5 Easy steps to rebuilding a new wardrobe…and how to do it quickly!

Good things happen FAST. 

Last minute job interviews.

That beautiful girl you have been asking out finally said yes. 

Your wardrobe needs to be just as prepared as you.

Don’t wait until the last minute to prep.

The easiest way to do this?

Create systems that allow you to grab & go.

When LIFE hits you fast – your wardrobe is the LAST thing you want to think about.

It should be quick, painless, and inexpensive.

So prep now.

But how?

This article is going to cover 5 easy steps to rebuilding a new wardrobe…and how to do it quickly.

1. Focus On The Winners

Look at what you LOVE to wear and work on duplicates.

If you like a certain brand, get two or three items from that brand. They can be the same or have slight variations in the design and construction.

Whatever the item and color, the key is similarity with a hint of diversity. This gives you the benefit of having longer-lasting clothes (since you’ll take turns with them) – saving you money.

Button down shirts – You honestly can’t have enough white shirts. They’re crisp and classic. Instead of buying the same kind (which is okay), try purchasing a shirt without a pocket for a more contemporary flare.

Denim – Jeans are a necessity for your wardrobe (since you’re not always dressed for a wedding or award show). Once you find a cut that you like, get two or three pairs. If you’re feeling bold, buy the same cut in different colors.

Chinos – When denim isn’t enough but slacks are too formal, insert chinos. They are the best option for elevated casual style. Once you have a brand that fits you well, rinse & repeat.

Sweaters – Another simple solution to overhaul your wardrobe is paying attention to things that look good on you and are relevant to more than one season in the year. Sweaters (specifically cardigans) are in this category. Cardigans can be layered in the fall and winter with coats and jackets. They can also transition into spring with hardly any effort.

2. Add Variety To The Winners

Accessories are like the icing on the cake. They take your outfit to a higher level – a more exciting flavor. Upgrading everything else except the details is cause for style failure. So to step things up you can do the following:

• Buy a watch that stands out from the rest.
• Buy shoes made of premium leather. Full-grain is your best bet. Synthetic leather will feel like plastic, won’t last long, and will crack easily.
• Perfect your shoe polishing – there are varying degrees/techniques that will give you a few different results. What’s the point of upgrading your footwear if you don’t know how to properly care for them?

3. Rebuild Lower Risk Sections In One Shot

Let’s face it, socks and underwear should NOT be relics in your wardrobe. Especially since many of them have been stretched out or worn to capacity.

For these items, do away with the old and ugly. They’re probably the easiest things to discard. They’re meant to be replaced.

Most stores make these undergarments easy to get to and some may even have them near the checkout line. Grab the essential pieces.

Another awesome solution is to check out companies that sell socks and underwear combined in one pack.

4. Replace Worn Items With Higher Quality Pieces

The first step involved here is to move clothing around in your closet.  The most frequently worn pieces should be in the front of the closet. Leave the special occasion pieces (whatever you don’t wear often) toward the back. This will help you figure out which ones you use frequently.

If you wear outfits often. Look to introduce a rotation. The best way to do that is to build an interchangeable wardrobe.

Take belts for example. If you have a belt that is worn. Instead of buying a new belt, just replace the body on the buckle. 

Anson belts created the perfect belt system for this. Not only are they micro adjustable every quarter inch (aka no belt holes) they also have interchangeable straps for every occasion. It’s the perfect belt system. 

I recommend the gift box with 3 straps and two buckles. 

Next, clothes that haven’t been worn for over a year should be stored in a box with a date on it. See how long you leave it unopened. If another year passes and those items haven’t been reintroduced into your wardrobe, donate the box. You’re better off getting new clothes that you might actually use later on. And those unused clothes are better off in the hands of someone else in need.

Shoes are another case. They may wear a little after 1 year. They are unique pieces and we tend to be more patient with how they may rotate in and out of our attire. With shoes, implement the approach that those that are worn most often should be more visible in the closet.

The shoes least used or that haven’t been worn should be pushed further back. It’s pretty reasonable that shoes cannot be worn for all occasions, so you may want to give them 3-5 years before deciding whether or not to donate them.

5. Create A “Wanted” Poster Of Items To Buy

This is for items that you want to include in your rebuilt wardrobe. Set up a deadline to commit to buying these items – whether they’re suits, dress shoes, or coats – through alerts or email lists. This is also the time to put aside part of your balance.

When you’re ready, pull the trigger and purchase. It’s OK to feel a bit unsure – the goal here is to buy quickly and have it BEFORE you stress out about it!

As a rule, you normally get a better buy from a reputable local store – the service there should make up for that extra bit you pay.

Classic pieces are different for everyone. However, classic pieces and staples are two kinds of things that are timeless despite age. For most men, a nice suit fits into this category. A suit is timeless if it’s tailored properly and doesn’t have any of the cuts that would make it specific to a certain event.

So the suit should be one that traditionally has 2-3 buttons sans, tuxedo tails or double-breasted. Again, although these suits could make a resurgence, they would not be the ones that you want to invest in too much while overhauling your wardrobe.

As you are reviewing your closet for “wanted” pieces in your list, you should consider items that will be mainstays such as:

• A navy, black, and gray suit – These are the staple colors.
• Whole cut or wingtip shoes – These work with formal and casual outfits.
• Unique timepieces – These work well with looks ranging from formal to casual.
• Classic V-neck t-shirt – This could be an undershirt or the main shirt.
• Khaki chinos – Do you have one pair that you always wear ? Or is it time to refresh the ones that you have by adding new colors?
• Solid polo shirts – These are classic because they can be worn at just about any event and they suit all seasons. Polo shirts look great with jeans, dress trousers, and even suits. They’re also casual enough to wear with shorts to the ball game.
• Solid white Oxford shirts – You can never have too many white shirts – it’s just not possible. They’re very useful with or without a tie.
• Casual sneakers – These are great for the spring and summertime when it’s okay to roll up the pant legs of chinos or denim and show some ankle.
• White pocket square – This will make any shirt-and-tie combination pop.

Bonus – Join Menswear Subscription Service

Talk about convenience. This business model is excellent for creating a new wardrobe quickly. Companies that offer subscriptions will send you curated boxes of items that you can add to your collection. There are brands that send you whole outfits.

When these pieces are sent to you, the brands often include items that can be pieced together with other boxes that you have received. The only work you would have to do is unpack them once they come in the mail. I’d recommend that you subscribe for at least 6 months to a year!

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