Above our podcastI mentioned Selected wardrobe by Anuschka Rees a number of times. It’s a great book, and there’s also a workbook available.
I first worked through Anuschka’s method in late 2019 and I can honestly say it has completely changed my style, the way I shop and think about clothes. I love it! I still benefit from many of the things I learned from this book many years later.
Since I’m a fan girl, I thought I’d share three things I learned from Selected wardrobe. If you’re struggling with your personal style or are in a stage in your life where things need to change, I strongly recommend the book and/or workbook.
I like Anuschka’s approach to personal style. It’s not about finding what “fits” your body type or looking attractive, but about feeling good with whatever you choose to wear.
I used to hesitate too, because sometimes I feel threatened by the fashion world. My budget and preferences mean I probably won’t be wearing all the designer’s things anytime soon.
I’ve always loved saving and putting things together in unique ways. And to be honest, I don’t really like following the rules unless I choose them. Ha.
Lesson 1: Fantasy Life and Real Life
One exercise you can choose to do is take a self-portrait of your outfit every day. The purpose is to record the samples you take, fit, color, etc. Honestly, I learned a lot from this exercise.
I did this in December 2019 and early January 2020. You can check out some of the photos below (to be honest, I never meant to share these, so light/ pretty quality LOL).
From this exercise, I realized that I have a huge part of my wardrobe that is clothing for the imaginary life I envisioned.
But then, I mostly wear the same things over and over again for my real life, which is working from home (mostly alone, and many days I don’t see anyone but my husband). My job is a mix of computer and do things (cooking, crafts, photography, cleaning).
I realized that I needed to be more honest with myself about what I really wanted from my everyday outfit. Sure, I want things that are interesting and fun, but they are NOT comfortable and things I can move around easily and can get greasy or painted.
If my clothes don’t fit these criteria, I won’t wear them and they will sit in my closet waiting to appear in my imaginary life.
I still think about this lesson now when I go shopping for clothes. My current daily life often involves the same things PLUS crawling around on the floor with my 1-year-old son.
This is why I like it Jumpsuit so many; I don’t have to worry about pulling up my pants or pulling up my shirt after playing on the floor or holding my son when I put on my jumpsuit. Plus, I think they’re cute.
Lesson 2: Find my outfit recipe (AKA My Uniform)
I also learned about finding an outfit recipe that works for me. As I mentioned, I don’t really like following the rules. This is different. A dress formula stands for; it makes getting ready in the morning super quick, and when I’m shopping for something new, if it doesn’t fit my outfit recipe, I really think a lot about whether I can really going to wear it or not.
Some things don’t fit the formula, like a chic dress for NYE or a friend’s wedding. My outfit recipe also changes a bit with the seasons, as I live in the Midwest and we have very different temperatures throughout the year.
Warm weather outfit recipe:
Jeans + Plain T-shirt + Sandals
Overalls + T-shirt or Tank + Sandals
Jumpsuit + Sandals
Dress (midi or maxi) + Sandals
Cold Weather Outfit Recipe:
Jeans + Plain T-shirt + Cardigan or jacket + flat shoes
Jeans + Sweater + Jacket
Overalls + Sweater + Coat
Jumpsuit + Cardigan or Jacket + Flats
Dress + Cardigan or Jacket + Flats
I have clothes that don’t fit these recipes, but not many. And if this sounds boring to you, I understand. Honestly, my clothes are somewhat boring. BUT it all fits and I wear all I own. Plus, it’s easy to get ready in the morning and feel at ease with each other.
And I have lots of cute headbands, hats, scarves and glasses. Not a huge amount, but enough for these accessories to spice up me when I want to add something.
Lesson 3: How to shop better
Selected wardrobe has really encouraged me to think more about the fit of the clothes as well as the quality. Growing up and into my mid-20s, I mostly shopped at thrift stores or cheap fast fashion, because those were the things that fit my budget. (I still love to save!)
And while you can occasionally find good-fits and high-quality antiques, I’ve found that I have a habit of shopping based solely on price and I haven’t given much consideration to fit. and the best possible quality. .
I also realize that I often shop impulsively based on price (it’s so cheap! Why not?!), but this leads to a closet full of things that don’t fit me, colors I really don’t like to wear , and clothes I don’t need because they fit my imaginary life and not my real-life outfit formula.
Since reading Selected wardrobeI shop a lot less, I’m more picky, and I feel like everything in my wardrobe is something I’m going to wear and wear. often or I have a chance for it (for example, I have a dress that I wear to most of the weddings I’m invited to…it’s my favorite dress).
I still save for fun, but I’m picky. I also spend a fortune to change things up to suit me if I really love something, it makes me feel better about the item when I wear it, so I wear it. more often.
Do I have the perfect wardrobe? No. But it has completely transformed over the past few years for the better. so so. Emma
P.S. Random truth, but this author, Anuschka Rees, How did you do it? Write & recommend book recommendations e-course before she hits her book deal. I’m so glad she did, because I LOVE her book so much. And if you have a great book idea, check out our course!
