My Wardrobe, My Way

If you’ve had your fill of fast-fashion or are done fighting the battle of the bulging wardrobe, it’s time to take back control, and we’re here to help. So, fling open those cupboard doors, get ready to dig deep and say: from now on, it’s My Wardrobe, My Way!

Why now is the time to act. The clothing industry is bursting at the seams. It’s estimated that between 80 and 100 billion pieces of clothing are produced globally each year. In the United Kingdom alone, more than 206,456 tonnes of textile waste is produced each year and only 25% of it is either reused or recycled. With the average household owning around £4,000 worth of clothes do you reckon you’re getting your money’s worth?

My Wardrobe, My Way is back once again to help you tackle your wardrobe situation and this time we have a very special guest. Austyn Farrell viral TikTok star and beloved north Londoner has opened the doors of his wardrobe, and his heart,  to share the most iconic pieces in his clothing collection.

There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to clothing! The My Wardrobe, My Way campaign is not here to tell you what the perfect clothes, shoes and accessories collection should be, it’s about encouraging you to embrace your own style and be conscious about how you get it. Throughout the campaign you’ll get expert tips from those who have successfully taken up the challenge of creating a "capsule" clothing collection, you can ask questions and get advice to help you give it a go.

Fancy getting some personalised advice and repair tips? We're holding a "My Wardrobe, My Way" pop-up on Saturday 23  to help you declutter your closet and fall back in love with your clothes. 

My Wardrobe, My Way is happening

Unravelling your wardrobe – our top tips

Say no to clutter: When was the last time you really delved into your clothes, shoes and accessories and thought about what you wear or don’t wear? You might not manage to do it all in one go but it’s worth making time to go through your things, matching up clothes and accessories to make new combinations. During this process, you may also want to make a ‘maybe’ pile of clothes, for those items you’re just not sure whether to keep or get rid of. You can always come back to that pile at a later date, or maybe decide to wear them again a few times to help you make the decision. 

Know what you own and save money: Research shows that around 30% of clothing in wardrobes has not been worn for at least a year, so there may just be some forgotten pieces in there for you to enjoy again.  This is a great way to see how you can make the best of what you’ve got instead of buying more.  

Embrace your style to avoid unwanted purchases: Getting to know what suits you will help you decide what you need in your wardrobe and avoid the unnecessary clutter of those items that are bought and never worn. Choosing the clothes you like, and not the ones dictated by fashion, will ensure that when you open your wardrobe you will actually want to wear what’s in there. It doesn’t have to be lots, but key pieces that match up to make different looks are a great asset to your wardrobe.

If you’re done, pass it on: When you’ve completed your wardrobe sort-out there are lots of easy ways for you to get rid of items that can be worn again, and maybe make a bit of money too. Even if you think that something is well and truly past its best please don’t throw in the general waste bin, clothing can be recycled and used for other purposes.

• Sell - There are lots of online second-hand selling platforms - do just a quick online search and you'll find loads.
• Donate - Contact your local charity shop to find out what items they’re taking, or follow this link to help you find somewhere to donate.
• Swap – Get together with friends or family to swap clothes and accessories, or search online for swap events in your community.
• Fix - If you need to give something a quick fix before passing it on, or want to repair something you’re planning to keep, we’ve got tips for you on how to go about that here.
• Recycle – When clothes and textiles cannot be reused or repaired you can recycle them.  

Say cheese! It might seem a bit strange but if you take pictures of the individual clothing items and accessories as you do your wardrobe sort-out, you’ll have them to hand when deciding what to do with them. You can share pictures of items with friends or family who you think might want to take something you’re done with or use the photos when listing an item for sale.