I am sat here unpacking my suitcase after my 3 weeks stay in Jamaica and feeling as pleased as ever that my luggage was not overweight so I avoided those extra baggage fees. I’ll tell you about my vacation in another post but for now, I want to share why I think I have done so well.
It’s all down to my Back to Basics wardrobe
I kid you not, some of the clothes I have, have been in my wardrobe for many years. All I do is pack them away at the end of each season, and then re-discover them again the next year! No use just spending my hard earned cash on just clothes, some of which, in my opinion, are disposable. Some years, we even make a point of not buying any new clothes at all! Having the basics is what is important.
If you want to follow seasonal trends, you’ll have to shop for new clothes every few months. In the long term, it’s fair to say that you will end up with a crowded wardrobe and significantly less money in your bank account. The main issue with shopping is that, while it might be a national sport for many, it doesn’t come without considerable issues. Firstly, being fashionable comes at a price. But, more importantly, who can deal with changing styles with every season? You know it doesn’t take more than a few months to refill your wardrobe with tonnes of items you might only wear once. This has to stop. You need to create your back-to-basics wardrobe.
Merciless decluttering
Every new wardrobe style starts with the realisation that you’ve got nothing to wear. You need to be brave and tackle the issue frontally with in-depth decluttering. My friend Julie from the website Filling the Jars shows how to do some serious decluttering that leaves one feeling lighter and with something to celebrate.
She suggests that you declutter a little at a time so that you avoid the feeling of overwhelm. Throw everything out of the wardrobe and remove all the items you don’t want or need. These must go. Then keep a pile of the items that you want to keep. This should give you a clear idea of what you need to buy. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot less than you think! If you have several wardrobes – such as a summer and a winter one –, it’s best to do one at a time.
Make room for quality over quantity
Everyone suffers from urges of enthusiasm where you accidentally buy not only more than you need but also items that don’t keep well. Poor quality tops and trousers that can only be worn for a few weeks before threading away are not the kinds of things you want. That’s precisely why it’s so important to focus your shopping on a handful of quality items, such as the brand Cotton on Body, which offers simple and timeless designs in affordable quality. I can personally vouch for the quality of the clothes at Marks and Spencers and my friends Arlene and Sandra swear by the stuff they purchase at Lord and Taylor and also Stella and Dot. I’ve come to realise that it is best to choose items of good quality and that when it comes to keeping your wardrobe organised, less is more.
Basics are ageless
You need to develop a sense of seasonal and timeless trends. While you can use accessories to give your outfit personality and style, it’s essential to keep basics that you can repurpose for several outfits. Fashion and lifestyle blogger Erin Elizabeth gives brilliant advice when it comes to basics! Her basic pieces include a few pairs of jeans, a pair of formal trousers, a white t-shirt, a good blouse, a blazer, a skirt, the unmissable little black dress, a turtleneck top, and a leather biker jacket.
Barring the leather biker jacket, these are the items I took on holiday with a few scarves, wristbands, etc. Nixing and matching was fun.
Your basics don’t have to be dull
Admittedly, Erin’s suggestions are based on her own style and yours should, too. While her essential pieces tend to be black, white or navy blue, it doesn’t mean that yours should follow the same rules. If you love vibrant and bold shapes, there is nothing stopping you from creating a colourful capsule wardrobe.
Check out this Cosmopolitan article that explains that basics don’t have to be boring! What’s preventing you from investing in a basic orange top instead of a white tee? You choose your basics, but remember Erin’s words: your basics are the main ingredients of your outfit.
So, do you think it’s a good idea to save money by getting back to basics with your fashion sense and dress style? I tell you, I couldn’t afford my trip to Jamaica if I spent money on clothes which represent every fad that comes around. I save money by being sensible and staying with the basics.
A back-to-basic wardrobe is the ultimate personalization of your fashion sense. It enables you to define your style through an effective quality capsule approach that keeps you away from buying too many unnecessary short-lived items.
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