Mend It May – How colour and style confidence reduces wardrobe waste

You might have seen ‘Mend It May’ pop up on your social media feed (search: #MendItMay). It’s a brilliant initiative encouraging everyone to repair, rewear, and rethink what’s in their wardrobes rather than constantly buying new. Making sustainable choices isn’t just about recycling or buying eco-fabrics, it’s also about making more mindful choices with the clothes we already own.

It’s easy to be tempted by sales, trends, and cheap clothes. So, rather than buying something new this month, how about repairing something you’ve already got?

The campaign encourages people to extend the life of their clothes by mending them and you’re encouraged to share your projects on social media to inspire others to reconsider what they do with their clothes, before they dispose of them.

Rethinking what you own

This month is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take a fresh look at your wardrobe. There might be items you can tweak, re-style, or bring back to life.

A lack of sewing machine and experience needn’t hold you back! Repairs can be by hand and they don’t have to be perfect – just good enough for you to be able to rewear them!

Pro Tip: Pull out all the items which need repairing. Those where the button has fallen off, or the hem has fallen down. Get out those with a little hole in the neckline or sleeve. It’s often these items which are the quickest to bring back to life. They’re probably things you’ve been putting on, only to have to take them off again because of the need to repair! Mending these items will be quicker than what you think and you’ll have something ‘new’ to wear too!

I was never taught how to sew – sure I could manage using a needle and thread, but it was only last year I enrolled in an Adult Education course to learn how to sew using a sewing machine! Is there a course you can enrol in? Or a class you can go to? Now’s the time to have a look and get on board with the campaign!

Equally why not dye things in the ‘wrong’ colour? If you’ve got items which you know don’t flatter you, but you still like them, and find you’re not wearing them anymore, check the label for the material. Dylon dye pods make it easy to dye in the washing machine for anything with natural fibres (or a mix of less than 50% polyester). For anything synthetic based, try Rit.

If you’ve got lots of items requiring a repair, and you feel it’s beyond you, search for places you can take them to for repairing.

You can see how I’ve changed a dress into a top in this blog post.

And, I’ve dyed clothes before and found I wear them more often as a result! Revisit my experience in this blog here.

Wearing what you own

If you’ve got wardrobes full of clothes but still feel like you’ve got nothing to wear, it’s worth figuring out what’s not working for you.

Pro tip: Shop your wardrobe and try things on to see what you have, what fits and what doesn’t work. I find lots of people hold on to garments out of guilt. And, that doesn’t help in the long term.

If you’ve got things which don’t suit your colouring – can you change the colour? Can you wear it differently? Is it worn away from your face (making it more forgiving)? Can you alter the style? Or, it is time to thank it and let it go?

Is the fit not quite right? If it’s something you’ll wear again in the future, consider storing it temporarily. Can you alter it, so it does fit? Taking up the hem, shortening the sleeves, changing the buttons are all relatively simply things to do. Anything major, can be taken to a seamstress if you don’t have the skills yourself.

Does it just not feel like you anymore? That’s OK – our styles change and develop as life happens. If you can’t change it, or you’re unlikely to want to wear it again, let it go.

Should you have things that don’t go, or you’ve identified a gap in your wardrobe, now is the time to search for that missing piece! Check the pre-loved sites and charity shops, or swap events first.

Making mindful choices

‘Mend It May’ is a great reminder that we don’t always need more. Sometimes, we just need to make the most of what we have.

When you understand your colouring, your style personality and the shapes that flatter you, you’ll start to see your wardrobe in a whole new way! You might even rediscover pieces you forgot about or find new ways to style them. And when you do shop, you’ll do so with intention and the right knowledge.

There’s no perfect wardrobe

There’s no ‘perfect’ wardrobe – it’s about having the right wardrobe that works for you. It will reflect your lifestyle, and make you look and feel good. Spend some time getting to know these factors and your wardrobe which start to work better for you.

Understand what suits you

Not knowing what actually suits you often means you keep buying things in the hope that you find something that works. This can be both costly and time-consuming.

Whilst mending and repairing your clothes is great for your purse and the planet, if what you have doesn’t feel right on you, that’s where colour and style confidence comes in.

My consultations will help you to make better decisions by understanding what suits you and why. This way, you’ll reduce the mistake-buys you make by understanding what suits you – from the colour, style, cut and fabric of the clothes you wear.

Sustainable Fashion week Campaign

Find more information about the camping on the Sustainable Fashion Week website here: https://www.sustainablefashionweek.uk/sfw-campaigns including details on some competitions they’re running on social media if you wish to take part.

Need help making sense of your wardrobe?

Creating an autumn capsule wardrobe

The leaves are falling which in my mind means that autumn is officially here!

Having recently released my autumn/winter seasonal updates with the colours and styles that suit you this season, I was inspired to create some new looks.

During my colour and trend workshop, I illustrated a number of items I’d found on the high street for each dominant colouring type. Because you’re bound to have things you can re-wear already, I also used items from my own wardrobe too. This is something I’ve been illustrating for a while now as I know how beneficial it can be to help you create new looks from things you already have. It’s likely that you’ll have something which ticks off a new season ‘trend’ already, so it’s simply about re-wearing and restyling it!

There’s some gorgeous colours (yes, for EVERY colour type!), and some returning trends this season.

Using some of the items from my workshop, I’ve put together a collection of autumn outfits. Let’s call it an autumn capsule wardrobe!

From 22 items, I’ve created 12 outfits which I’ve featured in a video on my Youtube channel.

It includes footwear and outerwear, but not jewellery.

Whilst there’s just 12 outfits, there’s many more combinations that could be made. How many can you make?

I’ve detailed the items and combinations below, but do head on over to the video to see all the looks featured: https://youtu.be/OAleEmYO-vs

Outfit 1

  • Pink fluffy jumper – mine and old Laetitia Mae
  • Brown faux leather skirt – new from M&S
  • Wine leather knee boots – mine and old Sergio Rossi

This new M&S skirt has been heavily featured on TV and their website. There’s a matching vest top too, but in true autumn style, I wanted to add warmth and jazz it up for a different style personality. Styled with my fluffy jumper, I’d just need to add a necklace. The jumper was featured on the blogs a few years ago: six ways with one top.

My long boots were good as the skirt falls below the knee. The boots I’ve had for years and coincidentally are in a burgundy tone which is very popular this season.

The skirt is faux leather and it feels soft. It’s a great fit too and comfortable and loose. The style is more of an a-line and it’s not hemmed, but a clean cut line.

 

Outfit 2

  • Animal print sweatshirt – mine and old TU
  • Brown faux leather skirt – new from M&S
  • Animal print brogues – mine and old Clarks

Whilst the first look was definitely more out-out, I wanted to opt for a more casual look.

Dressing down the skirt with a sweatshirt, cosy jumper, or fine knit sweater achieves this look.

I’ve opted for a clash (which isn’t for everyone!) with my animal print brogues, but you could try a pair of trainers to keep the casual vibe or other flat shoes to suit you.

Outfit 3 and 4

  • Burgundy satin skirt– mine and New Look last year
  • Claret Blouse top – mine and old Hobbs
  • Wine leather boots – mine and old Sergio Rossi
  • Pink Tweed Blazer – mine and old Ness

Burgundy is a shade which is everywhere at the minute. It sits in the medium to deep range of colours, so anyone with a lighter look will find it can be too strong for them. There’s more than one shade of burgundy after all! Think winter berries, wines and you’ll have an idea of the different shades and tones of the colour which will suit you.

I already had my versions of burgundy in my wardrobe, so I’ve simply combined them together for these next two outfits.

This skirt was featured in my 2023 autumn/winter seasonal update and I couldn’t resist adding it to my wardrobe! I shared some styling tips last year: here, but this top wasn’t one of them!

 

You’ll still find  some satin skirts this time round, but if you did invest in one previously, dig it out and wear it again this season! Satin can be unforgiving showing lumps and bumps when tucking in, but this can be remedied in styling (care whilst tucking), or choosing the right finishing hemline.

Worn with my leather boots again to achieve an all over colour drench effect. You can easily style it down with trainers or ankle boots and a more casual top or jumper.

For the fourth look, I chose my pink tweed blazer to add another layer.

This would smarten up a more casual top as well. Opt for another style of jacket like a biker or denim if you have one instead.

Both these looks have no new items, just restyling exactly what I have to make it feel more up-to-date.

 

Outfit 5 & 6

  • Mole jumper dress – new M&S
  • Black belt – mine and Michael Kors (came with a dress)
  • Black leather-look leggings – mine and old M&S
  • Black Chelsea ankle boots – mine and old from Germany
  • Pink Shell lip gloss – mine but available from Colour me Beautiful
  • Burgundy Vegan Handbag – new H&M (in store)
  • Claret quilted down coat – mine and old Barbour

This jersey funnel neck jumper dress screams autumn style and isn’t too clingy. Gorgeous shade in mole and most like pewter in your colour swatches. A great staple item which can be worn with tights or leggings.

I paired it with my high waisted leather-look leggings from M&S last year, which I’ve worn on repeat! Available again this season but only in black and bitter chocolate, though I did find some navy ones in an outlet store.

Add ankle boots, a pop of lip colour and this amazing handbag in the trending colour of the season from H&M to finish the look!

For a truly warm layer, simply add a coat. My claret quilted down coat is an old favourite which I’m wearing again this season from Barbour, even though it’s a few years old.

A warm and stylish coat is a must for British weather and this coat is still going strong. Lots of quilted and padded styles currently too if you need an update and do check the charity shops too. If you want to avoid the oversized or Michelin-man look, opt for one with a belt.

I’ve switched the Chelsea boots for my long leather boots (seen in the video) with the same M&S jumper dress but lost the belt for another look.

Swap the leather-look leggings if they’re not your thing for normal leggings or thick tights.

 

Outfit 7 & 8

  • Animal print denim shirt – new Next
  • Black leather-look leggings – mine and old M&S
  • Black Chelsea ankle boots – mine and old from Germany
  • Denim jacket – mine and old M&S.

This shirt is slightly oversized for me but demonstrates a relaxed style which could be dressed up or down.

A different take on denim is to opt for colour, or pattern in this case from Next.

Whilst I’ve paired it with my leather look leggings, you could opt for jeans, trousers or a skirt!

If denim on denim scares you, or you dislike mixing your denim blues, choosing coloured denim is a great alternative and adds layers for an autumn look. Denim jacket featured is mine and old M&S.

Outfit 9 & 10

A shacket (a shirt-jacket) style is a good layering piece, although this is very oversized for me. Shackets have come and gone through various seasons, so if you’ve got one, dig it back out to wear it again.

Kept casual with cosy jeggings from M&S in burgundy, which really do feel super cosy and comfy and worn with a sweatshirt. Swap out the sweatshirt for a jumper, or leggings for jeans and it’s an easy off-duty look.

Outfit 11 & 12

  • Warped animal print mesh dress – mine and old Oliver Bonas
  • Wine leather boots – mine and old
  • Purple coat – mine and old M&S
  • Checked fringed scarf – mine and old Hobbs

Animal print doesn’t have to be traditional!

This style of animal print I find much easier to wear and is an old fave from Oliver Bonas. Paired with my long leather boots, I’ve also worn it with ankle boots and trainers and sandals.

For the final look, complete by adding outer layers, my old M&S coat and checked fringed scarf from Hobbs.

 

All these looks feature the trends I’ve highlighted in my seasonal updates which are available here: https://www.tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk/product-category/seasonal-updates/

A new season doesn’t have to mean a new wardrobe – the best place to start is what you already have!

I hope the outfits from my own wardrobe combined with something new this season has inspired you to check your own wardrobe first! Do watch the video on YouTube here: 

Understanding what suits you saves you time and money in the long run as you’ll build a wardrobe of items, capsule or otherwise. It means you can style up or down, filling any gaps you’ve identified each season.

Just see how many new outfits you can make from what you’ve already got – I bet you’ll surprise yourself!

Colour and style consultations are available to book to give you the clarity you need to build a wardrobe that works for you.

 

Sustainable September: how to opt for quality, not quantity and fill the gaps

Have you been enjoying the theme in this month’s blogs? I do hope so!

Last week, I shared four things to do to start your autumn wardrobe preparation. Don’t worry – they’re totally easy to do with no skill as most of them are about thinking and looking! Revisit it here..

You’ve probably got the idea by now that ‘shopping’ your own wardrobe will save you money in the long run. Plus, it has a positive impact on the planet too.

Taking time to sort through your clothes will actually save you time too. Just think how long it takes you to get ready! When you’ve got a lot of clothes, you can’t see everything you’ve got. Or, what you do have, you don’t wear because they don’t fit or flatter you either.

How to organise your wardrobe

When I help clients with their wardrobes, I tend to categorise them into types, then colour. To me, this is logical and visual and it’s how my own wardrobe is organised. So, put your shirts together, t-shirts, trousers, jeans, skirts, dresses and so on.

Once in order, I’ll organise by groups of colours – reds together, blues together and so on. Often, you’ll find you have several of the same item. But, how many do you really need?

These are the contents of the average wardrobe for a (middle-class) woman in the 1940s.

I’m pretty sure it is substantially less than the average wardrobe today. It’s certainly less than I have.

Sure, availability and choice has increased, but so has over-consumption.

The trick is to balance what you need with what you have and fill the gaps. Use your personal colour swatches to help you identify any colour gaps as well as the style of clothes for how you spend your time.

If you can’t fill the gaps, you’ll end up buying more of the same things you’ve already got.

How many times have you seen an outfit on a mannequin, or on a model and bought it, only to discover that it doesn’t look the same on you?

Build, height, sizing, colouring and personality are all elements which make you; you. That’s before we even assess the fabric and cut of the clothes! When you understand what suits you, fits you and flatters you, only then will you be able to stop making costly mistakes.

Buying something because it’s the latest trend or in the sale without considering you, your wardrobe and your lifestyle, will often mean they languish in the back of the wardrobe until you donate them, or sell them online, at a loss.

Colour and style advice

Spend time researching what’s current (or attend my seasonal colour and trend workshop) to learn the new colours and trends to help you build a wardrobe of clothes that you love to wear. And, which suit you of course!

Try and recreate these looks from what you already have. During the workshop, I use my own clothes as well as new ones to demonstrate this, so if you need some inspiration, be sure to join us! It takes place on Saturday 5 October online, so you can join from the comfort of your own home. Get your ticket here.

I don’t believe in being a slave to fashion and spending a fortune on clothes. Like many of my clients, I just want to look and feel up -to-date in what I wear. Being able to make informed decisions and shop with intention helps because I understand what suits me and how to make things work.

Clothes in the right colour and style for you, that fit and flatter your shape, will always make better choices in the long run. Book a consultation if you need any help.

Those attending the workshop will receive my essential guidance and a copy of my new seasonal colour guide too. Alongside the live group workshop, I produce a suite of guides on the colours and trends that suit you, aimed at saving you time.

RECORDED VIDEO MASTERCLASS

The live event isn’t recorded, so if you can’t make it, I pre-record a video using the same presentation so you can catch up and watch it in your own time. I’ll share the latest colours and trends to look out for, with examples and some tips on if they flatter you. The video lasts 44 minutes.

AUTUMN/WINTER 2024-25 COLOUR TREND GUIDE

This guide fits inside your colour me beautiful colour swatch wallet to guide you when shopping. It includes seven key colours for the autumn and winter season for each dominant colouring type (using the tonal colour analysis system covered in my colour analysis consultations).

Guest blog: How to dress for an outdoor photoshoot

A few months ago, I spent some time with Maryanne Scott: The Branding Photographer in Leeds. She offers personal branding photography and a monthly ‘visibility school’.

This guest blog was inspired by my own preparation for the shoot. I turned up in one outfit with three ‘changes’ to make use of the time and have different images to use.

No stress and no bulging suitcase required. Two tops and a necklace and the transformation was complete! This is just a snippet of what can be achieved with a coordinated wardrobe and the knowledge to combine your clothes when you know what suits you. (Visit my services here)

They say a picture tells a thousand words and each time you look at your photos, you’ll remember how you felt as well as how you look.

I’ve been delighted to use the images on social media. Find and follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Here’s some of the pictures and you can read the guest blog I’ve written on Maryanne’s website below.

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