While waiting for an elevator the other day, I overheard a woman telling her friend: “My friend bought one suit, and she only wears it to conferences.” It sounds like a smart move, until you realize you’re limiting yourself. What if you separated the jacket and pants, mixed them with basics you already own, and turned that “one special outfit” into everyday wins? That single mindset shift can completely change how you feel about your closet.
The reality is, you have hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions to make, and struggling with what to wear should not be one of them. So many of my clients have certain pieces for work and others for the weekend. What if instead, the pieces in your closet worked for both? Now, I understand you’re not wearing a suit or “fancy” blouse to the sporting event on the weekend, but think how much easier it would be if you had pieces in your closet that worked for all areas of your life, not just one or the other.
My Own Don’t Touch That Moments
For years, I didn’t wear white. I had two growing boys in the house, and wearing white wasn’t feasible. Now that they are gone, I only wear it occasionally because, in reality, I am the messy one.
Over the years, I worked with several clients who purchased “the look” off the rack and kept the clothes hanging in their closets that way. Every morning was easier because the decision was simply which outfit to put on, but they grew tired of wearing the same outfits on repeat. They wanted to shop for new outfits until I showed them that by separating the pieces, they could create 20-30+ outfits using what they had. For example, on Instagram, I shared a reel with the brown suit I wore. I styled it seven ways, from a board meeting look to go-to date night, casual Fridays, happy hours, and more.
How to Rethink Pieces in Your Closet
Here are a few steps to help you audit your own closet:
- Pick one item you’ve been ‘saving’ (like a suit). Lay it out. Separate the pieces. Grab 3–5 basics you already own (jeans, tees, blouses).
- Pair your suit jacket + jeans + loafers = casual office
- Pair your pants + graphic tee + sneakers = weekend errands
- Pair the full suit + fun scarf = networking event
- Mix and match neutrals. Go beyond black, camel, or ivory and be creative with alternative neutral combinations:
- Brown/Navy – Olive/Navy – Maroon/Navy
- Pink/Brown – Pink/Olive – Pink/Grey
- Brown/Red/Camel – Powder Blue/Brown
- Maroon/Olive – Maroon/Brown – Maroon/Grey
- Yellow/Brown – Yellow/Teal – Yellow/Grey
- Versatility is the key. Think outside the box, using what you have and finding pieces that fit your life and lifestyle. If you don’t want to wear the suit because it’s uncomfortable, find one with some stretch or made from a breathable material. You want pieces that act as building blocks in your wardrobe.
- Add layers and accessories. A cardigan, a belt, jewelry, a watch, fun socks, or shoes can transform a casual look into one ready for board meetings.
- Comfort Check: If the piece feels stiff or uncomfortable, look for a new, refreshed, updated version in a fabric with stretch or breathability.
Key Takeaways to Try This Week:
- Rethink Challenge: Pick one piece this week (suit, dress, or blazer) and brainstorm 5 new ways to wear it. Snap photos of the outfits and create your own ‘lookbook’ to reference on busy mornings.
- Real-world tip: Organize your closet. Create sections by category and color (short sleeve, long sleeve, pants, jeans, jackets, cardigans). This way, you know where everything is, especially on busy mornings when you need something quick. No more digging.
- Biggest Win: Faster mornings that equal sharper focus at work. Having versatile pieces will save you mental energy so you walk into every room confident and ready to lead.
Ready to Stop the “Nothing to Wear” Frustration?
You likely don’t need more clothes, but help to unlock what’s already in your closet.
During a Curated Closet Session, we:
During a Curated Closet Session, we:
- Look at what you currently own
- Identify 3–5 pieces you can rethink immediately
- Build a simple plan so getting dressed feels easy and confident again
Book a Style Inspo Session HERE to get started. No long commitment, real help for your real life.