Get Organized Mission #11: Create Your Wardrobe Wishlist

Get Organized Mission #11:Welcome to Mission #11 of our 52 Get Organized Missions.

Now that we’ve cleared your closet of all those ill-fitting, out-of-style and unappealing garments, it’s time to fill in any closet gaps.

This week we’ll make a list of clothes and accessories to help you look and feel your best in your various roles in life. You don’t have to rush out and buy everything straight away. But you’ll have a dream closet shopping list to focus future shopping trips, and to guide you away from things that don’t belong in your closet – or your life.

Remember – you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might prefer to start here: 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #11:
Create Your Wardrobe Wishlist

Get a notebook and pen and get comfortable on the bed or floor in front of your open closet. Write down on your notepad anything that’s missing.

Step 1: Missing Pieces

Add to your list any of these you need more of:

  • Basics – like jeans, pants, skirts, tees, tanks for everyday wear
  • Fun pieces – beaded, metallic, frilled, funky to liven up your look
  • Neutral colors – navy, black, camel, grey, white, to balance the brights
  • Bold or bright colors – to balance the neutrals
  • Fitted tops or bottoms – to balance flowing or baggy items
  • More varied shapes – to give you a variety of different styles

Step 2: Looks And Outfits For All Your Life Roles

Add to your list any missing components (as appropriate to your lifestyle):

  • Professional/Work outfits – each composed of clothes + shoes (+ bag/briefcase) + accessories
  • Weekend/Casual outfits – each composed of clothes + shoes (+ tote) + accessories
  • Dining out/Evening outfits – each composed of clothes + shoes (+ clutch) + accessories
  • Formal/Special Occasion outfits – each composed of clothes + shoes (+ clutch) + accessories
  • Home/Workout outfits – each composed of clothes + shoes + sports bag

NB Bag, totes and clutch (probably) applies only to the girls.

Step 3: Things That Suit You

Add to your list the things that suit you:

  • Styles and shapes – like fitted, tailored, modern, etc
  • Colors – bright, bold, neutral, dark, pastel, etc
  • Hem lengths – knee length skirts, hip-length jackets, etc
  • Necklines – polo, vee, boat, etc
  • Headwear – hats, scarves, headbands, etc
  • Items to avoid – anything that belongs on your NO WAY! list

Step 4: Shoes, Boots And Accessories

Add to your list any of these you need more of:

  • Coats, jackets
  • Shoes, boots
  • Leggings
  • Purses, bags, totes, briefcases
  • Sport, workout or ski wear
  • Sunglasses – that suit your face shape

Now you have a list of pieces that will make the most of what’s already in your closet, work well with your lifestyle, and suit you beautifully. Whenever you go clothes shopping, take the list along to focus your attention on smart closet additions and steer you away from expensive mistakes.

Dos & Don’ts

  • Don’t be afraid to add new, experimental things to your list – like brighter colors and more fitted shapes.
  • Do think back on the outfits that have gained you compliments – what colors or styles do people comment on?

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

  • Include your spouse and kids and workshop each person’s closet wishlist as a family. You’ll be helping your children to learn how to present themselves well in the world.
  • Get together a group of friends and workshop each person’s closet wishlist as a group, moving from one house to the next over the course of a day. Having your friends’ input on what suits you and looks to try can be like getting a closet audit from a personal stylist.
  • If you’ve got the time and cash, go shopping – and start building that dream closet!

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Before You Go – Please Check In

Once you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission please add a comment to let us know you’ve done your assignment and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Did You Know

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmic_bandita/ / CC BY-SA 2.0: eavk8txrwy

Michele | Get Organized Gal

Michele is into writing, books, simplicity, love, TV, productivity, and staying thin in a world of chocolate.

22 thoughts on “Get Organized Mission #11: Create Your Wardrobe Wishlist”

  2. Maria says:

    I can’t finish it…. I’ve been trying for several days and I just can’t get to focus on it.

  3. Jenny says:

    This one was easy for me. I have everything I need clothes-wise except a couple of plain-ish summer tops that I can wear with the nice skirts I never wear because I don’t have a top to go with them…. Will keep my eyes peeled now that I know what I need.

  14. Belinda says:

    Having halved my wardrobe in mission #8 and #10 I thought I would need to go out and buy a heap of new clothes. Because I used to inadvertantly buy more than 1 of something in a season (such as 8 tops that were a similar style, skirts, pants, etc), I had multiples of clothing that I got rid of. I now only need to buy a few new items of clothing and some summer sandles for when the weather eventually heats up here in Oz.
    A girl can never have too many accessories either (well organised of course)!

  15. Minima says:

    Found the colour consultant paperwork and completed the list according to Michelle’s guidelines as I was clearing the wardrobe out (Mission 10).

    I now have a working list, which will be very useful.

  16. Minima says:

    I’m putting this one on hold until I have done a full work through on my closet. Purging that is going to take several 30 mins worth!

    The list is useful in that it covers areas I hadn’t really thought of.

    I once went to see a colour consultant. I need to find refresh myself on her recommendations.

  20. Kathryn Brooke says:

    Add to your money-saving tips: BUY A SEWING MACHINE–and get clothes that really fit you! Buy a couple of simple patterns that include several pieces. Embelish them yourself with trims and crazy buttons. You’ll be wearing something UNIQUE (for ideas browse http://www.boden.co.uk) and FUN!

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