The fabulous people at Rescu asked Ruby Slippers Styling to write a guide to help their readers unlock their inner stylist and get more wears from their current clothes… check out our blog and top tips:

Hands up if you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe and wailed the dreaded words ‘I have nothing to wear’! We’ve all been there, and as the pile of rejected clothes increases (too long, too short, too old, too frumpy, too tight…), your self-esteem takes a nosedive.

Before you reach wardrobe meltdown again, follow this cheat sheet guide to unlocking personal style from your existing wardrobe.

Step 1: Treat your wardrobe as prime real estate

The more you pack in there the less you will wear. Say adios to that redundant winter coat you bought in Europe, that ageing bridesmaid dress and those jeans that haven’t fit since 2001.

Make sure you can see everything. Items buried at the bottom of a drawer will never be worn again. Create a tidy, accessible space for the clothes that fit you and that you enjoy wearing. Everything else finds a new home: in storage, in the bin or, ideally, donated.

Step 2: Know your shape

Yes, we love Kate Moss too. Reality check: we don’t all look good wearing what she does. That braless, whimsical dress doesn’t work on us all… so understand what shape you are, what your assets are and wear what works with this.

You can borrow someone else’s style; just make sure you tailor it to your shape.

Step 3: Break free from the outfit trap

Ok, so you bought the outfit the mannequin was wearing in Sass & Bide and it looks great. Winner. But that’s only one outfit – how can you mix up those pieces with the other things in your wardrobe to maximise those purchases?

Try laying different clothes out on your bed to see what matches, you’ll be far less critical than if you try them on yourself!

Step 4: Invest in the right places

How many times have you gone to a wedding or party and blown your budget on a dress, which you only wore once, then scrimped on a pair of jeans you’ve lived in?

We’re not saying we should all go to weddings in a $20 dress, but think about the ‘cost per wear’, rather than cost.  When you’re buying items that are going to become your second skin, spend wisely and buy what fits, looks great and will last.

As for special occasions, make these timeless (hello little black dress), so with a few clever changes of accessory, you can wear them again and again.

Step 5: Try clothes on

Sounds obvious, right?  It is, but we still constantly see people holding clothes against themselves at the store and nodding to themselves – ‘I think this will fit’. The result? We wind up pulling far too many items out of wardrobes with labels still attached… cost per wear fail!

It doesn’t take long, so actually try items on and think about the things they will go with in your wardrobe. Plan and spend wisely.

Step 6: Make accessories your best friend

Take an old outfit, add a generous helping of this seasons trend of jewellery, scarves, belts, hats, bags…. and viola a new outfit.

Accessories can be used on multiple outfits (see step 4, cost per wear – check!) and help you break free from the outfit trap (see step 3 – check!), making this the most inexpensive and quickest way to update your look.

Don’t leave those wet look pants or leather jackets till next winter; give them a spring feel with floral prints scarves and bags, pastel belts and white accessories.

Step 7: Be adventurous

One of the things we love to hear at Ruby Slippers is ‘I would never have tried this on, but I love it’; it’s like music to our ears.

Life is too short, so try something new. Buy the leather jacket you love, get those kick ass heels, don’t just settle for the black top, inject some colour and get the big statement necklace.

Fashion should be fun, so enjoy it!