Wardrobe sort out anyone?

I have two students from the NHJ Style Academy who need to have work experience on sorting out a wardrobe. If you live in Central London (this can be negotiated!) and would like have top personal style advice from me (with eager student in tow) then leave me a comment and I'll arrange a wonderful session for you as enjoyed by Wife in the City

Wardobe Sort Out Anyone?

Next Saturday morning May 22nd I've got a trainee stylist who need to observe and assist me on a wardrobe sort out. Anyone in Central or South West London who would like their wardrobe examined/sorted/advised upon?

Let me know in comment box.

How many clothes do you need?

I'm back to thinking about the perfect wardrobe, those 100 pieces (max) that make you stylish and never have you reaching for the style panic button. Do you believe there is such a thing as the perfect wardrobe? In your world what would this contain?

UPDATE: I meant to link to Nina Garcia's 2008 book The One Hundred This is a great starting point to agree or disagree and adapt your wardrobe for your own personal style.

Thought of the week - the stuff of life

In the midst of wondering about ones wardrobe - I do this a lot, partly from habit and partly as a distraction to my current obsession, my dissertation - a whole host of events take place to create an experience far greater than what to buy, what you wished you'd kept, how to alter x item and thoughts on silk, draping and fair isle.

It is not often events overtake the self. I remain convinced that the ego is easily fed on materialistic pleasures and for one brief moment on Sunday before I checked my euro lottery numbers I was that person who had not claimed their £45m win. I managed to buy a town house in Marylebone, a country pile, an apartment in Paris and a house in the South of France. Since my property portfolio was under £20m I then moved onto the handbags I'd buy.

Luckily, my ego was brought back down to earth but more importantly it was fed by the proper wholesome stuff with the safe arrival in the early hours of Sunday morning of a little baby girl Hana May for my youngest sister, who went into labour due to being annoyed by the twins on X Factor!

Then we went for Sunday lunch at friends in Greenwich and had a delightful time with conversation, food, drink and the boys eating their food on a crisp sunny November afternoon in a tree house.

l to r: petit garcon and chums!

And today instead of dissertation, wardrobe matters or work I'm off to see my little niece. Although my ego wishes my sister had hung on for 8 more days so she could share my birthday.

Grown up choices

Now if I'd been a smarter shopper this year and planned my wardrobe better then I would be whooping for joy and parting with my hard earned pennies for this little number.

DKNY Pleated cummerbund dress £210

The Net-a- Porter description is pure grown up delight 'Navy instantly gives an air of elegance and combined with the intricate pleating and cummerbund this is a classy cocktail dress that can be pared down with sandals for a chic grown-up day look. Exchange the cummerbund for a belt to add color.'

If I had the funds to purchase this dress then I wouldn't be sharing with you!

This would fall into the 50 essential wardrobe buys probably under the category of day dress or understated evening dress for gallery opening invitation (as if!)

Project Top 50

Inspired by the little project of white shirt and jeans by Square Old Soul, I returned to my favourite pastime the perfect wardrobe.

My pet hate has to be those must have top 10 items -almost impossible. However my favourite event would be to have the courage and fortidude to have a wardrobe of only fifty easy pieces. So my challenge to you, is to give me at least your top 10,(agh!) and examine my list that is currently standing at 38 out of 50.

Tell me what to take out or what to add. All you need to think about is what to wear items for i.e. day, work, evening etc. Give me your views on how to function with just 50 items (doesn't include underwear or gym kit thank goodness). Once compiled it can become the 'blogger's top 50 clothes to own'!

1. Trench coat

2. White button shirt

3. White tee

4. Pencil skirt

5. Day jeans

6. Cardigan

7. (Cashmere) jumper (round or v neck)

8. Flat boots (riding or biker)

9. Leather belt

10. Pashmina

11. Necklace (day)

12. Bracelet (day)

13. Black trousers

14. Little Black Dress

15. Tux DJ jacket

16. Satin or silk cami

17. Evening jeans

18. Sparkly or dressy evening earrings

19. Evening ring

20. Evening braclet

21. Evening necklace (not neccessarily all worn at once!)

22. High heels

23. Strappy high sandals

24. High heeled knee high boots

25. Flat shoes (pointy, loafers or brogues)

26. Flat sandals

27. Plimsolls

28. Flip flops (make it Havianias and just for beach or house event!)

29. Winter scarf

30. Summer print scarf

31. White summer trousers (line or jeans)

32. Sun dress

33. Pretty top

34. Shoulder, tote or hand bag

35. Weekend over nightbag

36. Clutch

37. Suitcase

38. Cotton vest top

Leave your views in comment box or email me kate@stylebybattrick.co.uk

Listmania

Quite a few people have emailed of late after reading my book and queried my wardrobe lists!
The point of contention is the specified work outfits.
When I compiled the wardrobe list for work items in Winter or Summer, I had a typical person in mind, principally an office worker in a town/city. The typical person also tended to work in a school, customer services or as a receptionist at a GP surgery, for example - these are all just examples!!

I wanted to get the reader to plan a smart working wardrobe. The clothes for work were entirely separate to clothes they wore in a informal/weekend/going out context.
And yes I'm all for people dressing properly for work and if I had my way would ban dress down days. This is a reaction to number of years of working with engineers mainly sporting fleeces. They thought I was a brand/marketing luvvie, one down from fashion police. Enough asides....

The point of wardrobe lists is to provide a structure to stop over spending, keep you on track with your budget and to have a wardrobe of items you can mix and match.
So those of you who've got the book and don't want to wear shirts to work that's fine. Just choose tops instead but stick to same amount and make sure they work with your other items.
The same is true for those of you who work in environments which are more creative/casual. Plan your wardrobe accordingly and enjoy the freedom this work environement affords but still try to make the effort to dress up. If you need help Mrs Fashion's blog (working 9 - 5) puts together some great outfits you could copy but perhaps limit net-a-porter to a treat! Once I've mastered this blogging malarkey I might be able to help too!!
Adapt the lists accordingly to your needs and your budget - but don't lose sight that less is more when planned and executed well.