With lockdowns nationwide, cold, miserable weather and a general lack of motivation to do anything, we engaged professional stylist Andri Parlett of Andri Parlett Style to find out her top tips for editing tired, uninspiring wardrobes and bringing them back to life again. Here's what she had to say.

Heading into the last month of winter, and with most of us being in some sort of a lockdown, right now is the perfect time to do your very own wardrobe edit!

Why do we need to do a wardrobe edit? Statistics show we are only wearing 20% of what is in our wardrobe.  That means that 80% of what is in our wardrobes is cluttering up our space, which makes it stressful and time consuming for us to get dressed every morning, and we end up reaching for the same pieces every time. We feel like we have nothing to wear (even though we have a wardrobe filled with clothes), so we end up shopping and buying more of the same pieces we already own, and the cycle continues. Sound familiar?

The goal of a Wardrobe Edit? To have a wardrobe that is well-organised and functional, filled with pieces you love, that fit you well right now, reflect your current personal style, and you know how to wear! 

How regular/ when is a good time to do a Wardrobe Edit?

• Seasonally (Autumn/Winter and again in Spring/Summer)
• When you move home, the perfect time to declutter and not move pieces into your new space that do not reflect the best version of yourself!
• When you move interstate or somewhere that the climate is different to where you have been. Moving from Brisbane to Melbourne - you are going to need a completely different wardrobe and vice versa!
• Change in body. Our bodies change regularly, as well as our skin tone (every 7 years due to hormonal factors). Maybe you have lost weight / gained weight/post baby - whatever the case may be. If your body has changed, you will need to edit your wardrobe accordingly. Not doing this, living in the past, holding on to the body you used to have, is not doing you any favours. Your wardrobe isn't bringing out the best in you right now! It may even be highlighting things you don't love and nobody deserves to feel like that. Do yourself a favour and dress for your fabulous body NOW. Not doing so just creates a vicious cycle of body hate which is not acceptable for even one minute let alone a whole season/year/lockdown!
• A change in career or lifestyle. Stay at home mum returning to the office or going for a promotion? New to the single scene and starting to date again? You will need to adjust your wardrobe accordingly! Your style evokes your sense of being. Dress for what you want in life! Dress in what makes you FEEL good and able to achieve what you want to achieve.
• Stuck in a style rut? Do you put your clothes on and you don't feel like “you” anymore?

All great reasons to hire a Professional Stylist for their expertise, but for now, and given the current lockdowns, try to start with a DIY Wardrobe Edit? It'll declutter your space and your mind and make you feel better! It will also highlight to you what you do and don't need anymore so you can cohesively build a wardrobe that will serve YOU now and post-lockdowns.

Here are my top tips!

What you will need

1. Velour Hangers. They look nicer, take up less space, they don't damage your clothes and your garments won't slip off!
2. Timber hangers for heavier structured items (jackets/ coats), with clips for pants and skirts.
3. Garbage bags, for items you remove and decide to donate/pass on to a friend or family member.
4. Plastic containers, if you choose to store away your seasonal pieces that won't be needed for the next few months or sentimental pieces you would like to keep, but won't be wearing.

What happens next

Remove every piece of clothing from your wardrobe, and start with a clean, empty wardrobe.

Next you are going to try on your clothes, and begin the “3 Pile Process”. You need to try on every single piece of clothing (this is crucial), and decide if it's going in the “Yes” , “No” or “Maybe” pile and arrange accordingly.

Everything that was a “Yes” goes back into your wardrobe in a tidy and organised manner. Some people arrange their clothing according to colour, others according to type. There is no right or wrong - it's all about what works for you and your lifestyle. And what makes it easier for you to find or be inspired!

All the “No” pieces can either be donated or given to a friend/family member. Whatever your preference is. Just commit to the process and eliminate them from your home as soon as possible, so they don't sneak back into the wardrobe and back into cluttering your MIND!

All the pieces that were in your “maybe” pile usually become a "yes" or "no" after trying them on. If you still have pieces left as a “maybe” now you need to figure out why. If you can answer "yes" to the following questions, then keep them:

1. When I wear this piece, am I showing up as the best version of myself?
2. Do I know how to style this piece in at least 3 different ways, using other pieces that are already in my wardrobe and are they GREAT outfits?

After this process has been completed, you may also now be able to create an organised, economically-efficient shopping list of pieces you are missing for the new season. For example your favourite pair of white sneakers have seen better days, and you have to let them go - you note on your shopping list that you need a new pair if white leather sneakers for spring.  I always suggest you save this on your phone, so that when you are online shopping or shopping in store again, you are shopping with a strategy and with an awareness and filling the gaps you identified - not spending money on pieces that you don't need, or perhaps own already.

Ok, so how do you decide what has to go? Here are my tips:

What needs to go 

1. Anything that does not fit you right now, has to go! (too big/ too small - it has to go!)
2. Any piece that is not in great condition anymore, and can't be repaired. (looking old, damaged, holes, pilling, colour faded and so on)
3. Pieces that don't “feel like you” anymore
4. Something you have purchased and just never worn
5. If you have not worn a piece in the past relevant season, it has to go.

What needs to stay

1. Pieces you love and feel fab in and reflect your current style
2. Pieces that fit your body well, right now and compliment your shape!
3. Pieces that you know how to wear and style in at least 3 different ways with other pieces in your wardrobe
4. A good balance between structured and flowing pieces.
5. Good quality basics -  the foundation of the wardrobe and fun pieces to mix and match with the foundation pieces to achieve endless looks.

What needs to be added if it's not there already

The key to a smart capsule wardrobe is good quality essentials .Going into Spring, if you have these pieces in your wardrobe, you can start to build a capsule wardrobe which will allow you to create endless looks using these essential pieces:

1. A trench coat. An absolute must-have transeasonal piece, that elevates your everyday style and creates that effortless stylish look! 
2. A pair of  sneakers
3.  A go-to pair of denim jeans is something no wardrobe can be without! Going into spring, the high waisted, vintage wash denim is on the most desirable list, however for me when it comes to denim the fit is more important than what is on trend. Find a style and fit that flatters your shape, is comfortable and makes you feel fab!  
4. A classic white shirt. A key foundation piece for every woman’s wardrobe, and it certainly does not need to be traditional or boring. For added edge, go for a style that is oversized, has puffy  sleeves, unexpected detailing or even off the shoulder. So many ways to wear a classic white shirt.
5. A white tee and a tee with a graphic print. A basic, good quality white tee is a workhorse in your spring wardrobe, and a piece that creates so many different looks. For a more edgy look, introduce a statement graphic tee. 
6. An all purpose dress - fun and flirty, midi or maxi, a versatile day dress is a key piece! Choose one that you can wear casually with sneakers and a denim jacket, or dress up with a wedge, statement earrings and bright lip colour!
7. A statement layer piece. Think a cool silk bomber jacket with a fun print or a biker leather jacket. You need that second layer piece to add some edge and a bit of fun to your style.
8. A cotton/wool/cashmere blend sweater or cardigan (depending where you live). A great piece for the transeasonal period to add layers and texture to your outfit.  
9. A midi skirt is such a versatile piece in your wardrobe that can be dressed up or down. Consider what style and shape is most flattering for you.
10. A good quality leather handbag is your ideal accessory this spring. Perfect for work or play, it'll have you looking fabulous and on trend in both situations!