Build a great basic wardrobe

Over the last week I have been working towards this goal. It would be a whole lot more satisfying if it didn’t involve spending large amounts of money…

First, I dove into my wardrobs and tried on EVERY single garment that I owned. And I threw away A LOT, mostly because I had outgrown it. The whole procedure took two full days and it was awful! But also made me realize that although I don’t have much clothes left, I still have more than I thought.

Then I went shopping, which, incidentally, I hate doing. But, over the past few days I’ve bought new shoes, a nice shirt, a skirt, some leggings, a pair of jeans and a bikini.

When I compare my wardrobe to the list though, I still miss quite a few items but then, I also have some thing that are not on the list, ie a dress and a few tank tops.

I really want to dress better, to look more neat (becoming some sort of shirt’n’jeans-girl) but I think it will take a long, long time to reach this finish line.

This is a list of a supposedly perfect basic wardrobe. And I think that if I had all the things on the list, life would probably be a little bit easier.

Problems: 1) I hate shopping and 2) I don’t have much money.

I’ve borrowed the picture from the swedish book “Chic” by Karina Ericsson Wärn. Here’s what it says (sorry about the lousy translation):

“The basic wardrobe

The list below of what the basic wardrobe should containt may seem voluminous. But if you make a list of everything you’ve got in your wardrobe and in different boxes I can promise you that that list will be much longer.
The basic wardrobe, which hence is a quite delicate thing, can later be enlarged in every possible way with clothes for different kinds of special occasions, shoes for every day of the week – and loads of accessories! But if you want a really smart and well-functioning wardrobe, see to it that you buy garments and accessories which can be combined with the base. That way you won’t have to stand in front of the wardrobe and sob “Help me, I’ve got nothing to put on.”

• 2 black t-shirt bras
• 1 flesh-coloured t-shirt bra
• 1 white t-shirt bra
• 1 bra for smart clothing (ie lace, for example)
• 1 tanktop (camisole) made of cotton or cotton mixture, to wear under knitted garments
• 10 pairs of knickers
• 3 pairs of pantyhoses
• 7 pairs of socks/kneesocks
• 1 pyjama or nightgown

• 4 one-coloured t-shirts with a correct length of sleeve
• 1 cotton shirt
• 1 blouse for special occasions
• 2 tops for everyday use
• 1 top for parties
• 1 thin, knitted jersey, v-neck or polo
• 1 warm jersey or cardigan
• 1 jacket that can go with pants or a skirt and can be used all year round

• 2 pairs of trousers for everyday use (jeans are OK)
• 1 skirt for everyday use
• 1 skirt/pair of trousers for parties (if you prefer, switch the skirts to pants)

• 1 winter overgarment for the city
• 1 winter overgarment for cold, snowy days
• 1 jacket/coat for spring and autumn that withstands rain and wind

• 1 pair of walking shoes/loafers
• 1 pair of heels to wear with skirts
• 1 pair of shoes for parties
• 1 pair of boots
• 1 pair of shoes/high boots that withstand rain and slush
• 1 pair of trainers/sneakers
• 1 pair of sandals for summer
• 1 pair of indoor shoes/slippers

• 1 big bag
• 1 handbag
• 1 partybag
• 1 pair of leather gloves
• 1 wrist watch
• 1 scarf
• 1 umbrella
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 suitcase/spacious cabin bag with wheels

• 1 bathing suit or bikini for swimming
• 1 bathing suit of bikini for bronzing

• at least 1 set of clothes and shoes for your kind of training

• 1 suit (with pants or skirt)

• 1 simple dress or combination that, depending on accessories can be used at parties as well as formal occasions”

Uhm… So I suppose step one is cleaning out the closet huh?