How to create a new-season wardrobe

The seasons they are a changin’… and so is your wardrobe! (Sorry, denim cut-offs, but your days are numbered.) If you’re ready to overhaul your look for autumn/winter, follow our four smart tips to shake up your style.

1. Take stock of what you have.

Haven’t read our awesome tips for a well-maintained closet? Read this immediately (do not pass go, do not collect $200). Now, we’re all on the same page, the changing of the seasons is the perfect time to do one of your twice-yearly wardrobe assessments, so set aside a chunk of time to go through everything taking up precious real estate in your closet. Pull out any knits and coats you tucked away during summer and move them into easily accessible spots. Then take note of gaps in your wardrobe (like, say, those ankle boots you wore to death last winter) and start getting ready to make a shopping list.

2. Create an inspiration board.

Style is constantly evolving (thank goodness – remember when we all wearing velour tracksuits in the 2000s?), so seize the start of the new autumn/winter season to re-evaluate your look. Check out the new collections from your favourite stores (ahem, hardtofind) and if you see an outfit you love online, pin it. Go over the images you’ve saved and edit them down until you’ve created all overall vibe you’d like to channel for the season ahead.

3. Invest in the right pieces.

Now that you know exactly what you have and what look you want to achieve, you can start planning your shopping list. Think carefully about your lifestyle and what you have planned for the coming season – there’s no point in buying up big on coats if you’re planning a six-week European summer vacay, and if you know you’ve got formal events on the calendar, it can be useful to plan ahead. For classic staples, choose quality over quantity. Invest in foundation pieces like a sweater, jeans, blazer, coat, blouse and knit dress to see you through the season, and have fun spending less on seasonal trend pieces.

4. Create a few go-to looks.

Once you’ve got your new-season pieces sorted, familiarise yourself with your new wardrobe. Go back to the inspiration board you created and start pulling together full outfits. Try on your clothes in different combos (paying attention to shoes and accessories!) and when you get a winning look, take a mirror selfie and keep it in an album on your phone. That way, when you’re unsure what to wear, you’ll have a stack of pre-planned looks at your fingertips.