This is a collaborative post (not written by me).
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It can be tough to find new clothes without breaking the bank, especially if you've gotten into a habit of buying whenever you feel like you have nothing to wear (spoiler: you always do). This habit can be a severe drain on your finances, and it also makes your wardrobe too cluttered. While you might be buying more clothes, you rarely get rid of the ones you already have. There are solutions to this, though, and they are often quicker and cheaper than you think.
Have a Clearout
The first step toward fixing your fashion is to stand in front of your wardrobe and have a good old fashioned clearout. Here, you can get rid of every clothing item that you don't wear, or even plain forgot that you had. The feelings that come with clearing out long-forgotten pieces will be a relief, and you won't feel so stressed every time you need to decide what to wear.
Dress Up
There will always be some clothes that you can never decide on, though. Do you throw them out? Do you give them another chance? Dressing up and putting on a fashion show for yourself will help you decide what to do with the vast number of clothes in the Maybe pile. By playing dress up, you can test different items with each other, create complimenting outfits, and finally realise which types of clothes you want to keep for good.
Learn From Mistakes
We have all made fashion mistakes in our lives. Maybe we were inspired by something we saw online or in a movie. Perhaps we went shopping and bought something just for the sake of buying it. Whatever these mistakes were, it's time to learn from them to make sure you never repeat them. You can ask yourself how often you have worn it; you can consider whether you even like the colour, or whether it fits you (or ever fits you), if the answer to any of these is hardly at all, no, and no again, it's a sign to say goodbye.
Think of 30 Wears
You can take this attitude the next time you go shopping (or rather, browse sites online because who wants to go into a shop right now?) When looking for new clothes, ask yourself if you will get 30 wears out of it. This is an idea promoted by Livia Firth, the Eco-Age founder, and it encourages people to be more intelligent with their fashion choices. Sure, you might find a stunning dress that would be great for your next night out, but if you're not going to wear it again, then what's the point?
Don't Be Afraid to Repeat
There is a weird idea within the fashion world that you can't wear something more than once, but if you're trying to be more conscious with your fashion choices, it's time to ditch this idea. You might not want to wear the same outfit again, but you can mix and match existing items to create something entirely different. Repeating outfits will stop you running to the shop every time you have a big night coming up, meaning you can protect your bank balance.
Embrace Your Accessories
Accessories can often make an outfit. But, you've got plenty of options available for you, whether it's a chic pair of specs from Eyeglasses.com to an array of gorgeous bangles, bracelets, or rings, polka dot headbands or just an elegant watch, there are no limits to how your accessories can improve an outfit. If you've got a low cut top, adding a necklace will make things look less bare. For short sleeves, bracelets add some sparkle to your attire and make it much more interesting.
Ditch the High Street
High Street shopping is something that everyone flocks to whenever they need a new outfit, but with rumours (and sometimes evidence) of unethical practices, it's time to ditch the High Street and look elsewhere. Sustainable brands can be found all over the internet, and even Charity shops or Vintage clothing stores can help you find something special. While these clothes can sometimes be more expensive than what you're used to paying, they will also be better quality, meaning they will last longer and you'll not need to replace them as often.
Get Creative
If you're tired of the same old fashions every time you browse your social media feed or spend hours looking for the perfect outfit, you might be better off getting creative. Self-made styles are becoming increasingly popular, and if you have any knowledge about sewing, stitching or embroidery, you can create something new out of something old. Here, you can indulge in your creativity and create something unique, or you can fix old clothes to make them as good as new, meaning you don't need to throw them out.
Try Pre-Orders
Pre-ordering clothes is becoming a popular trend in the battle against wasted items. Rather than mass-producing endless denim skirts and cute t-shirts, pre-order companies will only start making something when a customer purchases it. Aside from helping the environment, it will also test your interest in trends. As all clothes are made to order, you'll need to exercise patience, and if you can't wait, it is unlikely to be an essential purchase.
Borrowing
Sometimes you can't find the right outfit no matter what wells you try to source it from. Or, you'll find the perfect piece, but it's way out of your price range. The solution to this is borrowing from friends, family, and even clothing rental companies. Rather than splurge on one item that you'll only wear once, you can exchange items with your friends or have an item delivered to your door, all you need to do afterwards is send it back in perfect condition.
Fast Fixes
Fixing your wardrobe and filling it with items that you love rather than just like, or have even bought for the sake of it, can transform your style while still giving you plenty of options the next time you head out. A refreshed wardrobe is something that makes you feel better about all your clothes and means you'll step outside with more confidence than you've ever had before.
Thanks for reading. Leah xoxo
