Guide to a good wardrobe

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Dream Wardrobe 

How to be Fashionable

My guide to building a good wardrobe

1. Firstly, It takes years, you don't go out one day and buy a whole new wardrobe full of new clothes. You start off with one item at a time. Think long term and don't seek quick fixes by buying everything that's trendy at this moment. Instead invest in classics because sometimes even a capsule closet can be more chic and versatile.
2. Be picky, you don't have to buy everything right now or at all if you don't see anything you love. Wait until something catches your eye because believe me plenty of things will and you want to be in a position to afford them when they present themselves so no settling.
3. Do it your way. Don't let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn't wear (even me).
4. Don't seek validation. Stop going shopping with others and venture out on your own. Don't ask anyone if they like your outfit because they're not the ones wearing it. When you ask for their opinions you may as well imitate them too because it's not about dressing in a way that suits them it's about wearing whatever you want so people can copy you not the other way around. This is how you create your own identity. I do my best shopping alone, that way you can take your time and have total control of your shopping experience.
5. If you want real styling tips seek a professional who will tailor fashion advice to suit you as an individual so if you want another opinion at least ask someone who's more of a fashion icon that your immediate friends and family. You can also use websites, books and blogs to help with it if you aren't in a position to seek styling services.
6. Okay this is for the sake of reassurance. I want to remind my readers that people insult my outfits all the time and they're allowed to. Freedom of speech right? Not everyone is going to love what you wear but it's okay as long as you do. I'm very confident in how I dress and I genuinely love everything I wear so there's nothing anyone can say that can change that. I get more compliments than insults so I have a very thick skin when it comes to contrasting opinions. I have a very strong sense of identity so it's important for me to pick my outfits myself and if I make a bad styling decision that's on me. I wouldn't have it any other way. 
7. Think your purchases through before spending because a good wardrobe is a series of good decisions and the only way to acquire this dream wardrobe is with consideration for each piece. You don't need to buy something when you see it. You can see something you like and create a mood board. Get into the habit of using fashion as inspiration and waiting until you're inspired before buying because not everything you like is meant to be in your wardrobe so refinement goes a long way. 
8. I will drum this into you but wear your clothes. The chances are you already have a good wardrobe and the problem is you aren't making the most of it. I've looked in enough wardrobes to notice that most people have too many clothes and not enough confidence. 
9. Get into the habit of dressing up everyday. My casual clothes and smart clothes aren't that different. I don't even own jeans anymore because I made the decision to stop buying average clothes because I honestly believe life's too short to wear boring clothes. This means I have suitable attire for special occasions without needing to make any last minute purchases and honestly you can't look too dressed up. Just think, what are people going to say "Why are you so dressed up?" or "You look too nice." There is one simple response and that is because I have self respect. How you carry yourself is key. An easy way to behave trashy is to dress like you are. I don't believe in wearing things that don't represent me because how are people going to get to know me if I'm not even trying? Have the courage to create the identity you want for yourself instead of staying in the comfort zone of forgettable outfits. I've gotten to the stage where being well dressed is effortless for me. I don't plan my outfits and I never look like I'm winging it. I don't take long to look polished and that's the beauty of it. 
10. You can't afford your style? Honestly this is ridiculous, can anyone afford their style? Not many people have a disposable income. We can't all spend as much as we want on clothes but we all know bills and other priorities exist. For people who are concerned about this, don't worry. I wear a lot of inexpensive clothes and people still think everything I own is designer. No, I'm not trying to fool people but I do consider my taste level and well, avoid looking cheap. Looking expensive is the most valuable skill when it comes to fashion it has nothing to do with your income and everything to do with taste. That's why plenty of expensive stuff looks cheap. You can't buy good taste so please don't worry about your clothes being financially feasible. Believe me when I say you can make it work with a smaller budget. I think we've all witnessed people spend a lot of money on fashion and wondered where it all went. "How can people with so much money look so cheap?" We ask ourselves, well darling we don't all have a good eye do we? 
11. For people who have a larger budget. Invest in accessories and classics that will elevate your style. A good jacket and a designer handbag can make the whole outfit look expensive. If you have the money for good clothes it's really about developing the taste to execute good outfits.
12. Refer to your Wishlist and get into the habit of planning your purchases. I have a Shoptagr account where I can save the things I have my eye on and it let's me know when things go on sale. This is a good way to take advantage of sales but in a way that isn't impulse buying. I always write down what I want on my notes or a notebook. This helps you keep track of what you actually need instead of going off the rails when you have some money to spend.

Going Forward

Start off by

• Follow people you find fashionable. There's loads of influencers but they're not all worth following so refine it down to people you aspire to be. We are exposed to so many content creators but there's probably only about 3 of them I find iconic.
• Create a Pinterest account, I don't use Pinterest all the time. I keep my boards private but I recommend using Pinterest if fashion is new to you because this is the best way to boost creativity.
• Window Shopping is your best friend. You don't need to buy all the time. For me, I have the most fun when I window shop at places that are out of my budget - just because I'm not owning it doesn't mean it can't inspire me. Have goals and things to aspire to. What do you want to work hard for? The world is your oyster and the only way to attract the best is to not shy away so have the confidence to enter your favourite shops regardless of whether you can afford to shop there or not. This takes self control so if you're easily influenced or find yourself enticed to buy then this isn't for you.
• Save your money. Buy less but buy better. Don't go out and buy everything at once, start with one thing at a time and keep money by so you can splurge on things than will elevate your outfit.
• Have patience. A good wardrobe takes years and Rome wasn't built in a day! 
• Refinement, only buy what ticks all the boxes and take faith something better will come along because the right purchase will make you ecstatic so seek those guilt free purchases and avoid anything you'll likely regret.
• Educate yourself on fashion, read up on it, look at it and watch shows about it so you know what you're paying for. 
• Wear things that suit you, if it looks good on you then you're killing it. 

Organisation 

• I honestly believe organisation and what you own goes hand in hand. The best way to clear space for new clothes and improve your style is to have a look at what you're working with. Do you have any clothes that just aren't for you anymore? Sell them. Please get into the habit of selling unwanted items because the money you earn from this can go towards a couple of new staples. Anything you don't sell can be given to friends and family or charity. (Charity begins at home and you'd be surprised by what your immediate friends and family will take off your hands.) 
• Now for organisation, please store your clothes properly and utilise the space you have. Regularly go through your possessions and make cut backs. You don't want to hoard. I have a small yet very utilised bedroom. My bed is also an ottoman so everything I don't use everyday is stored here. This is a good idea for rotating your summer or winter clothes. Anything I don't want is kept in my spare room where I sell things. I've made £800 this year from selling stuff. I feel lighter and the only way to make room for the new is to let go. Everything in my room has a place. My shoes are kept in individual plastic boxes. I have shelves in my wardrobe, one shelf is dedicated purely for things I carry with me at all times as I switch bags a lot therefore I don't like keeping everything in my bag. Instead, I pack it before I leave the house. This means my stuff is always organised and kept in the same place so I don't need to rummage. My bedroom is always tidy, when your environment is immaculate you know exactly where everything is. My hats have their own shelf and my handbags are kept at the top of my wardrobe. My clothes are also organised by colour which I also recommend if you want to go that extra mile. Make sure you have dedicated drawers for all your stuff and have a good system so that everything makes sense to you. When we store things properly it means we're being responsible for them and they last longer. I wouldn't even consider buying a new wardrobe until you have a functioning space for it to adequately take care of it. This is my last piece of advice but should really be step one. I know so many people that waste their clothes from poor storage or just not taking care of their stuff. Don't be this person. Take accountability.

This blog post is for people who want to shake up their style. The best way to do this is by refinement. By that I mean, only buy the best and if you can't find it.. Wait for it. I think too often we pressure ourselves into buying things because we have this sense of urgency when really the last thing we should be doing is clogging up our environment with clothes we don't care for. It's okay to stop, take a minute and think about what we want. A good wardrobe takes years and that's the norm. We practice and we experiment until eventually we find what works for us then build on it. In order to be the best version of ourselves, we should carry ourselves with elegance and exude confidence. Whatever you have on, wear it with pride because you are fashionable and you'll become even more stylish the more you embody your inner confident fashionista.

Comment below what you think the secret to a good wardrobe is...

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