How to Reinvent Old Pieces in Your Wardrobe

Many of us open our wardrobe every morning and think we never have anything to wear. Sound familiar? The truth is, we probably have lots of clothes we’ve forgotten about that can be styled in many different ways. Here are some tips on how to rework your existing wardrobe without buying anything new (or maybe just one or two investment pieces).

1. Reorganize Your Closet

The first thing you should do is reorganise your closet. I'm sure you’ll find gem pieces that you wore on special occasions but are now buried under tons of other garments.

Organize your clothes by categories so you know exactly what you have:

• Jeans/Tailored Trousers

• Skirts

• Dresses

• Jumpers/Casual Tops/Cardigans

• Blouses/Dressy Tops

• Jackets/Blazers/Coats

For the warmer months, you can create subcategories for shorts, summer dresses, summer skirts, linen trousers, etc.

Now you have all your items on view and ready to rework and re-wear!

2. Repair and Refresh

Check if you have pieces you still really love but are a bit worn or damaged. Don’t discard them yet! If you’re skillful enough, you can do a DIY repair on that small snag on your blouse, for example. Little changes can make your clothes look pristine again! If the repair is major or you want a full transformation (e.g., making a skirt out of a dress), take it to your local tailor. Voilà! You have a completely different piece of clothing!

3. Experiment with Combinations

Now that you have your pieces in view, you can see all the different possibilities your wardrobe offers. Try combinations you never thought of before. Be creative and experiment with colours, patterns, and layers. I suggest the following:

• Pair your favourite black midi satin skirt with that bright blue jumper you forgot you had.

• Combine a bright red skirt with a green top, as they are complementary colours.

4. Maximise Versatile Pieces

If you own a blazer, it offers lots of different options. Wear it casually with your favourite jeans and a T-shirt, or glam it up by pairing it with your stunning LBD (little black dress). A basic white T-shirt can be worn with almost everything in your wardrobe (all your jeans, trousers, and skirts).

5. Don’t Forget Accessories

Accessories can transform your outfit in the blink of an eye. Experiment with different layers of necklaces to add some interest to an otherwise boring black jumper, or add a pair of sleek heels to your dark wash straight jeans.

Some combinations might not work, but the only way to know is by experimenting. Eventually, you will learn the best ways to reinvent and rework your closet.