HOW TO REINVENT YOUR HOLIDAY WARDROBE

The beach is waiting and you have nothing to wear? We don’t believe a word of it. Here’s how to revamp last year’s summer clothes and look absolutely fab darling.  What about that overstuffed wardrobe and those boxes of unwanted clothes in the spare room? You probably have the makings of a great new summer wardrobe without even leaving your home.

1) SORT OUT YOUR WARDROBE

Most of us have wardrobes that are overflowing with long forgotten items of clothing that should be either worn or passed on to a new home. Firstly, put aside the ‘no brainers'; the clothes that you truly love and make you feel great and you know you will wear again. Next go through what is left with a really discerning eye. Ask yourself a few simple questions.

• Does it fit?
• Do you truly like it?
• Does the colour flatter you?
• Does it make you feel really good?

Anything that doesn’t tick any of the boxes should be put aside into a separate pile that you can then go through and decide if items can be altered to fit or give anew lease of life, or whether it is past redemption and should go to the charity shop.

2) REFRESH YOUR WHITES

Nothing looks worse than tired and grey summer whites, but don’t worry you don’t have to throw them away, there are plenty of things you can do to refresh them without spending the earth. You could try soaking them in a mixture of hot water and lots of lemon slices for a couple of hours. Alternatively you could try soaking your clothes in white vinegar or dishwasher detergent. All of which are natural bleaches. After washing in the normal way hang your clothes outside on the line. Sunlight is nature’s greatest bleach.

3) DECIDE ON A COLOUR PALETTE AND STICK TO IT

Buying lots of random clothes might cheer you up in the short term, but it won’t give you lots of outfits to wear, because nothing in your wardrobe will go with anything else. If you limit your palette to a few neutral colours that blend and tone you will have more choice. The great thing about summer is that you can get away with muted colours such as white, taupe, mocha and cream.

4) ACCENT WITH COLOUR

Zingy, bright, zesty colours are in this season, the brighter the better, but you don’t want to go head to toe in colour. Apart from being painful on the eyes, it will be excruciating on the pocket. If want to invest in this season’s colours don’t go over the top, invest wisely and buy a few accent pieces that enhance your outfit and won’t overwhelm. If you go over the top on colour you will be left with a wardrobe that will be outdated and totally useless next year. Look to add real colour in small ways such as cheap T shirts, jewellery, bags or scarves

5) ADAPT AND UPDATE

Before you throw something away, think about whether there’s any way you can do it up, modernise it or otherwise revamp it. Clothes that no longer fit too well or that have some tears or holes in them can be made into a brand new outfit. Trousers can be shortened to form Capri pants or shorts. Dresses can become skirts. A jacket that’s too tight to fasten at the waist can either have the buttons moved to allow more space or be shortened into a cropped jacket that buttons at the bust line. Add a couple of button accents on the sleeve near the wrist and a patch pocket from the leftover material and no one will recognize it as the same old jacket. New buttons can breathe new life into a coat.
Sprucing up your wardrobe can be fun and creative. With a little time and effort you can have something new to wear that is stylish and individual. Go out there and visit those arts and crafts stores, keep those extra buttons from clothes that you are getting rid of, and fabric scraps, because you never know what new article of clothing they can help you create.
Update up last year’s smock dresses. They might have looked great last year, but this year they look dated and will make you look dowdy. Try cutting them off at thigh or hip level so that they become smock tops or tunics. Try adding a high belt and wearing over some of this year’s must have harem trousers.
Update old calf-length skirts. Floaty boho skirts may have been the height of fashion a few years ago, but wear them now and you will mark yourself out as a complete fashion has-been. And if truth be told, you may have thought you looked amazing in them, but unless you are a tall willowy model, it is unlikely that you did. Fashion editors and stylists tend to agree that any length that’s lower than just below the knee, apart from the maxi is a no-no. Calf-length may look great on the catwalk but unless you’re very willowy, in real life it looks downright frumpy and ageing. If you are really unhappy with your legs and don’t want to show them, go long. Add another layer to your calf length dress and embrace the maxi fashion and work that ethnic look. But whatever you do, don’t go mid calf!
Refresh your knitwear. It’s summer, but it can get chilly in the evening and you’ll still need the occasional jumper. Start by casting a critical eye over your jumper collection and if they really are past redemption, get rid of them, but think before you chuck:

• Try de-bobbling them first. De-bobbling machines can be bought from shops like Lakeland and Boots and they work by gently shaving off the tiny bobbles left by the usual wear and tear.
• Give them a good clean, either by hand or if you are feeling flush take them to the dry cleaner.
• If you are washing by hand, but want to spin dry your jumpers,  put them into a pillowcase first and tie the case into a knot at the end. This will help protect the shape whilst spinning. Then dry the jumper flat: lay it on a towel and gently push it back into shape.

6) GET CREATIVE.

Now comes the fun part – creating a new look. Mix and match your pieces and see how they can be worn in new ways. Try layering, clashing colours and combining smart with casual clothes. Get creative or use magazines for inspiration, you’ll be amazed at how many new outfits you can create with the pieces you already own.
Mix and match- try putting things together that you wouldn’t normally wear. There is no need to worry over what to wear, just stick to pieces that can be mixed and matched time and time again. Just because a shop sells you something as a top, it doesn’t mean you have to wear it that way. This might sound a bit strange, but try to suspend belief and embarrassment and just have a go. Try not to make assumptions, just put stuff together and experiment with textures and looks, this can the best way to get added value out of your clothes.

7) ACCESSORISE

Good accessories can totally make or break an outfit and change a look from glum to glam in a matter of moments. Think colour and look for those dramatic statement pieces.
Bags – go big and bright or use basket bags.
Scarves – big and bright, soft and floaty or flouncy and fringed – anything goes.
Sunglasses – Last year’s sunglasses will do fine. This year it seems that anything goes with glasses the ultra big bug eyed to ultra classic Ray-Bans. So don’t worry about investing in new ones. If the shape suits you, wear them.
Shoes – the good thing about summer is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on shoes. Flip-flops and cheap sandals can be stylish, fun and value for money and are great way of refreshing an outfit. Just make sure that your feet look clean and tidy and your nails and heels are well looked after. Nothing lets a pair of shoes down more than unkempt toes.
Jewellery – Jewellery is really big this year – the bigger the better! Go for large bangles and bracelets and draped necklaces. The good thing about this year’s fashion is that you don’t need to spend a fortune and you could even make your own. Go to carboot sales and summer fetes – the bric a brac stalls can be a treasure trove for the make it and mender. Sometimes you can find perfect pieces that are ready to wear. Other times you will have to be more creative. On way is to buy lots of cheap beads and re thread them onto dirndl elastic. Make bangles and necklaces by simply taking a strip of satin ribbon and threading beads on them. Update watches, by taking off the old strap and attaching to a silk scarf.
For more great ideas and advice on making your own jewellery see this article from guest writer Viviana Make a statement this summer

8) HAVE A CLOTHES SWAP PARTY

If you have gone through your wardrobe and still think you need a few new pieces, don’t rush straight out to the shops. See what your friends are trying to get rid of. Gather your friends together for the evening to swap clothes, footwear and accessories for free. Clothes swapping or Swishing is a great way of recycling your unwanted clothes and, at the same time, the chance of bagging yourself a real bargain. One woman’s cast offs are another girl’s steal.More on Swishing

9) SHOP FOR WHAT YOU NEED, NOT WHAT YOU WANT

Having sorted out your wardrobe, you now know what’s missing and what you can’t live without. If you do have to buy something new, think carefully about what you buy. Don’t obsess over the latest must-have, focus on what you need to round out your wardrobe. Do you really need a 10th pair of flip flops or another little black dress? No, but perhaps that fabulous statement necklace is just the thing to make your little black dress or classic white shirt pop.
Remember the key to savvy dressing is ‘quality over quantity’. Fashion editors follow the 70/30 rule which means that 70% of your closet space should hold the classic pieces while the remaining 30% should be reserved for the seasonal pieces. It’s never easy to shop on a tight budget, but you can do it if you stick to the basics. Classic pieces never go out of style and can be wearable in whatever season you are in. Make sure that anything you buy makes you feel fabulous and always go for flattering cuts and simple, yet stylish, silhouettes that will last for years.

Invest in quality pieces that are flexible and are capable of multitasking.

Only invest in pieces that can be worn to a variety of different events – day or night, casual or dressy affairs. Also try to focus on pieces that can cross the seasons, with clever layering, clothes can be worn all year round

10) BIKINIS

One thing that is worth investing in, is a really good bikini, especially if you are on the curvaceous side. If you’re feeling creative you could try making your own. The simple basic bikini is really easy to make and can look fabulous if you make them in unusual fabric.
 For more details and instructions have go at  making a bikini out of a Tshirt

source: - http://www.makeitandmendit.com/mend-it/clothes/how-to-reinvent-your-holiday-wardrobe/