Do You Have a Cohesive Wardrobe?

What to do when none of your pieces go together.

I’ve worked with a few people on personal style consultations recently. While I’m a writer first and foremost, I like dipping into styling other people now and again, helping them find their groove or solve a very specific problem (I don’t do this often, but if you’re interested, send me a DM!).

One common thread that’s come up is cohesiveness — or lack thereof.

A cohesive wardrobe is one full of pieces that work together. One button-up shirt that you’ll happily wear with four different pairs of trousers, say, or a dress that looks as good on its own as it does layered under various jackets or tops in your collection.

A wardrobe that isn’t cohesive may be full of great pieces, but they’re all individuals. They sit on their own. They’re not team players. You might have a pair of wide-leg trousers with a statement print — fabulous on their own, but when you go to wear them with one of your tops, nothing looks or feels right. Or maybe you’ve got a bright, bold jumper that looked amazing in the shop, but at home feels completely out of place (and unwearable) compared to everything else you own.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve definitely bought items of clothing or shoes in the past that, while I loved and appreciated them for what they were, sat unworn and unloved once I brought them home. Why? Because, as beautiful as they were, they didn’t work with anything else I had.

Now, I’m all for experimenting with style. Some of my favourite pieces are the ones that didn’t look like anything else I owned, and (I believe) have helped shape my style for the better. But if you find yourself staring at a wardrobe full of clothes gathering dust, here are my tips for creating a more cohesive wardrobe.