How to: Weed Your Wardrobe

How to weed your wardrobe

Rain has stopped play today.  Autumn is surely here, so I’m preparing for a little post-summer wardrobe weeding.

 

The heatwave earlier this month might have delayed my seasonal wardrobe switchover, but I’m starting to layer up.  Wearing my jeans again, with light knits and shackets.

 

The washing basket is, of course, laden with the last remnants of my summer wardrobe.  They’re ready to wash and store away.  However, before I do, I always find this a good time to do a little weeding.

 

If, like me, your storage space is tight, you’ll store and unpack your hanging clothes, a top drawer and shoes, twice a year.  In hiding for half the time, it feels like a whole new wardrobe when I switch the rails up.  There’s always a lovely piece I’ve forgotten I own.  Winner winner chicken dinner!

 

Keeping my home uncluttered and organised is important to me, so before I pack summer stuff away I detox.  Because a) I’ll get rid of the stuff I didn’t wear, there’s a reason so why keep it; b) it saves on storage space; c) I can sell it on Vinted and make some cash to buy new autumn/winter pieces that I need.  Read. want.

 

If you want to join along, here’s how to do it.

 

Weed Your Wardrobe: step-by-step guide

 

  • Split your spring/summer clothes into two piles. What you wore and what you didn’t.
  • Put all the pieces you enjoyed to one side ready to go into storage.
  • Do check the condition of these clothes at the same time. Damaged pieces can be mended and clothes too worn can be taken to a clothes recycling bin.
  • With items you haven’t worn, it’s time to get up close and personal with them and consider why not.
  • Try on each piece and give it an honest appraisal.
  • Does it suit the look/vibe you want to achieve? Peoples’ style evolves over time.
  • Are the clothes no longer fitting you? Are they too loose or tight?  Holding on to any that don’t work for you anymore can have a negative effect.
  • Does each piece suit your current lifestyle? For example, corporate summer dresses may no longer be needed if you work in a more casual environment.
  • Similarly, are pieces too loud or subdued to suit your personality? Perhaps the pattern doesn’t really match your vibe, or the colour drains the life from your face. In either case, let them go.
  • By the end you should have a clearer understanding of what’s working and what’s not. Don’t feel guilty about the pieces you need to let go of.  You’ve had your fun with them and they no longer work.  It’s over.  Let them go.  There are plenty of charities who can make good use of them.
  • With everything else. All the good stuff. Use vacuum storage bags that suck the air out to reduce space. The bags can then go under the bed or in your suitcases.

 

Et voila.  Summer is over for another year.

I promise that taking the time to do this now will serve you well. You don’t want to get to next year and unpack a bunch of things which you’re still not going to wear.

Like some more help from me?  Check out my Wardrobe Reboot service here.

9 Stylish New Pieces in Marks & Spencer

Autumn is around the corner and I’ve already spotted ‘9 stylish new pieces in Marks & Spencer’ perfect for the season.

It really came in to focus for me during lockdown that I didn’t have all the necessary essentials for my wardrobe. Yes, I had some of the latest trend pieces, but what I really needed were key versatile pieces.

There are some super useful modern classic pieces to have in your wardrobe nowadays. These can really enable you to get dressed and get on with your day a whole lot easier. That’s why, post lockdown, I’ve focused on upping my seasonal capsule wardrobe game. Ensuring I have key pieces to get me through every quarter.

Marks & Spencer is always ahead of the game and they do try to please a wide audience, which is why they have great basics. They also do more trend-led pieces too, which I also love. These are the nine that have caught my eye recently with some ideas on how to style them.  I’ve added links to the website in the sub-headings.

 

9 Stylish Pieces

Black Wide Leg Trousers

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A wide leg trouser is one of the easiest to wear for nearly all body shapes.  They’re stylish worn with a top tucked in and can elongate the body if worn with a longline cardigan of the same colour.

 

This pair has the advantage of an elasticated waist, so they’ll be comfy.  They can be easily pulled on and worn with a shirt tucked in.  Simply pull out the shirt a little bit to overhang the trousers if you want to hide the waistband.

 

Dress down these wide leg trousers (£25.00) with a big jumper as the weather turns chilly, or dress with a blazer for work or drinks.

 

Faux Leather Oversized Long Sleeve Shirt

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Faux leather has come a long way and many women have a few pieces in their wardrobe for the cooler seasons.  What I like about this shirt is that its oversized, so I think it is perfect for transition dressing. Wear over a cami, vest or T. Shirt in the next few weeks and then swop for a turtle neck when it’s colder. Priced at £35.00.

 

Denim Belted Midi Shirt Dress

 

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The denim dress (£45.00) is a classic for any season and this midi option is perfect for Autumn.  I love the nod to the classic western style collar and pockets.  Wear with a pair of tan boots and the leopard print cross body below and be super stylish all autumn long.  Don’t forget to try wearing it open with a thin layer top and jeans for a casual look.

 

Leather Cross Body Camera Bag

personal shopper Bristol

 

A cross body camera bag is a great accessory for the weekend, or if you want a smaller bag to hand while carrying a larger tote for work.

 

The cross body camera bag basically carries your essentials in an easy carry/access way.  What I love about this double zip, animal version from M&S is that it can really up your style game.

 

Leopard-print has been lauded as a neutral of late and I have to admit to having a fair few items in my wardrobe.  It basically goes with everything.  Wear with one colour ensembles or over a trench and jeans at the weekend. Priced at £49.50.

 

Animal Print V Neck Knee Length Shift Dress

shopping in Bristol

 

Dress and skirt lengths don’t have to be midi and maxi.  This knee length dress looks great for wearing now and into autumn.  A printed dress can be quite a statement piece in the wardrobe so choose your print wisely to get lot of wear out of it.  Like I said earlier, animal print is a neutral and comes back time and again, so this print makes for a versatile piece.  Wear with knee length boots when colder and over leggings for warmth when at home. Priced at £25.00

 

Corduroy Straight Leg Trousers

 

shopping in bath

Fancy something different from black jeans?  Why not try black corduroy.  They can offer warmth and has more chic appeal.  This pair in M&S comes in a quite a lot of colours and at just £22.50 they likely be very popular.  They offer a good wardrobe basic for autumn and winter and as they’re straight leg will look good with trainers or heels.

 

Faux Leather Croc Midi A-Line Skirt

image consultant bath

 

More faux leather, but it has a place in a capsule wardrobe.  This one would look great with a white or animal print shirt and I’d love to wear it with a denim shirt on a Saturday.  It has a place in the wardrobe, because its cute and chic dressed down with chunky boots and a big jumper, just as much as if worn with knee high boots, a red turtle neck and classic camel coat.  Definitely give a faux leather skirt a consideration, as it also won’t break the bank.  This one is just £35.00.

 

Floral V Neck Midi Tiered Wrap Dress

 

bath stylist

 

This dress is made with a lovely weight material, so it’s not too heavy to wear now or underneath a ‘big coat’ come winter.  I think the detailing is super feminine and the wrap style top helps define the waist, while the v-neckline elongates the neck.  Cute dress that you’ll wear all the time.  Priced at £39.50.

 

Pure Cotton Embroidered Long Sleeve Top

bristol stylist

 

Great for work and even better with jeans and tan accessories for the weekend.  That’s if you like neutrals, of course.  A great soft white top looks good with lots of colours and especially matched with soft autumnal shades for cosy days.  This top, priced £19.50, would look great with the corduroy trousers above and, I imagine, with a long tiered maxi skirt and boots this winter.

 

Hope you enjoyed the read and like the ideas.  If you would like a more personal approach to shopping with me then do take a look at my 1-2-1 personal shopping service where I identify pieces to suit your body shape, lifestyle and budget.  Check out the service here.

 

Gail x

Shopping For An Apple Body Shape

 

This week’s post is all about shopping for an apple body shape.  If you watched the Style Surgery with the GP on Friday (see here), you will have seen that the focus of this week’s Dressing for Your Body Shape was apple.

Defined by the following characteristics, the apple body shape has some great features that can be highlighted to make you feel and look great.

Common characteristics:

  • Bigger bust
  • Less definition around the waist
  • Narrow hips
  • Slender legs

 

 

 

Let’s Go Shopping for An Apple Body Shape

Okay, so when it comes to shopping we are always looking to not just make our lives a little easier, we want it to be more stylish!  It’s easy to do this when you know how and dressing an apple is easier than you might think.  Follow these simple tips to get you started.

  • Draw attention to areas you want to show off
    • this could be a great pair legs
    • or it could be highlighting a gorgeous bust
    • and let’s not forget a beautiful face
  • Skim the mid-section or focus on the narrowest part of the body, e.g. underneath the bust

With this in mind, let’s go shopping.  I’ve visited online retailers to pick out some key pieces that are currently available.

  1. The Shift Dress.

A shift dress is a go-to for the apple.  During the summer a sleeve-less design will show off arms and legs and winter styles include this year’s knitted option.  Wear with chunky ankle boots to be totally on trend, or if you want a little height add knee high boots.  I would choose a boot colour opposite to what you’re wearing, e.g. tan knee highs with a black knitted dress, to draw the eye down.

Here’s an idea from Top Shop.

 

 

2. Tunic-style top and wide leg Trouser combo.

When shopping for tops look for longer length versions.  Ideally, they should be below the hip.  I spotted this sequin version in H&M and it comes with wide leg trousers.  Both flow together well, skimming curves, but offering excitement to the overall look with a ton of sequins.  No-one puts baby in the corner!  Perfect for Christmas.  Not a bad price either.

 

Note. if you’re a tall apple this top might not work as it must come down below the hip.

 

 

3. Statement Accessories.

 

Ooh I love accessories.  They are such powerful tools in either playing up or playing down an outfit.  For an apple, who perhaps wants to draw attention away from the mid-section, a good pair of eye-catching shoes will do just that. I spotted these on Gillian Anderson, who is currently the star of the Dune London Autumn/Winter shoe campaign.  They are FAB.

 

 

Just a couple of tricks here for you to take-away.  Like to see more ideas?  Visit my October Shop Pinterest board, where you’ll find the rest of this morning’s shopping for an apple body shape.

 

Of course, if you want a more bespoke shop please do drop me a line at info@notgivinin.com and I’ll walk you through how I can help you wear better clothes that suit your figure and ultimately make you feel more confident.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Gail xx

4 Steps to Creating Your Own Style Mood Board

 

Creating a mood board is hands down one of the best ways to finding your own true style identity.  If you’ve ever looked in your wardrobe and wondered who the hell is the woman wearing the clothes in it?  Or you find that clothes are purchased on a whim only to be hung in the closet for the rest of time, then it’s likely they don’t represent the real you.

 

Don’t worry, we all get ‘influenced’.  It’s super easy to get caught up in following the trends or making rash purchases when you get an invitation to go out.  But what if your wardrobe is always prepared, always ready with smart choices that you love and wear with confidence.  It can be done.  You just need to know your own true style and stick to it.

 

One way to do this is by creating a style mood board.  It acts as a reference point to help you make wise choices, inspires you on days when you’re feeling a bit lost with what to wear, and is a constant source of inspiration to motivate and empower you to express your true self to those around you.

 

Style Mood Board Tools

 

So how do you create a style mood board?  Personally, I really enjoy using a cork board.  I bought mine for a couple of quid from an online shop and it was therapeutic to do a little cutting out and pinning.  I have the board in full view in my home office to refer to when I’m not sure what to wear.

 

Similarly, and great if you want to compile more than one board and have easy access where ever you are, there’s Pinterest.  A great app that you can download to your mobile, Pinterest offers oodles of fashion images from across the globe.  The options are endless here and it’s super quick and easy to delete and add at your whim.

 

Collating Styles You Like

 

If you’re going down the cork  board route, start by looking through magazines and pulling out images that inspire you.  You might have old mags in a drawer (or is that just me!) that you’ve kept because the looks in it inspire you.   Now is the time to dig out any scraps of inspiration you’ve held on to over time.   Also, go online and download pics from your favourite fashion websites.  You really need to draw together any looks that resonate with you.

 

4 Tips to Creating Your Own Style Mood Board - Gail Painter - Notgivinin.com

 

You’re looking for colours, patterns, cuts, items of clothing, and complete looks that appeal to you.  But also keep in mind that you are building a collage of styles you can/will want to wear so the looks must fit in with and support your lifestyle.

 

If you’re stuck on where to start with Pinterest, I would start by looking up your style icon/s.  There’s a reason why you love their look.  Perhaps you look similar, or love the way she/he wears their clothes.  You can then really deep dive into searching for more pieces. For example, I love Victoria Beckham’s style, which led me down a road looking for wide leg trousers.

 

Re-Load Your Own Style

 

You can also include pics of yourself.  Dig out pictures of you wearing your favourite outfits. My advice would be to look as far back in the photo album collection as you can.  You will likely spot a look that has got lost in translation over the years that you need to be drawn back to.

 

Your Fashionista DNA

 

Once you have lots of images to hand or pinned to a draft Pinterest board, it’s time to hone down what really resonates with you?  Is there a trend appearing?  A finite look revealing itself.

 

From mine you can see that I have a real penchant for denim.  Jeans are a big part of my wardrobe, but I didn’t realise how much, they’re all over the board.  I also like light, neutral colours, and there is a bias for black too and simple designs.  Accessories are a big love too.  Handbags have always been really important to me.  I change my handbag to work with my outfit, daily.

 

4 Tips to Help You Create Your Own Style Mood Board

 

Keep whittling down the images you have, it’s actually easy to do with a cork board as you only have a certain amount of space.  Gradually you will see a pattern forming, aligning with your style at its very core, this is true fashion DNA.  Casting to the side images that are on the periphery of what you like really helps to show you how you truly want to dress.

 

Keep it Handy

 

Keep your board handy.  Like mine, in the office, in sight.  If you’re working on a board online, download a screengrab to your laptop, tablet and mobile.  Refer to it every time you go shopping and especially before you consider following the latest trends so that you can stick to your fashion DNA.

 

Sticking to your true style identity when you go shopping can be very handy.  Your wardrobe should work more cohesively, a capsule wardrobe could appear naturally, and you won’t be wasting your hard-earned cash.

 

If you want to, and you’re enjoying getting crafty, you can build more boards to help plan seasonal looks.  Try building a board or two for spring/summer and autumn/winter looks.  Or, create a couple around the different areas of your life, work (you might have more than one career), life, hobbies, etc.

 

Happy pinning!

 

 

Gail

 

P.S.  If you would like a more personal approach to finding your style I work in Bristol and Bath, helping women and men discover their style and wear it with pride.  Find out more about my services here.