I know a lot of us are ready for a fresh start, so now is the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe. That said, things are still not completely back to normal which makes it a bit more challenging than before.
So how to refresh your wardrobe without blowing your budget or stressing yourself out? It’s easier than you might think with these 5 easy steps.
1. Refresh Your Wardrobe – Edit Your Wardrobe
This is the perfect opportunity to clear out and shop your closet. If you are anything like me, you’ve been wearing many of your clothes on repeat over the last few months. I’ve reached for my favourite tops and comfortable trousers or jeans again and again, but lots of other things have hung in the closet untouched. I had actually forgotten about some of them!
Pull everything out of your closet so you can see what you have. If that is impractical, go through hanger by hanger and look at what you’ve got. Organise items of clothing by type or colour, or a little bit of both. Do what works for you so that you can really see what is in there.
Now things are a bit more normal, I asked the lovely Sarah of Absolutely Fabulous Image to help me with my wardrobe edit. A professional eye can really help you decide what works best for you, as well as look at great new ways of combining existing items in your wardrobe to make outfits.
2. Assess Your Lifestyle
How has your lifestyle changed since lockdown, and is it changing again now we are moving forward again?
- If you work outside the home, are you going back to an office, or are you working from home for a few months to come?
- Have you been able to start socialising again? If so, are most of these meetings taking place indoors or outdoors? A lot of people in the UK are still meeting outside in their gardens or in parks instead of inside.
- Are you comfortable going to restaurants and cafes?
- What is the weather like this time of year where you are, and is it likely to change substantially over the next few weeks/months?
- Have you begun travelling again or are you planning to wait for a while?
For example, I’m not travelling as much as I used to just now, but I will be doing a few short trips over the next few months. We are definitely socialising a bit more, and we’ve been going back to restaurants fairly regularly.
3. Decide What You Need
Bearing your answers to all those questions in mind, take some time to put together a few outfits from your closet to refresh your wardrobe. Do you have everything you need or are there things missing?
Make a note of anything you need to refresh your wardrobe up to date. Do you need a new coat, or perhaps some more sweaters? Will you need a skirt or dress for any upcoming events? Do you need some new trousers that will work for both casual and more formal occasions? Have you got the right shoes or boots for the season? Write it all down.
Now make a note of the things you might like to add to your wardrobe. Have you seen a new top you’d absolutely love to wear with your favourite jeans? Is there a fabulous new scarf you have been coveting? Write this all down too.
For example, I’m going to need functional separates and layers, especially for when I’m socialising with friends outside. These pieces will also be useful for short trips away.
I would like the pale blue leather jacket I spotted online the other day, and there’s a pretty scarf that I know would work well with a lot of the pieces I already have.
4. Keep Your Budget In Mind
Now look at your list or wants and needs and think about your budget. If you are in a stable financial position, this may be the time for investment purchases that will form the backbone of your wardrobe and last for years. However, if that is not the case, this may be the time to shop your closet as much as possible and only focus on what you truly need. Pre-loved fashion is another option to make the things you need or want more affordable.
5. Go Shopping
Whether you go shopping to refresh your wardrobe in store or online, decide what shops you are going to visit and stick to your list. Go slowly and only buy things that really work well with the other pieces already in your wardrobe. As Sarah of Absolutely Fabulous Image says “Your clothes have to work hard to earn a place in your wardrobe.”
If you are struggling to refresh your wardrobe, you may want to get some professional help from a stylist. Their fees are often more reasonable than you would expect and in my opinion it is money well spent. Since I started working with Sarah I no longer buy things I don’t need or that will hang in the closet unworn.
Face The New Season With Confidence
Refresh your wardrobe with these 5 simple steps and you can face the new season with confidence – whether you are talking about meteorological seasons or this very unique season in our lives!
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Yessssssss! Thank You For The Inspiration And The opportunity To Look Through My Repertoire! On It While Cake Is In Oven!
My pleasure, David! I’m glad I could help 🙂
Yes, same here! I have loads of things I haven’t worn this year. Fortunately, I still like most of them. I think I’ve only worn a dress once, since March 😉
I haven’t worn a proper dress since March either, Pauline! Guy has booked us a night away at Cliveden in September and I’m hopeful that I will wear one then 🙂
April, I wear dresses (with heels and nylons, no less!) twice a week and have done all through the lockdown. I’ve been told I’m the only woman in the country not faking it on Zoom meetings with a nice top and jewelry visible and sweats and slippers offscreen! 😀
I think that is wonderful, Jean! It truly is such a lovely feeling to know you are well put together even if you are not going out.
It’s been such a pleasure to work with you to help you achieve the wardrobe of your dreams, you always look so stylish but with a fabulous dramatic edge. Must be time for another shopping trip soon 😁
Thank you so much, Sarah! And yes, I hope so 🙂
During the past 6 months, I’ve been wearing mostly workout clothes ! I haven’t been going anywhere or seeing friends so I haven’t really given any thought to my wardrobe. Might be time to start. Thanks for the inspiration.
I think it’s important to be comfy, especially considering what we have all been going through, but I’m really glad to have inspired you, Judee 🙂
Hi April, See we’re like-minded as far as how to refresh our wardrobe. I wrote a similar post not to long ago. Visiting you at the Heart and Soul Party. Thanks fo hosting and sharing your tips.
Hi Nancy, I think a lot of people are! My stylist wrote one recently as well. I love how we all have a slightly different but complimentary take on things 🙂 Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul!
April, as a postscript to my “reply” comment above, I think I’ve wanted to avoid going into total comfort mode with my attire in order to keep some semblance of normal and to not let standards drop altogether. To me, just wearing pajamas or workout wear all the time just because no one is going to see me is sort of like not cleaning the house because nobody is coming over.
I totally agree with this as well, Jean. I think it’s easy to slip into too much comfort mode and then it starts to reflect in other areas of our lives. And I love that turn of phrase at the end of your comment – it’s very true!