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How to update your wardrobe easily

Updated on March 13, 2011

It is easy to update your wardrobe when you know how.

The first step is to review what you already own and keep it simple.

Firstly concentrate on ensuring that your basic, classic styles are still in good condition and still look contemporary. These are the backbone of your wardrobe and are what makes it work.

Once you have done this, you can then start to update your wardrobe with exciting new colours, prints, silhouettes and accessories.

1. Update the basics

There are certain items in your wardrobe which are based on classic garments that stand the test of time. These include items such as the black pencil skirt, black or grey flannel trousers, a pair of jeans, white shirt, little black dress, polo neck jumper and cashmere sweater.

Before you start to incorporate more trendy ideas into your wardrobe, make sure that your basics are still in good condition and still look contemporary. These are the backbone of your wardrobe, and any of these items that are worn out and have seen better days should be replaced as your first priority. You may also want to add other basics to your wardrobe too.

Be aware that sometimes the basics are updated with slight tweaks to make them look more contemporary, or give them a new silhouette, as is often the case with jeans. This new, updated version will probably last several years.

Occasionally, a completely new classic will emerge, for example leggings mini skirts in the 1960's and leggings in the 1980’s which are still worn by people today. So, be aware of these new classics as incorporating them can completely transform your wardrobe.

2. Colour

Like the classic pieces, some colours have longevity too and can be worn for years without looking dated. These are the neutral colours such as black, white, grey, navy, tan, taupe.

Whilst they may seem like safe options, bear in mind that they do get updated. For example, one season these colours may have a soft, grayed chalkiness about them, other times they may be more crisp and harsh with a hard urban edge. As with the classic clothes, make sure you are using the contemporary version of the neutral colours.

Each season usually has its own colour palette, for example in autumn there are usually lots of earthy and spicy colours such as golds, olives, terracottas, aubergine. In the summer, the colour palette is brighter colours or pastels. To make sure your wardrobe is up-to-date, make sure your are wearing the colours that are most appropriate for the season.

Every season, there is also at least one new key colour that you will see everywhere. By using this colour you have an easy way to update your wardrobe. You can either buy a new item such as a blouse in this colour, or introduce splashes of the new colour in accessories such as scarves, handbags and shoes.

Very occasionally, a completely new colour comes along such as the case of Elsa Schiaparelli’s shocking pink of the 1930’s.

3. Print

Often a new style of print will come out, which is easy to incorporate, again in the form of a completely new garment, or with accessories. The new print will be either a completely new motif, for example a few years ago butterflies were the latest trendy motif, or an updated version of a classic. Take a look through your wardrobe to see what prints you have. Some stand the test of time and are classics such as spots and nautical stripes or leopard print. Others are very trendy prints and date quite quickly, so it is best to weed these out regularly. If you are going to buy a printed garment, either make sure it is a classic print which will last the years, or if it is a trendy print, be prepared for the fact that it will look dated after one to two years.

4. Shape and silhouette

New shapes and silhouettes are regularly created by designers. To keep your wardrobe updated, you may like to try some of these out. A safe way to try a new shape or silhouette is to buy it in a neutral colour. Often a new shape and silhouette becomes a classic in their own right, for example the mini skirt which was designed in the 1960’s by Mary Quant has stood the test of time.

5. Layering

There are lots of different fashions in layering. Some people like to play with layering as it gives a more individual look.

6. Accessories - Jewelry, shoes, hosiery, handbags, hats, scarves, gloves.

Keep up with trends in accessories. Except for the classic items, wearing trendy items can start to make you look dated within a few years of the trend being introduced. If you can’t afford to buy new clothes at the beginning of the season, a new accessory, worn with your classic basics can bring your look bang up to date.

It is easy to update your wardrobe when you know how.

 

Take a look at my other articles for more ideas...................

 

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