COLUMN: Challenge the clutter and create a Capsule Wardrobe

But what about our wardrobes?

According to Sheffield stylist Faye Speddings, too many of us allow our wardrobe clutter to go unchallenged, with too-tight jeans and bobbly jumpers taking up valuable space.

I was shocked to learn that most of us wear only 20 per cent of the items in our wardrobes - until I started thinking about that figure and realised I too am guilty of hoard-aritis when it comes to my clothes. There are the sentimental items, like that dress I wore all summer 2011 because I loved it and haven’t a hope of fitting into anymore, and that ‘what if’ boots I hang onto, just incase they ever find their way back into fashion.

According to Faye, many of us keep hold of clothes that, if we were honest with ourselves, we’ll never wear again. So the new way forward is to create your very own ‘Capsule Wardrobe.’ Nope, I’d never heard of it either.

Apparently a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that are all interchangable, and can be augmented with seasonal pieces, to create endless amounts of outfits.

Faye explains: “The whole mantra surrounding this is the idea of buying less and wearing more. The key is to pick out two or three key colours, to ensure consistency and make it easier to mix and match. Some people like to have seasonal capsule wardrobes or even a separate one for their work clothing.”

Faye is also pushing for us to pay a little more for quality items, meaning we can shop less: “Rather than shopping little and often, try and save a little bit of money and buy one item that is really fab quality that you know you will get your wear out of and is much more likely to stand the test of time.

“It’s very easy to go mad with clothes which are cheaper and buy the same jumper in every colour just because its £9, but with this comes the dreaded clutter. One of the best items to splash out on is denim as you really notice the difference in how it fits and, providing you take care of them, your denims will last 20 years!

“I also recommend picking a style and sticking to it, rather than trying to emulate every celebrity you like. Sienna Miller’s style is ‘boho,’ Kate Middleton’s is classic and chic - what is yours? Once you decide, shopping will suddenly become much more simple and you should always feel comfortable and happy in what you’re wearing.”

* Nik Farah