Over the past few episodes, we’ve explored how understanding your Style DNA transforms your wardrobe:
- Your Aesthetic – the beauty that naturally resonates with you
- Your Design – how your physical characteristics inform style choices
- And today, we’re talking about your Needs – the practical element that brings it all together.
I’m sharing a completely different approach to editing your wardrobe that will change how you think about seasonal transitions and closet cleanouts. Here’s something that might surprise you. Almost every style expert will tell you that to edit your wardrobe, you need to empty your closet and make decisions about every single piece. Just thinking about that is exhausting, isn’t it? But what if I told you there’s a much gentler way? One that starts with creating outfits you love and builds from there. Get all the details in the free downloadable workbook, The Wardrobe Pyramid.
One Woman’s Style DNA Story
Let me share a story about a client that changed how I think about wardrobe organization. She split her time between two cities with very different climates, shipping clothes back and forth each season. She was spending endless time and money on this process, and honestly, it was exhausting her. But when we approached her wardrobe in a completely different way – starting with creating outfits she loved instead of emptying her entire closet – everything changed. Today I’m going to show you why this approach works so much better, and how understanding your lifestyle needs transforms your entire approach to style.
- She was actually an artist with a great eye for aesthetics
- She understood her body’s design elements
- But she was still struggling with managing her wardrobe between two seasonal homes
- When we approached it by starting with creating her favorite outfits first:
- She could clearly see what she actually used and needed
- The process was quick and efficient
- She gained clarity about what to keep and what to let go
- Her seasonal transitions became much simpler
This approach – starting with creating outfits rather than emptying your closet – has been transformative for many women. My friend Amy, who has learned from several prominent stylists over the years, told me recently that this concept from The Wardrobe Pyramid had the biggest impact on her wardrobe of anything she’s learned.
An Example Outfit Formula
When we started working together, we discovered her perfect template:
- A simple dark base – either a dress or pants and top in black or navy
- An eye-catching jacket – often in a fun print or beautiful color
- Statement jewelry and stunning scarves to complete each look
- This template was brilliant for her lifestyle because:
- She needed fewer base pieces to ship between locations
- Each jacket and accessory combination created a completely different look
- The formula was easy to shop for and pack
- She could dress up or down by changing the accessories
What impressed me about this was watching how all the pieces came together:
- As an artist, she had an incredible eye for aesthetics and color
- She understood her silhouette and what styles generally worked for her
- But it wasn’t until we addressed her specific lifestyle needs that everything clicked
- Her template wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing – it solved real problems:
- The dark bases worked with her silhouette
- The statement jackets expressed her aesthetic
- She could create multiple looks with fewer pieces
- Every piece earned its place in her wardrobe
And she actually learned new things about proportion and contrast from her Style Guide that made her outfits work even better. That’s why I love this work – there’s always another layer of understanding that makes everything come together more beautifully.
First Steps to Your Own Style DNA
I have a project for you to help you start putting these ideas into practice and get started digging into your own Style DNA.
Here’s what I suggest you do this week:
- First, make a quick list of your main lifestyle activities
- Then create one favorite outfit for each of these activities, starting with the one you do most often
- Notice what pieces you reach for repeatedly – these are likely your wardrobe workhorses
- And pay attention to any gaps where you struggle to create an outfit you love – those are valuable clues about your real wardrobe needs
This exercise might seem simple, but it can reveal so much about what’s working in your wardrobe and what isn’t.
Remember, your style journey isn’t about following rules or copying outfits – it’s about creating a wardrobe that works for your real life while expressing who you truly are.
If you want to try this gentler approach to wardrobe editing, download The Wardrobe Pyramid workbook. It will walk you through exactly how to start with what’s working and build from there.