With all the (over)sharing these days, you get to feel more and more that it is unacceptable to wear the same outfit more than once and that we constantly need to buy something new.
You hardly ever see a sharing of the same outfit twice. And although some instagrammers and bloggers are good at combining their old items with new purchases very often, a new outfit is shown.
As a blogger I definitely feel the pressure to come up with something new all the time, to wear the latest trend and to keep entertaining you with the latest and greatest.
The truth is, I don’t want to do it.
I feel it’s become rather crazy how many (cheap) clothes we buy and how so many clothes remain in our closets unworn.
I want to do more with less.
Quite a challenge, I must say, for someone who loves the new and the trendy and who easily gets bored with her clothes.
But then again, if it’s a challenge I want to face it head on.
Since leaving New York, I haven’t bought any new clothes and have been wearing various outfits multiple time. I’m also forcing myself to become more creative with my existing clothes.
Here are some of my tips on how to do more with less and be happy with the clothes that you already own.
Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.
I have illustrated my points with a few outfits created from my cropped red top from Stella Carakasi (another option here) from their current collection (all other items are old). The black Fly London shoes are still available as well.
#1 Don’t shop
Rather obvious, but definitely the most effective. Did you know that many women also buy outfits to go shopping in? So you actually need more outfits because you want to go to town to shop!
If you don’t go shopping, you don’t need those clothes and you will not buy new ones.
2. Know your style
This is a big one. When you know your style, you will make the RIGHT choices which means that you will be happier with your clothes for longer. So many of my style students report that they buy fewer clothes and what they do buy gets worn more and makes them happy.
Investing in a programme like my style course will pay you back many times.
Red always looks good on me so definitely part of my style As is asymmetry as I like the more edgy vibe of an asymmetrical top and they are pretty timeless too.
3. Know your uniform and get the ingredients
It can be so handy to have a ‘uniform’ which is really an outfit formula that you know just works for you.
For me it’s cropped skinny pants with a beautiful top.
The top is usually something a bit special. It’s asymmetrical or has a beautiful print.
It’s my go-to outfit that always works and if I’m really being honest I wouldn’t really need much else in my wardrobe to look good.
This look is a bit more elaborate than my usual uniform as this is a layered look, but the principle is the same: skinny cropped pants and a great top!
4. Get a wide range of good solid basics
This is related to the point above but it goes a bit wider. You want to build the perfect foundation for your wardrobe.
For example, I need to make sure that I have one or two good white pants, good jeans, good black pants and a good layering top in white, a good top in red, a good jean jacket.
From there I can build many outfits. I can easily combine with a printed top or add different accessories.
This is my winter version of my white cropped pants. These are grey in cool wool.
5. Get your accessories covered
Accessories are a great way to make even the most basic outfits more interesting, so make sure you have a good collection of necklaces or earrings.
That way you can wear the same outfit but still look different.
2 different necklaces create a different look!
6. Get busy with a (passion)project
When I moved to Singapore I had a lot of time on my hands. And guess what happens then? You go shopping!
Definitely one of the most effective things you can do to avoid too much shopping is to get busy with work or a project you love.
These days I’m so busy with my projects that I rarely have time to shop. And before you feel sorry for me, this is a choice that I make myself.
I love my work and there are several projects that I really want to get out into the world. These are far more important that the latest clothes or trends.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, here are a few advantages of doing more with less
- You save lots of money! Spend it on experiences!
- You can find your existing clothes much more easily and dressing each morning becomes a breeze!
- Buy less but better and truly love your clothes.
- Help the environment; fast fashion is simply not sustainable in the long run.
- If you extend your ‘doing more with less’ to your home as well, it becomes so much easier to manage.
- Increase your feeling of ‘freedom’; it really feels less burdersome when you have a lot less ‘stuff’.
You may also want to learn how to create an ethical style. Read our artcle on how you can create a sustainable fashion capsule wardrobe
Looking good is more about style and not so much about how much you own and the latest and greatest and that is what we continue to focus on here at 40+Style.
I’m by no means perfect and I still have a lot of clothes but I am more consciously thinking about doing more with less.
How about you?
p.s. get clearer on what suits you and which clothes make you look and feel fabulous with my style course.
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Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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How do I do this “uniform” thing as a woman who only wears dresses and skirts?
The same guidelines apply. Your ‘uniform’ could be a dress with a signature bag.
I’ve been in the pairing down mode for several years now. My problem is after pairing down I feel the need to buy so I have more options and I have some of the latest trends every season. I’ll keep working on this issue. Trying to include more high quality classics while adding the latest trends to jazz things up!
Hello Sylvia,
I applaud you for this article!! Most of us can do more with less and spend our time more fruitfully,which will in turn, bring us deeper joy rather than fleeting happiness in unneeded and poorly chosen clothing.
The uniform idea is essential! I will use it!
Thank you, very much!
This is not so much a comment as it is a question. I am very short and somewhat overweight but I do love the look of layering. What fabrics would be best to look for to give layering a try? I also fear that the different fabrics would catch on each other and bunch up.
Thinner non-synthetic materials are usually best as they don’t cling. Silk is very light and easy to layer. Cotton and viscose can work really well too. Pay attention to proportion and you can create really flattering looks with layering. To learn more about fabrics visit https://40plusstyle.com/what-is-polyester-advantages-disadvantages/
I am so ready for this article. Your points for fewer, but quality, is important for us all. Figure out what works (my uniform) with a few basic pieces. My uniform is the same as yours for summer. In the colder temperatures my slacks are navy, black or gray with coordinating tops and accessory pieces. Pretty basic. The creativity is how you put them together. Thanks for making this important point. I very much agree with it!
Thanks so much for your feedback Nancy. Great to read you have found a ‘system’ that works for you!
Don’t need to tell you I have to stop shopping. Not going into town is a really good one. Not going to shops online is another. I have actually admitted to myself (the first step) that I am addicted to buying clothes, bags, shoes etc. And I hate addictions. They limit my freedom. As I have spent too much money on fall clothes – again – I have to save for many months to replace the savings I have used to cover that. Now is the time (and I really mean it) to do something about it. I have to be more disciplined and shush that voice in my head that keeps saying “you might be dead tomorrow, spend, spend, spend”.
Greetje
You are very right Greetje. It limits your freedom. Perhaps write down now why you’ve now come to realise that. How it limits your freedom. And what you will get in return if you don’t spend the money. Set some clear goals. Then give yourself a (small) reward (predetermined) when you reach those goals. Find other activities (apart from shopping) that you can also do with friends and that your really enjoy. Wishing you good luck and strength!
I have had this same Epiphany… I need discipline… got a job to get social and more physical. Now have bills and less freedom, as well as exposure to others who speed dangerously on route and retailers that expect too much for the pay.. Pressures, not necessary or welcome…
Will identify true needs going forward and live safely and sanely with less.
Agree. My closet is filling as I discover my uniform and best options but I shall definitely begin to pare it down and join the challenge to upgrade and do more wirh less.
Sounds like a plan Elle!