The seven deadly questions
Six days into the new year The Telegraph’s fashion desk was feeling smug. None of us, we discovered, had bought anything in the sales. Or rather Emily Cronin had, but she was working on Christmas Day, so it’s understandable. And in any case, it turned out her bargain was slashed not just in price but in fabric. It was returned immediately on the basis that no one needs a dress slit up to the waist – virtuous feelings all round, plus a smidgeon of instant gratification.
I was the first to crack properly, but we don’t need to go into that here. The point is that we’re leading the way (sort of) when it comes to the new abstemious zeitgeist. We’ve also been working on a template to resist temptations, apart from those that should not be resisted. Here are seven questions to ask yourself in the changing room.
Do I already own this? Sounds obvious but all too often the overstuffed modern wardrobe has concealed, and possibly congealed, layers in which you may well find something almost identical to that which you are trying on. If it feels deliciously familiar, and “very you, chances are you already have it.
OK, I do already own this, but am I going to get rid of the old versions that are no longer fit for purpose? (NB, before purchase, you must go
home and actively bag up all the bobbled originals and take them to a charity shop/cut them up into dusters. Only then may you return to buy.
What will the newbie do for your outfit potential? Next’s figures, released this week, defied general retail gloom with a 1.5per cent uplift on the quarter. One reason – that we’ve identified at least – is that the chain makes it easier than most for the consumer to buy into outfits. Every top comes with a co-ordinating skirt/trousers/ jacket, etc, and not just plain colours. Patterns are cleverly mismatched, so it’s simple to put a non-corporate but smart look together. Try to use this as a principle whenever you buy. Sometimes this may result in buying an extra piece, but if that give you more options, that’s money well spent.
Have you taken a photo of yourself? Not to plaster all over Instagram but so that you can see what that jacket really looks like. When we look in the mirror, we zero in on what we want to see, or on perceived flaws. The camera never lies. Well, not if you use it correctly.
Have I got shoes to go with this? Because that’s a whole other saga. And let’s not get started on tights. It’s one thing for that dress to look fab with bare legs, but it’s winter. You need tights, and they can kill a look. Or you need boots, and the rights ones can be elusive.
Do I have the right underwear to do this, and myself, justice? Because if not, maybe you should be in Rigby & Peller upgrading your 10-year-old bras rather than trying on your 53rd navy jumper. Make sagginess history in 2018.
Can I wear this now? If it’s a high summer piece, the chances of you a) finding it and b) still liking it by the time it’s warm enough to wear it are on a par with Melania and Donald having Steve Bannon over for Sunday lunch.