How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe

Do you often find yourself without the needed wardrobe pieces at the beginning of a season? Do you have a lot of items that only work for one type of occasion? If you answered yes to both of these questions then you are desperately in need of wardrobe transition pieces. A transition piece is an item of clothing that can be worn in more than one season and for more than one type of occasion. These items seamlessly blend a wardrobe for ease and functionality.

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe: The Overall Benefits of Transition Separates

Time Saving

Careful wardrobe planning will prevent the future agonizing 20 minute blank stare into a closet with no options. To speed up the get ready process and prevent last minute shopping trips, incorporate a few key transition items into your wardrobe.

Money Saving

A lack of transition pieces can lead to impulse buys and I don't think I need to tell you that impulse buys are rarely long-term functional can't live without items. A wardrobe that's doing its job will contain few pieces, but those few will cover just about any occasion or season.

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe: What Classifies as a Seasonal Transition Separate

There are a number of items that can fall into this category depending on style, season, and more. Here are a few standard transition pieces:

Cardigan

Blazer

Sleeveless Dress (in fall/winter shade: black, navy, red, etc)

Short/Long Sleeve Dress (in fall/winter shade)

Button Down Shirt (in a light color)

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe: Deciding Factors for Seasonal Wear Transition Separates

Material

Type and weight of material can make or break any one of the standard transition pieces mentioned above.

You obviously don't want to wear a winter fabric in summer, so choose accordingly. Creating and maintaining transition pieces is easiest when you're comfortable with layering. Think about what can be layered together to segue into the coming season.

Color

Color is just as important as fabric and most often it is the fall/winter hues that are most adaptable to year round wear, when in doubt stick with winter shades and patterns.

Sleeve Length

For the most part summer wear sleeveless and short sleeves are the most adaptable year round. A cardigan or blazer can easily be paired with a sleeveless shirt to keep warm whereas, a long sleeve shirt/dress (depending on the fabric) can be quite oppressive in summer heat.

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe: What Classifies as an Occasion Specific Transition Separate

Any piece that can pull double duty on casual and semi-formal wear is a much needed occasion specific transition piece. Here are a few examples:

Little Black Dress

Dress Pants

Button Down Shirt

Blazer

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe: Occasion Specific Transition Separate Tips

Occasion specific transition items are pretty self explanatory but here are just a few thoughts for how you could use some of these transition pieces in very different ways.

Variations on the Little Black Dress and the Button Down Shirt

The little black dress as we all know by its very nature is the most versatile piece in a wardrobe but always keep trying to stretch your mind as to how else it could be worn. If the dress is short and in an appropriate cut, you might want to wear it as a tunic with a pair of jeans for a funkier look.

The button down shirt can be worn underneath a v-neck or round neck sweater for work or can be worn over sized with a belt as a shirtdress.

How to Create a Multi-functional Wardrobe:: Conclusion

The sky is the limit in terms of how transition pieces can be utilized to create a multi-functional wardrobe, so collect a few and have a good time coming up with new ways to wear them.

Related Reading:

Women's Work Wear Shopping Guide for Summer 2010

My Top Ten Fashion Shopping Sites