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Authenticity is the New Feminism

My mother was a feminist. I am not. Before judging hear me out… My mother fought for women to have equal rights and the same opportunities as men. In many ways she and others of her generation and those before her made tremendous headway. In Australia women can now have a seat at the leadership table, pursue careers in whichever field they choose and have equal voting rights.

But all is not equal, far from it.

There are still way fewer women in executive leadership roles; many industries, including the IT industry in which I spent a large portion of my corporate career, are very male dominated. There is still disparity in the salaries of men and women in many companies and industries.

What’s more, is that in order to be taken seriously by their male counterparts and leaders in a masculine world, women have either had to adopt a masculine way of operating and/or be subjected to sexual harassment (or face lost opportunities if they chose not to partake in such conduct). I have personally experienced all of this. Not to mention the cultures and religions that significantly marginalise women.

For a while, I was angry with my mother’s generation. I felt that they hadn’t done enough. Here I was, a woman in the workforce 40 years later, still being harassed, bullied and forced into acting like someone I am not (a man) in order to be successful. What BS!!!

Where are we now?

Then I realised that the women’s libbers of the sixties, seventies and eighties did make a difference. They got Australian women a seat at the leadership table. They got us a voice. I was taking that for granted. It’s now up to my generation and those behind me, to use that voice to drive further change.

I love that there continues to be a unification of women and many men across the globe on this issue. I love that women of celebrity and influence are coming together to shine a light on the gender disparity and unacceptable behaviours of males in positions of authority. I am passionate that this conversation must continue until people of all positions, countries, religions and races are equal in their rights.

I am also passionate that the step beyond truly equal rights and opportunities for all genders is recognising that whilst men and women are equal in our power, we are not equal in our biological or physiological make up. Women are different to men.

I believe the time is now for women in positions of leadership to lead from their feminine energy if this is who they truly are. This masculine world of ours is crying out for feminine qualities such as compassion, community, kindness, empathy, care, tolerance, sensitivity.

What does my work as a stylist have to do with that?

As a fashion stylist I am passionate about supporting women at all levels of leadership, to bring their authentic selves to their work and life. This can be as simple as helping women understand their style identity and their own sense of style and making it as easy as possible to be true to this when dressing every day. I have a saying, “When she loves her outfit, she feels like anything is possible. …and it is!” Personal styling is tremendously empowering. Similarly, not consciously investing in our personal brand can hold us back from putting our best foot forward.

My mother is struggling to reconcile the fact that I work in fashion styling. She fought so hard to break women out of the Stepford mould. She fought for women to not have to preen, groom and polish themselves to their husbands’ specifications and here her daughter is helping women preen, groom and polish themselves.

Embrace who you truly are in style & life

But there is a HUGE difference…. Unlike in the 60’s, today more western women can be who they want to be, in style and life (albeit still with some challenges, as outlined above). If we want to polish our nails, curl our hair and wear dresses and heels we can. If we want to power dress like a man, we can. The choice is ours, with some exceptions of course.

There are those whose religion or culture precludes them from expressing themselves in the most authentic way. Or those whose financial circumstances make fighting for food, safety and shelter their focus over self-expression. I don’t want to downplay the inequality and repression that still exists in these marginalised and disadvantaged parts of society.

Celebrate the changes

I want to celebrate the fact that the shift in perception is happening. I don’t feel like I need to be ‘a feminist’ in the traditional sense, but rather, thanks to all those strong women who came before me, I am simply able to be a female living and expressing myself authentically. For me this means being able to be feminine without being perceived as provocative or weak. It means being able to wear, do and be what I love. We are not there yet but we are making progress.

Authenticity requires complete freedom of choice. Australian women increasingly have more choice and now we must ask ourselves, who am I truly? How can I reflect who I truly am to the world? What do I truly love? How can I bring my unique feminine qualities to my work and life?

Express our authenticity & femininity through what we wear

Of course this goes way beyond physical presentation but the way we dress is part of who we are; it’s the part of ourselves the world sees first. I am passionate about working with women to help them express their authenticity through what they wear; to dress to flatter their feminine form, not exploit or hide it (unless of course they genuinely love to do this); to adopt a signature style that is uniquely theirs. When there is congruence between who we truly are and what we wear, we naturally empower ourselves to put our best foot forward.

The more people, men and women, operating from a place of truth and authenticity both inwardly and outwardly, the better the world will be. Particularly, for women who have been repressed for so long. We have so much good we can bring to the world to create balance to the prevailing masculine energy of the western world.

So what does it mean to be authentic in style? That is a whole other discussion, one that I will most certainly have, just not right now.

Main image credit: @ifoundlucy

How to Style Your Bump

The good news is you can still look fabulous at every point in your pregnancy (even if you don’t feel it). …without sacrificing comfort!

It feels like there has been quite a bit of baby fever going around. With friends’ pregnancy news, influencers putting together gorgeous (and comfy!) outfits and watching beautiful journeys to parenthood (how magical were @annstreetstudio photoshoots?), I wanted to put down some thoughts about maternity dressing.

At the start of my pregnancy, I browsed through many blogs and articles for maternity outfits inspiration (and created a Pinterest board of course). I discovered that many women I turned to for ideas did not shop for maternity-specific pieces but rather experimented with their regular pieces.

I am a firm believer in making my wardrobe work for a variety of situations and occasions, and that approach seemed great. Pregnancy was another style challenge I was up for! When thinking back to my style choices during pregnancy, I found it helpful to break it down into trimesters.

First trimester – Disguise the bloat

While you might not be showing, there is a chance that you are not feeling all that great. Morning sickness, new aches and pains, and a crazy sense of fatigue are the new normal.

You also have to get used to a different pace of things and your changing body. You might find that your breasts have gotten bigger and you have to do some emergency underwear shopping (me!), or you can’t be bothered dealing with high-maintenance outfits, so crease-free, fuss-free basics have to come to the rescue (also me!).

At this stage, you can make your regular wardrobe pieces work, but opt for those that make you feel comfortable. Your body has enough to contend with that chances are the last thing you feel like is squishing yourself into restrictive tops or diggy-in (new term!) pants that drive you crazy long before 5pm.

Wrap dresses could be in heavy rotation at this time, particularly during sticky summer! The good news is, you can continue to wear these throughout your pregnancy, especially if you opt for styles that can tie above your bump and have some stretch.

Images credit: theoutnet.com

Second trimester – hello maternity jeans

You typically feel better (not always!), and your bump is starting to show. It’s such an exciting time. You have probably shared the news with your friends and family at this point and have a lot of plans for this next chapter. I found myself reading stacks of books on pregnancy, baby’s first month, breastfeeding and many more. You might be designing the nursery and be wrapped up in all the things it entails.

This is a great time to invest in a pair of maternity jeans. Your regular jeans will feel stiff and uncomfortable, whereas maternity ones have an internal elastic tummy band that can be adjusted as your belly grows.

Buy a few flowy tops from your favourite brands: you could make them work post pregnancy by wearing them tucked in or with a belt to cinch in the waist.

Additionally, recovery shorts can help with pregnancy back pain but have the added bonus of acting a bit like shapewear under your everyday looks. Mine were by SRC, but there are other brands out there. SRC shorts are also great post pregnancy to help your body get back in shape, especially if you have a C-section.

Images credit: theiconic.com.au

Third trimester – Show off the bump

Your maternity pieces are in full rotation by this stage. Invest in t-shirts that can stretch over your bump, some roomy tanks and a blazer that has some movement or stretch in the fabric.

Your pregnancy tees can be worn tied up to get longevity out of them post-pregnancy. If you have to dress for a corporate job, a bodycon dress or a maternity skirt paired with a blazer would serve you well.

Pregnancy is one of the only times I confidently embraced tight fitting tops and dresses. Usually I dress to cleverly disguise my lumps and bumps, but during pregnancy the goal is to highlight the bump, especially in the third trimester.

Images credit: popsugar.com.au, target.com.au, glowmama.com.au

I found that no matter how prepared you think you are, there will still be things during your pregnancy that you didn’t expect – that’s life. I hope these tips for maternity style will help you make one area of your pregnancy easier and stress free.

Main image credit: https://fustany.com/

5 Essential Power Dressing Pieces

With these essential wardrobe pieces you’ll feel pumped to conquer your day no matter what it throws at you!

So what is empowered dressing? The 70s brought with it many bold and bright fashion items. Flares, corduroy, and paisley prints were in, while tie-dye and other remnants of 60s fashion were slowly fading as flower power met its natural demise.

With the more savvy, worldly and confident 70s youth also came a heightened focus on women’s rights. And the women of this bold decade were embracing this new wave of empowerment, using fashion to express their intention.

What followed was shoulder pads, boxy tailoring and women’s suits, which represented women’s determination to reclaim their power and take their rightful place in equality with men.

Modern Day Feminism

With all the strides that have been made towards equality; women can now wear pieces that empower them in a more feminine way, rather than needing to demonstrate that they are one of the boys.

I asked a few of my girlfriends which items make them feel empowered. The answer I got was unexpected: ‘shoulder pads’.

I was initially surprised by this answer as shoulder pads have definitely had some rocky moments over the years. Fashion historian Oleg Mindiak gives a great overview of the history of shoulder pads in an article on his blog, starting from 1930’s and Elsa Schiaparelli’s designs to the feature’s strong presence in current collections. Bustle and CR Fashion Book highlight the shoulder pad as a symbol of the feminist movement that reappears during significant moments in women’s history.

Go-To Empowerment Pieces

While shoulder pads might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I believe everyone has that piece that makes them feel strong and powerful. A couple of recurring favourites from my girlfriends in a Facebook poll on the topic of empowering wardrobe pieces included:

A well-tailored blazer
Killer heels
Luxury fabrics such as cashmere or silk.

My Favourites for Feeling Fierce

For me, I feel empowered wearing pieces that make me feel confident yet comfortable. Things that allow me to navigate a busy day without pinching or restriction, while still looking effortlessly classy.

Here are a few that work for me:

1. A leather jacket.

Find one that works for your body type (it doesn’t have to be black, there are so many options!) and it will last you for years. With time your jacket will gain more character. This is an item that can add a bit of toughness to a feminine frock (I love the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine!) or be worn with jeans and a t-shirt when you’re running about town.

2. A white button-down or a white t-shirt:

I always feel crisp, pulled together and ready to take on the day whenever I wear one. One of my favourites is this clean-cut classic from Uniqlo. At $39.95 it’s a steal but it works so hard in my closet.

3. Colourful accessories

It’s a great idea to build a wardrobe that sticks to a palette of a few neutrals, but I suggest always adding some colour options that work with your neutrals. If I’m having an average day or feeling under the weather, a pop of colour – be it a lick of lipstick, a scarf, or a top – can instantly energize and lift me up. For me, a red lip is super empowering and my go-to colour is MAC So Chaud (this orange-red is great for warm skin tones, opt for a blue-based or burgundy red if you’re cooler).

4. A great pair of flats:

As much as I adore heels, it’s unrealistic for my lifestyle to wear them all the time. A pair of elegant, pointed-toe flats can dress up a pair of jeans, complete a look for a business meeting and see me doing a kinder pick-up. They’re great for when I need to spend a full day on my feet and help ensure I don’t suffer the all-consuming fatigue that can accompany aching feet.

I love these Valentino’s (you can get some great Valentino bargains on Ozsale!), but if you’re not up for spending that much you’re not alone. You can find similar styles at a more accessible price, such as this pair from Shein.

5. A fabulous handbag:

A good handbag is an investment. Today there are so many brands for every budget that offer practical yet elegant options. One of my main criteria – it should be comfortable on my shoulder and provide easy access to all the things I might need.

Truth be told, the bag option that makes me feel most empowered right now is the belt bag. Love it or hate it, the belt bag is having a fashion moment. For me it feels so empowering as it frees my hands and arms up completely (important when chasing after the kids!). Added bonus – it can help define the waistline. Many designers, from high-end international luxury labels to local Australian designers, feature belt bags in their current ranges. I love the TDE one in particular as it looks great, is a reasonable price and has the option for monogramming.

It’s important to work out what makes YOU feel confident. Some of my girlfriends feel at their best in fabulous heels or a full-length goddess dress, some love a red dress and excellent tailoring. There were mentions of high-quality pyjamas, because it means self-care time. We are all different, so taking the time to register how different clothes make you feel is important when working on your own style. If you find an outfit that makes you feel great and like you’re ready to smash some glass ceilings, remember it and build more outfits like it.

What makes you feel your best? Let me know below!

Stay Cool and Look Fab

We’ve had some insane hot weather spells here in Melbourne and it’s probably not the last of it. I’m going to share my top tips for hot weather dressing and they may not be what you think!

If you live anywhere in Australia, hot sunny weather is a fact of life and you might still need to look pulled-together for work. You have to balance comfort and practical concerns with style. When you have your work appearance to consider as well, it can be tricky – especially if you catch public transport to work. Nobody wants to arrive at 9 am drenched in sweat with sticky underarms, or to pass out while standing at a tram depot because their outfit is too restrictive. Staying under an A.C. unit all day every day, or escaping to cooler destinations for the whole summer is not a viable option for most of us.

Luckily there are ways to dress for hot weather that can make you feel more comfortable and look fabulous.

Here are my 8 tips:

1. Choose your fabric wisely

When it comes to breathability, not all fabrics are equal. I don’t know about you, but sitting in a sauna is the last thing I feel like doing on a sweltering day. Synthetic fabrics can create a sauna-effect, trapping hot air close to the body and increasing body temperature and sweating even further.

Materials to avoid:

Nylon, polyester and viscose.

Materials to opt for:

Silk, cotton and linen. If you are worried about excessive wrinkling, go for linen/cotton or linen/silk blends.

2. Get colour cool

Pastels are a cool idea (pun intended) as they make you think about ice cream and light colours attract less heat. There are some great gelato colours in store for summer. That said, if you have a tendency to sweat, darker colours are more forgiving.

The Iconic lets you narrow down your search based on colour, fabric and size, so you can browse through a shortlist of options by different brands. Here’s just a snippet of the results for a ‘cotton, blue or blue/green’ dress.

3. Think of your feet

Choose flat shoes or sandals to comfortably accommodate your heat-swollen feet while staying stylish. You can always bring a pair of heels to change into once you get to your air-conditioned office. Leather or cotton lining is best to reduce sweating.

Bared has a selection of flats and sandals that will not only complement any outfit, but provide support for your feet. If you prefer a heel over completely flat sole, then look for a pair of wedges like these Alia Mae ones from Wanted Shoes.

4. Beware tight pants

If you go for pants – the wider, the better and make sure the fabric is breathable. There are so many alternatives to jeans – culottes, palazzo and pyjama style pants.

You can find great numbers in any price category.

A pair from Kmart:

CountryRoad:

5. Embrace a larger perspective.

While you might feel like escaping the heat in the tiniest top and skirt, not all of us have the body to pull it off. Even for those who do, on a really hot day flowy, longer pieces are a good way to go. A maxi skirt is better than a mini so that your legs don’t stick to your seat (no one wants to leave a wet seat behind!). Covering up in breathable fabrics also provides extra protection against the sun’s rays.

Faithfull the brand always has loose-fitting options in breathable fabrics and understated pretty prints. Here are just two options:

Option 1:

Option 2:

6. Loose classic cotton shorts are better than denim ones.

Bermuda shorts are definitely having a strong moment this summer. Paired with a blouse or a sleeveless top and a jacket, they can be appropriate for work while feeling more summery than trousers.

A pair from Zara

7. A flowy dress instantly makes you feel cooler, especially if it’s in a summery print.

I’m a big fan of dresses for any season. This one piece replaces the need to put outfits together, so they are a great option for when you are short on time. You can dress them up or down with different style shoes or accessories. In short, dresses can do it all.

8. If you feel that your outfit is a bit plain, choose some bold accessories or a statement lip.

The abundance of neutral colours and simpler fabrics in the summer may make you miss the more complex and layered outfits of colder seasons. You can always make it pop with colourful jewellery and accessories, add a printed scarf, or go for a brightly coloured bag. Turban headbands have been seen on many influencers and celebrities and they are great help with summer hair.

Summer heat can be quite taxing, but your style can make you feel fabulous and comfortable whether you’re running errands or commuting to work. I’ve been pretty much living in a uniform of flowy dresses and runners during the week, and jumpsuits with comfy heels for balmy nights out.

What are some of your go-to pieces for hot weather dressing?

My All-Time Style Hero

If there’s one piece that’s the hero in my wardrobe it’s the ever-reliable navy blazer. It’s such a staple wardrobe piece. It’s the piece that works hardest (along with its close cousin the black blazer) and can complete a look for the office, the weekend, a romantic date or a girls’ night out.

CLASSIC & MODERN

The navy blazer is the perfect middle ground between classic and modern. Navy works for all skin colour types (unlike black, which isn’t as great for warmer or fairer skin tones), and is a versatile colour in that you can match it with lots of other colours and styles.

OPTIONS FOR EVERY SHAPE

The best part? There are lots of navy blazer options for different body shapes. Whatever your size, the navy blazer has you covered. From double-breasted with wide-lapels (great for triangles, aka pear shape bodies), to lapel-less (great for inverted triangles, aka carrot shape), to cinched-in structuring through the waist (great for hourglass and rectangles, aka banana shape), to ‘boyfriend style’ or duster coats (great for ovals, aka apple shape).

CELEBRITY STYLE

A few years ago Kate Middleton’s sighting in the Smythe navy blazer caused it to repeatedly sell out. While some might say ‘it’s just the Kate effect’, a quick search brings up hundreds of other celebrities rocking a navy blazer. Even the Wall Street Journal calls it a no-nonsense building block of the wardrobe and ‘a new beacon in the sometimes stormy and hyper-trendy sartorial waters. Now I don’t think I need to convince you any longer. Here are a few of my favourite ones to shop now.

OUR FAVOURITES

This Theory Gabe stretch wool blazer is a perfect example of this wardrobe staple. It’s very understated and would be on heavy rotation in your office outfits. Wear it with jeans and runners and you’ve got yourself an easy off-duty look.

This ASOS luxe for less number is a lighter shade of blue, which makes it more trans-seasonal. The padded shoulders add volume on top so this blazer is a great option for triangle shapes.

The gold buttons on the Mossman Signature Blazer are a throwback to the blazer’s history, as it was transformed from military uniforms. If you choose to wear it unbuttoned, make sure you accentuate your waist under the blazer.

Finally, my personal favourite; the Camilla & Marc Marguerite Blazer in ink.

With such a variety of cuts and shades of blue, you will be sure to find something that works for your body type and colouring. Comment the link to your favourite blazer below and tell me why you love it!

Main image credit @martinyorkboutique

Footnotes:

Navy Blazer from Toronto-Based Label Smythe Gets Repeat Wear by Kate.” 2011.The Canadian Press, Jul 06. https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/docview/878638437?accountid=13552
“Not Your Ordinary Navy Blazer.” 2015.Details, 10, 77.
https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/docview/1718081458?accountid=13552

How to Fight Fashion Waste

Building a sustainable wardrobe is one way that you can help make a difference. Added bonus – it can simplify your life AND save money. More on how to do that in a moment, but first let’s take a look at what we’re currently dealing with…

150 billion pieces of clothing end up in landfill each year. A quick search on Google will lead you to believe that the fashion industry is the second highest polluter. While the Pulse of the Fashion Industry report begs to differ it still places it in the top 10 and reveal that only 52% of fashion executives have sustainability and environmental targets.

However, the fashion world IS making a shift towards sustainability. The Ethical Fashion Guide allows you to check whether a brand does enough to protect their workers. There are articles about new materials (there is a fabric made from orange peel!) and businesses like Glam Corner. Sustainable fashion has been embraced by an increasing number of people who seek a guilt-free conscience, good feelings, and the knowledge that they are supporting communities...

The dark side of sustainable fashion

In 2014 Vogue was called out by a writer for appropriating the sustainable fashion conversation and presenting sustainable options as simply one of many, rather than educating their audience on the benefits. More recent research on luxury brands’ sustainability efforts questions whether the consumers are ready to pay more because they support sustainability efforts or whether it is just another ‘means of flamboyancy’.

Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom

At the same time, many publications and bloggers are coming out with great ways to make the way we go about dressing more sustainable, while also still being fun and empowering.

Francesca Willow, the creator of the blog Ethical Unicorn features articles on all things ethical and sustainable covering things from social justice to body positivity. She has featured pieces on a sustainable fashion brand endorsed by the UN and sustainable underwear that supports self care.

So, how can we create a sustainable wardrobe that still turns heads?

Building a sustainable wardrobe could be approached in many ways, and this is a subject I will no doubt keep coming back to. A great way to do this is to focus on your personal style, rather than fashion. Fashion comes and goes, style lasts forever.

Not sure what your personal style is? Click here to potentially win your own personal stylist for a day!

Aim to focus on building a wardrobe you can wear and wear again, which is always in style and specific to you and your lifestyle. This is the mindset for sustainability.

Functionality and minimalism are essential to a sustainable wardrobe. There are countless guides on how to achieve that, some even telling you a magic number of hangers you should aim for. However, I believe that everyone has their own number that would allow for a sense of wellbeing and harmony.

Try these ideas on for size…

The main thing is that every single item you own should bring you joy and get as much wear as possible. If you have items that have been sitting in a box on your top shelf or in the depths of your drawer, it’s time to do a revision.

The goal is to minimise the cost per wear of each and every single garment you own. Wearing something once or twice certainly doesn’t achieve this.

A sustainable wardrobe is a functional wardrobe

Do you frequently think ‘I have nothing to wear’? Or maybe you buy lots of items on sale without any idea of what to do with them later? Or perhaps you have garments that get no wear because they don’t match anything else you own?

If those things are true for your life, your wardrobe is probably not very functional. (It’s probably pretty expensive, too!)

A functional wardrobe:

Contains pieces that allow you to effortlessly build multiple looks.
Matches your lifestyle – a CEO and student would have completely different wardrobes.
Contains pieces that suit your body type.
Follows one main style.

10 steps to achieving a practical and sustainable wardrobe

1 – Assess Your Lifestyle

What roles do you perform (e.g. Mum, business professional, socialiser, fitness buff, couch potato etc)? How influential are these different roles when investing in your wardrobe?

Come up with the ideal number of outfits for each role. This is very individualised – some people are happy to wear the same outfit or two on rotation and others prefer multiple looks.

2 – Know Your Body

What is your body shape? Look at the proportions of your shoulders, hips and waist to determine your shape and learn the style rules for your shape. For example, if you have a narrow waist you don’t want a wardrobe full of unstructured tops and dresses.

3 – Define Your Style

What is your natural style? Are you classic, or are you more feminine for example? If you are unsure, who in the influencer/celebrity world has a style that resonates with you? Look to them to hone your own style. A classic style is timeless, very practical and sustainable.

4 – Declutter

Once you get clear on your lifestyle, body shape and signature style, do a review of your wardrobe. Eliminate any pieces that don’t work for you, or that you simply don’t like or wear and also those pieces that are tired (fabric is balling/pilling/fading, stains that you can’t get out – you get my drift), If you haven’t worn it in a year, it might be time to give it away.

You could donate it to an op shop or take it to one of the brands’ recycling initiatives BUT before you do, play around with it and pair it with other pieces you would never have thought to put it with. You might surprise yourself and find a new way to wear it.

5 – Build Your Go-To Looks

‘Go-to-looks’ are outfit combinations that work for your shape, style & life, which you have on rotation to make life easier for yourself. Make a list of all the situations that require different types of outfits. Now make yourself a cocktail and set aside an hour or two to play around in your wardrobe. Build looks for each life role, lay them out on your bed complete with shoes/accessories and take photos of each outfit.

Switch accessories or swap a single piece and you can create a completely different look. The key is to keep a photographic record of all the different combos and file them so that they are accessible as a quick reference when dressing.

This skirt is a star of a dressed-up and an off-duty look.

6 – Identify Your Purchase Approach

Figure out what key pieces you are missing and come up with a plan for filling in those gaps. This approach will more likely lead you to great purchases rather than relying on impulse shopping.
Perhaps you prefer to shop seasonally and build a capsule wardrobe for each season? Perhaps you like to vintage shop? Maybe your approach is to invest in a few luxury pieces and really make them work for you.

7 – Be an Informed Shopper

Do your research to find out which brands use sustainable fabrics and have sustainable and ethical sourcing strategies and supply chains. Be mindful of this when choosing where to shop and what to wear. Some examples of sustainable brands that come to mind are The Fashion Advocate and KitX. You might be surprised to learn that even Zara, Witchery & Country Road rank well in the latest Ethical Fashion Guide.

8 – Consciously Invest –

When pulling together different outfits you may identify missing pieces – “if only I had a top to go with these pants & this skirt”. Put these missing items on your shopping list.

Also think about ‘hero pieces’ ie pieces that you can wear time and time again in different outfits & across all parts of your life (casual, business, going out etc.) – a good pair of jeans, a navy or black blazer, a white shirt etc.When shopping, consciously invest in pieces that will round out your wardrobe and that you can wear time and time again.

9 – Consider Rental

For special events or occasions that call for a specific look which is not practical for your everyday life, consider renting rather than buying. There are loads of amazing rental options now, especially for dresses and designer handbags. One I used recently for designer bags is Style Secret.

10 – Get Creative With Your Unwanted Pieces

Rather than leaving unworn items in your closet or dumping them on the back doorstep of your local op shop, think about other meaningful uses.

Look at how you could repurpose by having a tailor make modifications to make them more functional; hold a clothes swap with your girlfriends; set up a stall at your local market or on eBay; make your old pieces into clothing/toys for your kids (or have someone do this for you); rent out your occasion wear and make some added $$s as a bonus.

Check out Sarah Tyau’s magic in upcycling clothes

Style can be fun and so can creating a functional and sustainable wardrobe. Like anything worthwhile in life, it requires a little bit of time and a systematic approach to set yourself up, but making this investment can be tremendously rewarding for you, the planet and its people