Pick the clothes that say who you are (image courtesy Ascension)

I have coined the phrase ‘Forever Fashion’ to sum up my ethos around the idea of fashion items standing the test of time.

‘Forever Fashion’ is the way in which I think people should be reviewing their own wardrobe and style. Not just thinking season-by-season, but year-by-year or even decade-by-decade. It’s about working out what works for you before spending any money and creating your own style around who you are inside, rather than merely decorating yourself on the outside.

‘Forever Fashion’ is about buying pieces that you love rather than following the seasons and the latest trends. It’s about merging your passions in life into your identity and creating something vibrant, unique and long lasting. The most stylish women in the world are not praised because they wear the latest looks and have the most expensive wardrobes, it’s because they really don’t follow trends, they break the rules and most importantly know what suits them.

One person’s great style statement is going to make another person look like a sack of potatoes, no matter how well put together the outfit might be. We are all different and we all come in different shapes and sizes, lets start celebrating that fact and embrace who we really are. ‘Forever Fashion’ is about thinking of the bigger picture and taking control of who you really are so that never again will you waste your time and energy feeling unattractive or doubting yourself.

Your wardrobe basics
Start with the basics: In our western world we seem to prioritise certain things and ignore our own needs. Enough sleep, rest, exercise, healthy organic food, having fun, good skincare are all going to make you look and feel better regardless of what clothes your wearing. Forget the rules about the perfect t-shirt, the perfect white shirt…if you would not wear these things normally then why start now?

Good, well made shoes or boots: whether your into heels, flat shoes or trainers they need to fit well, allow you to actually move and coordinate with everything. There’s quite an art to buying the perfect shoe which normally involves spending time researching what you will buy before you actually part with any cash. Remember, if anything breaks within the first two weeks of wearing it, you have the right to take it back.

• A great jacket: This needs to go with everything, fit well and flatter your figure. A good jacket can be dressed up or down, doesn’t date and fits your look.
• A dress you love: Forget the safety net of the little black dress, this has to be a dress that makes you look so amazing when you wear it that every time you put it on it makes you smile.
• A black skirt: Invest in a style that works for you and I promise that you will wear this to death. Update the skirt with tops, vests and accessories and it will never let you down. The most flattering skirts will flatter your shape, start at the mid-section of your waist and sit just about 3 inches above the knee.
• A day dress: Whether floor length or mini-short, this dress should be in a plain, wearable fabric and you should be able to put it on in about 10 seconds. It should be comfortable, allow you to move and look great every time that you put it on. This might be the most sensible thing that you have ever acquired, but it will also be the most long lasting.
• Vest tops and t-shirts: Find the style that flatters you best by trying on every style you can in a shop. Then invest in the best quality tops you can afford, treat them well in the wash and you will still be wearing them in five year’s time long after other trends have come and gone. A good t-shirt is for life.
• Layers: Nothing beats layers for our unpredictable British weather.
• A bag that goes with everything: Think long and hard about what you need this for, (not too hard though, this is just a bag!) Work out the best size for you, the most convenient features that it will have and work out how much you can afford to spend. Buying a good bag is a brilliant investment; just don’t be fooled by designer labels and check the quality of the item and the seams before buying. My bag choice, although not an ethical or eco label is durable, strong, waterproof and fits just about everything that I need to dash about with into it. With an unusual design and a neutral colour, I know that for this reason this bag will last me a very, very long time. Sometimes the right solution isn’t necessarily the first option you imagine.
• Accessories that reflect who you really are: This really sets you apart. Try not to buy cheap, shoddy accessories that will break. Although a lot of fashion magazines encourage you to update your wardrobe with badly made accessories every season, think of the bigger picture and only buy what you can see yourself wearing 10 or even 20 years from now. Not only will you create your own unique ‘look’ but also you will be more true to who you really are. Which is the key to ‘Forever Fashion’.

There’s more style wisdom from Rachel at www.laluminata.co.uk/magazine