What is a well-rounded wardrobe?
The beauty of a well-rounded wardrobe is that it works for everyone, regardless of their personal style or lifestyle, because it is not about a set of style rules or codes that must be followed in order to have the “perfect” wardrobe.
No two people are exactly alike in their style preferences, lifestyles, or even their budgets, so of course, no two wardrobes will be exactly identical either, but everyone can create a well-rounded wardrobe that works perfectly for them.
But what exactly is a well-rounded wardrobe?
At its core, a well-rounded wardrobe can be described with three words: versatile, practical, and functional.
These three descriptors all work harmoniously together and are flexible enough to allow for a wardrobe that can be tailored to any individual’s specific style while still being structured enough for anyone to use as helpful guidelines when creating their own version of a well-rounded wardrobe.
Let’s break each of these down a little bit.
VERSATILE
A well-rounded wardrobe contains pieces that can be styled multiple different ways and worn with multiple different outfits. Pieces that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion, season, or just your mood for that particular day.
Rather than an abundance of “one time wear” or “over the top” pieces that don’t go with anything else in your wardrobe, these pieces work for you over and over again, which helps solve the dilemma of “I have so many clothes and yet have nothing to wear”.
Additionally, a versatile wardrobe is one that works for the many facets of your everyday life. For example, my wardrobe includes overalls and work boots, tailored trousers and high heels, feminine dresses and denim jeans.
Even though these individual pieces are completely different style genres, they all make sense for me to have in my personal well-rounded wardrobe and are items that are all worn often.
In much the same way, the versatile pieces that make up your well-rounded wardrobe may not fit into one style genre or even one style aesthetic, but they all work together to create a wardrobe that makes sense for you.
PRACTICAL
A well-rounded wardrobe contains pieces that suit your personal style and make sense for your lifestyle.
If your wardrobe is filled with pieces that you never reach for because you feel like they don’t really suit your personal style or because they don’t make sense for your lifestyle, then those aren’t practical pieces, and it doesn’t make sense to have them in your wardrobe taking up valuable real estate!
Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to have a blazer or trench coat in order for your wardrobe to be complete. These items may not be practical for some or may not suit their personal style, but for others they may be their favorite, most-worn pieces.
Similarly, if you know that you only wear high heels once or twice a month, but you wear flats or sneakers every other day of the month, it wouldn’t be practical to fill a wardrobe with dozens of pairs of high heels and only one or two pairs of flats or sneakers.
A well-rounded wardrobe should contain pieces that are practical for your current lifestyle.
FUNCTIONAL
A well-rounded wardrobe contains pieces that make sense for their intended use and purpose.
As an example, if your wardrobe contains a raincoat, it should be one that is actually waterproof and will keep you dry on the rainiest of days, not simply something that looks good while you’re wearing it but doesn’t actually keep you dry if you’re caught out in the rain.
Winter coats should keep you warm, summer dresses should help keep you cool, pockets should actually hold something (not just be for decoration!), and so on. Functional pieces should also be durable and not wear out after a single wear or wash.
A fourth descriptor for a well-rounded wardrobe is timeless.
This is slightly more specific and may not be as flexible as the three previous descriptors or apply as easily to every type of wardrobe, which is why I don’t include it as a core descriptor but rather as more of a bonus word.
TIMELESS
A well-rounded wardrobe contains pieces that will last for years and years and never go out of style.
This means that the majority of the wardrobe contains classic pieces that don’t date and aren’t overly trendy. Obviously, this will look different from person to person because everyone has their own unique style and pieces that they prefer.
Your personal preference will dictate what types of pieces you have in your wardrobe, regardless of whether anyone else thinks they are “classic” or “trendy”, but overall, keeping your foundation pieces (like your basics and staples) to simpler, more classic pieces will ensure that your well-rounded wardrobe remains timeless, lasting you for years and years.
Keep in mind that these versatile, practical, functional, or timeless pieces should also be pieces that you really do love to wear. Pieces that you get excited to wear and that make you feel confident when you wear them.
A well-rounded wardrobe does not have to be (and should not feel) boring!
Now, there will probably be pieces that aren’t particularly exciting (I’m looking at you, basics!), or sentimental pieces that may not be entirely practical or versatile but are still special pieces that you would never want to part with.
That’s okay! Because a well-rounded wardrobe contains pieces that suit the different parts of you and make sense for your lifestyle.
It has everything you need without being too much or too little and is perfectly unique to you.
Amber
If you want to learn more, you can explore my digital audio course, Creating A Well-Rounded Wardrobe, which guides you through everything you need to know about creating your own version of a well-rounded wardrobe.
If you want to know a little more about me and the story behind the creation of my website, A Well-Rounded Wardrobe, you can read all about that here.
Hi, I’m Amber
Creator and founder of A Well-Rounded Wardrobe. Whether you’re looking to start building a wardrobe from scratch or simply want to fine tune what you already have, you’re in the right place. Start exploring.