September 6, 2024

Have you ever seen the movie Clueless? It was one of my favorite movies growing up—not so much for the story, but more for the fashion. As a child, I was obsessed with Cher’s computerized closet. Twenty-five years later, I’m still obsessed. This was probably the reason behind why I wanted to digitize my wardrobe in the first place. It’s been over three years since I digitized my wardrobe, and I’ve noticed many unexpected benefits.

Here are the top 5 benefits I’ve experienced from having a digitized wardrobe:

1. The Numbers Don’t Lie
I may think I wear certain items occasionally, but the numbers don’t lie. Ever since I began tracking my daily outfits over three years ago, I’ve had to confront the reality that some pieces in my wardrobe simply don’t get worn, even when I’ve had plenty of chances. Owning something I never use is no different than not owning it at all. Even though I like everything in my wardrobe (after all, I bought each item for a reason!), if I’m not wearing it, maybe I don’t like it that much. So, why not let it go? By freeing up space for items I truly want to wear, I can also put any money earned from selling underused pieces toward something new on my wish list. Analyzing the numbers has made it easier to let go of these items with gratitude.

2. Come Up with Different Outfits
When I was younger, getting dressed each day was a whole ordeal. I’d try on various outfits, change, and then change again. It was such an issue that I was constantly late for things. This problem pretty much resolved itself after I tidied my clothes, as I only kept what I felt good in and items that fit. Having only what I love has made getting dressed in the morning quick and easy, as I just put on whichever piece is weather-appropriate and speaking to me at that moment but I also often wear the exact same outfit repeatedly. Having a digitized wardrobe has helped me see my pieces in a different light and made it easy to create outfits without physically having to pull items out of the closet. Sometimes, I’ll create different outfits in the app first and then try them on later when I have time to see if they work.

3. Make Packing for Trips Easier
One of my favourite features of the apps I’ve used is the ability to create packing lists for upcoming trips. I like to travel light, but I also want to feel like I have everything I need without stuffing my suitcase. I usually start a packing list early and think about what I will wear based on the weather and what I’ll be doing on the trip. By the time I’m ready to pack (usually the day before the trip), it’s a breeze using the packing list I’ve created.

4. Identify Gaps in My Wardrobe
I have a small wardrobe, but a large percentage of it consists of tops and dresses. Instead of buying another top or dress, which is what I gravitate toward when I’m out shopping, I can open the app on my phone and quickly see what I already own. Currently, I only have one pair of pants, one skirt, and one t-shirt, so those are the gaps I see in my wardrobe that I need to fill next.

5. Help Me See What I Have or Shop My Closet First
One of the questions I like to ask myself before buying something is: What would I wear instead if I didn’t have this item? For example, if I see a dress that I think would be perfect to wear to a weekend brunch with friends, I’d ask myself what I would wear to brunch instead if I don’t buy this. I used to have to rely on my memory to remember what I own, but now I can pull up my app and see my entire wardrobe at a glance.

What are your thoughts on having a digitized wardrobe? If it's something you're already doing, I’d love to hear about the benefits you’ve experienced. If this concept is new to you, are you interested in giving it a try? My current app of choice is Indyx. If you'd like to try it out, the wardrobe tracking feature is free, and you can use my code “Sparkjoywithhelen” at sign-up to receive $10 in Indyx credit, which can be used toward their paid services.

This isn’t a sponsored post—I’m just a big fan!