How to Mix and Match Your Wardrobe

Last Updated: March 13, 2021

Do you have a limited amount of storage space and want to get the most out of a small wardrobe? Maybe you want to save money by making each piece of clothing count. It could be that you want to overhaul your personal style but don't want to spend too much money right off the bat. Whatever your reasons, there is a simple wardrobe method, called capsule dressing, which will help you make the most of what you have. Read below for basic instructions and tips on following this method.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Create Your Color Palette

1
Find your best color. Find the color which looks best on you. This will depend on your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. If you have brightly colored eyes, it is usually the same as your eye color. Yellow or green will make red hair look rich, brunettes benefit from purples, and red looks great with black hair. Experiment or ask friends for advice.
2
Choose complementary colors. Once you have a base color to work with, choose some colors that match with it. Two is a good number to shoot for. You can either choose colors that you believe match, choose from a color palette in a magazine, or use a tool like Adobe's Kuler.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Pick a neutral or two. Now that you have some colors picked out, you'll want to pick some neutral colors to balance them out. Wearing too many colors will give you a circusy look. Depending on the colors you've chosen, add some black, white, beige, brown, or gray.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Build Your Wardrobe

1
Buy a few tops. Now that you have some colors, pick out 3-5 tops. One should be a basic button-down, one should be a short sleeved shirt, and one should be a tank top, camisole, or other sleeveless shirt. The button-down should be a solid color, preferably from the neutrals that you chose. The short-sleeve shirt or sleeveless shirt can have a print but it will be easier to mix and match if you do not introduce prints. Only one of the two should have a print; one of these needs to be solid colored.
2
Purchase some bottoms. With your tops picked out, you will want to move on to choosing some bottoms. One should be a nice pair of dressy pants, the other should be a pair of jeans.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} The third should be something that can be nice or casual, depending on what is worn with it. For women, this will probably mean a knee-length skirt. For men, consider some khakis or similar pants. All bottoms should be free of prints, unless there were no prints used on any tops (in which case a woman may want to have a skirt with a print).
3
Get a few extras. A few more pieces will be necessary to complete a fully mixable wardrobe. Women will want to find a knee-length dress with short or three quarter sleeves. This dress should not be a neutral color (preferably should be the main color palette color) and should be able to be both casual or dressy, depending on chosen accessories. You will also want to get 2 jackets: a button down sweater (simple or elaborate, it's up to you) and a blazer or similar formal jacket. The blazer should be in a neutral color, preferably darker than the button down shirt you chose. The sweater can be neutral but should preferably be in a color (different from the dress color).
4
Get strategic accessories. You will want 2-3 pairs of shoes in your chosen neutral colors. One should be formal, one should be casual, and you can have a third pair which can be casual or formal depending on context (like a pair of boots). Buy a scarf which can similarly be used in either a formal or casual context . Women can get jewelry to emphasize a formal vs. casual outfit as well by having one set which looks elegant and another which looks fun.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mix and Match

1
Make formal outfits. With these basic pieces in your wardrobe you can create a number of different outfits for different occasions. Pair the formal pants with the button-down shirt and the blazer for a great look for work. Make it semi-casual by wearing the sweater and sleeveless shirt with the formal pants, shoes, and accessories.
2
Make casual outfits. Pair the tee with the jeans or the sweater and sleeveless shirt with the skirt. Make it a little more formal by introducing the blazer to the tee and jeans combo. This is a great outfit for a date or lunch with a friend!
3
Experiment! There are so many combinations possible with this type of wardrobe that you will have to experiment to find which you like best and which are best for different occasions. This can take time and a little trial and error but you will like the results.