Some things in your wardrobe are just irreplaceable. A much loved leather handbag, a worn out pair of perfect blue jeans, a designer evening gown or an accessory like my old pink Indian hand embroidered scarf purchased at a night market in Delhi when I worked for Monsoon/Accessorize. These sentimental pieces are the items I will never quibble over when doing a Wardrobe Wand Wardrobe Makeover .

So it's with difficulty that I find something even vaguely similar to my trustee pink scarf that can brighten up any outfit as well as making me smile whatever my mood. It's so true that colour can affect your emotional well being and as a scarf is worn near to your face its impact will be much stronger. Pink is known to be a warm and calming colour. Research has even suggested that a specific shade 'drunk tank pink' has such a tranquilizing effect that can suppress anger that it's been used in prisons to calm violent inmates!  

Whilst this morning doesn't go as smoothly as planned, due to the displacement of a gym kit ,thankfully I don't need to resort to putting on my pink scarf to restore the equilibrium,although on saying that maybe it did help get us to school on time!

Today I'm wearing a Zara batwing polo neck jumper over a wide strap Zara black vest. Lee blue skinny jeans from TK Maxx, Reiss black funnel neck coat and Uterque buckle ankle boots. I've accessorised with my David and Young grey trilby from TK Maxx and my Indian hand embroidered pink scarf. 

See below for an outfit similar to my own and click on the descriptive text for more details.

What's your style uniform? Obviously I don't mean your therapist tunic, scrub suit ,logo-ed apron or any other specific work uniform. I'm talking about your own garments that you throw on daily to make up a similar look or silhouette. Do you know what it is or even considered it?

By now you will have noticed that mine is a skinny leg with a layered top half.
I know this won't suit everyone and nor should it. It's about maximising your good points whilst minimising those not so great areas. For me my legs have pretty much weathered the birth cycle whereas my tummy area is a constant work in progress. So I show off my levers and disguise my middle area. 

However it's all too easy to take this approach a step too far and you can find yourself reaching for a size or two up from what you really are or be attracted to anything shapeless'or too long to hide those less than perfect areas. Remember that tailored and correctly fitting clothes are far more flattering whatever your shape and size than voluminous, floaty numbers that may get pegged down on a camping trip! 

Today I'm wearing my Zara stretch trousers which are akin to leggings but have much more weight to them. I've seen too many poor quality leggings that when under taut conditions become no more than a 10 denier tight so beware! 

There's still a chill in the air so my H&M denim shirt is layered over my M&S thermal top. The blue of the denim helps break up my predominantly black outfit and I've left a few buttons undone to create a flattering V neckline. My Reiss black leather jacket was another sale purchase from 2 years ago and I've added texture with my extra long zig zag knit scarf. I've actually got no idea what brand it is as I bought it in Hong Kong over ten years ago! My Nine West over the knee boots complete the outfit.  

Establishing your everyday uniform helps in those clothes buying decisions and if applied when out shopping will often sort the wardrobe sheep from the goats! (an idiom based on the biblical parable found in Matthew 25 :31-46 for those that don't know) It's those core items that you wear daily or those go to items that make you feel good that you need more of in your wardrobe NOT some fanciful garment you've seen in a magazine or on some modelesque stranger from afar!

If you're still unsure of what your style uniform is I can testify that taking a daily photo for 3 weeks will soon enlighten you! 

I have several Wardrobe Wand mantras and one of them is 'work from the feet up' when outfit building. 
Todays outfit is built around the statement trainer. 

It's a fashion trend that seems to have stayed put and is now deemed perfectly acceptable in more flexible work environments. Once upon a time trainers were very much frowned upon and consigned to the gym. Now I can't imagine any nightclub bouncer muttering the line 'No trainers allowed'.They'd soon go out of business if they stuck to such antiquated dress rules. How times have changed.

I'm working from home today and the reason I have 'happy feet' is to give the rest of my outfit a lift. My pink and flouro yellow trainers are New Balance from TK Maxx. The rest of my ensemble is quick and easy. I'm wearing my Calvin Klein boyfriend jeans from TK Maxx, Zara black vest, so that I can bend down without flashing my undies, and Uniqlo grey V neck cashmere jumper. I'm also wearing a nude nail colour from Mavala called 'Sapporo'.

For those that have read previous posts you'll know I love a cashmere jumper. However I must stress that I don't like to pay over the odds for them and whilst I am aware that a cashmere snobbery does exist in the industry if it's 100% cashmere, feels soft and keeps me snug I'm there.

I will look for cashmere items in the sales, see yesterdays M&S hooded cashmere jumper, or stores that I know do cashmere well. Uniqlo and H&M premium are my go to brands for both 100% cashmere and 100% silk items. John Lewis and Iris & Ink have some good cashmere basics too. I do tend to stick to classic shapes and neutral colours, especially grey marl. For the best value for money try F&F at Tesco where you really can get 100% cashmere for less cash!

As always if you like this outfit I've chosen similar products you can buy now. If you want more information click on the text description to be directed to the relevant websites.