I have often wondered what would happen if I wasn't allowed to shop, I mean NEVER, say I was banned from shopping, Karl Lagerfeld has officially forbid me from entering ANY of his stores, and Anna Wintour has revoked my subscription to Vogue.
Fortunately for me the extreme version which sees both Anna and Karl hounding me has yet to happen, but another very serious one has….one in which I have had to tighten the purse strings A LOT.
Its January, sales are now coming to an end, and no matter what Brown says we are still in an economic gloom. Which is why I am happily jumping on the term "Recessionista"
Ok so this might sound like a very well spun term for us poor/glamorous sort, but happily it has been seen as a positive move forward and the term "shopping your closet" has never been so popular or chic.
Shopping your closet is actually a very simple and easy thing to do. You begin by opening your wardrobe; yes you read correctly, open your wardrobe and take everything out. How many things are you noticing that you haven't seen in a while?
Compile you clothes in to three piles;
1- for all the clothes that you just have to keep (and all those lovely new sale items)
2- All the clothes that have a snag, rips, buttons missing, holes etc; and
3- All the clothes that you just don't wear anymore, EVER, including those size 6 jeans that you are planning on wearing this summer. LET. THEM. GO.
Now place all the clothes from pile 1 back in to the closet and concentrate on the second pile. Here you can let you imagination go wild, firstly if you’re adept at sewing then great, small alterations can entirely transform an old outfit into something fantastic. If you can’t sew find a great seamstress who can sew for you (mums are great for this...) The 80s are back so cut those old clothes and stitch on those embellishments. Hemlines are rising so transform your old A-line skirt into a mini and keep the seams rough with raw edges, very Rodarte. If this entire process is done well it will enhance your wardrobe further and you will get more wear out of your clothes, especially if you think creatively and style your wardrobe in different ways.
If you must shop for new "staple" items then do think about what works for you, if you’re not sure about the coming trends and they don't suit your body shape then do not invest, its time consuming and money wasting. Spend your hard earned cash on items that you know are going to look great on you and are versatile.
Now the clothes in the discarded pile, wash, make sure they are in excellent condition and take along to a Swishing party!
Swishing is what started as a small group of friends exchanging clothes over gossip and wine and quickly grew in popularity with celebrity-endorsed swap parties and club nights being held in New York, Paris and London.
Swishing parties consist entirely of all members bringing clothes and accessories that they no longer wear and swap clothes with others. Swap with your friends or go online and hunt for swishing parties happening nearby!!
The very brilliant Action for Sustainable Living volunteers got together to coordinate a regular Swap Shop here in Manchester with the next one being held on;
Saturday 23 January @ Levenshulme, Manchester Swapping beginning at 2.30-3.00pm. FREE if you have three items of clothing and £1 if you don't. Hopefully see you guys there! for FREE Style advice from your truly! |
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