Building an Effective Executive Wardrobe Principle #4 Lucky 13

Build A Baker’s Dozen

After your closets have been purged of items that don't work, your goal should be to have thirteen outfits in your closet. That does not mean thirteen suits. It means that with mixing and matching, your shirts, blouses, jackets, skirts and pants make up at least thirteen outfits that will comprise your executive wardrobe. You don’t have to be at thirteen immediately, but it is what you want to work towards.  This is called clustering, or making sure that each item you buy will coordinate with one or more items in your wardrobe.  Clustering your clothing allows your options to grow exponentially with each new item you add.  Even as few as 5 pieces--three tops and two bottoms--can be combined to create more than 12 different looking outfits.  Twelve pieces can combine to create 48 or 72 outfits!  So be thoughtful and purposeful in acquiring your coordinating pieces.  Your options can then be nearly endless!