As we make plans to meet up with friends and colleagues I am conscious that many of you just aren’t ready. 😱

You have been working from home and been quite happy in lounge wear and the occasional smart top or shirt when on a zoom call. But now it’s time to step out in earnest. But, can I ask before you rush to the shops PLEASE don’t impulse buy, if your first response to this new found freedom is, “I don’t have anything to wear”.

Impulse buying is simply purchasing a product on a whim. It’s not planned, not budgeted for and, often, it’s not needed. There is an urgency to make a purchase, without having the time to consider how useful the item actually is.

If you have used lockdown productively you may have cleared your wardrobe, to know what gaps you have in it. But for some of us this hasn’t been the case and I urge the latter who may potentially impulse buy to meet a need, to STOP ✋🏽 as you just end up going round in a vicious circle buying things which don’t add any value to you or your style.

My job as a stylist is not to push items for you to buy. But to help you to shop more consciously and considered and get you to think differently about your wardrobe. Working with what you have and adding pieces (both staple items and statement) when needed.

In my latest video I take a shirt dress and show you how you can make multiple outfits if you think more creatively. Watch it here. Not forgetting as well I show you in a previous video how you can use a wardrobe staple (the second skin top) and wear it in different ways too. However, before you dash off to watch them, if you want to know how to stop impulse buying, here are some of my free tips;

1. Question your reasons: It pays to really think about whether you’re buying something because it’s on sale, it is trending today on Instagram or because you actually love it enough, to wear it several times. The beauty of online shopping means that you can sleep on a purchase. So if you wake up in the morning and still feel Carrie Bradshaw about it, (in love with the skirt and can’t eat breakfast because you’re still thinking about it) then go ahead. But if you’ve forgotten about it by the following morning, you are more likely to forget it after hanging it in your wardrobe too.

2. Do your research: When you see something you like, don’t buy it immediately. It pays to take the time to do your research and ask who made your clothes. There’s nothing wrong with shopping sales or getting a deal, but when prices are too low, someone is more than likely to be paying the price elsewhere in the supply chain. Simply start by researching eco-friendly and ethical brands. The end goal should be to create a wardrobe filled with quality pieces that promise longevity, as opposed to just quantity.

3. One in one out policy:  While it can be hard to ignore the siren call of flash sales, compensate by adopting the one-in, one-out policy. Simply donate or recycle one garment each time you purchase a new one to maintain equilibrium in your wardrobe.

4. Clothes swapping party  If decluttering those impulse buys from your wardrobe doesn’t rank high on your list of fun weekend activities, call over some friends and pop open the bubbly for a clothes swapping party? The rules? Everyone brings over a certain amount of clothes and accessories to be bartered with each other. Beyond breaking the cycle of throwaways, the party will also give you the chance to snag some exciting new pieces for yourself at virtually zero cost. Win win.

5. Finally, build a capsule wardrobe, don’t allow trans-seasonal pieces to dictate your shopping list, but look for versatile numbers that will last the entire year. Unless the weather where you live is prone to extremes, the usual roster of wardrobe basics should suffice from summer to winter. Look for a classic black blazer that makes the transition from the boardroom to the bar, an embroidered denim jacket for easy layering, or a well-tailored jumpsuit etc.

Tip of the Day: 

Whether you’re a seasoned eco-warrior or a well-intentioned beginner, we can all use a little help to ensure that our choices don’t end up as landfill fodder. Think about renting an outfit if you have a special occasion as those one off items are the ones that take up the most room in your wardrobe and you only wear them once or twice.

If you like these tips and want to know what  I am advocating on my shopping channel regarding premium basics that you need for your wardrobe head here. If you would like help with your wardrobe, why not book a virtual  session which means I can service you anywhere in the world or a personal wardrobe session. For this month only (May) I have a special offer of £50 off at the checkout if you tap in GET50OFF. Have a look here. But finally if you like what you read and want to be a part of my Style community why not download my free outfit planner here.

I hope you have found this post helpful. Let me know in the comments how you are getting ready to meet people again and what tips you will be taking away?

Until next time xx

#wardrobeessentials #wardrobestyling #howtowear #stylingideas #ootd #outfitinspiration #wardrobestaple #stylegoals #styletip #wardrobegoals #capsulewardrobe #effortlessstyle #minimalstyle #simplestyle #waystowear #wardrobebasics #capsulecloset #basicessentials #personalstyling #stylishwomen 

I’m just going to get to the point. Is your wardrobe ready for the season? I mean we have been locked down for so long, working from home, juggling the kids and generally in a more relaxed state, that now we are being asked to step out are you and your wardrobe ready?

If you’re not, that’s ok,  as comfort, you will be happy to know, will and still is a thing for this year. But I want to help you take the necessary steps to get you ready, so today I want to talk to you about your wardrobe.

Before lockdown and may be during, fast fashion has enabled many of us to stuff our wardrobes to full capacity whilst not breaking the bank. But how many of us find ourselves still moaning in the mornings that we don’t have ‘anything to wear’?

If that’s you then this is where a capsule wardrobe could be the solution. But what is a capsule wardrobe you may ask?

A capsule wardrobe simply put is a limited collection of clothes that coordinate well and can be worn in a number of different ways to cater for multiple occasions.

The items are made up of separates and include a handful of seasonal pieces you can change with the unpredictable British weather. But please note I am not advocating a capsule wardrobe for everyone because for some, this just won’t work.

But if you want to spend less time and money on clothes, but still want to look good then a capsule wardrobe is a real viable option, as it creates an easy-to-understand framework that makes shopping and getting dressed in the mornings infinitely easier, as well as making your wardrobe clutter free.

Liking this so far? Well the next question I guess you’re thinking is so how do start?

How to start one or just to get your wardrobe in a place that you know what’s in it,  is to start with a clear out.

1. Take every single piece of clothing out of your wardrobe and consider the last time you wore it, if it’s been more than six months pop it into storage or donate to charity.

2. Then, you’re going to want to build a base wardrobe of pieces that transcend trends. These are staple pieces that you should take time to source; make sure they fit properly and are made from the best quality fabrics you can afford.

For most women, this will involve some combination of the following: a pair of tailored trousers, denim jeans that look good with heels and flats, a neutral shirt, T-shirts for layering, a little black dress, a trench coat, high heels and a pair of boots.

Depending on your personality all these pieces will vary and in my video  I take a look at second skin tops (or body suits for some) which is a piece that should be in everyone’s wardrobe. They can be plain or print but simply work with items that are already in your wardrobe. Have a watch here, but before you head off here are some of my second skin tops suggestions below;

Printed second skin tops are the perfect way of adding fun to your wardrobe coming in a variety of colours and styles. I love this long sleeve mesh from from Kai which is a colloboration with print designer Adebusola Adetona of Grapes Pattern Bank that promotes that it is designed for women with every kind of curve. 😍

For those of you who are lovers of florals, these second skin tops just keep on giving and they are great way to add texture to a muted more neutral colour wardrobe. This black, blue and green top from Richard Quinn is made from light velvet with a high neck and a concealed back zip that ensures a second-skin fit.

If prints and patterns aren’t for you, you will always find plain tops that can work and at H&M you will always find staples at a reasonable price point. This one comes in plain black or bold pink and purple too so you aren’t limited.

Tip of the Day: Having a capsule wardrobe is not for everyone but by simply editing your wardrobe so that you know what’s in it has huge benefits. Such as when you shop you know what to add so you are shopping for statement or staple pieces that work with that skirt or trousers or jacket you currently have for example.

And for those who like what you read and want to embark on this route, please note it can take some trial and error to find the right mix as this will vary depending on your lifestyle and where you you work. But once you have it just right, it will make your life so much simpler all you will need to do is add in a few seasonal pieces depending on the time of year such as good quality knitwear, a warm coat or camisole tops.

If you like the idea of having a capsule collection but would like some help getting started, no problem take a look at my service here 

If you still have questions to ask just book in for a discovery session here but in the meantime if you have just come across my page and you like what you see. Why not join my style community where you get tips and information straight to your inbox here.

I hope you have found this post help, let me know in the comments.

Until next time xx

#wardrobetips #declutter #sustainablefashion #organiseyourlife #detoxyourwardrobe #wardrobeedit #wardrobedetox #wardrobeessentials #wardrobegoals #decluttertips #wardrobestylist  #professionalorganiser #springoutfitsforwomen #springoutfitsready #springoutfitslondon #springoutfitsinspiration #springoutfits