How to refresh your wardrobe

How to refresh your wardrobe 

I don't know about you, but my wardrobe could do with a bit of a re-evaluation. About two years ago I cleared my wardrobe out and only kept the items I really needed and whats funny is, two years ago, I had a hugely different take on my personal style, and if I'm honest, I haven't really found it yet. I'm only 17 years old, and so my wallet doesn't have a huge amount of room to buy new clothes all the time, so this how to guide will let you only buy what you will actually wear.

Tip #1 BE OBJECTIVE
When looking at your wardrobe, try to look at it with an objective lens. Take the sentimental angle away from your clothes and only look to keep something if you actually wear it, not if you keep it because of a special memory. Also, at this stage its worth mentioning that just because something cost you a lot of money in the past, you don't need to keep it. High price does not equal great style, or infant, your style.

Tip #2 BUY SMART
Something I always question before parting with cash is whether the item will still look as fresh as it does new in 2,3 or 5 years time. More expensive clothes will last longer, but only to a point. A £5,000 coat probably won't last any longer than a £800 coat, but due to exquisite marketing and a weighted brand name, it still holds such a high price tag. Unfortunately, my clothing budget does not extend so far, so to make this post relatable to me, i'll show you a little example. Coat A, a coat from Primark at a cost of around £25 may last only a few seasons, before it starts to fall apart. Coat B, from Topman at a higher cost of around £80 may last longer, say 5 seasons before it starts to fall apart, whilst a coat from Jaeger, at a cost of around £225 will last the longest, but obviously carries the large price tag. moral of the story? buy the best you can, and if you are able, stretch a little bit more for the real classic pieces, or just if you fancy it. I always try to stretch for two things, shoes and outerwear. I have a pair of chelsea boots that still look brand new three winters on, and I have a coat that is coming to the end of its second season that looks still brand new. REMEMBER: Quality is not down to design or brand, but the fabric, stitching and level of construction.

Tip #3 DON'T BE AFRAID OF BUYING THINGS USED
I have a confession, I'm a charity shop obsessive. I love shopping in my local charity shops in a bid i'll one day flick through a hanger and see a major designer label ,but its not that reason why I go in. I buy clothes because I like them, and if I see a barely used wool coat for £9.99 I'm buying it. Charity shops have main pluses. 1. you can get some clothing that is literally brand new for a fraction of their retail, designer or not. 2, used does not mean dirty and smelly, if in doubt dry clean it, but many people donating clothes keep them clean and sometimes clean them prior to donation. 3. If you buy with quality in mind like me, often there are some great brands that you'll have never heard off that are super affordable and really well made, and similarly, as many people who donate have lots of quite basic/classic clothing, you can buy the essentials without having to fork out lots, meaning you can splurge on something f u n k y ! ! (like this, I'm desperate to find a high-street dupe!)

Tip #4 FIND YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
admittedly, this tip is really hard to achieve, unless you have your life together, but don't worry, one day you will find it. I like to check websites like Pinterest and Instagram that have thousands of users all with some killer style to see how they wear particular things. I think it wise to think that your personal style will change over time, and preferences change. When thinking about buying something, think how well it will fit into your current pieces, as there's no point buying something if you have to squeeze it into your current style. Or, worst, have to buy lots more things to wear with it.

Tip #5 BUY BECAUSE YOU LIKE IT
When looking at possible purchases , ask yourself if you’re buying it for you, or because everyone had it and you wan to be part of the ‘it’ club. If you are looking at something that everyone has but you still really love it, then that’s different!!. Don’t follow the crowd, only buy because you love it, and think you’ll rock it!

WHAT I'M LUSTING AFTER/MY FASHION WISH LIST
1. COMME DE GARÇON X CONVERSE BLACK HIGH TOPS

I LOVEEEE these, I love the combination of classic shoe silhouette and playful branding. 

2. ZARA TROUSERS WITH SIDE STRIPE

These are super on trend, and I think they are a good way of going smarter without being suited up!

3. DR MARTENS 1461 SMOOTH

I really want a shoe that is relatively smart, but can still be dressed down and these Dr martens fit the brief!

4.ZARA WOOL JACKET

Outerwear is a great way to switch up an outfit, and this wool jacket is sartorial and chic.

5. ZARA STRIPED JUMPER(S)

Sorry, can't decide which I like more. Both are bold and enough of a statement that I can cope with. 

6.CDC PLAY STRIPED TEE

This is super cute, and a great tee that I think would blend your winter and autumn wardrobe perfectly.