February 23, 2006
Ask Leah
Question:
Could you give me some guidelines as to what comprises a good wardrobe for a man?
Leah answers:
Without understanding your lifestyle in more detail, it's difficult to assess your needs. However I would suggest the following.
- Determine what your activities. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into sections for work, casual, social, sports, formal events, and however else you spend your time.
- Whatever the percentages are should be guidelines as to what the proportions of your wardrobe should be. In other words, if 40 percent of your activities are work-related, 40% of your clothing should also be work-related.
- You should have enough clothing to get you through each of your activities comfortably--whatever that means to you. If you need several changes of clothing a week for each activity to feel comfortable, then that's what should be hanging in your closet.
- Always have more tops than bottoms. Pants and suits are the workhorses of your wardrobe, while jackets, shirts, sweaters, and tees are what you use to change your look.
- If there's anything hanging in your closet that you haven't worn for a year, get rid of it! (with the possible exception of a special occasion garment that's in good condition and not out-of-date). It's excess baggage and will only cause confusion when you're deciding what to wear.
Copyright, February 2006 Leah Ruth Oman
