Rework your Wardrobe

Wardrobe Recusitation

This hub refers to getting your wardrobe ready for spring, but much of the advice applies to any season.

The weather may still be cold, but it will soon be time to start wearing lighter clothes, so now is the time to get your clothes ready.

Why not ask a friend (preferably a critical one) to come over and help you to get organised -then you can return the favour.

Start by sorting your clothes into spring/summer and autumn/winter. It's nearly time to start storing your autumn/winter clothes. For now, put those clothes to one side and concentrate on your spring/summer clothes.

Begin by putting aside any that no longer fit, or are past repair. If that leaves you with a large amount of clothing, sort out any items that you seldom wear because you don't like them.

The discarded clothes can be put into a bag and taken it to your nearest charity shop. If you paid a lot of money, consider selling it on eBay, or through an agency.

Next step: take a good look at your clothes to decide if there are any predominant colours. If there are, and you feel comfortable and confident wearing those colours, you should try to plan your future spring/summer purchases around them

Now, let's think about what you may need over the next few months:

If you have a paid job, start by considering which clothes you need for work. After all, you probably obtain the money to buy clothes from your wages. Maybe you wear a uniform: if so, lucky you! It means that you can concentrate your budget on clothes for your leisure time.

If you work in a competitive or commercial environment, you should be taking your work wardrobe very seriously. It is sad, but true, that people make judgements based on your appearance.

Sort your ‘work' clothes into skirts, trousers, blouses (or tops), jerseys, cardigans and jackets.

Do all of your clothes work together? Or do you have some ‘orphan' items, that don't seem to go with anything?

Do you have enough work clothes? Everybody has a different version on ‘enough', but I would say that for a busy person, this would be the minimum:

• Eight (8) tops - blouses, jerseys, etc. These should all be washable. I suggest 8 so that you are never in a rush to get everything washed, dried and ironed on your day(s) off work.
• Three (3) skirts or trousers
• Two (2) cardigans or jackets (depending on how formal you need to be for work)
• Lightweight coat or mac
• Handbag
• Two pairs of shoes or boots

If you have fewer than your ideal number of clothes for work, these items should be your top priority. Make a rough shopping list, with a range of colour that will blend in with your existing clothes. Try not to be too specific, and it will be easier to find what you need.

Before you put the clothes back into your wardrobe, check to see if anything needs mending. Make time for this task over the next few weeks - this could avoid any ‘what can I wear?' crises.

Now, hang the jackets together, the skirts together, etc. I also sort my clothes in to colours, so it is very easy to put together co-ordinated outfits.

Now, repeat the exercise for leisure clothes. Again, everyone will have different requirements, but if you work five days every week, I would suggest that this is the minimum:

Three (3) tops. Ideally all washable

• Two pairs jeans, or casual trousers, or skirts if that is your preference
• One jersey or cardigan that you can layer over the tops
• Casual shoes

Strictly speaking, you don't need another coat, but you will get more wear from your ‘good' coat if you can run to something more rugged, say a parka.

Also, you don't need a second handbag. You could carry your ‘work' handbag, put things in your pockets or use a shopping bag.

I hope that your lifestyle means that you will also need

• One (1) party dress
• Party shoes.

You don't need an evening bag, but one may be useful.

If you don't have a paid job, it is a bit more difficult to make a list of minimum requirements, because these will be dictated by your lifestyle. For example, if you are at home with a baby, or small children, you may need more than 8 washable tops!

I suggest that you think about how frequently you are able to wash and dry clothes, and base your everyday clothes around that.

You will probably also need a few formal outfits - maybe because you are seeking work, or to attend formal celebrations or voluntary committees. Try to think about what you do, and what percentage of your time you spend on each activity. The contents of your wardrobe should reflect the reality of your life.

When you have finished sorting out your wardrobe, you should know:

1. What you have - including a good idea of the colour themes in your cupboard.

2. What you need - either now, or longer term.

3. Probably, a longer list of what you would like!

We suggest another review in a few months, when the weather may be warmer.