Seven style rules

Keep fashion shopping simple with our seven key rules on what to buy and how to wear it. Repeat after us...

There's no need to suffer that 'wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear' scenario with our sartorial strategy to guide you. Here are seven style rules to help make sure that your wardrobe stays stocked with stylish clothes.

 

1. I will spend more on wardrobe essentials
Don't panic, there's no need to overload the plastic. Just make a vow to be clever with your cash. Rather than frittering money on throwaway fashion, use the cost-per-wear concept. Splash out on carefully chosen investment pieces - a decent pair of jeans, neat jacket, go-anywhere dress - wardrobe staples that are made to last. Not only will a pair of £120 J Brand jeans look and feel like fashion heaven, but if you don them three times a week for the next two years you're looking at a paltry 38p per wear. Bargain.

 

2. I will experiment
Most of us get stuck in a style rut - when we're in a rush, it's easy to pull on trusty old favourites time and time again. While we're not suggesting a five-times-a-day-habit à la Victoria Beckham, we are recommending a little trip outside the comfort zone. Spend an evening sorting through your wardrobe, try on clothes that haven't seen the light of day for a while (apparently most women only wear 20% of their clothes, so that's 80% more to play with), and experiment with new combinations. This resolution is guaranteed to revitalise a tired wardrobe, and bypass the early-morning fashion conundrum, without costing a penny.

 

  Lingerie, Marks and Spencer3. I will go for a proper bra fitting
'From the cradle to the coffin, underwear comes first' - Bertolt Brecht
Strange as it may seem, the majority of women wear the wrong size bra. Top-notch lingerie experts, Rigby and Peller say, 'Wearing a correctly fitting bra can totally transform your figure, put curves back in the right place and change your silhouette dramatically,' as anyone who saw Jo Brand on 'What Not to Wear' will agree. So, ditch the old grey undies, get measured professionally and treat yourself to an instant uplift.
On the high street, Marks & Spencer (0845 302 1234), House of Fraser (0870 160 7270) and Debenhams (0844 561 6161) all offer a free bra-fitting service.

 

4. I will wear colour
It's easy to slip back into a uniform of dull greys or too-easy-to-wear black. Avoid the SAD blues by being more adventurous with colour. No need to go for a Zandra Rhodes rainbow effect, just choose a teal-blue blouse or plum sweater to add warmth to a pale complexion. Then congratulate yourself on the fact that this new purchase was much cheaper than a week in the Bahamas. Don't be colour shy - brighten up the world!

 

5. I will dress up more
'Vain trifles as they may seem, clothes... change our view of the world and the world's view of us' - Virginia Woolf
In other words, don't slouch about in trackie bottoms like an Asbo teen. Making an effort always pays off, whether you're working from home or schmoozing the boss.

 

6. I will buy one pair of fabulous shoes
  For those Carrie moments: sandal, Rupert Sanderson
Sincere apologies to all you Carrie Bradshaw fans out there, but this is not an excuse to blow the mortgage on a pair of bunion-inducing, vertiginous heels. When it comes to buying footwear, think quality and practicality (no, this doesn't mean orthopaedic clogs). Much better to spend money on a pair of Tod's driving shoes or classic Margaret Howell brogues, than to buy 10 pairs of cheap shoes closely followed by a season ticket to the podiatrist's.

 

7. I will keep warm in style
An outsized old fleece or bobbly sweater is fine for doing the gardening, but under no other circumstances should this shameful garment be seen outside the house. There really is no excuse for dressing like a bag lady just because it's brass monkeys. A smart winter coat will upgrade any outfit. Last year's wrap dress, no problem; slightly-worn-but-still-going-strong black trousers, ditto.