I’ve been deliberately shopping my own wardrobe for a number of months now, mainly because my wardrobe for both Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer is pretty good in terms of ticking all the boxes for what I need in my lifestyle. Some bits have cropped up like a new blazer for work appointments, a new coat for walking our new puppy and a new dress for Winter events. With all of these purchases I got them either in the sale or with discount codes and I thought about the purchases versatility many times over, and about how to wear them again and again. During this time I have learnt alot about reworking pieces that I own into new outfits and learnt that it is more of an attitude that leads to a naturally more sustainable way of life when it comes to shopping and spending money.
Don’t get me wrong, what I do for a living sees me advising men and women on what to buy for their wardrobes to make them feel good and more stylish. But I am always giving clients brands I know are great for quality, longevity and versatility so that you will keep these items for as long as possible in your life. That is what I have done with my wardrobe over the past 5 years, jumpers I am still wearing now are old Zara, Topshop and &other stories buys but paired over dresses, with skirts or tucked into trousers they look new again. I still have small holes in my wardrobe and there are going to always be things that I lust after because I love fashion and style, but I think personally I want to be more conscious about my spending, where I am spending and really thinking about whether I NEED it in my wardrobe.
During the past few months, I’ve learned a lot about the ins and outs and ups and downs of shopping your wardrobe so I have pulled together some tips for you to think about this January.
Here are 6 simple truths about shopping your wardrobe
Shopping your wardrobe is an attitude
Shopping your wardrobe is a way of thinking and feeling about your wardrobe that has you appreciating and using what’s there, not wishing for things that you don’t have. You can cultivate a ‘shop your wardrobe’ attitude overnight – there’s no special skills or steps required. The main ingredient you need is a new lens or a fresh set of eyes to look at, and experience, your existing wardrobe through.
Shopping your wardrobe is about cultivating a working wardrobe
This type of wardrobe is one filled exclusively with items that make you look good (if not great) and feel even better. This kind of wardrobe is created by being conscious about every purchase you make, so any new item coordinates with many existing items, and pays their rent in your wardrobe.
A working wardrobe that you can shop in is full of items that suit your body, support your lifestyle, and express your mood and personality.
A working wardrobe that you can shop in usually takes a while to develop and get right, years sometimes. This is where I can help you on your journey and believe me it will be worth it.
Shopping your wardrobe gives you a chance to find your personal style
By bringing your focus solely onto the items that you already have, you have a chance to define for yourself what you truly love when it comes to clothing and style.
When you shop your wardrobe, you have the opportunity to explore and liberate your own sense of personal style.
You can’t tap into your true style when you’re always shopping in the stores as there is too much noise going on you can’t possible hear what your inner style voice is telling you!
When you shop your wardrobe, you make less shopping mistakes
When you shop your wardrobe, especially if you do it for a while, you truly do liberate your sense of personal style. You come to know – deeply and truly – what you love to wear, and what makes you look and feel great.
So when you do choose to shop in the stores, you’re clearer. You’re less susceptible to passing trends or compelling marketing and merchandising. You’re more centred in your own style.
So you make less purchasing mistakes. Because you are so attuned to your personal sense of style, you have discovered, through a deep connection with your existing items, and trial and error, what you love – and what you don’t.
When you shop your wardrobe, you find out what you really love
When you shop your wardrobe, you have a great opportunity to explore and discover what about your existing items really works. What items make your heart sing and makes you truly happy. What items make you feel most YOU. And of course, what items don’t pass muster.
You can’t do this if you’re constantly shopping and bringing new items into your wardrobe. There’s simply too much noise.
When you shop your wardrobe, you have the opportunity to evaluate items in your wardrobe by detoxing; reusing and recycling.
When you shop your wardrobe you will never say “I’ve got nothing to wear”
When you shop your wardrobe and explore your sense of personal style, where you often wash up is with a cultivated and curated “working wardrobe”. And this kind of wardrobe truly works for you. You use it. It isn’t a museum but a working and workable space, where every item in it ‘earns its rent’.
Your wonderful working wardrobe may have 26 items in it or 66 or 1066 – it’s not the size that counts, it’s whether every single piece is working for you.
Consider this….
All of the above is achievable but if the idea of it scares you, you don’t know where to start or you want to the help of a professional then I can get the results you are after by booking a consultation with me.
I encourage you to consider a period where you only shop your wardrobe – whether it’s a week, a month, or longer. You may be surprised and delighted at what you discover.
