HOW TO BE MORE STYLISH
It may have been one of your resolutions to make 2020 your most stylish year yet – and, although we have all come across some unexpected hurdles regarding our goals for the year, there is no reason why you can’t use this time to get your wardrobe in order. From holding onto old clothes that never get worn to panic buying pieces that won’t have more than one outing, we are all guilty of making less than sensible decisions when it comes to our wardrobes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here, we break down a few wardrobe resolutions to undertake now so that you can make space, save money and look the best you ever have.
Don’t buy something for just one occasion
We’re all guilty of it. A wedding, a Christmas party, a Friday night reunion in the club with your friend’s post-lockdown. Heading somewhere exciting means we inevitably feel like we need something special – and therefore something new – to wear. However, more often than not, as much as we like the pieces that we buy, it rarely gets more than one outing.
Instead of purchasing something specific for certain events, try to have a few pieces in your wardrobe that are more versatile.
Clothes swap with your most stylish friends
One great way of keeping your wardrobe feeling fresh is to swap pieces with friends. Operate your one-in, one-out policy by getting rid of something that you haven’t worn in months and trading it for a piece your friend has got bored of wearing (but you have always had an eye on). Whether you host clothes-swap parties with a big group or just have a deal with one friend, trading clothes is a great way of having an exciting wardrobe without spending any money or doing any further damage to your wallet.
Make an effort to discover new brands
Another reason we get stuck into style ruts is because we get attached to and comfortable with certain shops. It’s great to have your core favourites who you trust, but there are always so many new, amazing brands hitting the market that are waiting to be discovered. From highend designer labels to more affordable mid-range brands, keep exploring all year round. You’ll end up with some truly special, stylish finds (that – bonus – almost nobody else has).
Create a uniform
One of the big misconceptions about being stylish is that you should never buy something similar to what you already own. Of course, nobody aims to have an entire wardrobe consisting only of 15 navy blue tops and 10 identical pairs of black skinny jeans. However, don’t be afraid to make the most of the knowledge of what suits you. All of the most stylish women in the world have their own uniform – they keep it simple; they know what they look good in and they stick to this formula when they’re choosing new pieces.
Know your wardrobe inside out
It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget what’s sitting in our wardrobes – and, for many of us, there will be great pieces hidden away that haven’t seen the light of day for years, or that will have been forgotten about during lockdown. So, before you go ahead and buy something new, make sure that you have a very clear idea of what is in your wardrobe already. If you have a clear-out and declutter, you will know what’s in there and this will prevent you from accidentally buying things you don’t need.
Invest in what you already own
So many of us are guilty of throwing pieces away as soon as they are damaged, but just because something is a little worn does not mean it needs to be discarded. Invest in the pieces that you already have in your wardrobe by knowing where to get things fixed in your local area, from a great seamstress to shoe and handbag restoration companies. It is worth spending a little bit of money to get things fixed rather than re-buying the same thing time and time again.
Don’t underestimate the power of a capsule wardrobe
To be truly stylish does not take a huge budget or three walk-in wardrobes worth of designer clothes – you don’t need a lot to look good. What you do need though, is to make good, sensible decisions. Buy what you need and what makes you feel great and hold on to nothing more. And look after your clothes. You can do with just 15 pieces.