Consumer guide

Styling

Tips that give your clothes a longer life and expands your wardrobe without you having to lift a finger. Would you like to be a stake-holder in your own closet? And how could you down-scale your wardrobe and still be dressed to a t?

The key to styling is having the tools to style with. For the fashion-savvy, this means 1) a basic wardrobe that can work in any setting 2) accessories 3) the ability to combine and surprise. For some reason we think we have to reinvent ourselves every day. Chalk it up to Fast Fashion, but we do not actually have to wear something totally different each day. (Ask any man.) But a small change is easy, without too much effort. (Ask any man, he changes his tie and thinks he's changed his whole look.)

Add to the pile: Belts, scarves, jewelry, a vest...

There are some key-items that can be used in any number of combinations: A black dress, a pencil skirt, a white blouse (some men just realized this page was for women), a neutral pair of pants with side-pockets, a cool jacket (leather, tweed, suit...), and a twin-set. If you make sure these combine (dark blue and black are tricky, as are brown and black...but with enough contrast they too work). Add to the pile: Belts, scarves, jewelry, a vest... and you can start playing around. One of the tricks is having something that contrasts big time. Colorwise or distorting the proportions. A small vest over an over-sized blouse. The cardigan that belongs to the twin-set under a leather-jacket, with the white shirt either tucked in or out. Tucked in or out gives two totally different looks. So does belt or not. As does scarf/shawl or not, even times ten.

What you then do is: Lay out your basic items: A pair of slacks, jeans, blouse, a top or two, cardigan, skirt, simple dress, a big sweater and two jackets. Now find out how many combinations you can do. Then add the accessories to the mix. Register the combinations on you cellphone (if it has a camera-function) and you'll save a lot of time in the morning when dressing: Just scroll down on your options!

Two Norwegian designers, Nanna and Ylva, made this in to their project: How few items can you actually own and still be dressed for any occasion? They have called their project "Suitcase", since the idea is that you can pack you wardrobe in a suitcase and travel the world - always dressed for the occasion. It's a fascinating concept. They also dream up how items can be transformed. How an outdoor, sporty jacket could actually be a dress for clubbing.