Reader's Request: How can I make the most out of my wardrobe on a budget?

Reader's Request: Read on for a step-by-step guide to elevating your wardrobe by putting together a culmination of cornerstone pieces which reflect your personal taste and lifestyle.

You are getting tired of wasting your money on low quality pieces? Awesome! But what if you don't have enough in your budget to purchase all of it at once? I suggest putting together several cornerstone pieces. One's that will make the greatest impact on your look while also coordinating with things you may already have in your closet. When your pieces are well chosen, it can give you the confidence you seek and plenty of outfit choices that express your personal taste!  Below are four questions to ask yourself as you set out to choose your cornerstone pieces.

My Cornerstone Pieces:
(Link belongs to item beneath it)

Tailored Coat: ASOS

Classic Shift Dress: Alice & Olivia

 Black Leather Jeans: Bloomingdale's 

*Statement Watch : Michael Kors

Neutral Flats: Steve Madden

Question 1 // What Activities are you Involved in?

Before you can select items for your foundation, you first need to know exactly what you need for your lifestyle. Make a list of all of your regular activities: Work, school, meeting with friends, dates, time at home. Make an educated guess of how many times you participated in your various activities in the last month or so. (I found it helpful to look at my day planner-- I don't have the best memory!)

        

Question 2 // What is your Ideal Wardrobe?

Write down some notes on what your ideal wardrobe would look like once it's finished. (If you are having a tough time identifying your style, try this quiz ). Concentrate on the overall look you are trying to achieve and the most important elements you want to incorporate into your style (key colors, fabrics, textures, proportions and details for example).

Question 3 // What are My Cornerstone Pieces?

Now that you have a better idea of what activities you normally participate in and what type of items you would like to purchase, you can take these two pieces of information to decide which five or six items you would like as your cornerstones. 

Some things to think about when selecting items are:

1) Which would have the biggest impact right now?

2) Which items can you use for future outfits?

Select items you can wear several times throughout the week, such as a light-weight jacket or tote bag. A fun bright t-shirt is a great purchase, but shouldn't necessarily be included as a cornerstone. Pick neutral pieces that are considered neither "dress up" or "dress down" rather smack dab in the middle. This way you can incorporate pieces you probably already own to either dress the item up or down. Think more about what you want rather than where you'll get it.

Shown below are the Staples I chose as My Cornerstones Pieces:

(Notice I had many things on my list and narrowed it down to a few key pieces).

Question 4 // What Can I Afford Right Now?

Once you have figured out which items you would like to include, it's time to go out and find your version of these pieces that fit into your style and price range. Something to consider while shopping is that price doesn't always equal quality. Many brands sell their products to discount stores or have their own factory outlets which offer their products at lower prices without sacrificing integrity (Nordstrom Rack or TJ Maxx for example).

 Continue to work on your dream wardrobe at your own pace. Once you have your cornerstone pieces set, you will already be a lot happier with the state of your closet. Set yourself a reasonable budget and continue to work towards your dream wardrobe, however fast or slow your budget allows.

Lastly, here are a few final tips for elevating your wardrobe on a budget:

1. Try freecycle.org

2. Visit your local mall, especially on holiday sale days and even the day after the sale.

3. Check out the book, "Wear this, Toss that" written by Amy E. Goodman

After reading these steps, what would you include as your cornerstone pieces? I would love to hear from you, leave a comment below!

A huge, "Thank You" to Nick P. for being the inspiration for my first Reader's Request blog post. If you would like the chance to have your idea or suggestion featured on my blog, follow me on Instagram @xoxorachelleblog or leave a comment below.