Whether we want to accept it or not, Autumn has definitely arrived. And that can only mean one thing: Winter is just around the corner. Dark mornings and cold nights are upon us, so we need to adjust our wardrobes accordingly. Extra layers, heavier fabrics and having to put together so many pieces of clothing can be daunting, which is why transitioning to Winter dressing is never easy and is often put off for as long as possible. So if you haven’t already turned over a new leaf and started planning your wardrobe for the cooler months ahead we have come up with 10 ways to help you do just that.
1. Clean Out Your Wardrobe
You knew this was coming, right? There is no better way to make space (for more items of course) and to evaluate everything you own, than going through your wardrobe methodically, piece by piece. One word: cull. Anything that hasn’t been worn in the last 12 months or no longer fits you sell on eBay or better yet, donate to charity.
2. Take Note Of What You Have
Curate a list of all the category gaps you have recognized whilst going through your wardrobe, like items you don’t have enough of or need to update. Identify key investment pieces you need and budget for them, like shoes, knits, coats and bags or any basics that need replacing. Think of special events you have coming up and if you need to buy anything specific for these. Also think back to what you wore in previous years and if these looks can be carried on to this season and still look chic.
3. Research
Go online and look at your favourite stores websites and see what their Autumn Winter collections look like. See what styles and trends are in this season and begin scouting the best and most cost effective version of each item that you need online. Spending time beforehand figuring out which handful of pieces will make the biggest difference to your existing wardrobe will save you time and money in the long run.
4. Make An Inspiration Board
Use Pinterest, your favourite blogs, lookbooks and online shops to curate your favourite style inspirations and to figure out what you want your overall look to be for the season. What styles, colours, materials and silhouettes will you go for? Collect images that inspire you or concrete outfits ideas that you could incorporate into your own wardrobe this season. Go over the images and edit and tweak until you have created an overall vibe that works for you.
5. Assess Your Lifestyle
The perfect wardrobe should not only reflect your personal style but also your personal lifestyle. For example, corporate wear and heels won’t be so appropriate if you work from home or spend your day on the go. What you wear should compliment with how you live. Make sure you look through your social schedule for the coming season. Do you have any holidays planned? What activities will you need outfits for? What events do you have coming up? Group your clothing into categories to work out roughly how many outfits you need for the season. People tend to be less social in the colder months so take this into consideration as you may need less dressier outfits and more casual easy to wear combinations.
6. Stick To A Colour Story
For convenience and practicality, the majority of what you wear should be in a neutral colour palette of blacks, greys, whites and nudes, which allows for optimal mixing and matching which will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh. Add excitement to neutrals this season with structure and texture. Autumn and Winter generally don’t offer much in terms of colour but if you colour is your thing then think about tones of navy, khaki, magenta, maroon and vivid red, which are nice additions to neutral tones. Pastels are also big again this year as are jewel tones of emerald green, sapphire blue and bright orange.
7. Quality Over Quantity
You should aim to have a small wardrobe of high quality key pieces and low cost essentials that can coexist together beautifully to give you your own personal style. You’ve heard it before, but less is always more. Look for quality pieces over a large amount of on trend items. And remember fit is everything. There are some core go-to pieces that a women’s Autumn/Winter wardrobe shouldn’t be without, like a good sweater, pair of jeans, blazer, coat, blouse and long sleeve dress, but stick to what styles work best for you and keep it refreshing in unexpected and inventive ways.
8. Seasonal Updates
Also known as ‘the fun stuff.’ Although on trend buying should be kept to a minimum it is still essential to buy a few trendy pieces to carry your core wardrobe through each season and to give your wardrobe a refreshing lift. Trends that are big this season and that you should consider adding elements from into your Autumn/Winter wardrobe are sports luxe, minimalism and masculine as well as graphic prints in bold geometric, oriental and stripe varieties.
9. Buy Only What You Love
Once you have clearly defined your overall style direction for the season and thought about what pieces you need its time to go shopping! Careful consideration of what you need beforehand will prevent impulse buys and overspending. You should love everything you buy and each piece should compliment your style and the rest of your wardrobe. Winter clothes can be more expensive so you want them be able to be carried through to next year.
10. Create Some Go-To Looks
Once all the shopping is complete, familiarize yourself with your new wardrobe and spend time putting together as many different outfits as you can for every scenario. Pay attention to detail like accessories and styling, and experiment using your inspiration mood board. Snap pictures of your outfits to reference later on, and to make getting up on those colder mornings a little bit easier.
Megan Pustetto 