7 Tips For Making Your Wardrobe Last

Let’s face it, as mums we often go without new purchases and with a fashion industry that is continually changing and updating itself it’s easy to feel something akin to despair about the state of our wardrobes.

But just because our budget might not stretch as far as we might like does not mean that we can’t make the most of what we already have. We might get bored and feel like we ‘have nothing to wear’ but here are a few tricks to keep your wardrobe fresh and appealing without spending big.

Buy what you will wear beyond THIS season. Choose good quality and flattering cuts that suit you and will not date once this season ends. Don’t give into fads that will not last just to keep on trend.
Tailor your favourite pieces. A lot of clothes bought off the shelf do not fit us perfectly. Sizes and lengths are not necessarily uniform but the quickest way to wear out a good pair of pants is to wear them unhemmed. So hem your pants or skirts and nip in or let out waists.
Change colour. If you have a favourite piece but it’s not in one of your optimal colours why not dye it? DIY dyes can be purchased and are generally easy to follow but if you’re worried about how it will turn out there are often tailors or dressmakers, and sometimes dry cleaners who specialise in mending too, who can do it professionally for you.
Alter details. If you want a quick face lift for an old, but quality, coat why not replace the old buttons with new ones in a different style? As long as you choose new buttons that have the same diameter as the ones you are replacing the button holes will not need altering either. Another quick makeover for a shirt is to add a collar. Lace collars are ready made and can be purchased from fabric shops for a few dollars and are relatively easy to attach.
Add accessories. If your budget won’t stretch to a new dress or coat, try some accessories instead. Scarves, belts, brooches and statement jewellery can dramatically change an outfit and if you enjoy op-shopping you might find a few pieces there for a fraction of what you could get in the shops.
Re-heel shoes and boots. I have done this a few times and I recommend it. If you purchase good quality shoes in the first place you will find that the soles wear out before the rest of the shoe. Instead of throwing out the shoes, have them re-heeled at a fraction of the price of a new pair of shoes.
Swap with friends. Clothing pools are a great and easy way to change a few pieces. I’ve heard of mums having ‘clothes swap parties’ where they each take a few items from their cupboards and swap with each other while enjoying a cuppa and a chat.