It Takes Five to Seven Years to Build a Wardrobe

Building a wardrobe is a long-term project. By carefully selecting pieces that age well and improve over time, you can buy fewer, but higher quality items.

At the start, you will make mistakes. For example, I bought a denim jacket during the Summer from a thrift store that fits me nicely but the aesthetic is too casual for my liking. The lengthy process of building your wardrobe over five to seven years is due, in part, to the time needed to refine and cultivate your personal style. Making these wardrobe mistakes is an integral part of that journey.

As time goes on, your clothes will lose its initial charm. However, the garments that endure beyond the initial excitement are the ones that withstand changing fashion trends and are ultimately the pieces that will stay in your wardrobe for years. This can be achieved by forming an emotional connection with your clothing. You can either buy a piece with emotional meaning: maybe it’s a scarf from a recent trip to Peru, a watch commemorating a wedding, or a piece that’s culturally significant for you. Or you can create emotional attachment by wearing your clothes frequently and for special occasions, washing them and storing them properly, and tending to them when they need repairs.