In the present economic climate we probably all need too be as creative as possible with our wardrobes. Research has shown that High Street sales are down at least 10%.
What can we do to beat the recession and still look good?
First of all before you even think about going shopping put some time aside to really have a look at your autumn winter clothes. What could be reworked to bring them up to date for your lifestyle?
It could be the addition of accessories – spots are in so you could wear some spotty tights, jewel colours are popular so what about adding a scarf or if you are a hat person a fedora hat will give you that seventies vibe.
It maybe that your clothes could be updated by minor alterations. Interestingly my seamstress has never been busier with alterations. You could add some funky buttons to a jacket or shorten that skirt to give it a 60’s feel or just make minor tailoring adjustments to make clothes fit your body shape – particularly if since last winter it seems to have changed!
Decide what is really missing from your wardrobe. Well dressed women do not have huge wardrobes – they have a few key pieces that are versatile and work for them. Whilst it might be tempting to rush out on Saturday afternoon and cheer yourself up by buying a cheap piece for Saturday night the truth is that in the end this may well turn out to be a waste of money! The idea of always wearing something new is very much a British phenomena –our Italian and French cousins don’t tend to do this. If you have for example a really good dress that you always look fab in then why not wear it again and again. You will get the same compliments each time and not feel you are merely adding to landfill!
On that note when you do go shopping try to buy the very best quality and cut you can afford. Buy one good item rather than three cheap ones.
Look at the fibre content and the care labels. Think about the maintenance – a cream silk shirt that has to be drycleaned everytime you wear it can end up costing a lot of money. For the working girl a lot of suiting today is in machine washable wool and given that you wear your work clothes five days a week eight hours a day costs of keeping these clothes in good condition need to be considered.
Finally be inventive as to where you shop. As I said the High Street is having a tough time so look out for promotions and I expect sales will start even earlier. Go to good secondhand shops. Not only can you sell your unwanted clothes to give you money for the right pieces but you may find real bargains that someone else has discarded.
Try the Internet. Look on Ebay, Cocosa, TK Maxx, Yoox. We are lucky in this area to have Bicester Village so take a trip there. However a word of warning do not get carried away with bargains for the sake of them and come back with pieces that do not work in your wardrobe and that you will never wear!
Finally look after the clothes you have – it will pay dividends in the end and you will look better along the way.
A few tips on clothes and shopping
- Make sure you moth proof.
How many times has your favourite sweater or coat been ruined by the little perishers? - Keep your shoes well heeled and polish the night before so the polish sinks in and spray with waterproof spray. Do this with your handbags as well.
- Hang your clothes on the right hangers – no more popping shoulders.
- Always brush knitwear before wearing and invest in a depilling product for all those horrible bobbly bits!
Keep following my blog for more tips and fashion news!
Hope this all helps you to look great this winter!
Lesley Ann