The 6 Step Plan for Updating Your Wardrobe

Nothing to Wear?

So the kids have gone back to school and you’ve finally got the house straight again.  Returning to some sense of normality as your summer tan starts to fade in to a distant memory of cocktails by the pool; you realise that you are in no way prepared for autumn (emotionally, mentally or physically). oo er. 

I love autumn and think it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year, not to mention one of the best times to shop!! Just the smallest bit of preparation and research about your wardrobe essentials before autumn kicks in can mean that you can make the most of all the great stock available in the shops and avoid wasting money on clothes that you aren’t ever going to wear. It’s also a very therapeutic and cleansing way to start the new season, and ensure you not only look great but also feel mentally refreshed and refocused after the summer holidays.

 The Seasonal Changeover

STEP 1:

At the beginning of every season (September for autumn/winter and April for spring / summer) it’s a good idea to do what I call a seasonal changeover, and a bit of a wardrobe detox. The goal is to be left with only the clothes and accessories that we can utilise over the next six months in our day to day wardrobe. This helps you to see in the cold light of day exactly what you have to work with.

STEP 2:

When it comes to autumn you want to pack away most of your high summer items e.g. floaty dresses and skirts, flip flops and sandals and summery coloured tops etc. I wrap mine in acid-free tissue to avoid discolouration of whites, in to storage boxes with some anti-moth products, however you could use other wardrobes in the back room, suitcases or compressed packs depending on space available.  I personally love a company called Total Wardrobe Care – their stuff smells absolutely heavenly!

STEP 3:

Out of the remaining clothes and accessories in your autumn day to day wardrobe, everything must be wearable today! This means that if it needs dry cleaning or a hem/button needs some attention, it shouldn’t be in the wardrobe until it’s been taken care of. You’d be surprised how many perfectly beautiful garments sit unloved in the wardrobe because someone hasn’t taken the time to sew a button back on!

 STEP 4:

It’s also pointless having pieces in your day to day wardrobe which don’t fit you, so if you’ve put on or lost weight since last year, you may want to either give those pieces to charity, sell them on eBay or just put them out of sight for the time-being; as the point of this exercise is to evaluate what you REALLY have to work with for the season ahead. Most women have wardrobes stuffed full of clothes and are sometimes shocked to find over half of it isn’t wearable or they don’t like it anymore. These are not outfit choices at the moment – they are just clutter.

 STEP 5:

Take a look at clothes, shoes and boots and evaluate whether any may need replacing. What did you really get your wear out of last autumn and winter? If your lifestyle is still pretty much the same as last year, chances are you will get good wear out of such an item again.

 STEP 6:

Start a shopping wish-list of wardrobe essentials – a good personal shopper can help you to do this in a wardrobe consultation if you’re feeling overwhelmed at this point and need to call in the experts! This will become the focus of any retail therapy sessions in September – October. Think of it like food shopping when you’re hungry – you buy lots of yummy things but nothing you can really make a meal out of. It’s the same with clothes shopping! You may find that you are in desperate need of some key capsule pieces which will be the basis of your wardrobe and will provide a variety of mix and match options.