Self-help guru wants to encourage women to work with their bodies rather than change them 

After a difficult year, the idea of splashing out on a whole new wardrobe can be all too tempting. 

But image consultant Lindsay Edwards, 35, from Bedfordshire, reveals how you can avoid spending money on new clothes and instead make the most of the pieces you already own. 

Speaking to FEMAIL, Lindsay said making better use of your accessories and paying attention to which pieces you actually wear will help you refine your wardrobe.

Image consultant Lindsay Edwards, 35, from Bedfordshire, reveals how you can avoid spending money on new clothes and instead make the most of the pieces you already own 

She also shared tips on how to find the colours that suit you so you know how to shop smarter when you do want to go shopping. 

She said: ‘So many women set the same New Years resolutions each year. To lose weight and stop wasting money. 

‘Now, whilst I wouldn’t want to deter someone choosing to lose weight for health reasons, I do want to stress that women do not need to lose weight to look better. I really want to encourage women to work with their bodies, not against them. Age, shape or size is not a barrier to looking incredible.’

Here, Lindsay shares her top 10 tips to boost your style and appearance without spending a fortune or obsessing over your weight.  

Use this clever hanger trick to find out what you actually wear  

Lindsay shares her top 10 tips to boost your style and appearance without spending a fortune or obsessing over your weight

Lindsay shares her top 10 tips to boost your style and appearance without spending a fortune or obsessing over your weight 

The majority of women wear 20 per cent of their clothes at a time. That’s a lot of unworn clothes taking up space in our wardrobes. 

Most women have clothes they haven’t worn in years, but keep it with the intention that they will wear it. What’s the point? 

Here’s a method to identifying the clothes you do and don’t wear. Turn all your clothes hangers the wrong way round. Then as you wear and wash clothes, return them to the wardrobe on hangers placed the correct way round. 

By this time year, you’ll see which clothes you haven’t worn as the hangers will still be the wrong way round. If you’ve not worn the item in a year, pass it on to your local charity shop. 

If it’s too sentimental to release then store it elsewhere, in order to gain space in your wardrobe for clothes you will wear. 

The new year is the perfect time to say goodbye to clothes that no longer serve us and give the clothes that make us feel fabulous room to breathe. 

Pull clothes from the other side of the wardrobe    

It might sound simple but we tend to get in a cycle of continually pulling clothes out of the right hand side of our wardrobe, but ignoring items on the left. 

Swap items around in your wardrobe and your hands will automatically gravitate towards items you’d have previously ignored. 

Hang your accessories with outfits they ‘go with’ 

Accessories are a fantastic way to elevate your outfits with minimum effort and can immediately make something look new. But, in the morning rush it can be so easy to forget to add them. 

Try hanging your costume jewellery (necklaces, bracelets, rings) or belts over the hangers of tops that they ‘go with’. Then, when you go to put on the top, the accessories are already there for you to add.

Lindsay said that wearing colour is an instant way to boost both your appearance and your mood. Pictured: Lindsay helps a client during a colour consultation

Lindsay said that wearing colour is an instant way to boost both your appearance and your mood. Pictured: Lindsay helps a client during a colour consultation

Take a photo of your wardrobe

Then, when you come to your next shopping trip you have a visual reminder of what you already own. Do you really need yet another black top?

Ask these two questions when you go shopping 

When you’re next considering purchasing a new item of clothing ask your self these two questions. 

  • ‘Do I already own three items of clothing that this new item will go with?’ (The photo of the contents of your wardrobe will help you here). 
  • And ‘can I think of three occasions where I will genuinely wear this item of clothing’? 

If you can answer ‘yes’ to both of these questions then this new item of clothing will be a versatile, hard working addition to your wardrobe. 

When you do shop… choose pre-loved

A quick check to find colours that suit you 

Look at yourself in the mirror as you hold clothes in a variety of colours underneath your chin in quick succession. You’ll notice some colours make you appear tired and washed out. 

Whereas the colours that suit you will make your eyes shine and your skin glow! Embrace soft white, pewter, navy, and teal which are known as universal colours because they suit everyone. 

If you don’t check out the clothes in charity shops, I urge you to! There are so many hidden gems in there, ready for their next rightful owner. 

I’ve recently picked up a Jaeger coat and an Oliver Bonas dress at a fraction of the original price. Shopping preloved is kind on your purse and the environment. 

Learn about the psychology of colour 

Wearing colour is an instant and powerful way to boost your appearance and your mood. The colours that suit you will make you appear vibrant, approachable and happy – who doesn’t want that?! 

Colours have a huge psychological effect on our mood too (and the mood of those around us). Wear red for confidence and energy or blue for stability and calm. 

Try green for growth and balance or yellow for hope and cheer.  

Dye your clothes for a new look

If you’ve identified clothes within your wardrobe that have faded or are in colours that don’t suit you, dye them! It’s a quick, easy, fun and affordable way to freshen up your clothes. 

There lots of shades available online. Just remember that certain fabrics will not ‘take’ the dye and you can only dye clothes to a deeper shade. Always follow the instructions on the pack!