The Celtic Tiger is no more and we are in a recession folks, there is no way around it! Everyday we are seeing articles in the paper about the end of glitzy charity balls, the farewell to A-List Launches with over stuffed gift bags and the near shuttering of many Fab establishments.
Both home and abroad times are tough and things are changing but, the end of the free-spend era doesn't have to mean the end to glamour - it means the beginning of a new way of thinking!When you are operating on a budget you need to be a much smarter spender. Everyone knows when you are trying to ace an exam the first step is to get yourself organized and passing through this recession with flying (and trendy!) colours is just the same! With a few tips and tricks all of us can stay fab and get back to shopping so keep reading!
We've already preached the merits of shopping locally with a global approach, meaning find the latest trends and strong investment pieces in local shops rather than scouring the Internet or running to a cheap high-street chain - more to come on that front as well - but now it is time to start thinking a lot more locally - your wardrobe!
As the days get shorter and the air gets colder now is the perfect time to put away your summery glad rags and pull out your more substantial winter frocks. BUT- don't be too hasty in getting this chore done. Take a good long look at your collection. If the wardrobe in your bedroom looks like a version of either above or below, now is the time to streamline. Set aside a hangover-free Sunday and really sift through what is there.
Take a few minutes to come up with all the necessary categories and subcategories your clothing should fit in to; Dresses -Summer Dress/ Winter Dresses. Pants - Work/Casual/Jeans etc. and create piles consisting of every scrap you own -nothing gets left behind.Now comes the hard part - discard.
Are there pieces in you 'Summer' piles that went the whole season without being worn? Maybe 'Winter' bits that never got an airing last year and are unlikely to get one this? Let go! Pieces you love to death and therefore wear constantly so subsequently they are a bit tattered? Purchases that looked great in the shop on the hanger but never quite translated as well on to your bod? Buh bye! Maybe pieces that were just too trendy and alas will get use no longer? All of these go on the toss pile - we will get back to that!
Now it is time to organize what we are keeping and get an understanding of why. Sort through the kept clothes and come up with at least one reason why you are keeping or what you like about each piece. Chances are you are going to start to see patterns. It maybe a certain label or brand, certain shape or cut, or perhaps just even a colour palette that you feel suits you best. If you were to go through the reject pile you'll probably find patterns too but we don't want to waste an entire Sunday on this exercise...
Finding a theme in the keepers is two fold. For one, it will help you create even more subsections of organization now that it is time to put all your clothes back in their places. Check out this color-coordinated super efficient press below, isn't it gorge?!?
After that, knowing what you have and why you have it will now help you to be that smarter spender. No longer will you stroll willy-nilly though Brown Thomas picking up pieces for no real reason other than they seem to be 'in' and you 'want' them. Now you know what works for you, you know what you will be happy to put on , make you look and feel fab and fill you with confidence.
Congratulations, you are the proud owner of a gorgeously neat, tidy, self empowering, totally glam wardrobe! Tune in later in the week because with all this new found room in your cupboards and the knowledge of what makes you look like a stone cold fox, it is time to go SHOPPING!!
