A good wardrobe is not one size fits all.
And I’m not just talking about the size on the tags either. I’m talking about all of the things that take clothes from basic and boring to invaluable essentials. These are the details that matter.
And that’s why I’ve added 3 different categories to help you find the wardrobe from scratch that will work for you. They include:
- Budget
- Body Type
- Color Palette
Arguably the most important one is body type, and you can discover your body type in my system by signing up for my FREE body type video series.
Once you do, you’ll be able to access my FREE body type catalogs, which are updated every Monday (you’ll want to bookmark these!).
Here’s how this breaks down, step by step.
Discover Your Body Type
There are 6 body types, each randomly assigned a color: Red, Purple, Blue, Green, Orange, and Yellow.
Choose Your Color Palette
I do a full color analysis for everyone in my Ageless Style Program, but to simplify this process, choose your best dark neutral: Brown, Navy, or Black, and pick the corresponding palette.
Everyone gets denim blue as a bonus neutral.
This works best when you choose to keep the dark neutrals in 1-2 categories, and the medium-light neutrals in another. So for example, bottoms are black, while tops and jackets are white and gray.
Choose Your Budget
Like restaurant reviews, I use dollar signs to represent the budget category in my catalogs.
- $ Old Navy, Uniqlo, Walmart, H&M
- $$ Zara, J. Crew, Mango, some Nordstrom, LOFT, Talbots
- $$$ Frank & Eileen, Eileen Fisher, Vince, Veronica Beard, Cuyana
Find Your Essentials
The Wardrobe From Scratch includes the following 12 pieces broken up into these categories: 5 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 jackets, and a dress/jumpsuit.
- Tee
- Tank or sleeveless top
- Button-down
- Sweater
- Blouse
- Neutral pants
- Neutral skirt
- Jeans
- Cardigan
- Dressy jacket
- Casual jacket
- Dress or jumpsuit
Wardrobe From Scratch #1: $$ budget, Brown Color Palette, Red Body Type
Wardrobe From Scratch #2: $$ budget, Black Color Palette, Red Body Type
Wardrobe From Scratch #3: $ budget, Navy Color Palette, Red Body Type
This video is the first in a wardrobe-building series. We start with these basics, and then add statement and signature pieces to create outfits that feel like you.
What do you think of the wardrobe from scratch as a concept? And which of these principles was most helpful to you? Let me know in the comments!
Nada Manley says
Thanks Holly! I am so glad you found this helpful and are settling on a palette! Love having you in the program!
Nada Manley says
Thank you so much Kath! That truly means a lot to me! I am so glad you are finding it helpful!
Nada Manley says
Hi Stephanie! Hope you enjoy the series! You will get the link on Day 3! If you want to access it earlier send me an email at nada@nadamanley.com!
Stephanie Hutchinson says
How do I access the catalogs? I have signed up for the series. Thank you.
Kath says
Thank you so much for the excellent material on “How To Build a Wardrobe”. I shall be studying it in detail as soon as I get the chance. I can see an end in sight to the endless frustration (and expense) of trying to have a functional wardrobe.
Holly Hunton says
Fascinating, as always, Nada! I’m a purple body type, with a Fresh Color palette. I think, after months of consideration, navy is too bold for me and the brown palette you’ve featured is best for building my wardrobe essentials (I have dark brown eyes, fair skin, and currently have warm blond high in my medium brown hair). Looking forward to your next steps! I’ve been with your Ageless Style Program for two years and still have so much left to learn! Great stuff 🙂