Reinvigorate Your Wardrobe for 2020

The beginning of a new year represents an ideal opportunity for a wardrobe makeover. Whether it’s upgrading your work attire or adding fresh, on-trend items, buying some new duds can also reflect a new outlook on life. 

However, being fashionable shouldn’t mean draining your bank account. In fact, many of the freshest new looks for the season may already be hanging in your closet. Here are several ways you can revamp your wardrobe for 2020.

Closet Shopping – Giving Old Clothes a New Look

While it can be fun to shop for new clothes, one great way to achieve a fresh look doesn’t even involve leaving the house or even surfing the web. In fact, an afternoon spent closet shopping can yield a wealth of new looks from old favorites, along with rediscovering long-forgotten wardrobe items from the back of the closet. Of course, the key is to determine which items to keep and which to discard, donate, trade or sell. 

A good rule of thumb is to discard anything that no longer fits. Then again, it may be possible to alter pieces that wear slightly too small or too large. Items missing buttons or that need tailoring can be salvaged with a needle and thread.

Afterward, new pieces can be added to complement the remaining items, but don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and styles. For instance, plaid flannel shirts can be dressed up with slacks and a vest or dressed down with casual jeans or cargo shorts. 

Wardrobe Tips for Women

Fashion trends for women range from classic to extreme. Case in point: Hemlines go up and down. Slacks are skinny or wide-legged. Shoes range from ballet flats to killer stilettos. However, there are a few basic rules for women’s fashion that are always on-trend. First, build a wardrobe around the basics. For work, opt for a black, navy blue or brown suit, with either a skirt or slacks or possibly both. A few white or light-colored blouses, a pair of flats and a pair of plain pumps will complete a business-worthy look.

Casual clothes for women can be more colorful, as blouses and sweaters can be matched with jeans, khakis or leggings. Shorts and sundresses are essential for warmer weather, and splurging on one gorgeous dress or pantsuit and a quality winter coat for evening wear are solid investments. A few on-trend pieces and accessories can give a fresh look to a wardrobe of basics and classics.

Wardrobe Tips for Men

In some ways, men have it easier than women where fashion is concerned. Particularly for work, men can often get away with purchasing one or two suits or a couple of pair of slacks and jackets, matched with plain white or light blue shirts. On the other hand, there is no reason why men shouldn’t be stylish, too.

Just like women’s wardrobes, men’s attire has basic building blocks. Indeed, a blue or black suit or a blazer and slacks paired with a white or light blue button-down shirt, a few classic ties and lace-up shoes or loafers are appropriate for work. Additionally, a trench coat for cold weather is an essential wardrobe basic. For casual wear, white T-shirts look great with a leather jacket and jeans — but only if they’re crisp and clean, not dingy and worn.  

New Year, New Wardrobe

Building a new wardrobe doesn’t necessarily mean buying all new clothes. A smarter, more budget-friendly option for both men and women is to mix and match clothes that are already in their closet, along with some classics to fill out the foundation for a wardrobe. Plus, adding a few on-trend pieces gives a wardrobe of basics a fun, fresh aspect.