You can get by at the end of a season by adding only a few essentials, layering the rest of your wardrobe to create new and exciting outfits.
Just four new pieces will boost your wardrobe options substantially.
• Sweater
• Jacket
• Blouse
• Long sleeved tee
There are a few things you should look for when choosing your four pieces.
Colour
If it’s more outfit options you’re after, something neutral will always be more versatile. Colour-blocking is a fabulous look, and may be more versatile than first thought. Pattern-on-pattern (e.g. stripes with animal print) and texture-on-texture (e.g. suede with sequins) are also some great new trends to try.
Natural fibres
Though they are often a little more expensive, due to the cheap materials used to create synthetic fibres and labour involved with natural ones, natural fibres should be purchased whenever possible, over synthetic ones.
Wool (cashmere, angora and merino), leather or suede, linen and cotton all breathe naturally. Synthetic fibres often trap heat or let it all escape. Natural fibres find their own happy medium that allows air flow in warmer months and traps heat to provide extra warmth when it’s cooler. This is what allows you to wear a leather jacket in summer, when a PVC one would make you sweat, and why acrylic jumpers never warm you up when it’s chilly.
Shape
It’s often thought of after you’ve been drawn in by the colour or texture of a garment, but shape shouldn’t be disregarded. A perfect example of this is a cream coloured blazer, which I have been hunting for since forever, and picked up off an op-shop rack recently. It looked perfect to begin with, size, colour, single-breasted and lined (not to mention the $10 price tag), but once I had it on I looked as though I’d just come out of an 80’s music video. Not for me, despite the beckoning $10 price tag. Always pay attention to the shape a garment creates; garments can be sneaky and can change your shape without telling you.
These collages will show you how easy it is to pair the four layering pieces with some items you already have in your wardrobe: skirts, pants and dresses.
All collages have at least 21 outfit options in each. Then there’s the layering of the four pieces with each other. And the option of flats or heels, knee-high or ankle boots, scarves, jewellery, belts, socks and hosiery add even more options.
Excited? I know I am.
Skirts
Style Examples: Maxi, Midi, Pencil, Mini, Floral, Lace, Pleats, Dipped Hem
Pants
Style Examples: Capri, Jeans, Skinny, Flare, Natural, Corporate
Dresses
Style Examples: Summer, Shift, Floral, Geometric, Midi, Tea Dress
Sarah Smith | www.therationaldresser.com