How to Get the Most out of Your Wardrobe Without Breaking the Bank

We all know the temptation to pop into Zara or H&M each week to get another plain white t-shirt or replace those perfect “goes with everything” pair of shoes that have been worn out. But what if we took better care of what we have in our closets already? Here’s 5 quick tips I’ve learned that will help you get the most out of your favourite pieces without killing your budget.

1. Find a Tailor You Can Trust

I know you’ve heard it before, but if you take only one piece of advice from this article, let it be this. Did you know that women’s clothing (especially fast fashion) varies in sizing from shop to shop and season to season? Annoying, I know! But it’s, true. So the best way to make each garment look fab is to have a tailor make minor adjustments for you. Shortening a hem on trousers shouldn’t cost more than AED 20 and any other changes should end up around the same price. Don’t be afraid to haggle a bit if you’re taking in a few garments and over time you’ll get a better price as you build the relationship. Keep in mind that some shops have tailoring services in house (free of charge) so be sure to ask at the checkout!

2. Closet Cedar Blocks

Cedar blocks naturally deter critters like moths that love to snack on your favourite clothes. Hop on Amazon or pop over to your local home store and grab a pack of these to protect your clothing. Let them live in the back of your closet, out of sight, and you shouldn’t have any hungry bug problems again. If you want to go the extra mile, or happen to be looking to revamp your wardrobe, then you grab cedar shelving or drawer organisers.

3. First Step, Last Step: Stream and Roll

Try adding 2 more steps to your routine, at least for those days you really need to look your best. About 20 min before you get dressed, give your chosen garments a quick steam. Don’t want to invest in a steamer? Just hang them up in the bathroom during your shower and it will have a similar result. This will seamlessly erase all the creases in your clothes and make them look brand new. Second (and most important), always run a lint roller over your clothes! Even if you don’t steam or iron, at least do this quick 30 second step that will always upgrade your look. You may not think there’s anything on you clothes for it to pick up, but that sticky paper always picks something up – so I cannot stress it enough!

4. Stop kicking your shoes to the curb too soon

This tip is two fold, prevention and repair. Take the time once a month or so to clean up your shoes, especially white or lighter coloured pairs. I like to turn on Netflix and go to town with my shoe brush and baby wipes – doing this always leaves me feeling rewarded and suddenly excited about my shoes again. It’s also a great way to take inventory of which ones you’re wearing and which ones are just taking up valuable closet space. For those beyond a fresh scrub? Take them to your local cobbler! You don’t need to part with your favourite pair when a cobble can make them new again for a lot cheaper than you would think. Just remember, the more you prevent, the less frequent you’ll need to repair.

Your Take Aways (Styling Cheat Sheet)

So you’re not a styling expert – neither am I! But I have picked up a few tips and tricks that have helped me always look my best. Here’s all you need to know:

• Let one statement piece shine.

• Add one “dressy” piece to every casual look to immediately elevate it.

• When in doubt – go monochrome.

From here on it’s up to you! Giving extra thought towards styling your outfits will make you look at your wardrobe in a different way. It may make you curious about trying new styles or push you to finally wear that one piece that you bought that you were “saving for a special occasion” but haven’t wore once. Fashion is meant to be fun so don’t be shy to express yourself!

Moral of the story: take care of your things! Just like anything else in life, the more love and care you give your items, the longer they will last and look fabulous.

If you guys have enjoyed this read, head on over to our Woman’s Guide ME style section and show some of our other works some love!