Two Wardrobes - August 2008

How many pairs of high-heels have you fallen in love with thinking you’ll wear them again and again and again… The reality is that they are killing your legs and you will avoid them like the plague in favour of your faithful flats that are as comfy as old slippers.

As a personal stylist I encounter many women that shop as if they have two lives and, as a result, they often end up with ‘two wardrobes’. One is full of clothes they wish they were wearing and the other holds the clothes they really wear. The clothes they wish they wore are often beautiful glamorous pieces, made from precious fabrics in gorgeous colours. The other is likely to contain a selection of jeans, slightly faded t-shirts and cover-up cardigans. I am not suggesting that there is a conflict between the two; I do however suggest that the one is slightly more glamorous, refined and less considerate in terms of practicality and wash ability. Buying, washing and wearing t-shirts and jeans may be easy but it’s not particularly exciting.

So here you are back from holiday with a nice tan, probably having worn brighter colours. The real trick is, when the tan is fading to keep the brighter and bolder combinations going. I am not suggesting wearing your summer clothes through autumn, but to transfer some of the energy of summer into your autumn wardrobe. If you are wearing jeans skip the t-shirt and go for a shirt instead, short or long sleeve, skip the cardigan for a nice fitted jacket, skip the flip-flops for a pair of stylish ankle boots, skip the short oversized necklace for a longer finer version and use the handbag as a contrast to the entire outfit. It is the perfect time to get the creativity out of your other closet and into reality.

If you would like advice or have any questions please email style@asbjorgdunker.co.uk