Anti-shopping trip

Put down the credit card, you don’t need new pair of shoes.

Instead, what you need is a fresh take on your wardrobe.

Conceptual dressing involves a fresh take on old items of clothing. Getting into a rut with what you wear and how you wear it can be combated with these easy steps...

- Collage


Seems unlikely, doesn’t it? By going through all your old magazines, cutting out the colours/patterns/fabric you like and pasting it with other things you are actively using the part of your brain that will help you coordinate outfits. It is a key element to the success of a designer as it acts as a superb inspiration. It must be noted, however, that the more you do, the better you will get at it. It will also help you get rid of old magazines – space and time management, you know?

- Call in support

Get your favourite friend to go into your wardrobe and match pull out some outfits. Often they will have their own sense of style, completely separate to yours and will have fresh new ways to wear your outfits. This is fun when there are three friends around and you all drink and swap clothes (if you are someone who is not so possessive, like me)

- Throw stuff out

This is one I struggle with. I’m a hoarder, by nature, but the fact of the matter is, the less I have in my wardrobe, the more interesting I dress. It forces me to be inventive with what I have. Besides, I haven’t worn that in years, and the knees are going in those trousers. Just do it. It's a good idea- not into the trash of course, but swap it with friends, or give to a charity shop if saleable, or pop into a roadside "rag bag" clothing bin if completely past it.

- Go Gok yourself



Gok Wan is the king (or perhaps, queen) of home-made high fashion. Consider watching his show, Gok’s Fashion Fix, as research. The show has three parts, the wardrobe make over, the celebrity down dress (designer to high street) and the battle of designer vs. high street. The last segment is the segment that will be most rewarding to an old wardrobe as Gok takes average priced clothes and makes them look more expensive.

- Repair and alter

Make a pile of clothes that you haven't been wearing because they have a sticky zip, a dangling hem, or a torn seam. Get matching thread and DIY or take them to a clothing repairer to give added years and value at much less added cost than replacement. Consider altering hems of skirts to update them, or a more drastic change such as making a dress you never wear into a skirt.

Simply changing the buttons on a jacket gives it a whole new lease on life.

Sewing is the new black. Plus, if you aren’t good with sewing and the like, it could mean some awesome bonding time with your Grandma/Mum/Aunty.

After all this, you'll definitely have a fresh take on your wardrobe.

By Lucy Telford, February 2010.