Give away anything that you haven't worn for the past six months, unless they are of those types that are worn only in a particular weather or season.

Acquire Your Basics

Next, ensure that you have your basics otherwise, they should be the first to be acquired.

At any point in time, you should have already acquired your basic clothes. These are everyday clothes that can be worn like a uniform and throughout the seasons.

Your basics depends on your lifestyle. For some, it is a pair of skinny jeans and light cotton shirts, others they are mid length skirts that go with a variety of blouses. Little sleeveless cotton dresses are good choices too.

If you are unsure how to do that, first make a list of the different activities in your day-to-day. Feel free to write a description of the major activities.

For instance:

Analyze your wardrobe

Next analyze your inventory and be wary of the areas where you have too much of something (e.g. stilettos when you only wear them once a week for cocktails) and too little of everything else.

You may do this by categorizing your clothes the best you can. It will never be perfect because you can use an item for many other categories but the purpose of this exercise is to know what you have.

E.g.

Separate your clothes, shoes, bags and accessories as much as you can and those that you can't seem to categorize because they can be used for everything, set a category for them under "Uniform - everyday stuff or a category "special use".

For example, in my wardrobe, under "Career", I don't have any business suits because I don't work in a corporation. I don't own any black leather business cases. I usually work from home or in cafes, and once in a while I go my shop so my "Housedress" and "Daytime clothes" are more important.

Try to think ahead also of any special trips you may be planning as well as special events like weddings or ballsthat may be on your social calendar.

Matchmaking

As Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux observes, "Their efforts are certainly praiseworthy and have contributed a great deal to improving the aspect of our city street scene. But as in every other phases of elegance, moderation is always the best policy."

Practice restraint

I think she means like for example if you adore Burberry's signature checkered prints, you must not let yourself be carried away by the delight of wearing everything Burberry's.

Try to do more with less. A single piece of statement jewelry, or simple silver pearl earrings...your restraint will be rewarded by increased elegance.

Pick solid colours

If you only could have five new articles of clothing for the whole year, pick clothes of solid colours.

Solid colours can stand repetition much better than patterned materials. Also, again, if you could only have five pieces in your entire wardrobe, I suggest you pick basic or earthy colours such as black, white, ivory, beige, champagne, navy.

Next to build from your wardrobe is to invest into a few pastel-coloured pieces which will add a fresh touch to daytime wear.

With solid colours, you can dress it in different ways by accessorizing. A day time outfit can transform to evening wear by simply removing a scarf and wearing a long strand of pearls.

Avoid being too "matchy, matchy". It may look too 'costume' for anyone to take seriously. Gone were the days where the shoes were made of the same fabric as the bag, the sash and the ribbon on the bonnet.

Although it is advised to exercise restraint in match making, there are somethings to be matched and doing so is very elegant.

For instance,
matching the umbrella to your outfit/coat,
your various luggage pieces and toiletry bag,
your wallet, purse or bag,
your lingerie set,
the outfit to the occasion.

Your own good taste is probably the best judge.

Paying Attention to Details