Clothes Shopping Tips for Building an Easy Everyday Wardrobe

Use the Three-Outfit Check Before Buying

One practical way to judge a new item is to think of three outfits you could make with it using clothes you already own.

Suppose you're considering a new pair of trousers. Could you wear them with your usual T-shirt? Would they work with your favourite jumper? Could you add your everyday jacket?

If you can only imagine wearing the item with something else you also need to buy, it may not fill a genuine gap in your wardrobe.

Colour can make this easier too. You don't have to build an entirely neutral wardrobe, but keeping a few colours that naturally work together gives you more combinations.

Black, navy, grey, cream, brown and denim are common starting points because they're fairly easy to pair. Brighter colours and prints can then be added according to your own taste.

There's no requirement to follow a strict colour palette. The useful question is simply whether your new purchase works with enough of what you already own.

Choose Clothes for Comfort, Fabric and British Weather

How clothing feels during a normal day matters just as much as how it looks.

This is where clothes shopping can become difficult. A dress might look good when you're standing still in front of a mirror but become uncomfortable after an hour of walking. Trousers might fit while standing but feel restrictive when you sit down.

When trying something on, move around properly.

Sit down. Walk for a moment. Raise your arms if you're trying a jacket, jumper or shirt. Check whether waistbands dig in or sleeves restrict movement. If you're already adjusting an item after a few minutes, consider whether you'll really want to wear it for several hours.