Top Tips On How To Be Your Own Wardrobe Consultant – by Jules Standish

Fri, Dec 4, 2009

This is the second instalment of Jules’s Top Tips, so read on to discover all you need to know about your getting the most out of your clothes.

Planning a wardrobe is a great way to get the best out of your investment in clothes. Jules has listed below her top tips for how to create a wardrobe for your body shape and lifestyle.

wardrobe consultation

Wardrobe Basics

Blouses/shirts

Smart for day, chic at night – combine your shirts/blouses with change of skirt or trousers and add some accessories.

T-shirts/Camis

These are great basics for the summer and double up as vests in the winter.

Plain Sweaters

Classic shapes will last a long time in a variety of colours that you like and suit you as they are excellent investment pieces. Fashionable ones can be added when all basics are in place.

Jackets

Smarter than cardigans the more neutral in colour the more classic and will last longer without dating. These are fundamental to a working wardrobe. Wear smart with casual items ie jeans for fashionable look.

Cardigans

These are currently very fashionable worn long and can be belted for more shape. They are a more casual option than jackets and great in dark colours for work and more colourful for casual daywear.

Top Coats

Buy classic and good quality – these are definately worth buying in the sales! Coats should be long enough to cover the hem of skirts/dresses.

Fashion Raincoats

Often short-lived so have fun with these as they will add variety to your wardrobe. A classic Burberry is a better investment for work.

Trousers/jeans

Cut and fit are crucial – find a style that suits your body shape and height and don’t always follow current fashion. Jeans are essential to modern wardrobes as they can be dressed down for daywear and smartened up for the evening – choose dark colours for slimming effect and in work environments if jeans appropriate.

Leggings

Very fashionable and comfortable – dark colours best for older women – always check your rear view and perhaps compromise with a tunic top over hip line.

Shoes/boots

Suede/leather look smartest for longer with canvas useful in summer. Classic styles of courts, loafers, sandals and riding boots seldom look dated and are great wardrobe staples.

Accessories

Capture theme of new fashions without spending a fortune – big bags, animal print scarves can be bought on high street – however, never under estimate value of good accessories – these are particularly good items to purchase in the sales.

Scarves

Wonderful versatile accessories as they add colour and design and draw attention to the face and therefore an invaluable way of making clothes look flattering. Consider your “scale” before purchasing i.e. skinny for long necks, tie on breast bone for short necks. Big pashminas suit large boned/tall women and small scarves suit small boned, petite women.

How to Sort your wardrobe

- Arrange clothes in a way which suits you and your lifestyle best i.e. working wardrobe; suits, blouses and shirts together.

- Colour co-ordinate your clothes.

- Get rid of items that don’t make you feel good or that have received negative comments.

- Any item not worn for 18 months either pack away or give away!

- Put away garments not used seasonally – clean them first this will create space and not crunch clothes in wardrobe.

- Buy some good hangers which will not distort the line of the garment.

- Make a list of what you have and consider cost of item – wearability and shape.

- Put clothes together differently on the bed – start with jackets then tops and add on skirts/trousers, etc.

- Can your outfits be altered to fit better? Add shoulder pads to dresses and jackets for modern look – how about adding new buttons to make items more fashionable – do you have a belt to put with clothes to make them up to date and flattering to your shape? Do you have a scarf to make an outfit colourful?

- Do you have the best most flattering underwear for your clothes?

- Finally make a list of all the things that are now missing from your wardrobe so you know what basics to add in and also what fashionable extras you can add to bring in that sense of style and high fashion.

- For hangers and storage items. check ou www.johnlewis.com and www.caraselledirect.com.

Don’t miss next week’s top tips from Jules on how to be your own colour and make up consultant.

For further information on colours and style go to www.colourconsultancy.co.uk.