NO! NOT ME!! (I think my mum almost fell off her chair as she read that headline) but a very brave (and wise, and beautiful, and smart) girlfriend of mine, Bec, is going to try it! She is taking 2013 as a time to cut down and simplify her life – and if I know Bec at all, she will nail it!

So she is the inspiration for this blog – but I think we can all take something out of it.

Bec asked me recently what key essentials she should have in her wardrobe if she didn’t then want to shop for a year.

I think it’s hard to say that there are specific essentials that EVERYONE needs, I think it depends more on your individual lifestyle, budget, body-shape, age, occupation etc so what I thought I’d do for Bec instead is offer a few tips on HOW TO BUILD A COMPLETE WARDROBE, rather than list specific key pieces, so here we go:

1. Make sure you have a few key VERSATILE pieces

Think about the things in your wardrobe you wear quite a bit – for me it’s a black blazer, a maxi dress, and statement pants. These are 3 garments that I can dress up or down with other pieces from my wardrobe.

Some of MY most versatile pieces

Now think about how you can give these items a new use in your wardrobe: can you dress it up by adding some high heels or a blazer? Or can you dress it down by adding some converse trainers and a denim jacket?

Normally they are pieces that already suit your body shape and lifestyle because you wear them already, now you just need to accessorize them differently to give them more uses in your wardrobe – this is where the versatility comes in. LESS CLOTHES, MORE WEARS.

This lady knows what she is talking about!

2. Buy CLASSIC pieces

A well-cut pair of dark denim jeans, a little black dress, a pair of tan riding boots – all these are classic pieces that will last the test of time (and more importantly, they will last through trends). You will ALWAYS be stylish when wearing classic pieces – and if you buy quality, they will last for a long time! (Negating the need to shop for more). Trends come and go quickly, style is something that lasts!

Again, the classics YOU choose should depend on your body shape, lifestyle and budget BUT a few good examples to think about (besides the ones mentioned above) are:

• A pair each of nude and black heels that work for work and play
• A black blazer
• A favourite dress that FITS and FLATTERS your shape

For more options, check out this post about the 5 wardrobe essentials you never knew you needed.

3. Shop for your SHAPE

What shape are you?

If you find clothes that FIT and FLATTER your shape, you will want to wear them over and over again! You’ll feel good, your confidence will rise, you will start to glow from the inside, people will notice how amazing you are – the end.

Yep, it’s as simple as that. By having pieces in your wardrobe that fit you, and you feel good in, you won’t go through the ritual of pulling out half your wardrobe every morning, trying to find something to wear – your WHOLE wardrobe will be filled with things that you look and feel good in.

To find out more about what shape you are, and how to shop for it, click here!

4. Stock up on ACCESSORIES

stock up on accessories to change up your look

Buy classic clothes, add accessories to give your look some personality. You can wear a simple black dress and TOTALLY change the look by changing your shoes, jewellery and handbag.

By having a good selection of accessories, you negate the need to buy new clothes to get new looks – you just change up your accessories.

Some good ones to think about are:

• scarves – use them around your neck, waist, wrist or handbag to add a pop of colour and pattern to a look
• Statement necklaces – these can add a whole other element to your outfit – it can often look like it’s part of the top you are wearing
• hats – just by adding a hat, you are adding another element to your look, no one will notice you are wearing the same dress you always wear
• SHOES!!!! – a different pair of shoes can totally change an outfit from casual to dressy

5. Find other ALTERNATIVES to shopping new

learn to sew!

Have a special event to go to and you really have NOTHING appropriate? Ask a friend or family member if you can borrow something! I LOVE lending clothes to my girlfriends (after all, most of your clothes are sitting in your wardrobe doing nothing most of the time). I figure if I’m not wearing them at that point in time, someone else might as well get some use of out them.

There IS an etiquette to borrowing clothes, so here are some tips for borrowing clothes from friends

OR learn to sew! If you buy fabric, that doesn’t really count as buying new clothes, plus buying fabric is often MUCH cheaper than buying the clothes new. So get out that singer and start sewing!!

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 So do you think you could go a YEAR without shopping? I know I can’t! But then my darling friend Bec is a better woman than I! Good luck Bec! I hope this helps! And I hope all my other darling readers, you finds something useful in here too!

Cait xox

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