How to Plan Your Interchangeable Wardrobe

4 money-saving reasons for creating a collection of coordinating,stylish attire

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I was tossing clothing around my bedroom yesterday evening (preparing for a work-social event) when I realized that none of my clothes match. Yes, I have a few key items (i.e., a black blazer, a black skirt, a few coordinating blouses), but overall, my mix and match skills are pretty poor.

Basically, any good wardrobe is built on a foundation of neutral coordinates—or items that can be mixed and matched with other items for varying looks. For instance, you might own a few pairs of jeans (a dark wash and a light wash), a few pairs of neutral pants and skirts (i.e., in colors such as gray, black, khaki, or navy), and shirts, tops, and sweaters in interchangeable colors so you can mix and match all items to create numerous outfits.

The neutrals provide your wardrobe foundation—while a few key items (i.e., a colored tailored blazer, a few patterned shirts, and statement accessories like shoes, belts, scarves, and jewelry) provide the key to the look—be it casual, office appropriate, formal, weekend wear. The idea is really that clothing is an investment, and to save money, one should invest in a neutral wardrobe and statement accessories so they can mix and match willy-nilly to dress an outfit up or down. This way, we can focus our hard earned money on quality clothing purchases, and not trendy pieces that we wear for one season and throw away.

Building a wardrobe of coordinating, interchangeable items means that every piece of clothing in your closet and chest of drawers can be interchanged with multiple items. And when you consider the ability to mix and match say a dozen tops (tanks, t-shirts, sweaters, blouses, blazers) with a dozen bottoms (shorts, skirts, capris, pants, jeans)—suddenly you can understand the money savings. With neutral coordinates, you can invest in a few high-quality, well structured clothing items instead of many trendy, ill fitting clothing items that you will only wear for a year.

Here are four money-saving reasons to building an interchangeable wardrobe…

1. You’ll wear what you buy

Because you are spending less often on clothing items that are made well, fit well, and match other items in your closet you will wear them much more often.

2. Your clothes will last longer

More expensive items that are made well typically last much longer then trendy, poorly constructed clothing. So instead of buying a new formal outfit for every prom, homecoming, work holiday party, and wedding, you can focus your money on one, classic, quality gown that you can recreate with the right accessories and wear over the long haul.

3. You’ll get dressed faster and waste less time

Time is money, and if you’re clothes don’t coordinate, you’re spending too much time dressing in the morning. With mix and match items, you can coordinate almost any combination and be confident that you’ll always be prepared for formal events, work interviews, holiday functions—without wasting money on last minute, rush purchases.

4. You’ll have more room

Look in your closet, chances are you can’t see all of your clothing and that means the stuff in the very back that you never wear (or forgot you have) represents wasted money. With an interchangeable wardrobe, you’ll have more space to see all of your clothing, which means you’ll have more options to wear and less reason to shop.

Bio: Rachel Barnard is a self-confessed shopaholic and contributing writer for Style Cynics, a site featuring fashion tips and the hottest styles as well as a dose of Hollywood gossip and celebrity buzz.