Outfit building from archive mumsweardaily posts 

​When I do a Wardrobe Wand session, and pull out a redundant item, clients often lament “I didn’t know what to put with it”. My mind flits back and forth for a minute or two while I scan the rest of their wardrobe before I ask them what they had in mind when they purchased the garment. What was the 'outfit'? What look were they trying to achieve? When or where were they going to wear it? What image is in their mind right now……
 
Often the answers will vary from “I saw a celebrity wear something similar” to “I thought it would go with a top I have but it doesn’t look right”. Most redundant items will still have a price tag attached, often something bought in the sale!
 
So this leads me to Step 2 and 3 of my Lockdown style tips; Curate your current wardrobe and outfit build.
Before committing to a new purchase in store imagine 3 different outfits you will be able to make with items in your existing wardrobe. If you can't do that put it back.

I also believe that if you buy something but don’t wear it after two weeks then you should take it back regardless. I’m not talking evening wear or special occasion outfits here, I’m talking about your everyday uniform; the building blocks of your wardrobe that you’ll wear on rotation. 

I needed to replace my much loved boyfriend CK  jeans, left and Matt Bernson tan gladiator sandals, shown right.

Sorting out your existing wardrobe is indeed the most time consuming of the steps so I would ​set aside a full day; or 2 afternoons at least. By now you'll have a clear idea of your daily uniform so start by keeping regularly worn items in your wardrobe. Take out all the rest and put in the following categories; Outerwear, Dresses, Separate bottoms, Separate Tops, Footwear, Accessories.

Go through each item and be ruthless. If you haven't worn something try and figure out why, so that you don't repeat the same buying mistakes. If something is worn out you'll need to replace it, so start your shopping list. Have a pile for recycling; for textiles that are marked, snagged or misshapen; a pile for charity; items that are still in good condition but may be the wrong size or you no longer consider the item part of your daily uniform and a pile for consignment/or resale; items that still have tags on, in excellent condition and recently bought, as you may be able to make money from your mistakes!

I'll leave you with those steps for now, and as always thanks for stopping by! Stay home, keep well.

So it’s nearly two weeks since schools were on lockdown and like me I’m sure your first thought has not been to organise your wardrobe but instead on trying to deliver some sort of classroom experience for your children!
 
In fairness devices have helped them keep connected to friends and have been a godsend for all the educational apps required to keep up with the national curriculum.
 
Where possible timings, (clocks springing forward put paid to early rises) and standards have been maintained; getting dressed, teeth and hair brushed, beds made and curtains opened are precursors for the lessons ahead. However they don’t wear uniform, like a head at a very successful school had suggested; I need to pick my battles wisely when we’re all in a lockdown scenario!

I love these items from the current Reiss collection; outfit building for the new season

​So my time is not quite my own ….and as my wardrobe has to be my best advert, for my Wardrobe Wand service, is thankfully not in need of urgent attention.
 
However if you have the time, energy and inclination to sort your wardrobe out in these unprecedented times I’d recommend you apply my five lockdown style steps for making your wardrobe work better for you.

Here are two throwback pictures showing key building blocks of my daily uniform 

​Step 1) Identify your daily uniform

Step 2) Curate your current wardrobe

Step 3) Outfit build

Step 4) Buy the best you can afford and/or buy what you love
​
Step 5) Create a shopping list

If you follow these steps when deciding what to keep, what goes and what you need then the process will be rewarding in the long term as well as keeping you occupied in the short term.

​Step 1) Identify your daily uniform

To help with Step 1 set aside fifteen minutes for research. Look over your phone photo gallery; what items do you wear the most, which outfits do you prefer? Are you more at home in casual separates, do you like a dress, or more tailored clothing? If you're familiar with my blog you'll know I'm definitley a jeans girl and love quality accessories. Add a tailored jacket or coat and that sums up my daily uniform.

I'll leave you with that 'mini project for now and I'll be back next week with more detail on my lockdown style steps. For now stay home, keep safe, and thanks for stopping by.

So this is my first post for November and I've been wearing my Uniqlo quilted down coats daily. I currently have 2 styles in 3 colours as they are light, practical and affordable. This is the khaki compact coat with no hood, as I usually team it with a hooded sweatshirt. I also have the hooded version in both black and burgundy, as well as a gilet (or vest as they are called on the website). Needless to say I always recommend Uniqlo if anyone is updating their coat collection.

However I have seen a few other styles I like; the Hobbs Heather and Hadley puffer coats, the Danish brand Ilse Jacobsen Hornbaek has a gorgeous red down coat, the Masai Tuala coat, another danish brand available at Next and the Haglofs Dala Mimic insulated coat have all caught my eye. See my top choices below.

The rest of todays outfit is made up of yet another Uniqlo staple, a navy cashmere V neck jumper, which is currently £79.90. The rust Modern Rarity silk cami was on offer at John Lewis and is now no longer stocked; however they still have other colours available.

I bought a few new pairs of Lee jeans when I last visited my local TK Maxx, these are the distressed skinny scarlett fit. My scarf is old, see left, and is a khaki ground with a rust leopard design, very similar to the French Connection hat shown in the outfit builder. 

I've got my Ugg boots on from a couple of years ago and a shellac deep red nail, a similar shade to the Nails Inc Atelier nails in Burnt Sienna and my cable knit pom pom hat is from the Fur Bobble shop.

So get ready for the stormy weather, stock up on your winter layers, invest in a quilted puffer coat if you don't already own one, click on the links to shop and thanks for stopping by.