Create a Wardrobe That Works For You

I don’t know about you but nothing puts a dampener on a morning for me like not being able to find the right thing to wear!

Let’s face it, when you’re trying to wake up in the morning, juggle breakfast, shower, kids, pets, husband/partner/ and get your head around your plans for your day, the last thing you want to be agonising over is what goes with what, and whether you actually have a pair of shoes to go with your outfit anyway!  Not to mention the right coat or jacket, and accessories!  Shudder!  Memories of getting up half an hour early in an attempt to look co-ordinated, without looking like I’d tried too hard, only to find it’s raining and I haven’t got any form of outerwear which remotely goes with what I’m wearing, and my shoes don’t quite go!  Argh!!

Getting yourself kitted out in the morning shouldn’t be stressful.  We all know that looking good makes us feel good, but there are so many more pressing and important things in our day. Wouldn’t it be just great to know that your wardrobe works, leaving you to concentrate on whatever the day may bring, feeling comfortable and dressed appropriately.  Imagine a stress-free morning where you only need to decide what mood you’re in and what sort of thing you feel like wearing, knowing that you can easily put that look together using your carefully planned collection of wardrobe pieces.

It’s not too much of a tall order is it?  With a little planning, the answer to that question is most definitely no!  It can be done.

Not so long ago, everyone was banging on about the importance of having a capsule wardrobe.    We were all encouraged to pare down our wardrobes to 35 or 40 pieces, all of which worked together.  Not such a bad idea, although, aren’t we all a little tired of austerity!  It’s not that creating a capsule wardrobe is so last year!  Its principles still hold.  Fashion fades, style is eternal.  A capsule wardrobe falls into the former category, a good capsule of basics can make everything else work, not as an end in itself, but as a basis for adding your own unique brand of style, flamboyance, individuality: whatever it is that makes you, you.  We might all need the ubiquitous crisp, white shirt, but it's just a canvas for your own style.

So where do you start? 

First, consider your lifestyle.  Do you work from home, or in an office?  Does your wardrobe need to be predominantly casual, smart, formal, business-like?  Do you spend a lot of time with your kids? Do you need an off duty look as well as on duty look? What’s your natural style, and if you have no idea what it is, have a look at some fashion magazines or websites and pick a look you like.  Most importantly, make sure you pick looks that suit your personality and reflect who you are.  If not, it will be difficult to carry it off with confidence.

Many fashion stores and labels have a particular look, it can be helpful to pick one you like and use their co-ordinated collections to help fashion your own. 

So then What?

Well, I bet you’ve heard this one before, but it’s really important.  You have to go through your wardrobe and decide what has to go, what is definitely staying and what you’re not sure about. Try things on.  To help you decide what you’re going to keep and what has to go, the following might help:

• Do I feel comfortable wearing it?
• When was the last time I wore it?
• Do I put it on but it never quite makes it out the door?
• Does it flatter my body shape?
• Do I have somewhere to wear it to?
• Do I have something to wear it with?

Think about what colours work best for you.  If you don’t know, put a few colours up to your face.  You’ll see immediately which ones bring you alive, and which deaden you.  The former are the colours which will flatter you most.  If you’re not sure, book yourself a colour consultation with a specialist.  They will help you work out a range of colours that will always work for you, making shopping and putting outfits together so much easier.

What Next?

In our next blog, we’ll share our thoughts on the key basics needed to support a wardrobe which really works, as well as how to make a start on defining your own style.   In the meantime, it might be helpful to have a think about what three or four neutral colours will best complement the colours which work best for you. 

Until next time…..