The change of season is the perfect time to have a look at your clothes and your image and make a few changes. One of the most common complaints I hear from clients is that they feel 'stuck in a rut.' Clearing out the clutter from your wardrobe and introducing some fresh, new pieces can invigorate a tired look and boost your self-confidence.
Give yourself a whole weekend if you can spare it, or at least a full day. Depending on how many clothes you have, you may need a lot longer! The aim is that by the end of the weekend your wardrobe is neat and tidy and you know exactly what you have and importantly what you need to buy.
Ideally, you will have had a Colour and Style Analysis done already, so you know exactly which colours and styles of clothes best suit your body shape and also your colouring.
If you have, your first step will be going through your wardrobe and culling anything that does not suit you. First consider the colour, then look carefully at each element of the clothing, starting with the neckline or collar and moving down to the buttons, pockets and hemlines. If you have a lot of clothing that does not fall within your best range, only throw it out if you can afford to replace it with something else.
If you haven't seen an image consultant don't worry! You will still be able to bring your wardrobe right up to date and create a fresh, new look for yourself.
Start by removing any clothes that don't suit the season. If all your winter woolies like heavy coats, thick knits and thermals are clean and in good condition, pack them away carefully. Vacuum sealed bags can be very useful but don't use them for anything valuable or delicate.
Next you want to look for anything that is faded, worn out or damaged. You may have been able to get away with frayed hemlines, faded fabric and missing buttons when they're hidden under your winter coat, but come spring it will be a lot more difficult. If there is anything that can be altered, set it aside.
Once you have done this, everything that is left in your wardrobe should be in good condition and ready to wear. You will be surprised at the difference it makes simply having all of your clothing in good condition. It is hard to feel positive and attractive when your clothes appear tired and worn out.
Your next step is to separate your clothing into pants, skirts, tops, jackets etc. This will allow you to see whether you have an abundance of some items and lack of others. There are a couple of things to consider at this stage.
First think about your lifestyle and where you spend most of your time. If you work long hours in a corporate environment but have predominantly casual clothing, you need to fill the gap with work wear. If you are a stay at home mum who rarely gets the chance to dress up, you want to focus on having comfortable but stylish clothing that can be dressed up or down.
Your personality will also be a consideration because the aim of a spring-clean is to update your look, not turn you into a different person! Regardless of your style personality, think of this process as an opportunity to expand your coordination options. Maybe there are some new styles or colours you could try. For inspiration, use the internet, fashion magazines and catalogues and cut out anything that appeals to you.
To complete your wardrobe revival, the next steps are:
Have a haircut
Have a make up revamp
Buy a new pair of shoes and a handbag (nothing too expensive)
Buy one complete new outfit that suits the shoes and handbag, as well as the clothes you already have at home.
If you have completed all of these steps you are well on your way to a wardrobe revival. Taking advantage of the change of season to overhaul and update your image can do wonders for your confidence and breathe new life into a tired look.
