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Wardrobe planning is the process of planning for the clothing needs of an individual or the entire family. Proper planning leads to wise buying. Careful selection of clothing can make one look more attractive. It is not necessary to have an extensive or expensive wardrobe to be well dressed. A few clothes carefully chosen to be appropriate for an individual’s various activities are enough.

Points to Consider in Wardrobe Planning (Principles of Wardrobe Planning)

1. Weather Conditions: Different weather conditions require different types of clothing. The clothing we have should protect us and help us to be comfortable in various kinds of weather. In planning family clothing, the homemaker has to make provision for clothes to be worn during the rainy and dry seasons.
2. Family Standard: Family standards influence the choice and wearing of clothes. For instance, the family standard for cleanliness can determine the amount of clothes needed. Family members need enough clothing at any time so that some items can be cleaned while others are being worn. The family standard also influences the quality of dress one chooses.
3. Money Available: The amount of money available determines the quality and quantity of clothing purchased by family members. It also determines whether family clothes are home-made, custom-made, i.e. by commercial tailors or whether the family should reply on ready-made clothing articles. The choice among the three, however, depends a lot on the clothing construction skills possessed by the homemaker. By sewing all or some of the family clothing the home-maker saves a lot of money which can be used to meet other family needs.
4. The Occasion or Use of the Clothes: It is very important to wear the right clothes for the right occasion. Therefore, in planning a wardrobe you have to consider the occasions for which the dresses will be worn or your activities.

The following are some of the occasions and activities that require special clothes:

School Clothes

Many schools have uniforms for their students. Where a school uniform is not used, school clothes should be pretty, smart, colourful, and comfortable. Think of all the physical activities carried out in and out of the classroom and choose clothes that are suitable for them. The sleeves should be loose enough to allow you to lift up your hands or lift books off shelves and work at your desk without straining the seams. Shoes need to be comfortable, durable, and easy to keep clean.

Clothing for Work

Some jobs, such as nursing and the police, require uniforms while others do not. The type of work a person does will determine the type of clothes needed. Clothing for work should be comfortable, smart, and simple. Only simple accessories are needed. Clothes should be easy to clean. Teachers, for instance, need not overdress, as this is likely to distract the students’ attention. Their dresses and shoes should allow for free movement. Make-ups should be applied lightly. Noisy shoes should be avoided.

Clothing for Household Work or Activities

It is very important to dress neatly even when working at home as you can never know when the door-bell will ring or when you may have to rush out on emergency. Clothing for household activities should be comfortable, suitable, washable, of simple style and durable fabrics. An apron or overall can be worn on the dress to protect it.

Night Gowns or Sleeping Garments

These can be gowns or pyjamas. Fabrics used for nightwear should be soft-textured and flame resistant. Such clothes should be comfortable and loose so as not to restrict movement or the flow of blood. A house-coast can be worn over the night-gown outside the bedroom. It is nice if the two match. It is very important to keep night wear very clean.

Clothing for Sports and Picnics

The clothing to choose will depend on the type of sports. Clothes for active sports should provide for freedom of body movements and cover the body decently. Fabrics for such clothes should be durable and easy to care for. Slacks or trousers are comfortable for picnics. Shoes should be comfortable for easy movement.

Clothes for Religious Worship

These should be decent. Over-dressing for a religious worship should be avoided as it is likely going to distract the attention of the other worshippers. Noisy shoes and bangles, very conspicuously coloured fabrics and out-sized head-gear and heavy make-up should be avoided.

Clothes for Parties and Social Gatherings or Occasions

These should be made from dressy fabrics and styles. This is because people want to look their very best at such occasions. You can look more elegant by wearing suitable jewelry and accessories with your party dresses.

Undergarments or Underwears

These include brassieres, pants, slips and petticoats and singlets. Some people need special underclothes for certain occasions. For instance, a sheer or “see-through” fabric or a white gown may require special opaque underwear (slip) such as a black petticoat.

1. Colour Plan: In wardrobe planning, some thought has to be given to planning a colour scheme for the wardrobe. Each clothing article may have a colour pattern of its own but some must also be related to other clothing. You should choose colours that both fit with other clothes in the wardrobe and suit your personal complexion or colouring.
2. Personal Features: Figure types and complexions vary, that is, different people have different figures and complexions. If you know you own figure type and figure faults as well as complexion, it is easier to choose suitable and flattering styles and colours of clothes. Your personal features, such as size, also affect the type of fabric you choose.

PRE-REQUISITES FOR WARDROBE PLANNING

These are some of the knowledge and skills which you need for wardrobe planning. They include:

1. Knowledge of Different Types of Fabrics Available on the Market e.g. natural fabrics such as cotton and man-made fabrics such as polyesters.
2. Principles of Colour Combination: That is the different types of colour and how they can be combined effectively to produce beautiful colour schemes. You should know the colours that suit your complexion and size.
3. Figure Types and Styles: It is very important to understand that different people have different figure types. You should study your figure type and figure faults, so that you can choose suitable and flattering styles.
4. Storage Facilities: When we buy clothes and fail to store them properly, they could get dirty or become damaged. Good knowledge of storage facilities and methods is important in planning a wardrobe.

Steps in Wardrobe Planning

• Consider the various activities for which you require clothes, such as school, work, party, sports, etc.
• Take an inventory of the clothes you already have. Note and remove those you can no longer use. They can be stored away, or passed on to your younger sisters, or remodelled.
• Consider your clothing needs based on the activities you listed in step (i). Make a list in order of priority.
• Plan the colour scheme for your wardrobe. It may be wise to select a basic colour such as blue, brown or red and build around it.
• Plan your purchases based on money available.
• Consider your figure type and choose befitting fabrics and styles. Pay attention to the texture, colour and design of the fabric.
• Compare prices in different shops before buying.
• Check the clothing item properly before paying for it.

Hints on the Use of Wardrobe or Closet in the Care of Clothing

1. Select good hangers for your clothes that need to be hung. Your skirt requires special skirt hangers.
2. Delicate and fine fabrics, such as silk, require padded hangers.
3. Only clean clothes should be hung on suitable hangers with shoulders eased in place, zippers closed, and buttons (at least the top one) fastened.
4. Do not hang knitted wear such as sweaters because they can stretch out of shape. Fold them and place in a drawer or on a shelf.
5. Do not overcrowd your wardrobe with clothes, so that air can circulate among your clothes. Allow enough room for the clothes.
6. Keep your clothes from dust. You can cover the clothes that show dust readily with waterproof bags or covers.
7. You can keep some camphor balls in your wardrobe or closet to prevent the entry of insects, such as cockroaches.
8. Brush and air your clothes frequently to prevent dust and mould from penetrating the fabrics. Brush along the grainline of the fabric.
9. During the rainy season it might be necessary to take the clothes out occasionally when the sun is shining. Otherwise, if the wardrobe has a heater you can switch it on from time to time to prevent mould.
10. The wardrobe should be cleaned and aired regularly.

STORAGE OF CLOTHING

Everybody needs suitable places to store her clothes, such as a box, wardrobe or place to hang some garments and shelves or drawers for other articles. Proper care and storage of clothes help to keep them in good condition, so that they maintain their original look for long time. Proper storage of clothes also protects them from such pests as moths, cockroaches, and silver fish. Hanging your clothes in a wardrobe prevents them from getting creased or rumpled so that they can retain their original shape.