Style Archive

Time For A Detox

 

 

It’s that time of year the weather is going all gloomy on us so it’s probably best to start thinking about putting your summer wardrobe away. It’s actually one of my favourite things – culling my wardrobe in time for the Autumn/Winter season. When I do this, part of me feels like I’m saying ‘goodbye’ to old friends so I can feel quite sad. Each piece has some kind of emotional attachment bringing memories flooding back of good times and perhaps, not so good.  On the other hand, the sense of space it reveals is so liberating. I get the feeling of anticipation that anything and everything is possible and that a great weight has just been released.  I also love the order that I’ve created, where everything has its own place and room to breathe – we need that too don’t we?  If you’ve never seriously given your wardrobe this type of attention, perhaps this could be the time for you to change your mind. You definitely won’t regret it.  I’m also hoping that my clothes find another great home, where their owner will love them as much as I did.

When cleaning, most of us do a room at a time or have some type of schedule.  The same applies to your wardrobe.  You need to be organised to get the best results.  Take out each separate garment and look at it critically.  If you’re unsure of the fit or how it looks on you, try it on.  Once you’ve done that, only put back the garments that make you look like a million dollars.  Separate the rest into piles as follows:  

1. Exceeds the sell-by-date
If you haven’t worn it in two years, then throw it out.  There is always a good reason why it’s still hanging there and not being worn.  If the garment is dated, you are in danger of looking frumpy, dowdy or just dated –not great whether you’re a man or a woman. Think of it as a perishable and, like food, it will never have the same appeal as if it was fresh.  If the garment has a great deal of sentimentality linked to it but you never wear it, put it in a box, and store it under your bed or in the basement. But don't let it take up valuable space in your closet if you don't wear it on a weekly basis. 

2. Shrunk in the wash?
OK, poetic licence perhaps, but if it’s too small you need to let it go. Don’t make the mistake of keeping it until you’ve lost weight.  It will act as a constant reminder that you are now a larger size.  Instead, prepare to celebrate any future weight loss by buying something new when you’ve succeeded.  Remember, you deserve to look and feel great now so make sure you keep the clothes that allow you do so.

3. A mistake?
If it doesn't make you look (or feel) great or if you're tired of it, it needs to go.  If it still has its tags, then return it. 

4. Worn out
Comfort is often a cliché for worn out, tired and old.  If they fit this latter description they may well be Ok for slobbing about but would you want visitors to see worn out curtains in your house?  Comfort does not replace style.  No reason why you can’t combine the two.

5. Good as new
Clothes that fit well and look good but are in need of repair or a dry clean should be bagged ready to go now.  Don’t let the dust resettle.  If you can mend them yourself, make a promise you will do so by the end of the week – at the latest.  If you still haven’t made the repair by then, throw it out, as you obviously don’t like it that much.

STEP THREE: PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Remember, you can make money by selling "as new" clothes to a clothing agency.  If it has a designer label you could try selling it on ebay.  You may not recoup the cost, but something is better than nothing.  Alternatively, give it to a charity, a swishing party or a friend. 

STEP FOUR: TIDY UP
By now you should have sorted out the old, the dated and the inappropriate clothes from your wardrobe.  You should be left with less clothes but a wider choice of outfits to wear.

To manage your new collection and to make it easier to combine your existing garments, hang clothes by type.  Put your jackets together, your trousers, skirts and so on so you can spot different combinations more easily.  If you prefer, you can also differentiate by colour. 

STEP FIVE: FILL THE GAPS
If you broke a cup or saucer you would go out and replace it.  The same principle needs to happen with your wardrobe.  Now that you’ve thrown so many items away, you will need to fill any gaps that are left.

To make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again, make a list and stick to it.  If you don’t, you’ll end up with a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear.  Try not to buy individual garments on a whim.  Think instead about what they will complement in your existing collection.  Plan your wardrobe, and your shopping.  As a rule of thumb, if it doesn’t go with three other items, don’t buy it.

So now your wardrobe should be a haven of orderliness rather than a jumble of garments fighting for their space.  Selecting and wearing your clothes from now on will be so much simpler with fantastic results for the wearer - you. 
Oh –don’t forget to do the same with your shoes, handbags, belts and jewellery!!

AUTUMN ISSUE

I was channel hopping the other evening when I spied a very old episode of Miss Marple, played by Joan Hickson, probably the best Miss Marple and the actress best favoured for the part by its author Agatha Christie. What struck me was her outfit. Tan crocodile handbag to die for, camel coat, opaque ribbed tights and a cashmere knit. These are the type of garments making their appearance in the new 'grown up' trend of dressing on the catwalks. The moral in this story is that if you don’t get it right, you could add a number of years to your current appearance. So read on and be warned!

A Camel mohair or cashmere coat was once a favourite staple in any well dressed woman’s wardrobe. Recently it has been out of favour. It has never had connotations of being sexy, sassy, fun or funky. Classy, grown up, understated – yes, these it has in spades. The biggest problem is trying to find one that suits your skin tone. Get it wrong and you will look very ill indeed. If you have a warm or freckled skin, gold, brown or red hair then you’re probably going to love this new trend. If like me, you are very cool with pink tones to your skin and white, grey, black or ash blonde hair you’d probably be better off sticking with grey. Luckily, this is also on the rails this winter so everyone has a choice.

The Winter Coat is the ‘in-thing’ to have. Every catwalk show has opened with the coat in a starring role, so my advice is to go out NOW and get yours before they have all flown off the rails.  Make sure you LOVE it as a great coat will serve you well but could cost a lot.

If you don’t like camel (or coats), you might prefer a jacket and there are plenty around in suede, leather and shearling. Really cosy and much easier for driving, wearing with jeans and moving from dressy to casual.

Another staple revisited is the pleated waist trouser. High waisted and tapered at the ankle, this is my own worst nightmare. Despite the fact that they are comfortable, they will make short legs look like stumps, add bulk to any tummy issues, enlarge a large bust and not help someone without a waistline. These are to be worn with yet another ‘come-back’ - the blouse. Softer and more feminine than a shirt but not flattering tucked into a waistband if you have any of the issues I’ve just mentioned. As this look needs jewellery to be discreet and minimal (i.e. wear none at all) you could look like a throwback to the 1990’s.

Red is the new black if you want to make an entrance. Luckily, there is a red for everyone but finding it isn’t always that easy especially with hazardous shop lighting often changing the colour in the store.  If you opt for red, it will be dramatic. Red automatically advances towards us so we see it immediately – that’s why it’s the choice for traffic lights etc. If you’re shy, or want to blend into the background, this might not be number one on your list. If you have some drama in your personality, then go to town. There are some fabulous dresses around at the moment in red and bright orange which really have the WOW factor.   

High heels are replaced in favour of a smaller, daintier kitten heel. Some of you will be rejoicing I can tell.  So don’t throw money at the heavier platforms as they may soon be making an exit.