Like many people, I have way too much clothing. Especially after working in fashion for nearly a year I ended up buying more than enough trendy items that I never find the occasions to wear anymore. Instead, I dress myself by pulling out whatever is most generic (jeans and a blouse) even when I own a good amount of skirts, shorts, and non jean pants. Don’t get me wrong, I love having the variety — but is it necessary? Could I live with less? Could I have a wardrobe that is timeless and never need me to buy again?

Having done a backpacking trip for a month and a half through Europe several years back I learned quite fast how little I needed. I had one pair of comfortable shoes, one pair of sandals, a pair of heels, a dress, a skirt, a pair of jeans, 3 or 4 t-shirts, one coat, a set of pjs, a work out outfit and of course a whole load of undergarments. All of this with my other needs of shower products, a travelling towel, makeup, d.o., hairstraightner etc. allowed me to live more than luxuriously. I had my outfit for fancy events and comfortable clothing for all weather. Best of all it was easy to fit as carry on luggage and I never worried about what to wear. I lived a month and a half with very little compared to my lifestyle now and never felt the need for more.

Who cares if I wore the same dress every evening I went out? I was in a new city every week and never wore it twice in front of the same people. But now that I am home… Do I want to wear the same dress to every wedding and gala I attend? How can I get by with not having to buy things that I don’t need but want? How can I live satisfactorily with the same clothes? How can I shop smart so that I can live with less but still look alright?

1. You can wear the same clothes over and over again if you place them in different outfits and with different accessories.
2. Buy what suits you, not things that are fashionable. O.k. boyfriend cut jeans are in as are rolled up pants. But is that really what you think screams your style? If they weren’t in fashion would you wear them? If clothing suits you (this includes your personality and body shape) then it will never be a faux pas and it will outlast any fashion trend. For example, a professional break dancer will always look great in her baggy pants and running shoes because her life is her dancing, they give her the freedom to move, look like who she is. When skinny jeans hit the market do you think she went out and bought a pair? Maybe… How often do you think she would wear them? Wear what suits you not whats in fashion.
3. Buy colours you love on you otherwise stick to what Montrealers and New Yorkers consider colours — black, white and grey. Colours come and go so fast that if you buy a colour just because it’s fashionable you’ll be dreading it soon. Just a few years ago it was all about bold strong colours and now for the past two years the pastels have been coming out! If you bought fire engine red pants three years ago, you’re not the only one. But will you continue to wear those when no one else is? Will the red pants suit who you are beyond those two summers? For some people yes, for most no. Also make sure to not confuse your favourite colours with what you wear. Just because your favourite colour is red or yellow it doesn’t mean that it will look good on you.

A good way to think about step 2 and 3 is to think about the Givenchy dress Audrey Hepburn wears in Breakfast at Tiffany. Even if this movie was shot in 2014 — would you want her to be wearing any other dress? I think not! It screams elegance and class not to mention fits and suits Audrey’s character in the movie. Which bring me to step 4.

4. Own some basics and classics. Have a burberry trenchcoat? Have a little black dress? Those one pair of navy jeans that fit like a glove? That’s right — these basics will never go out of style and can always work with your wardrobe. I recently bought a long black dress. I can wear it by itself. I can add a belt and wear it long or add a belt and pouf the top over it. I can add a belt and synch the waist. Or add the belt to the waist for a completely different look. Depending on what blazer, or sweater or cardigan I wear I can dress it up or down. Accessories do the same. Converse or heels or flats. Again a new outfit. Navy blue jeans are the same. As for a burberry trenchcoat — it’s a classic. O.k. you can cheat and buy another brand if you don’t have the $ but I will tell you — a classic will always be acceptable to be worn.

5. Accesorise. Once you have basics its important to have some accessories. Having a nice handbag versus a cheap piece of shit (pardon my language) can make the difference of your outfit looking like it came from ardene vs coming from holt renfrew. Having a nice, quality handbag can even make your ardene outfit look like it’s a million dollars. My friend went to a gala wearing a 6$ dress but had her elegant heels and purse and a great evening cardigan to cover her shoulders and everyone was telling her left right and center how much they loved her outfit. But lets not get too lost in quality here either. Accessories will make the difference between your black dress being appropriate for a day in the park, a fancy dinner, or a dress to go clubbing in! If there is one place where you should have variety this is it. But do realize there is only so much variety that you need.

Basics and classics mean no thrills and no fashion moments. A basic and classic piece would be a button up blazer. If your blazer has holes in the sides or in the back (such as a trend from about four years ago) you do not have a classic or basic piece. Instead you have a trendy fun piece that you may love for the following year, but most likely will put to rest with dust (or the giveaway pile) soon after. If you buy one that fits you perfectly, one to three buttons in front and a few buttons on the arms (that are full length). You can wear it until it has turned to rags.

I must warn you though — once you know these rules you must also learn how to break these rules. Rules 2. 3. and 5. are the most important: If you find a blazer that looks elegant on you and breaks the classics by not having buttons on it, yet you can still wear it with anything you would wear you classic buttoned blazer with and will continue wearing it despite if the latest fashion is never ending buttons, then you should buy it.

If you aren’t confident in your shopping or your wardrobe I would stay clear of items that break the rules until you feel more confident. You can find a blazer that will work with all the rules mentioned.

How do I know what suits me? How do I know what is a basic and what is a classic? How do I know if I can rock purple the rest of my life? How do I know how to break the rules? How do I make my black dress fit for any wardrobe? More to come soon!