brunch so hard, Mimosa wanna find me! This screams brunch and Mimosas with the girls to me and so easy to recreate. We all have a white t (or whatever your color preference), maxi skirt and flat sandals. You’ll need the flat sandals if it’s a bottomless situation.

So, here are 5 looks based off of this green maxi skirt I created with items I have owned a year or longer.

The Rule of 5 is probably 1 of my favorite rules. I have put friends on to the rule who use it to this day. I do have to phone a friend from time to time which is totally allowed so they can help me create my 5 outfits. They may not know every item in my closet but they’ll come up with at least a few outfit ideas and something already in my closet will resonate and BOOM another outfit from their suggestion.

I’d love to make The Rule of 5 a monthly series to help me and help you maximize our wardrobes. Please let me know if you found this post helpful and if you’d like more ideas via The Rule of 5.