2020 is the year that I want you to feel comfortable, confident, and blissful about your wardrobe! Without the daily worry about outfit choices, and wandering aimlessly around shops without knowledge on how to make the perfect decisions for you to feel great in your outfit choices, and here are 10 ways to make your wardrobe work for you this year.
Invest in key items, rather than repeat buying
When you have seen that you love a specific style of clothing, perhaps a pencil skirt, or cropped trousers, rather than buying lots of them from perhaps a fast-fashion shop, consider investing in one or two in different suitable colours/patterns from a shop which makes items you can keep for years to come. You can potentially save yourself a lot of money, and wardrobe space, when you invest in key pieces that work for you and last, you’ll know that with the right care, you’ll be able to keep wearing them for years to come.
Buy items which fit you
Too often, when I go to see a client for a wardrobe edit, or even a personal shopping session, they have items in their wardrobe which are too large or too small. This means their items won’t fit them correctly and cause potential confidence downfalls, or simply have pieces which are not suited to their figure. If you find it hard to find items which fit you perfectly, I highly recommend finding a tailor who can help tailor your pieces to fit. This is excellent if you are perhaps petite, tall, or curvy, as many clothes are set to follow a standard which cannot be followed by most of our bodies!
If you feel tempted by a last minute item that’s on sale, consider if you will be committed to get it tailored to fit you, as if it doesn’t fit you well now, you will probably find it months later having not been worn, and a waste of your important investment.
Accentuate your favourite body parts
Whatever your body shape, you are beautiful – and you can accentuate the parts of you that you love the most. Whether it’s your ankles, calves, shoulders, or waist – you can determine the areas of your body that you love the most, and these can be the areas you show off! There is no such thing as dressing for your size or shape, it is simply dressing for your confidence.
Have a wardrobe refresh, regularly!
As a part of my BuyLessWearMore challenge I recommend having a wardrobe clear out, and you can read all about how to start doing this here. I recommend you do this regularly, and once you begin to know more about your style, and fashion favourites, your wardrobe will need a clearing less and less, but making sure there are pieces in your wardrobe which you love and wear regularly, will mean more time in items you love, and less worry in the mornings or evenings when getting ready.
I also recommend you sort your wardrobe by season, and put away the items you won’t wear into storage, so your wardrobe is lovely and inviting, rather than packed with clothes you won’t be touching for months to come.
Lingerie and underwear can make a huge difference!
Confidence comes from within, and then comes the underwear! All silliness aside, underwear can work truly well to make the lines and form of your clothing look wonderful all day long. I recommend you treat yourself to underwear that you feel great in. Whether it’s shapewear that gives you clean lines under your work and date night wear, to boxers that are colourful and make you feel confident before heading on your daily commute – underwear really can make your day even better!
Consider getting yourself re-measured for bras, and go through your underwear to get rid of pieces that are beginning to wear thin or not look quite as fresh as they did a few months (or years) ago.
image from Danalaymonphotography.com
Wear colours that suit your skin tone
When we wear colours that work to our skin tone, we can shine with just the addition of a piece in our colour like a tie or a scarf! When you have this knowledge at your fingertips, it not only helps you when creating outfits from your closet, it also helps you when going shopping.
Consider the colours that you feel best in, it is probably because they suit your skin tone best, and if you are unsure, consider booking yourself a colour analysis so you can have the knowledge of your best colours working for you and your wardrobe.
Go shopping with a list
I love a list, and this is another part of my BuyLessWearMore Challenge, because of how useful it can be. When you go shopping, you will feel so much better prepared if you know what you are going for. Whether you need a pair of shoes to match a skirt you love wearing but cannot find the right shoes for, or you need some new work jumpers to go with your suit – you will have something by your side which keeps you on plan and confident when shopping.
A list for items which work well for your lifestyle, style, personality, and your budget, all go perfectly to building a wardrobe which works for you.
Plan for the weather of the day!
This may seem simple, but as a Londoner, I have seen first-hand the need to plan prior to a busy day in the city. I check the forecast to help me know what type of shoes are best for the day ahead as well as whether I need a jacket, an umbrella, or perhaps an extra top due to a warm day ahead 😉 An outfit can be ruined if you get caught in the rain without a coat and umbrella, so having a check for the weather before you plan your outfit for the day, is a great plan!
Use your statement pieces in new ways
Whether you invested in a beautiful statement piece for a special occasion or have a formal piece that you only wear on irregular occasions, you want to make sure you use them – especially if you feel great in them. See if you feel confident mixing formal wear with more casual items which can help you use these items more than on special events. Why not try with trainers and a suit, or a dress, to get yourself started!
Make your own trends
Finally, and one to truly work on, is to remember that the style you love will never go out of style, because you love it. Trends are fleeting, and can feel like they are something you must tap into, but if it doesn’t suit your needs, lifestyle, and your personal image, then you can steer clear of them – they often leave as fast as the start.
I recommend to you that you have a wardrobe that brings you joy and confidence as often as possible. You can even plan your outfits for the week ahead to save you time, but using these tips will hopefully help you to get to the point that you know every morning when you wake up, you have a closet that you love.
