How to build a wardrobe around a few dresses

Short answer: Three dresses in the same colour family and different lengths cover most of it. The rest comes from what you put over and under, not from more dresses.

Three dresses are enough

A short one, a mid length one and one for smart occasions cover everyday, work and evenings. More than three are rarely worn, because you reach for the same ones anyway. See bamboo dresses.

The layers create the variation

A cardigan, a shirt and a pair of tights turn three dresses into nine outfits. See bamboo shirts for women.

The same colour family

If you keep the dresses in related colours, every layer suits every dress. That is the whole point of the system, and it is why it works with fewer pieces than an ordinary wardrobe.

What goes underneath

Under shorts and a slip make thin dresses usable all day, also when it is warm and you walk a lot. See bamboo under shorts.

Frequently asked questions

How many dresses do you need?

Three in different lengths cover most of it, if the layers over and under are varied.

Why the same colour family?

Then every top and layer suits every dress, and the number of combinations rises.

What makes a summer dress usable in winter?

Tights underneath and a jumper over. The cut works all year.