Wardrobe Maintenance

Winter months, New Year, as good a time as any to have a sort out in our wardrobes and make space for any new exciting sale purchases! As my baby is due soon, am planning on some AB (after birth!) shopping but I do need to de-clutter, even if I can't try them on, I can still have a tidy up. Here are some tip's on reducing your wardrobe to only include items you do wear;

1. If you've not worn it in a year - charity/bootsale it. Unless it's vintage, then store away in moth proof bags.
2. Pack Summer/Winter clothes (eg vests/short, scarves/gloves etc) away in boxes. You can buy great fabric totes everywhere these days that can sit on top of your wardrobe looking pretty! Put thick jumpers/strappy tops etc. in here. Then your wardrobe isn't cluttered up with pieces you wont be wearing for another 6 months.
3. If you buy anything new, get into a routine of hanging it on the front of your wardrobe where you can see it. If it's still sat there 2 weeks later (unless bought specifically for an occasion) then it doesn't have a place in your life and return it, save your money for when something does!
4. Be ruthless if you need a good clear out however remember that accessories like necklaces and scarves can update a tired outfit. If the item is in good condition, still fits and is a classic, route through your jewellery and add something. A big fabric flower broach can change a top instantly.
5. Jeans and woolen jumpers should be folded and put in drawers (with moth ball sachets). Hanger marks on jumpers are no good for maintaining them and jeans take up too much space.
6. Rotate how you organise your wardrobe. This is a great way to bring some freshness to your daily outfits with pieces that have been hidden away. Organise into colours, work & play, patterns & plain but always tops & bottoms.

I think I may print this blog off as just noticed towards the back of my wardrobe a black top on a hanger is grey (dust) and worn a cardy that has been washed too many times so is half way up my back!

Good luck!

PS No I don't have a wardrobe like the above, but it's always good to have something to strive towards......

Putting it off....

Clothes shopping that is! I'm going to lose weight, I'm going to gain some weight, I'm just going to get that handbag from my wish list then....then I will sort out my wardrobe.

Does anyone else feel the need to put off buying clothes? Are we all becoming so obsessed with designer & cheap throw away accessories, as they are a quick and easy fix to an outfit? Don't get me wrong, I hold my hands up, I LOVE handbags and shoes. Handbags are so easy for me to buy, because I know exactly what I like...and I don't have to remove clothes to try one on. I have grown to love shoes, due to unfortunately being blessed with odd-sized feet. Short fat size 3 on the left, skinny long size 4 on the right - my friends have found it very amusing, however it's a struggle with peep toes, as you can imagine. As I have grown older I've realised the extent of my habit (- my own shoe & handbag wardrobe), is down to the very basic fact, clothes shopping for my shape is just not that easy. I am a petite pear and was still wearing Tammy Girl in my early twenties. For me, 'bottoms' are a sore point particularly so I stick with jeans and leggings - easy option. I get far more satisfaction and a quick fix by shopping for a new handbag or pair of shoes. So whilst my accessory collection grows, I find myself with an ever depleting wardrobe of trend wear. I have lazily become too predictable and safe by living in Primark long-sleeve tee's and Topshop Baxter skinnies for my quick high street fashion fix.

So, I challenge you all to set a late New Years resolution with me - and try to stick to it. On your next clothes shopping trip, when choosing an item consider and try on a wider range of styles. Try to buy a piece that is a little unusual from what has become your norm. Be bold and brave, add to that hanging rail in your wardrobe, not the shoe rack on the floor or shelf of handbags. Stop putting it off and buy for today! Happy shopping!