In the past week I have heard at least five wails of 'I need to sort my wardrobe out for Autumn'. Yes this theoretically feels like something that should be done in September, but most of us have been either still on holiday or posting about it over the last month, and the rest have been convincing ourselves there may still be time for some sunshine* (*This is not going to happen people) You might have had a halfhearted rifle through your wardrobe for pieces that can be reinterpreted for Autumn (see trends we may have in our wardrobes) now that it suddenly seems to be extra duvet and winter dressing gown time. But if you are anything like me the post summer wardrobe is not a happy place. I still have a pile of bikinis on the floor and can't remember what I wear on my feet when it isn't sandal weather. What we all need is an Autumn Wardrobe Stock Take.
Grab the notepad its time to take stock. IMAGE Vogue Paris Giampaolo Sgura
Just to clarify before we begin: My friends and family would be unlikely to label me as high in either organisational skills or common sense: I have a floor-drobe habit; a clean washing on the stairs taken up three days later habit; I have a sock drawer of doom that I can never find one matching set in however many pairs of stylish coloured socks I buy. But as a stylist whose entire job revolves around pulling groups of clothes together into something cohesive: for shoots, tv shows, or yes, personal wardrobes, a key thing I KNOW is that too much that isn't suitable for the job NEVER helps, and things get even harder when key pieces aren't there at all. So an Autumn Wardrobe Stock Take it is. *Rubs hands together* How to go about it? Here's ten tips.
1.Pack away Summer.
If the first thing you see every time you open the wardrobe are beach coverups this is not going to facilitate autumn dressing There may be some overlaps here: remember you CAN layer that sundress! But I generally draw the line at cheesecloth, kaftans and swimwear for UK mid winter. Store these somewhere where you don’t have to see them every day. Packing away the 'holiday wardrobe' also makes it way easier to get it out en masse for the next holiday ( see my holiday wardrobe capsule). And yes this does include shoes.
Pack away those clothes. But make it fashion. Image Craig Mcdean Vogue 2022
2. Cull considerately
Take everything out of your wardrobe and edit out:
Pieces that don’t fit you properly and aren’t ever likely to, and dont make you feel good.
Pieces that have reached the end of their wearable life
Pieces that are lesser repeats of things you like more.
Key point. This isnt about the chuck it all out and start again. My general approach is that quality items should get priority over fast fashion. It makes it easier to decide what needs to go. I also don't subscribe to the 'ditch things you havent worn for a year' mantra. If they are good quality and have longevity they might just need restyling, and what is better than rediscovering an old favourite.
Harry styles endorsing the 'get everything out the wardrobe' method. Image Gucci Mark Borthwick 2022
3. Pass Clothes On
Clothes that don’t work in your wardrobe will be the missing piece someone needs in theirs. Sell quality pieces on preloved sites, give to charity, pass to friends, or join/host a clothes swap event (fun!). Whatever you do just DON’T throw them away.
Passing on good. Landfill bad. Image Stella Mcccartney 2017
4. Assess whats left
You should be left with a collection of pieces you can get to grip with a little better. Have a look at these? are there three hundred tops and only 5 bottoms? a thousand dresses and one jacket? Jokes obvs, but an unbalanced wardrobe will negatively impact your ability to put ANY outfit together let alone one that shows the world how stylish and well prepared for Autumn you are. Jot down what clothing pieces you are lacking. This is the beginning of THE LIST.
The LIST. Do not underestimate it. Image Lucia Giaconi Vogue Italia
5. Consider your Style
What is left in your wardrobe should begin to be telling you something. Audrey Hepburn? Bare back rider from Giffords Circus? There will be repeats of colours and styles that form the basis of your style DNA, ie what you enjoy most. Having an awareness of this stops you adding pieces that A. are so off track they never get worn and B. don’t go with anything else and thus are frankly pointless.
A capsule of cohesive clothing doesnt need to include a trench coat : Image Maurice Bower 1935
6. Try on Your Clothes
How often do we actually have time to put outfits together when we aren’t running out the door in five minutes? An hour spent putting looks together ( snap yourself in them for reference) will allow you to be more creative in your combinations, plus reveal missing items in the virtual jigsaw puzzle of your wardrobe. Add these 'gap' items to THE LIST. PS this gives absolutely valid support for the 'selfie as research'.
Never was there a better excuse for a selfie. Image Martin Parr Vogue 2024
7. Get things altered
Those pieces you buy off vinted and mean to get altered? Do it now. Plus before discarding try pieces on and check they can't be revived with a different hemline, or a bit of creative tweaking. Paying a local tailor is infinitely preferable to unworn pieces hanging, and money wasted on buying more. Even better, get a sewing machine and give it a go yourself. (My personal Autumn project.)
Exactly what my alteration sessions look like. Exactly. Image Irving Penn Vogue 1946
8. Remember Accessories
I see so many people struggle to pull outfits together each day, and when we dissect their wardrobe it turns out they are woefully accessory free. A variety of shoes and bags that do different things, maybe a belt or a scarf if you’re feeling wild, is a good start. If you are lacking something that will extend your wardrobe add it to THE LIST.
To many shoes, said noone, ever. Image Guy Bourdain.
9. The List
By now you should have a list of ‘jigsaw pieces’ that you are missing that will be genuinely helpful in putting looks more looks together from your existing clothes. Commit this to memory. (Or even better the notes section on your phone) Having a mental or irl ‘moodboard’ gives us direction when shopping and stops us picking up totally unsuitable pieces we’ve seen on a teenager on instagram.
Make a list. Avoid the overwhelm. Image Lucia Giaconi Vogue Italia
10. Buy Well
You’ve trimmed the fat from your wardrobe, clarified your style DNA, and worked out what jigsaw pieces are missing from the style puzzle. You are now far more equipped to add specific items in more creative ways: second hand, preloved and independent, rather than wildly grabbing anything that takes your fancy: Cherry picking rather than raiding the greengrocers. (See my online preloved edit, independent brands edit for more inspiration) I will write a 'how i use vinted' list for a future blog but knowing what you need is a good start.
Greengrocer* raiding not advised ( *insert store of choice) image Vogue Germany Sebastian Kim
Thank you for reading! if you still feel like you’re flailing, I am on always on hand on zoom or irl, to help decipher your direction, create outfits from what you own and shout YOU LOOK AMAZING in pieces that you know you love but need a helping hand to put out in the world. See my style consulting website and drop me a line with any questions. Subscribe here to have my blog delivered to you on a Sunday.
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