A shift in season for me always signals that time to switch over my closet, giving some style staples that have been in “hibernation” another chance to shine. It also means taking time to rediscover your seasonal wardrobe, and perhaps consider a new purchase or two. So I thought today we could focus a little on some easy fashion hacks which will either cost you very little or nothing at all, to give some of your old clothes a new lease on life.
Wearing Diagonal knit* (10% off with mademoiselle2023); Facade Pattern trousers* (10% off with mademoiselle2023); Sezane loafers; Oui Mais Non belt; Longchamp bag; Monica Vinader ring*
Reimagine how you wear your staples
One of my favourite quick and easy fashion hacks? Switch up how I’m wearing my staples. For blazers, I’ll use a brooch to fasten them at the side creating a tabbard effect, or even belt them at the waist. I’ll wear a cardigan back to front. Create a layered look with two matching sweaters with one thrown over the shoulders. You can even change the hemline of your fluid drape skirts by tying a knot in the fabric. Clothing and style should be fun, and this helps keep things interesting.
DIY hem job
Let’s talk about denim. Instead of spending money on hemming, grab a pair of scissors and cut off the hem to your desired length. Raw hems are a trendy and edgy look that won’t cost you a penny. Personally I love a bit of distressing as it helps to add a chill factor when pairing your denim with a tailored blazer. For an even more lived-in look, toss your newly hemmed jeans in the washing machine.
Shoes change up the vibe
The number one reason why shoes are one of my biggest vices when it comes to splurging on my closet? They change up the vibe. Much more impactful than you’d think on first glance, and often the defining factor in the overall feel of your outfit. This can be the thing that creates friction in an outfit, or achieves balance. If your outfit feels too done up, opt for a sporty shoe. Too feminine, wear something that’s heavy, like a lug sole boot or chunky sandals. Essentially this concept of antonyms, that creates this perfect push-pull in an outfit.
Add socks
With sandals, I mean. This is a polarising trend; a bit of a fashion statement but one that I think can add an effortlessly cool element to your outfit. Keep the rest of your look low-key, and choose crew-length socks paired with elevated and embellished shoes to complete the look. Personally, I love the idea of pastels and brights with a neutral shoe, which is a simple way to add colour into your outfit. Alternatively opt for a sheer tight. I love using this simple styling tool to extend the wear time of my low heeled sandals!
Layer it up
The concept of sheer has been doing the round on my social media, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make that work for me. Maybe because peekaboo cut outs can feel intimidating, and a world apart from my own personal style. In the pictures above, I’ve used sheer in a way that I find interesting. My tank, which creates one fluid line when worn simply with my trousers is visible. Usually, I’d do the obvious thing here. Seek out a skin-toned singlet, or go for white which has more of a subdued and softer look. Instead, I chose to highlight the sheerness and create contrast. It’s subtle, but a fun effect. Other ways to think of this could be wearing a mesh skirt underneath a slip, or a bright tank under a minimal (and neutral) top with cut-outs. It’s playful, and makes this trend feel approachable. Plus, chances are you already have something with an element of sheer in your closet (that wasn’t getting much wear!).
Make a midi a mini
Another fashion hack to try is rolling up your skirts to make them shorter. This is a great option if you have skirts that are a bit too long and you don’t want to spend money on alterations. But also, it gives you options, and we love options. Simply fold the hemline up to your desired length and then roll it up one or two more times. This style hack works particularly well with slip skirts that have an elasticated waist band. And if you decide you don’t like the shorter length, you can always unroll it and wear it at its original length. Simple and cost-effective.
Save with cash back rewards programs
Finally, if you are in the mood for something new but don’t want to wait for a sale, a cash back rewards program might be just the ticket. This allows you to earn a percentage of your purchase back as cash, essentially acting as a discount to lower the cost of your wardrobe updates. It’s a win-win situation – you get to update your style while also saving money. I’ve been using GoCashBack, which allows you to get up to 40% cash back from more than 11,000 retailers, including SSENSE (a personal fave), eBay, Sephora, Walmart, and more. If you register with my link HERE you’ll receive an $8 sign up bonus, alternatively you can use my referral code “Mademoiselle”. Once you reach $10, you can make a withdrawal via PayPal – easy!
