How to prepare your wardrobe for the new season
Spring is here, so how is your wardrobe shaping up?
Like me, many of my clients aren’t slaves to fashion, but they do want to look and feel up-to-date. This doesn’t mean a new wardrobe every season though, but it could mean new inspiration and ideas adapting what you’ve already got. It can feel quite overwhelming, but knowing what suits you will help you to buy less and make better choices.
The temptation to buy something new is with us every day, but random and ill-thought through purchases can mean they languish in the back of the wardrobe, untouched and unworn which is when the guilt sets in!
Before you get shopping, here's my tips to help you prepare your wardrobe.
1. TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR WARDROBE
If you rotate your wardrobe each season, these unworn items will be easier to spot. Ask yourself what the reasons are that you’ve not worn them to see if you should keep them longer. Previously I’ve shared a trick to help you identify the clothes you’re not wearing and what to do with them. Revisit this blog.
Whilst I don’t rotate my wardrobe every season, this trick means I’m constantly monitoring what I have and I can easily see what I’m wearing. Plus, I keep a list of specific things I need. Often, a new style or colour will come with a season which I can add to my wardrobe and keep outfits feeling up-to-date.
2. WHAT TO PUT ON THE LIST
Let’s say you have worn a t-shirt/sandals/boots/whatever to death, and you don’t feel like you can live without them. This likely means it’s a keeper and a core item in your wardrobe.
This isn’t an excuse to buy six of the exact same item! If you have a lot of the exact same thing in your wardrobe, you will get bored. Whether it’s jeans, blazers, Breton tops or flowered dresses – how many do you actually have time to wear? Only buy another if it’s to replace an already well-worn item!
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On your list should also be items that you keep wishing you had to put an outfit together. It could be a wedge sandal or a nude shoe. A lightweight jacket for the not-quite-warm-enough evenings out. If you’ve got a classic style personality, you may want a bag to go with a pair of shoes, or a top to go with that skirt you’ve never worn! Putting them on a list creates a shopping list which helps you shop with purpose. This could be pre-loved, fabric to make your own garments or new spring finds.
What you’re not wearing often tells me more about your ‘style personality’ than you may realise. It’s understanding what does work for you and recognising when you can’t make it work. Sometimes, it’s time to let them go to someone who will wear them because it suits them rather than you holding on ‘just in case’. Might be worth adding them to your list of what not to buy too!
3. KNOW WHEN TO SHOP
There is no right or wrong time to shop. Ultimately, it boils down to what you need, when you need it. But, having a ready made list means that you can shop with purpose and you may pick something up in the sales, if you’re lucky!
Some clients prefer to shop early in the season and you may pick up just what you’re looking for. Other times, you might need to be more patient. A new season is a new opportunity for new colours, combinations and trends to update your wardrobe. This includes pre-loved too – as others clear out their wardrobes, you never know what nugget you’ll find.
4. USE MY SPRING / SUMMER 2024 UPDATES
Each season, I do the hard work for you and scour the retailers to put together my seasonal updates. The spring/summer 2024 material is available to purchase now. Take a look here.
This season, I’ve managed to narrow it down to seven colours for each dominant colouring type and 12 trends. Whilst trends do come and go, there’s definitely some repeats and something for everyone!
I share examples of where you can find the new colours and trends because I know this inspires you to try something new and gives you ideas. You can gain a summary of these in the on-demand video masterclass or you can ‘shop the looks’ if you know your colouring type too.