Create a Seasonal Wardrobe That Fits Your Lifestyle

Hi everyone, and welcome to the second post in my new series on Planning and Sewing a Seasonal Wardrobe. I’m here to help you create a wardrobe that’s stylish and sustainable! One piece at a time. 

Lifestyle

Last time, we chatted about finding inspiration for your handmade wardrobe. If you missed it, definitely give it a read. Head over to YouTube to watch the accompanying videos. Now, we’re shifting gears a bit and talking about how our lifestyle and the seasons play into our wardrobe choices.  

When thinking about your seasonal wardrobe, consider your day-to-day. What’s your job like? What do you do for fun? Where do you usually hang out? And, of course, what’s the weather like where you live? All these things help shape what you wear. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you figure out your lifestyle needs:

What do you do for a living?

What are your hobbies?

What activities do you enjoy?

Where do you typically go?

What is your climate like?

What is your personal style?

Focus on Lifestyle

Your lifestyle is the foundation of your wardrobe. What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies? What activities do you enjoy? The answers to these questions will help you to figure out the types of clothes that you need.

The clothes you wear should be functional and comfortable for the activities you do on a regular basis. For example, if you work in a formal office setting, you’ll need a different wardrobe than if you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent.

You also need to consider your hobbies and interests. If you’re an active person, you’ll need clothes that are appropriate for working out or playing sports. And if you have a lot of social engagements, you’ll need clothes that are stylish and appropriate for different occasions.

Now, let’s get a bit personal and chat about how I tailor these elements to fit my own life. With a family to care for, an active lifestyle, and working from home, my wardrobe needs to be versatile and practical, but I also love to add a touch of style to my everyday looks. Here’s a peek into my typical week: 

• Daily Yoga Practice: I’m all about comfort with leggings & tanks. 
• Morning Routine: After some morning exercise, I throw on a coverup over my yoga wear while I get the kids ready for school. 
• Work from Home: Casual looks and loungewear are my go-to for a productive day at home. 
• Evening Walks: About 3-5 times a week, I opt for fitness pants and tanks or tees for those long, refreshing walks with my husband. Who knows-maybe I’ll even get the kids to join us when it cools down a bit! 
• Evening Chill: Every night, I wind down in my favorite loungewear or sleepwear. 
• Filming & Photography: Twice a week, I like to elevate my style a bit for filming and blog photos, but I still keep it everyday chic. 
• Weekend Vibes: Saturdays are for outings, either with my husband or the whole family. I go for something a tad more elevated but still comfy. 
• Beach Sundays: Our family loves the beach! I’m usually in swimwear, paired with a stylish caftan or protective rashguards. 
• Meetings & Appointments: About once or twice a month, I have meetings or appointments where I aim for a stylish yet relaxed look. 
• Special Occasions: For those few formal events or holidays, I love to dress up in a beautiful dress. 
• Travel: Whenever I travel, I curate a travel capsule wardrobe that’s both stylish and functional. 

The first step in planning a successful seasonal wardrobe is to make a list of everything you do on a daily basis. What do your outfits look like for each activity you do? Next make a note of the frequency you’re wearing each type of outfit. Daily, weekly, monthly etc.

I like to sew based on what I really need in my wardrobe. For me that’s loungewear, casual looks, and yoga gear. You may need something completely different. Take the time to really assess what you need to wear to work with your own lifestyle, each activity, hobby, and work function you participate in.

Here’s my list:

• Yoga- Daily
• Walking- 3-5x/week
• Loungewear/ Pajamas- Daily
• Casual Daywear- 5x/wk
• Elevated Daywear- 1-2x/wk
• Dressier Outfits- 1-3x/month
• Beachwear (swim/caftans/rashguards)- 1x/week
• Travel- 2-3x/year

This is the list I will follow when I get ready to plan what I will sew for the season. I like to have 80-90% of what I sew focused on these casual day and evening looks and fitness gear, and sew fancier special occasion pieces just a few times a year. Spend the time sewing what you wear the most and you will have a cohesive and functional closet to pull from.

Wondering what I’m wearing in the video? Here is the post that show my twill Butterick 4659 pants before they were overdyed in Cutch. I’m really loving them in this darker shade for fall. I’m wearing them with a Rib Knit tank that isn’t on the blog yet. Fabric is from Stonemountain & Daughter. My other Handmade Pieces shown in the video: Floral 60’s Graphic Caftan, Blue & White rashguard Dress, Vogue Two Piece Set, Bronze Donna Karan Dress, Francoise Chanel Inspired Dress, Greek Silky Pajamas.

What Activities do you love?

What you love doing makes a difference in your closet. Love hiking? You’re all about those breathable, weather-ready clothes. More into nights spent at the theater and fine dining? You’ve got some elegant outfits ready to go. 

What’s the Weather like?

Where you live matters. Tropical vibes? Think light, breezy outfits. Cold spots? You’re bundling up in cozy layers. 

What Season are you creating for?

Finally, you need to consider the season. What kind of clothes do you need for spring? Summer? Fall? Winter? The seasons will affect the types of fabrics and colors that you choose. In the summer, you’ll want to choose light, airy fabrics in bright colors. But in the winter, you’ll want to choose heavier, warmer fabrics in darker colors.

By considering all these factors, you can create a seasonal wardrobe that is both stylish and functional.

I hope this inspires you to think about your own routines and activities and how they can influence your wardrobe decisions. Remember, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between style, comfort, and functionality! 

In the next episode, we’ll talk about how to Create a Physical Mood Board. Until next time Happy Sewing!