How to Make Your Wardrobe Work Harder and Smarter This Year
As the new year kicks off, many of us feel the urge to refresh our wardrobes. Over time, your wardrobe can become cluttered with pieces that no longer feel like you, but the solution doesn’t always lie in buying new clothes. Instead, it’s about looking at the pieces you already own with a fresh perspective.
Research shows that the average adult in the UK has upwards of 118 pieces of clothing in their wardrobe, with at least a quarter of the wardrobe not being worn in over a year. Whether you want to make more thoughtful fashion choices or simply revamp your style, now’s the perfect time to start the year with a wardrobe that reflects your unique personality. That’s why the experts at Joe Browns have shared 4 key ways with us on how you can reimagine your wardrobe.
While buying new items may be tempting when you feel like your wardrobe is lacking, considered purchases and making your wardrobe work a little harder might be all you need. Jane Reik, Buying Director at Joe Browns, shares her expert tips on how to rework your wardrobe this season:
Get Creative
“Your wardrobe has so much untapped potential—you just need to think outside the box! Don’t think about an occasion dress just for an event. Buy a dress that can be worn dressed up or down with heels and pumps, or style a smart blazer with jeans for a fresh take on your staples. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected combinations that make the biggest impact.” says Jane.
Getting creative is one of the easiest ways to revamp your existing wardrobe. You’ll be surprised by how many stylish combinations you can create without buying a whole new wardrobe. If you’re looking to take inspiration from social media, the 333 trend has been sweeping the nation for those looking to rework what they already have. Rachel Spencer has over 400K followers on TikTok and has been challenging her followers to give her 333 method a go. The idea is simple yet smart. All you need to do is pick 9 items from your wardrobe, 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 pairs of shoes and see how many outfits you can pull together.
Identify Your Colour Palette
Refreshing your wardrobe doesn’t have to mean completely starting from scratch. Identifying your colour palette is a simple yet effective way to update your style. Searches for ‘colour analysis’ are up 22% compared to last year, with an average monthly search volume of 14,800. By analysing your hair, eye, and skin tones, you can determine whether you’re a warm or cool colour type. Once you know your colours, curate your wardrobe around shades that complement your natural undertones.
Jane adds, “Always think about how the right outfit can transform your day…and when you feel amazing, your confidence rises and who knows what you can achieve that day! Understanding your colour palette is a game-changer. Once you know what works best for your skin tone, you can curate a wardrobe that not only looks incredible but also makes getting dressed and shopping for new items so much simpler. It’s all about pieces that truly work together.”
Make The Most Out of Accessories
If you need a quick wardrobe refresh, accessories are your go-to solution. “Think of accessories as your outfit’s personality boosters,” suggests Jane. “Try using a silk scarf as a statement belt or wrapping it around the handle of your bag for a pop of colour. Even a brooch can make a plain blazer feel like a designer piece—it’s all about those unexpected, playful touches”, she adds. Searches for ‘maximalist outfit’ are up 213%, with an average monthly search volume of 2,400, reflecting a growing appetite for bold, standout looks. Accessories are a simple, budget-friendly way to shake things up and bring new life to even the most basic outfits.
Reimagine Your Old Pieces
Tailoring and alterations are excellent solutions for making your wardrobe work harder. A professional tailor can shorten hems, adjust waistlines, or add stylish new features like pockets, cuffs, or even embellishments. This process can completely transform your old garments into something new and unique, and it’s a great way to save money while getting more wear out of what you already own.
You don’t always need to take your clothes to a professional. You can transform any of your wardrobe staples with a little creativity and some simple tweaks. Jane explains, “Reimagine your old favourites with a touch of creativity—swap buttons on a coat for bold, mismatched ones, or add embroidered patches to your jeans for a custom look. It’s amazing how small changes can turn forgotten pieces into statement-makers. Think about pence per wear, invest in something you adore and then think about all the ways you can wear it.”
