Finding Contentment with your Closet

Over the years, my wardrobe has gone through many iterations, as I’ve chased the perfect basics, incorporated new trend pieces, or tried to focus on elements of a certain style. But it’s never quite been ‘enough’. Some of this is part and parcel of sharing my wardrobe and my outfits online – though I do try to keep a focus on re-wearing the items that I love – and some of this is just down to a simple shopping mistake. But when is enough, enough? And at what point do you feel content with your wardrobe?

Wearing Everlane silk cami, Topshop white denim skirt (also love this), Yoli & Otis blazer (old but this is a great alternative), Vaneli two tone pumps, Chanel boy bag (great affordable option), Daniel Wellington watch, Amber Sceats earrings (these are super chic too)

Looking back, starting a capsule wardrobe all those years ago was a precursor on my journey to contentment. For me, being content has a lot to do with identifying with my personal style, and sourcing the items that I truly love wearing. For you, this might look different. It might be more focused on creating a fulfilling wardrobe that eradicates your desire to shop, or identifying and wearing only the items that make you feel comfortable and confident.

WEAR ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE

The key to a happy (and content) wardrobe is one that’s filled with pieces that you love – you know, those items that you are going to reach for day in and day out. I’m fairly ruthless with my wardrobe, and if something just isn’t working for me, then I’m pretty quick to either sell it on, or donate it to someone in need. This helps to keep my wardrobe streamlined, and stocked with garments that truly give me joy.

REMEMBER THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL

I used to count down the days until Karen Walker’s latest collection would drop in stores. I’d take a half day just so I could spend the morning trying on the new season collection, and plan out exactly which pieces I needed to have, and what I could actually afford. If I saw an incredible pair of shoes on another blogger, I’d scour the internet until I managed to track them down. Once I bought them, the happiness they brought me was fleeting, and it’s safe to say, it’s unlikely that any of those items are still in my wardrobe.

YOU CAN’T BUY CONTENTMENT

Perhaps my biggest Achilles heel is that I’m an emotional shopper. Whether I’ve suffered some kind of loss, had a string of bad luck, or am just feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed, a new purchase has often been my (temporary) band-aid of choice for those problems. I’m aware, as much as the next person, that you can’t buy contentment. To me, it’s a state of mind; of identifying that you are happy with what you have, that you literally have enough.

YOU’LL HAVE MORE OPTIONS WITH LESS

My attitude to my wardrobe changed when I started to streamline it, and part with anything that I wasn’t really reaching for. I became more receptive to experimenting with the items that I did own, and found that I could create so many more outfits, without all the additional ‘noise’. Don’t underestimate how inspired you’ll feel, when you have a closet full of items that you love wearing.

What does being content with your closet look like for you?