WHY DO I THINK THAT I CAN DO THIS?

As I have previously indicated, my objective is to go a whole year without buying anything new... So why do I think that I can do this? 

The answer: I follow some very simple rules for buying clothes for my wardrobe...

These are:
1. Mix and Match Rules.
 90% of what I buy must go with everything else in my wardrobe. 
How does this work?:  Imagine blindfolding you eyes and then standing in front of your closet to an outfit. Would the items you picked actually make a wearable  outfit?  If the odds aren't good you are in trouble.
By the way this goes for shoes and handbags too. 
2. Choose neutral colours for your key pieces / investment pieces :
suits, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, formal wear and sportswear.
Neutral colours are black, grey, beige, brown, Navy blue or white. 
Plaids, tweeds, checks are acceptable if they have your neutral colours and possibly one accent colour.
There is nothing that dates more quickly than that purple suite or the weird Green one!
3. Chose 3-4 accent colours for shirts, tops, sweaters and the like.
 Even patterns should conform. You can choose any colours but they should be colours that you feel good wearing and look good on you. Mine are pink, blue and purple! A bit of white doesn't hurt either.
4.  Avoid to being trendy.
No matter how trendy the piece is if it doesn't look good on you, you won't look good
5. Less is more.
6. Classic.
You know you will look good, you won't need to update your wardrobe as often and you won't need as many pieces. The pieces we tend to wear over and over again are the ones  that we love and actually look good on us! Think vintage-would you wear it again in 10 years? 20 Years?. I'm sure many of us would wear a Vintage Chanel suite if we could. Apply this principle to your wardrobe.
7. Have something for every occasion. 
Most are not living in a snack bracket where we attend  more than 5 formal / special events a year that require a long dress.  These are expensive - choose wisely and update/ change with accessories which means you need to wear it again.  This is where the "classic" principle really comes into play.
Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.  That black dress is still a knock out and is  incredibly versatile..... find your own twist and make it unique
8. Plan ahead. 
It is OK to buy inexpensive items for a quick update but for the important pieces plan ahead. Review your wardrobe, identify the gaps, keep a list and pounce when the price is right.

What are the benefits?
1. Your wardrobe won't be outdated so quickly. It is amazing what one new well thought out piece can do for something that is 3 years old.
2. You can update / alter something that is well made
3. You will save money
4. You will have something for every occasion.