Wardrobes need upgrading for many reasons. Sometimes, old clothing is no longer your size or doesn't fit as well as it used to. Other times, clothing becomes dated or faded. You may also be transitioning to a different job or role and need new clothes. Regardless of the reason, a wardrobe upgrade requires an honest assessment of what you currently possess and what is missing. Does this Spark an idea?
Analyze Your Wardrobe
Before you buy or throw away anything, it is important to assess your current selection. Create an inventory of all of your clothing. It doesn't need to be complicated--just make a list of all the garments and accessories you possess. Then look to see what categories of items are missing. Are you lacking professional attire? Does your clothing not fit? Does it feature a long-ago trend? Keep an open mind during your assessment. Once you've pinpointed what the major issue is, separate the items into two divisions: items that will work with your upgrade goals and items that will not work.
Modifying and Altering Pieces
Take a look at all the pieces in the "do not work" section. Anything that is too small can be immediately taken away--donate the nice pieces and toss the rest. Separate clothing that fits but is out of fashion next. Take a hard look at each item. Fashion tends to cycle. Pieces that look great on you but are too trendy can be stored away in plastic bins if you have the storage. Clothing with out of date details, such as certain sleeves, collars or buttons can be modified to omit the dated details. If you can't sew, take the garments to a tailor or seamstress and get a quote for each. Torn or irreparably stained clothing should be tossed. Clothing that is too big can also be taken to the tailor for alteration. The rest of your pieces should be fine in all other ways except that they don't fit the look that you are building towards. Keep them and wear them on occasions wear the new look is not necessary.
Budget Savvy Tips
Upgrading a wardrobe is easy if you have a few thousand dollars to spend and can buy your way into a completely new look. Most people don't have that kind of money to spend solely on clothing. Instead, buy a few basic wardrobe pieces that you can use in multiple ways. A collared, white dress shirt is almost compulsory for men and women alike if they are looking to upgrade a professional wardrobe. Black or gray slacks can be combined with many different items. Don't buy for labels, buy for the quality of the garment and shop the sales. Don't worry about changing bags and purses to stay current. Instead, invest in a classic, high quality leather bag. Don't buy into any fads. These put a time limit on your wardrobe. Stick with classic pieces that look good on you personally. Finally, care for your clothing. Follow the label directions and pre-treat stains as soon as they happen.
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