4 Ways To Perk Up Your Classic Wardrobe

There are so many reasons to have a solid, dependable wardrobe of classic pieces. We’re talking about pieces in classic or neutral colors- those items that are wearable in a multitude of situations like a solid white shirt or T-shirt, a plain denim jacket, or a fitted dress in a block color.

Clothes like this are ultra-versatile: they stand the test of time, they go from day to night; they are great value for money because you’ll wear them so many times, plus they are a sustainable way of buying clothing. Everyone should have plenty of pieces like this in their closet as the foundation for everyday dressing.

However, what if you find ‘timeless’ just a little dull after a while? Wearing the same type of pieces can get monotonous. What if you fancy a change? Well, don’t ditch your classic pieces. There are lots of ways you can incorporate them into a completely new look.

Using the 5 tips below will completely reinvent your capsule wardrobe of timeless classics into updated pieces you’re going to fall in love with all over again.

Mix it all up again

One of the traps we all fall into now and then is wearing the same pieces in the same way over and over. Sooner or later, we’re bound to get bored. It may be time to mix it up.

For instance, if you’re tired of wearing your white shirt or blouse with tailored pieces for the office, then stop. Switch out how you wear it and save it for the weekend. Pair it with funky denim shorts and more playful shoes like Doc Martens or Birkenstocks, or a tulle skirt and heels.

The aim is to make these pieces fun again. Make some bold choices and try them out in combinations you’ve not dreamt of before. Use them to balance out the edgier or more colorful pieces in your wardrobe. Go wild and see what your imagination can invent!

Find new ways to wear your old favorites

This time we’re talking about how to wear old favorites and not what you’ll wear them with. Another way of achieving a completely new look is to play around with how you choose to wear an item.

Let’s take the trusty white shirt again as an example.

• How about tucked in or worn loose?
• Buttoned or unbuttoned?
• Over something or under something?
• Leaving some buttons undone at the bottom and tying the loose ends?
• Sleeves rolled up or down?

Or take the shirt to an exciting new level by playing with where you wear it. Check out tutorial videos online for how to wear a long-sleeved shirt as a bandeau top, off-the-shoulder top or even a skirt.

You can reinvent all your classic pieces this way just by taking parts and rolling them up or down, pinning them into new shapes, using the buttons or fastening them in different ways, or whatever else you can think of. Don’t be afraid to be bold and asymmetrical or to turn conventions on their head.

Add in color

Color is another way to breathe new life into old favorites. Bright colors give all outfits vibrancy and energy.

Accessories are an easy way to inject color into an outfit: hats and headwear, scarves, face masks, belts and shoes can all add zingy pops of color. These become the focus of your outfit and make your look more unique.

You could take inspiration from African tribal wear or add glitter or metallics. There are so many directions to go in.

You could even play with makeup, nails and hair color, too.

Bring in a statement piece

Why not use your classic pieces as a blank canvas and then add one head-turning garment to your outfit? There are very many different options for this.

You could go with a piece that is more current than the rest of the wardrobe. Take your inspiration from this season’s runways and opt for a more daring, exciting trend. Wearing your wardrobe of classics this way means you can still stay in vogue without constantly replacing everything in your closet.

Alternatively, add really unique pieces to your wardrobe that are special to you and say something about who you are. For instance, you could opt for a fusion look by adding a full, sweeping Indian lehenga or a modern abaya.

Let the fun begin

When it comes to reinvigorating your wardrobe of classics, the only limit is your imagination. You don’t have to blend into the background wearing classic garments.

You just need to think outside the box with new ways to wear them. Make interesting pairings with the more fun or exciting pieces in your wardrobe and add pops of color whenever you can.

Above all, enjoy playing around with different options and be confident: trust your amazing eye for style.

Author Bio

Ethiopian-born and Dubai-based fashion designer Feiruza Mudessir discovered her curiosity to mix the traditional with contemporary at a young age, and this has become the trademark of her designs for Finchitua today. With her unique style standpoint, she served the VIP Color Forecast Panel 2017 for Al Jazeera Paints Company and VIP Color Forecast Panel 2019 for Asian Paints Berger. Ms. Mudessir is a shortlisted nominee for the prestigious Fashion Scout London 2018.