Style consultant Stefanie Diller gives tips on how to optimize your wardrobe with simple measures, which fashionable must-haves will be worthwhile and how you can combine old, tried and tested favorites. The fashion expert in the DONNA interview. Nothing to wear again, even though the closet is full to the top? A classic problem that style consultant Stefanie Diller knows only too well from her everyday work. In the DONNA interview, our expert reveals how you can get a handle on it and make the best of your wardrobe with new fashion trends and old-fashioned favorites in your wardrobe.
How can I optimize my wardrobe for the new season?
Provide structure and order! First divide your closet according to summer and winter clothing. Then you clear out everything you haven’t worn in over a year. But be careful: with certain pieces, such as a timeless evening dress, it is worth keeping them in your closet, even if you rarely wear them. A color grading from lighter to darker tones creates further clarity. Then all items of clothing are classified by genre (pants to pants, etc.). Scarves, jewelry, underwear and stockings can be stored well in small boxes. Perhaps you will find out when mucking out that you prefer to wear black, gray, dark blue and brown. That can depress the mood. So have the courage to color!
What colors should I use?
Pastels come again in spring and are very strong in 2018 (pink, light blue, light red and mint green). Purple is also becoming a trend. The more you experiment with colors, the more confident you will be when dealing with new color combinations. You can also wear cherry tomatoes, salmon and mint green at work and combine them with other basic colors such as dark blue, gray, sand and black. How about, for example, gray wool trousers combined with a white blouse and mint green sweater? It doesn’t matter whether you choose a cool or warm color for red and salmon, the color should just suit you. Look for nuances that make your skin glow. For example, a deep, berry purple that looks a bit mysterious. What will come is brown. It hasn’t been in fashion for ages, but cognac or fawn are great tones for many women. Test them in combination with royal blue or gray.
Apart from colors: How can I change my look without having to completely re-dress?
First ask yourself: How do I want to work? Get to grips with your personality. Which colors do you like, which patterns do you like, which silhouettes fit your figure and what do you feel comfortable with? Create a Pinterest wall and collect everything you like. Then examine these photos and consider what you could do.
There are also a few trends that are easy to implement and give your wardrobe a modern look. Thin blousons, for example, which also work as a classic station wagon in everyday business. Simple rosewood, salmon or light blue can be used to freshen up simple shirts and business trousers. Often one exciting piece is enough to make an outfit interesting: a fancy scarf, red shoes, a blue handbag. Play with contrasts and still stick to a maximum of three colors. Another tip: red lipstick! It works like a booster for simple outfits and makes you confident.
And which basics do I absolutely need?
Depending on age and figure, every woman has to face different challenges in everyday life. For example, a mother with young children needs different basics than a businesswoman who travels a lot. But there are pieces of clothing that can always be easily combined and can conjure up a lot of great outfits as a basis. My ten must-haves:
1. a trench coat
2. a striped shirt
3. Ankle boots
4. a cozy cardigan
5. Ankle-length pants
6. a poncho
7. a classic black blazer
8. Jeans
9. a flat lace-up shoe
10. a white shirt
What about pieces that are too tight: pick them up or away?
What is too tight rarely fits again, unless you are a guy who really regularly fluctuates in both directions. Otherwise: Put the parts in a garment bag in the attic and, if you actually have five kilos less, try them on and combine them with current pieces. This is certainly easier with classics than with fashionable parts, which usually have an expiry date after three years. Better to sell very expensive, noble things like evening dresses and put the money into high-quality, new basics, of which you really have something for a long time.
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