[a bird in the hand]

Last week I wrote about my definition of an investment wardrobe and why I think it’s a great goal to aim towards. This week I’ll be sharing some tips on how to attain a wardrobe that both looks fabulous, and lasts season after season:

1. Take stock:

Look at your current wardrobe. Put aside all the items that look fabulous on you and make you feel great, then reconsider everything else you have. Do you wear it? If not, sell or donate it. Does it need to be mended? Put it in a pile and make sure you remember to either fix it yourself or take it somewhere to be mended. Does it fit you well? If not, consider donating it or, if it’s good quality and you love it you could take it to a tailor to be fitted to your body. Take a good look at everything you own and weigh up whether it deserves a place in your wardrobe or not.

2. Make a list (and stick to it):

Once you know what you have to work with, start making a list of any essential items you think your wardrobe is missing. I’m not talking about this season’s latest pattern or crazy shoe fad; those things will not be ‘on trend’ in a few months and so they aren’t an investment. Instead, identify staple pieces that will go with everything and last beyond current fashions: think pencil skirts, day-to-night dresses, quality jeans, ballet flats, cardigans, shirts etc.

Now that you have your list, here comes the hard part: stick to it! Resist the urge to impulse-buy items that won’t add value to your wardrobe, and try to buy all the items on your list before moving on to less versatile pieces.

3. Budget:

Having an investment wardrobe does not mean breaking the bank. I believe that there are very few things in life worth going into debt for, and fashion is not one of them. It drives me crazy that many expensive garments are actually made out of polyester, PVC and other cheap fabrics, and expensive shoes are often 100% synthetic. Know what to look for (always read the labels) and be fussy – it will be worthwhile in the end. I have often found extremely high quality (and sometimes designer label) clothes in thrift stores; don’t be scared to look in second-hand shops if you’re on a budget. You can even pay to have the item dry cleaned and you’ll still come out on top financially. If you do see an expensive item that you believe is worth the cost (I currently have my eye on some jeans that are way beyond my usual budget), save up until you can afford to buy it without going over budget. If it’s that amazing, it’ll be worth the wait.

4. Remix:

Remixing is basically wearing the same clothes in different ways, which is a great way to make your wardrobe seem much bigger than it actually is. Check out Kendi Everyday, one of my favourite blogs, for excellent remixing inspiration. When you are buying an item of clothing think about what you already have in your wardrobe that you could pair it with. If you can only think of one or two items, ask yourself whether it really is an investment. When you have to buy two more jackets to go with those trousers, it’ll be an expensive and wasteful buy after all.

5. Take care of what you have:

This should go without saying, but if you really want your wardrobe to last, you have to take good care of it. Proper storage (hanging dresses, folding jumpers etc) is a good start. Learning to mend your own minor rips, tears and missing buttons is also an invaluable skill to have. Learn to read the care labels on your garments (the below chart is helpful) and follow them as much as possible; it really will make your clothing last longer!

I hope these tips will help you to create your own investment wardrobe. I’ll be sharing my purchases from my list as I buy them so keep following [a bird in the hand] (you can also find me on twitter, facebook and google +) to watch as my investment wardrobe unfolds!