When you look at the same wardrobe every day and wear the same outfits, it can be difficult to think of new ways to wear the same items and refresh your existing wardrobe.
By making a few simple adjustments to the way you dress and shop for certain items, you can dramatically improve your personal style.
Here are five tips you can apply to your wardrobe right away and consider when you head into your dressing room to make a decision.
1. Tailor your clothes to your body proportions
It’s best to avoid alterations. This is an additional cost to consider when making a purchase and is a time and effort commitment. I like to avoid alterations when possible and find a better fit in another store or brand.
However, sometimes a small change is all it takes to turn a great piece into something that feels like it was made just for you.
However, I would only suggest altering an item if it fits perfectly everywhere else, has a clear purpose in your wardrobe, and will be a staple for years to come.
It’s worth shortening the hem of a trouser or jacket if it fits perfectly everywhere else and you like it. These are common alterations and are often quick and affordable.
There are plenty of ways to adjust a garment to your proportions without having to go to a tailor. Here are a few examples.
Jackets:
Roll the sleeves up to the elbow, which will look like a relaxed, purposeful drape. If the sleeves don’t stay up when rolled up, simply roll them up at the wrist, two or three times. This turns your jacket into a transitional piece and temporarily shortens the sleeve length. It also looks stylish and purposeful! A bonus here is that you can return to your normal sleeve length if you want to layer long-sleeved shirts underneath.
Hooever Women’s Winter Wool Coat Casual Notch Lapel Single-Breasted Peacoat
Jeans:
If you’re wearing jeans, roll up the hem twice, about 1cm each time. This shortens the hem and looks great with sandals, wedges or sneakers in casual situations. You can also do this with ankle boots. Rolling up your jeans this way will allow your jeans to meet the top of your ankle boots without looking like they’re being tucked in.
Tops:
Tuck your shirt into your mid-rise pants. The French button is popular and looks easy to wear. Or, tuck your shirt in slightly at the front and leave the sides and back hanging loose if you’re wearing pants. If you’re tucking in a skirt, tuck your shirt in and gently slip on your blouse, leaving a thumb-sized amount of fabric.
If you don’t like tucking in your shirt, just tie it neatly in the front. This works especially well with button-down shirts, unbuttoning the last few buttons so you can tie the shirt rather than button it.
2. Wear a color that reflects you and your daily plans
We all have colors that we can apply and instantly feel refreshed, focused and as if we have had more sleep than we actually have. These colors bring out the whites of our eyes, brighten the color of our eyes and even out our skin tone, minimizing dark circles or pigmentation. Wear these colors on days when you are feeling down.
Dress the Population Women’s Catalina Solid Sleeveless Fit & Flare Midi Dress
Consider what you have planned for the day and choose colors to wear that you feel represent those plans. For example, if you are heading out for a day out that includes cycling and breakfast at a local cafe, the colors and outfit you choose to wear will be very different than if you are heading out for a day of meetings with internal colleagues and external stakeholders on a busy Tuesday at the office.
3. Swap slouchy cardigans for comfy jackets
Cardigans have a purpose and are great for wearing when you’re shopping or at the park, but they tend to wear out quickly and lack structure so can look unpolished. Cardigans that are shaped around the neck, waist or arms are best and look for some in eye-catching colours.
An alternative is to wear a light, fitted jacket. They still give you an extra layer of movement, some coverage for warmth and are lightweight so they don’t feel too heavy when worn in place of a cardigan.
For everyday wear, a denim jacket is a great alternative to a cardigan and can easily be worn with a dress, skirt or jeans and a t-shirt if you choose the right one for your proportions and lifestyle. Many denim jackets have some stretch in the fabric so they’re less stiff and restrictive.
If you like the option of rolling your cardigan into a bag, look for one with a pattern, like ribbed fabric. This will help your cardigan retain its shape when you take it out of the bag, hide small tears in the fabric, and help minimize signs of wear.
4. Own fewer shoes, choose neutral colours
Good quality, comfortable shoes are expensive and you want to get your money’s worth. Having a neutral shoe collection means you can own fewer pairs, but have the ability to pair them with a variety of outfits.
A pair of white trainers, black boots and some flats and heels in black, tan or beige are all useful colours that work with a variety of patterns, textures and colours in many wardrobes.
Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sneaker
Your lifestyle is an important factor to consider when choosing shoes. If you walk to work, heels may not be necessary but a pair of comfortable boots will be necessary, so you can still walk when it’s raining. Or, if you work in a corporate environment, white sneakers for work may never be appropriate, but if you work in an office with a smart casual dress code, white sneakers can easily become part of your work wardrobe.
5. Wear an accessory that makes a big impact on your outfit
SAINT LAURENT SL M3 Square shape Sunglasses + Bundle with eSHADES Luxury Eyewear Kit
Like shoes, you don’t need a lot of accessories, just a few really useful pieces that you can pair with most of the outfits in your wardrobe. A pair of fun earrings, gold or silver earrings, a minimalist necklace, and a watch are all versatile pieces that will add color, pattern, and texture to your outfit. The exact accessories you choose should be based on the items you own, your face shape, and your personal color.
