How to Shop Your Closet
If you’re like me, when fall comes around you go on a bit of a shopping frenzy.
Some were thoughtful and intentional, some a bit more impulsive (those damn sales got us), and it’s not until you go to get dressed that you realize you haven’t actually thought through whole outfits .
Outfits that feel like you, fit, and make you smile when you look in the mirror.
This is where shopping your closet comes in.
“What is shopping my closet” you ask?
It’s playing with the pieces you have, setting aside a chunk of time to actually try things on together, and create outfits that bring you joy and work for your real life. You might also discover along the way holes in your wardrobe (pieces your wardrobe lacks that would complete your outfits), and build a BETTER shopping list moving forward.
I’mma give it to you raw and honest: it’s not quick, it requires effort. You will have to spend time in the mirror, and likely confront insecurities and general feelings of “what do I even like?” and/or “who even am I right now?” You’ll also have to pull a lot of crap out of your closet and drawers, and eventually put it back.
BUT: if you persevere, and it becomes a practice, you can look forward to:
☑️ unlocking your creativity and self-expression,
☑️ an album of go-to outfits that help you feel confident (even on days you have low energy),
☑️ learning more about who you are (and falling in love with her), and
☑️ being slowly freed from the never-ending, expensive cycle of trends and clothing FOMO.
How to Shop your Closet
Step 1: See what you have
First things first, you’ll need to see what you currently have for that season. So not ALL your clothes, but either your Fall/Winter clothes, shoes, and accessories, or your Spring/Summer stuff.
I’m gonna walk you through me doing this with my own Fall wardrobe, as an example as you follow along.
Now, open your closet and all your drawers, grab pieces that have been stored under the bed in the off season, and bring them all into one room. Make sure you can see everything you have, including shoes, belts, accessories.
We are NOT doing a closet cleanout right now (that’s too much to bite off in one day). We are in creativity mode. We are painting the canvas, we are seeking inspiration, in a discovery state; cue the happy throwbacks on Alexa.
Got all your stuff in one room? Good!
Step 2: Identify the pieces you’re most excited about
Imagine there was a fire, and you only had time to grab 10-15 items from your closet to save. Without thinking too hard about it, going with your gut, grab your 10-15 items from your collection. These spark joy, they are go-to’s, they inspire you, they are trusted. Now put them in a pile.
Like for real, do this right now. I’ll wait.
The most rewarding way to shop your closet is to start building outfits around the things you are EXCITED to wear. It’s gonna hit the same dopamine receptor in your brain that shopping does. We’re not trying to make sucky outfits after all, but outfits that we’re gonna be itching to wear. There’s no real point in making outfits with items you hate (or that don’t work for you anymore). That’s a waste of your precious time.
Here’s a pic of some of the things from my closet that I’m itching to wear this Fall/Winter.
Step 3: Search for Inspo on Pinterest
Head to Pinterest for outfit inspo, prioritizing outfits that include some of your favorite pieces “i.e. Fall outfits with wide jeans, “Styling an embellished belt”, “Denim hat outfits”, “Brown sneaker outfits”, Denim vest outfits fall 2025”, “Fall 2025 outfit inspo.” Go ahead down the rabbit hole and save everything that catches your eye and fits your vibe.
Observe which types of pieces they’re putting together.
Even the cutest clothes will collect dust in our closet if we don’t know how to style them. 10 times out of 10, we will spring for the same “no-brainer” outfits we’re familiar with, if we haven’t taken the time to make outfits with our faves.
If you get stuck, take heart, our capsules should give you several ideas of potential outfits!
Step 4: Challenge: Make Outfit Combos
Armed with your Pinterest board, let’s hop in your actual closet, set a time limit (2 hours) and challenge yourself to make AS MANY OUTFIT COMBOS as you can using your favorite pieces.
DON'T FORGET TO SNAP A PICTURE ANYTIME EVER IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER AN OUTFIT YOU LIKE. Don’t let that effort go to waste, put it in your “outfits” album on your phone.
If you get stuck and are struggling to make outfits with a particular item, put it aside for now, and keep making outfits with the other pieces. Once you’ve made as many outfits with those pieces as you can, head to Step 5 for direction on the tricky pieces.
Styling My Fall Faves 🍂
Wide leg jeans | Embellished Belt | Burgundy Pants |
Plaid Coat | Brown Sneakers | Denim Baseball Cap
This fall I wanted to discover ways to work the color burgundy into my rotation, a color I hadn’t experimented with much before in outfits. I realized I adore it with blues, cream, and marigold 🤩 It surprised me how new and fresh my fall outfits felt after folding in a new-to-me color. I even decided to get a pair of burgundy boots, seeing how versatile the shade is with my wardrobe!
Step 5: Identify what you’re missing
When you struggle to make outfits out of a piece, decide if it’s an inspo issue or if you’re missing a key ingredient: an outfit-completing item.
If you need more inspiration (i.e. “I want to wear this shirtdress open as a duster, but what do I wear under it?”) then head back to Pinterest and search “what to wear with a duster for fall” for more specific ideas.
If you have a clear vision, but are missing a key piece (i.e. “I love these full length pants, but only have one pair of boots that work with them”), then add the missing piece to a wish list note on your phone. “walkable heeled shoes to go with full-length pants for fall”
Next, since we don’t have an infinite budget, we’re going to prioritize our wish list by the pieces that complete the greatest number of outfits for us.
During the outfit combo challenge, I realized I needed a tall sleek boot for my longer jeans and pants. Rather than buying multiple pairs of shoes, I’m going to seek a pair that vibes well with all these outfits.
I added knee high boots to my wishlist.
Keep in mind which color for your wishlist items plays well with what you have.
Back in spring I was intentional about picking shoes in more subdued colors, so I think I’m well overdue for a bold shoe. This burgundy knee high makes a statement without clashing with my pants, jeans, and coat.
Step 6: Shop your wishlist!
Now you’re ready to shop with intention for items that will multiply your outfit options.
Enjoy buying things that WON’T collect dust in your closet, but will help you feel pulled together and fabulous this season.
Our content angels release shoppable capsules by color palette each season of the year. I’m biased, but I think these are a great place to start, for both outfit inspo and actual items in your best colors.
If you’re vibing with this whole post, you’re gonna love my Love Your Closet Audio Course, your step-by-step guide to finding your style, working your palette into your real life, and building outfits you can’t wait to wear!
Learn more below, and use code SHOPYOURCLOSET for $30 off!
Cheers to having actual outfits we love and want to wear in our closets.
XO, Lindsey from Created Colorful
Hang out with us on Instagram! We talk colors, style, and we dance to club hits from the 2000s.
