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Goodbye summer, Hello autumn

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In climate terms, 1st September heralds the autumn months (September, October and November). The amount of light in the UK reduces because of the way the earth is tilted towards the sun at this time of year for us in the UK, and so we go from summer to autumn. I wonder what this year’s autumn weather will be: mild and dry or wet and windy? Who knows with the way the world’s weather seems to be changing and less predictable.

Change

One thing’s for sure – this new month means change.

For me, this means changing my wardrobe, to suit the new cooler weather. I usually like to change over my wardrobe – rediscovering clothes I’d forgotten about – it’s almost like buying new without the expense! I can’t say they all fit me though! This is usually when I discover what’s happened with enjoying my social life too much, and I realise it’s time for wholesome home-made soup full of low calorie vegetables. Time for a re-set.

Now, this year has been not normal when it comes to my wardrobe! I would have usually brought out my summer wardrobe around one of the May Bank Holidays, but the weather seemed so cold I was wearing thick tights still into late June. And, here we are planning the cooler months already – it didn’t seem as if I had much time to wear my summer clothes and was reaching for warmer things more than usual this summer. So, instead of packing away my summer things and getting out autumn/winter, I’ve decided to do more of a half-and-half wardrobe. That way I think I’ll have every base covered.

It’s not just about colour

Normally in the summer months my wardrobe looks far more colourful (in lighter colours), and to help me decide what should go and what should stay will take more consideration if I’m going to split the weight of fabrics and colour choices. I will certainly be considering my layers more for this coming season, in case there is a warmer-than-expected day, and I can de-layer more quickly than if I’d worn an outfit without that in mind.

Comfort now seems key

A lot of people talk to me about “comfort” in their clothing choices nowadays. I think this has become a more important feature. So, the fabrics that have more stretch or give in them are great for our lifestyles today.

Sustainability is also key

Plus, a lot more people are thinking about sustainable fashion and are more aware of where clothes are coming from, what they’re made of, and how they are made. And, recirculating clothes for others’ enjoyment when they no longer serve ourselves is much more of a lifestyle choice. Of course I think that is an excellent idea, and will be considering joining the many who seem to think Vinted, eBay, or other opportunities to re-sell is a great way forward for all.

Embarrassment

When I say to ladies that I will review their wardrobe [for colour] as part of the colour analysis process, they often react with horror. After it has happened, 100% say it is the best part [as I’m bringing the theory to life for them]. I wonder if they’re worried that I will be judging how they have set up their wardrobe, or the clothes in it. If it is the clothes in it, my philosophy is that they wear those clothes, and everyone will be judging them then. Or is it that they have clothes in their wardrobe they don’t wear? I’d better allay that worry – I have clothes in my wardrobe I don’t wear … yet. My husband bought me a beautiful silk suit several years ago. I remember trying it on in the changing room but ever since I got it home I put on weight so have never worn it! That’s not the only piece. I also have a couple of dresses where I love them so much I’ve bought two sizes, so that if I do lose weight I will still be able to enjoy wearing them. There you have it, my confession.

Organisation

How to organise your wardrobe is equally personal, depending on how many items you have and the space you have. There are some practicalities that I can advise on, but mostly people utilise their available space wisely. Some clients love telling me how, after colour analysis, they have ordered their clothes in colour sequence. This is how I organise my wardrobe items too.

But the goal is …

But, the goal is not to have such an organised wardrobe that you only see this piece “going” with that piece. The goal is to use as many of your items as possible to get your wear out of them. So, it is about mixing and matching your wardrobe more, so that you need less. I find it fun and exciting when I try something with something it’s never been paired with before, and it seems to work. That is, though, when the colours, patterns and materials work together. That’s the secret of knowing what suits you (colour and style-wise) and choosing pieces that you know will go with multiple things you already own.

Acquiring new to you

I have said “acquiring new to you” rather than buying as people get their wardrobe pieces in many different ways nowadays. It seems very acceptable to shop pre-loved, “swish” [swap] or be gifted clothes.

So, “want” and “need” are different things! In the western world most of us are lucky enough to have more than we need, but this is changing with the economic situation, where people are “pulling their horns in” and the drive to be more sustainable in every way – including clothing – means the latest fashion trend is less desirable. Or is that just for me? Most of my clients acquire a few pieces each season that nods to the fashion – so they keep a current look, but haven’t totally overhauled their entire wardrobe.

New for this autumn

I often get told “I can’t find my colours” at x time of year. So, I decided to set up four Zoom calls of an hour each to help each season find their colours at this time of year. I will go through at least 8 common brands of clothing and pull out items in the correct colours for you. They will be able to be recorded for those who can’t attend, but for those who do attend we can discuss style (if time permits), current fashion, as well as colour. If you want to book your place, find them on Eventbrite here (for autumns); (for springs); (for winters); and (for summers).

So, what do you do?

I’d love to know whether you change your wardrobe over, and if so how are you planning to cope with the changing weather?

If you’d like some input from a self-confessed hoarder [I won’t demand that you get rid of a lot of your favourites, but I will help you think about wearing them differently] then please get in touch.

Fiona

Your [16 years’ experienced] Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

 

Wardrobe lessons

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Not taking the easy route

I recently offered to clear my late mother’s clothes. It was a joyful experience, as I had time to remember her in some of the clothes that I had seen her wear, and to reflect on a long and fortunate life. She enjoyed shopping for new things and using them.

My sister suggested I spend less time sorting them all and just take them to charity shops to be done with it. Clothes mean more to me than items to wear. They represent that person – their choice of what to wear in terms of colour and style, likes and dislikes. They tell a story of that person. My mum had never asked me to colour-analyse her (she believed that she knew what suited her), and being a jolly person who loved colour, she certainly had a variety of plain and different patterns in what I would describe as “all seasons” colours.

Although I believe everyone is unique, and they need to find their clothes to represent their personality, I also believe in recycling. It’s like when you’re looking at something on-line and now a pop up appears telling you x number of people have viewed that in the last 10 minutes! Where we don’t often think to have our clothes bespoke or make our own any more (well, most people don’t as it is no longer time or cost-effective), we do need to buy off the shelf from the range on offer, and that is going to mean that similar people will be buying the same item, even though they may have different lifestyles or personalities.

Recycling must happen

Mum’s clothes need to be found new loving homes to continue their story. They are too lovely to not land in the right people’s hands. I intend to make that happen, and there will be more blogs and information about that in the near future, especially as lots of them are summer fabrics. I am currently washing and tending to them to prepare them for their new owners…

5 reflections on wardrobe sorting

I have learned a lot through reflecting on her wardrobe contents, and how I found everything, but it also reminded me of key aims for my clients, such as:

  • If you organise your wardrobe somehow, you will avoid unnecessary duplication.
  • If you are able to see everything you have, you will wear it, and not forget you have it.
  • Hangers are important. Getting the right hanger for the task is vital: consider the hanging space, garment material, and shape and size of hanger.
  • Buying pieces that are laundry-friendly for you is as important as the colour and style. (If you have to have things dry-cleaned or ironed, and this is too much effort, you will not bother and therefore not love and wear them.)
  • We are psychologically invested in our clothes, whether we realise that or not. Of course there are practicalities, like how much space we have for these items in our lives, but clothes are so much more than “items to wear”. When we understand how our choice of clothing and presentation represents us, and what messages we are delivering, we can enjoy being ourselves more and being confident that we are dressing how we should.

If you would like to learn what comes of this wardrobe-emptying exercise, keep tuned, or get in touch with me. It’s going to be awesome!