Stuff style editor Zoe Walker Ahwa on what to keep, and what to move on from this year.
Ihave never believed that you need to overhaul” your wardrobe, you just need to know what to do with what you have – or what pieces to add to complete some go-to ensembles that you feel amazing in. But there are a few things you can do to make things simpler for you when you get dressed each morning.
Befriend a tailor
This sounds harder than it is. Every city and suburb has a fantastic tailor or seamstress, whether it’s a proper store or a talented aunty.
Often when there are items in our wardrobes that we love but never wear, it’s because they don’t fit properly. That’s where tailoring comes in, whether it’s taking up a hemline or shortening a sleeve, letting out a waist or taking in the shoulders. It’s important to remember that sizing is extremely changeable and subjective. It shouldn’t be about the number, but the shape of the garment and how it works for your body. Clothes should fit you, not the other way around. Having things adjusted to fit you is a good start.
Know when to let go
Sometimes, things just don’t fit and it’s OK to be at peace with the fact that they never will. But make sure you’re holding onto them for the right reasons: is it sentimental, with the idea of handing them down to your children, or is it more masochistic, an unkind reminder of what you once were with the hope that some day you might be again? If it’s the latter, acknowledge and work through those feelings, then when you are ready, let them go. Pass them on or donate them so they can be loved and worn by someone else. Yes they’re “just clothes”, but for many clothes can be symbols of much more.
What you actually need
Your wardrobe should make you smile when you look at it, whether it is full of wonderfully impractical heels and prints, or you subscribe to the back-to-basics, capsule wardrobe approach. One is not better than the other; it’s about what works for your life, and your style. But there are specific things, mostly practical and “classic” that are helpful to have in your wardrobe; things that can be worn with each other, or the more outlandish pieces that bring you joy.
This list will be different for everyone, but I like to think of these wardrobe “essentials” as the following: a good jacket/blazer that fits you (see the point about the tailor); a pair of pants that also fit properly (again, the tailor); a shirt (ideally plain and white but prints also work if that is your vibe); a loose-fitting blouse for more casual occasions; a classic plain white T-shirt; a casual dress that you would wear around the house or to your best friend’s house; a dress that you would wear out, to dinner or somewhere special; a pair of flat sandals; a pair of heels; a leather bag that you may retire for short periods of time but that will last for years. A good woollen coat if you live somewhere where it gets really cold.
The rest is styling, which is all part of the fun of dressing up.
Reject trends, but remember to have fun
The idea of seasonal trends in fashion is becoming increasingly obsolete, as sustainability comes to the fore and the focus on self-expression and personal style becomes even more pronounced. Thanks to social media, the traditional trend cycle has also become so fast that it is hard to keep up. So don’t. Buy what you like, and don’t indulge the pressure to buy into what’s “cool”. There are, however, some micro trends that are predicted to define the year – like optimistic bold colours and prints, 1960s-inspired mini skirts and a focus on craft and all things handmade.
But one of the biggest trend predictions? The rise and rise of vintage – some of which you might already have in your wardrobe.