How To Put Outfits Together: 3 Mistakes

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These are the three most common mistakes that make it hard to put outfits together. Over the past 17 years as a personal stylist, these are the three things that come up repeatedly when someone struggles to make outfits. A lot of women think they can’t put outfits together because they don’t have enough clothes. However, in my experience, that’s not always the case.

Now, there are times when someone might be missing key items or have gaps in their wardrobe. But, if you’re struggling with how to put outfits together, it’s probably due to one of these three things. Not because you don’t have enough clothes.

Compromising on size doesn’t work with one exception: if an item can be tailored. For example, if a dress is available only in a size larger, you may be able to have it altered to fit. However, for items like leather jackets, where the fit of the arms, sleeves, or body length is off, the cost of tailoring can be more than the value of simply finding one that fits well from the start.

B) Compromising On Style

Another area where I see people compromising is their personal style. This happens when someone goes shopping and buys a piece that doesn’t reflect their unique style. Maybe they’re shopping with friends, or buying something on impulse. But when they bring it home, it doesn’t align with their unique style, and it sits in their closet unworn. That’s why I always emphasize the importance of knowing your unique personal style.

Once you’re clear on your personal style, it becomes easier to shop or even edit your current wardrobe. A simple exercise to help identify your style is to look at the items in your closet that you wear the most and reach for them again. Ask yourself: What do these pieces have in common? How would you describe them? Do they share similar qualities?

When you start answering these questions, you’ll become more aware of what you like. This will help you build a wardrobe filled with pieces you enjoy wearing, making it easier to put together outfits. Ultimately, when you don’t have pieces you love wearing, it’s hard to build a wardrobe to put together outfits.

2. Convincing Yourself To Keep An Item

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The next common mistake is when people try to convince themselves to buy an item they think will work for them or hold onto a piece that doesn’t make them feel good. Often, they justify buying something because they think they’re missing something, or they keep an item they don’t love out of guilt.

Many women only wear 10–20% of their closet. However, the goal is to wear 100% of your closet. Wearing 100% of your closet doesn’t mean you need to buy more things. It means becoming mindful of the items you already own—the ones you genuinely like, that reflect your personal style, and that fit your lifestyle. This awareness ensures that when you do buy something, it’s a thoughtful addition rather than a regretful impulse purchase.

A) Buying Sale Items

One of the biggest traps I see is convincing yourself to buy an item because it’s on sale. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean it’s worth buying. Prioritize quality and whether it works for you over the price. The sale price should be a bonus, not the main reason for buying something. The truth is, the “great deal” isn’t great if the piece never got worn.

B) Keeping Unnecessary Items

Stop trying to convince yourself to hold onto items that don’t serve you. If a piece doesn’t make you feel confident and happy, it might be time to let it go. Keeping it in your closet creates unnecessary clutter and decision fatigue. It becomes much harder to put together outfits when you’re only wearing 10–20% of your closet. On the other hand, when 100% of your closet consists of pieces you love and feel good in, creating outfits becomes easy and enjoyable.

You don’t need to throw everything away and start from scratch. Some clients come to me wanting to do that, but I always encourage them to pause and take a step back. Let’s first see what’s already in their closet that they feel good in. A big part of building a functional wardrobe is having awareness. This is knowing what you like, and what works for you. Without that awareness, even if you replace your entire wardrobe, you’re likely to end up in the same situation a few months down the road.

Instead of trying to convince yourself to buy an item because it’s a “great deal,” ask yourself these key questions: Does this reflect my personal style? Does this work with my lifestyle? Most importantly, do I love this item? If the answer is yes, it’s likely a good addition to your wardrobe. If not, it’s better to leave it behind. By doing this, you’ll create a closet filled with pieces you love and that you’ll wear. This makes it much easier to put together outfits you feel great in.

3. You Don’t Have A Capsule Wardrobe

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The third mistake that might be making it hard for you to put together outfits is not having a capsule wardrobe that reflects your unique personal style, body, and lifestyle. Without this, I’ve found that it’s tough to create outfits and wear the clothes in your closet. There’s a common misconception about capsule wardrobes: that everyone needs the same essential pieces, in specific colors, and that these are “must-haves” for every woman. I don’t adhere to that approach.

When building a capsule wardrobe, use capsule wardrobe lists as guidelines, but it’s essential to tailor them to your specific style. Take into account your unique qualities. Your lifestyle, what works for your body, your personal style, the colors you enjoy, and the silhouettes that make you feel your best. These are the factors that will help you build a capsule wardrobe that serves as a solid foundation for your closet. One that you’ll love and that makes putting together outfits effortless.

Once you have the right pieces in your closet for you, creating outfits becomes so much easier. If you’re ready to build a capsule wardrobe that reflects your unique personal style, body, and lifestyle, start by identifying what truly works for you and forget the one-size-fits-all approach. A personalized wardrobe will eliminate overwhelm and help you feel confident in every outfit you put together.