For someone that is interested in fashion, I own surprisingly few clothes. Ok, I guess that is a pretty subjective statement, but we have a seriously tiny closet in our flat here in London, and all my clothes fit in there. But even if I had more space, I wouldn’t buy more clothes. My ideal wardrobe would be small, but every single item would reflect my personal style perfectly. I’m still far from that state (of closet heaven), but it has gotten a lot better since I have started to do some planning, regular editing, generally avoiding undirected impulse shopping. One of my favourite fellow ‘less is more’ advocate is Dead Fleurette, check out her blog for inspiration on how to plan your wardrobe.
I think the first step towards a great, functional wardrobe is finding out exactly what you want your personal style to be like. My favourite way to do this is to create mood boards! I make new mood boards all the time, at least once a season, and they are always a little bit different from the last one. Mood boards are great because they do the job of visualizing your ideal personal style for you and they are something to which you can always refer back to when you need inspiration. Once your mood board is done, you can analyze it, identify themes and figure out which elements are missing from your current wardrobe. Read this post for a step-by-step guide on how to dissect your mood board.
Collect pictures of everything that inspires you in some way regarding your style. It is best to give yourself some time for this and just continue to do what you are probably already doing: Read blogs, magazines and go fake-shopping (browse through (online-)shops without actually buying anything :)). Websites like Lookbook.nu or Style.com are also great sources. Whenever you see something that inspires you (even if you don’t know why) cut it out, save it or make a note of it. These could be pictures of whole outfits, single items, beauty looks, ideas of a certain type of look/style, colours, textures, anything. If you find someone whose style you like, research them further. Some things might not be on any blogs or in magazines because they are not a trend at the moment. In that case just do a direct search online for pics.
At the end you should be left with a big pile of pictures (real-life or electronically). Go through every pic and think about why you like it. Identify themes. Maybe you are drawn to bohemian outfits or classic tailoring; group your pictures accordingly. Now search for outfits, that you would want to wear pretty much exactly and put them in a separate pile (I collect mine in a folder called “Try soon”, see below). Write down all themes you could identify: these could be item or colour combinations, hairstyles, makeup looks, specific items or even a particular feel. Let this list guide you the next time you go shopping or try out new looks.
This is how I organise all the pics I find online via iPhoto:
Now pick your favourite pictures, maybe print out ones you found online and stick them onto a big piece of cardboard. Put it up on a wall next to your closet. You can also create different kinds of mood boards, like a nighttime and a daytime one, or special ones for hair and makeup. Remember that mood boards shouldn’t be static, they are something that should evolve just like your style.
Here is a mood board I made last summer. It doesn’t reflect my inspirations 100% anymore, so I am currently working on a new (bigger) one, I will show it to you when it’s done.
Do you have a mood board?
This post is Step 3 of the 10 Step Wardrobe Revamp
What a wonderful idea! Some inspiration in the morning on my way to my closet.
I like your on-line mood boards. We make mood boards in commercial interior design too, to help our clients get a feel for what they might want their space to feel like.
I really like the idea. Wonderful. I will definately start also a mood board;)
Loves it!!!! Brings me back to my days at FIT….. I have one up now in my bedroom, its more of a road map to my future goals…
Simply Studded
Making a mood board is something I’ve been thinking about doing this year. Thanks for the inspiriation! I’m sooo doing this!!
I have mental mood boards!
Do they count?!
Mood boards are a cool idea especially if you make them like vision boards.
keep your eyes open for my mood board, this is a wonderfully creative idea. Your work is really fantastic and fresh! Thanks for viewing my recent post Green Spring! I hope you’ll return for another look! I’m following you from here on in!
Reblogged this on meinterpretated and commented:
Yay :)
Cool concept!
Great! Sometimes I make mood boards on Polyvore, but more frequent I make fashion sets instead! ))
This is amazing advice. Oddly enough I’d never thought of doing something like this, but it’s such a great idea, I’ll definitely try it!
Cool idea! I have scrap books with ideas for outfits – I’ll post them on my blog sometime.
Hey, I love your post and your idea…I used to live with a girl who’s way of life is ‘less is more’ edit holly edit…but I feel now I have found my own way and as much as I would love to be selective and have a ‘capsule warbrobe’ I don’t think I will ever manage to be like that. iv’e always been a ‘more is more’ girl…I collect everything I can…weather it’s clothes from a sample sale at work, vintage fair or just stuff I see I like and I store it till i feel it goes well with something else I’ve bought or I just feel the time is right :) somtimes (being a fellow londoner) I do feel that this way is not the best due to the space in the wardrobe…but sometimes I just can’t resist and make these buys..same goes to mood boards…I do love a pretty image and often make a mood board for what i feel is right for the season to direct my look.x
This is a great idea! You have inspired me to make my own mood board now!
I love a good mood board, so inspiring
pinterest.com is my vision board. If you get on pinterest, locate me under molivermade and I will happily follow you.
I have just found a mood board app for my ipad, it is amazing for creating electronic moodboards, you can grab from websites, insert your own images and move them around and add text etc…its fab and it was only about £2.99! As a make up artist I use it to create looks for my next photo shoot!
Loving your work!
Hi, I’m just wondering what the app is called?
A question here, if I may. What do you do with the items of clothing that don’t fit into your new mood board?
yours is amazing! the one i have on my wall looks like the contents of a trash can in comparison!
Great advice for refining a wardrobe.
This is such an amazing idea! You’ve just given me a great li’l craft proect to undertake, I think.
I love this! Your moodboards are great! x
Very cool idea!
Hi – thanks for the like. Nice blog btw – I’m following you on WordPress and Blogloving now :D
Great idea. I drastically edited my wardrobe over the summer getting rid of everything I didn’t love. Oddly I spend less time getting dressed now and have less desire to shop. Doing a mood board would help me remember special items when it’s time to go shopping.
Mood Boards= My Friday Nights lol ! I make them ALL the time! Love this post!
I love making digital mood boards and inspiration boards! I make mine on Pinterest. So much fun!
really cute! I should try this and hang in my closet for inspiration :)
Love your mood board. I read dead fleurette as well and it is really so hard to keep a lean wardrobe!! I shall try your mood board method.
I love the idea of each piece of clothing representing you. I tend to be a spontaneous shopper and that’s not always good. Maybe I’ll try the mood board for a little focus. I look forward to seeing your new one.
http://shoecloszet.com
I love working with Polyvore. I just did a board for a new bedroom refashion!
Have you seen the website Pinterest (and iphone app too)…www.pinterest.com. You create moodboards online. My style one is here http://pinterest.com/kellygrenfell/my-style-inspiration/ and my dream home one is here: http://pinterest.com/kellygrenfell/my-dream-house/
check me out at http://pinkbulldogs.wordpress.com!
This is a good post about how order and chaos can blend beautifully- the chaos of finding things you love and then organizing them in an orderly way. Definitely inspired me to be more organized when pulling random photos from mags/ online!
Great idea for a post – very inspiring!
Thank you so much for liking my blog! Your blog is very inspirational! Thanks a million
Great idea, maybe I can apply to other interests (i.e.: cooking).
Pinterest would be a good place to organize a mood board. My wardrobe needs a major re-do. Thanks for the idea!
I create mood boards all the time, for both school (graphic design) and when I design clothes! Great post, thanks for sharing!
Kool Idea! I dont buy magazines, but Im sure its easy to make a digital mood board!
-a
I love this,
I own far too many items – many that are not me at all, but thats just because since studying away from home Ive changed and matured so much!
time for a clear out!
Great idea! I could use a way to organize my thoughts on styles I like. I’ll look forward to seeing your new mood board when it is finished.
~Emily~
My blog is my mood board, but I like yours as well.