7 Dressing Tips to Maximize Your Wardrobe Potential

While sustainability is a complex topic with few direct answers, it is once again at the forefront of discussion in the fashion industry. In the wake of the tense U.S. election and the release of Netflix’s Shop Now: The Shopping Conspiracy documentary, many of us have pondered and discussed how difficult it is to make an impact through sustainable choices in a world where production and consumption are out of control.

The brutal truth is that all the products shipped around the world have a far greater environmental impact than any effort a brand makes to lower its carbon footprint – but that doesn’t mean everything you do doesn’t have an impact. Buying only what you need while making the most of what you have can help you break that cycle, and there are plenty of ways to do so while keeping your style fresh. Read on for seven ways to change your style without adding a bunch of new items to your cart to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Experiment with Various Styling Trends

Sometimes, the quickest way to give your outfit a new look is to change your look. The ways to change your look are endless, so take a look at your wardrobe and get creative. With that said, here are some popular styling methods worth trying:

• Dressing & Styling: This is one of the most open options for adding personality to your look, and this approach encompasses many more purposeful ideas when dressing. Get your look into styling realm by layering, accessorizing, and using your favorite pieces in unexpected ways.
• “Pick the wrong shoes” theory: You may remember the “wrong shoes” theory circulating on TikTok: it’s a catchy name that refers to the simple concept of choosing footwear that has a different aesthetic or vibe than the overall outfit. Whether it’s stilettos with athleisure, sneakers with formal attire, or unexpected color combinations, once you try this method, you’ll find that your potential outfits multiply.
• Clothing Sandwich: A clothing “sandwich” is a popular capsule wardrobe look or a way to make getting dressed in the morning easier, and it involves choosing two colors, textures, or proportions, and then placing one of them as a top and bottom and the other as a middle, to create a matching look in no time. For example, you can choose a black top and shoes with white bottoms.

Change Accessories

Accessories can really make or break an outfit, and depending on your choice, accessories can give your usual outfits a completely different energy. You can consider layering a few of your favorite necklaces for an eclectic look, adding a pop of color with shoes or a handbag, or taking your outfit to the next level with an eye-catching scarf or hat.

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a very useful way to keep your wardrobe as lean as possible, keeping only the essentials. Whether you’re looking to clean up your wardrobe or just want to upgrade your style, take stock of what you already have, and the next time you shop, focus on investing in versatile essentials so you can wear them in countless ways for the next few seasons to come. You can create a capsule wardrobe for every season or even travel, and combining several of them will greatly increase your clothing mileage without having to buy too many items.

Swap with Friends

Trying not to buy new clothes doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything new. You and many of your friends have probably experienced the same dilemma: your closet is crammed with clothes, but there are no clothes to wear. So, take advantage of this opportunity to share your wealth and end up trying on each other’s favorite clothes in your closet. There are a few ways to do this:

• Borrow more: The next time you’re at an event, if you’re borrowing something you don’t usually wear (like a dress or a specific microtrend), consider posting it to a group chat to see if anyone has an item you like that might be a good fit. If you want to take it a step further, you can even pool together the items you want to lend each other through a note-taking app or a shared photo album and then refer to them when you need them.
• Organize a clothing exchange: According to the Buy Now documentary, many of the clothes we donate donate don’t end up being resold, and companies often ship them overseas for disposal. Therefore, exchanging directly with friends is one of the best ways to ensure that your clothes get a second life. Host a small party where you and your team both bring a bag of carefully selected items to exchange. After a few hours of happy hour, checking out everyone’s collection, you’ll all be leaving in refreshed style.

Give Your Old Love a New Life

Once a piece of clothing is in your wardrobe, it means you can cherish and love it – so don’t be afraid to make alterations to suit changing styles and tastes, as well as restore the state of your favorite clothes. For example, if your size changes slightly, you can take your jeans to a tailor, mend the holes in your favorite sweater, or customize the outfit by adding patches, embroidery, or other appliqués. All of the above methods can help you transform your clothes that were previously outdated without having to buy brand new clothes.

Check Your Wardrobe Regularly

This is one of the easiest tricks on this list, but probably one of the most impactful. For many of us, it’s easy to forget about some of the items we’ve accumulated over the years, so taking a closer look at your dresser and wardrobe can give you plenty of inspiration. Sometimes, an old dress, coat, or jeans that you haven’t worn in a while may look new again after a few seasons – and some of your old clothes may even be back in fashion.

Second-Hand or Buying Vintage Goods

When you do need new clothes, buying second-hand items whenever possible is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. The used and antiques market is rapidly expanding, offering more size options, as well as online options like Depop and Poshmark, so we are living in unprecedented times when it comes to finding used items. Second-hand shopping may require a little more research, as you’ll find most of them single-use items, but picking out clothing (and your overall wardrobe) this way will be more valuable.