December is just around the corner, which means so is Christmas and the new year. This also means that there are several events we will be attending. And there are some people who wish to look their best – in something new.

With the year this has been, and with this being the season for giving, there is probably little in the budget left for new clothing and accessories, but if you plan your wardrobe well you can spend only as is necessary, and cut back when you rock the cloth. You might be shopping for gifts at the last minute, but you certainly don’t want to be shopping for an outfit at the last minute.

Assessing the wardrobe against the calendar

Step 1.

Of course, before determining what you need, you must first identify the events. These may include church functions, charity, corporate events, parties and concerts. Make a list of the events and for each note the attire required.

You can take it a step further by also making note of the look you may

want to achieve.

Think back to last season and the year in general to develop the list, and also recall if you had any last-minute engagements. Identify what these were and add an emergency outfit to the list.

Step 2.

Check your wardrobe for items you bought at FNO, or may have had before that can be worn to any of these events. Also,look to see if some of your pieces can be worn differently or undergo a style change. (Update a piece by changing the silhouette or length, for example)

Step 3.

Decide on what to buy and what to create.

Step 4a.

Make a shopping list of items you need to purchase and as we advised in the FNO Pt 1 article, stick to the list!

Step 4b.

For those items you will make, we recommend that you:

i. Review trends: look for the latest ones from magazines and catwalks. Look for silhouette, design details and colour. You don’t have to combine trends in a single look – just one is good enough.

ii. Consult on fabric and trimmings: When you go shopping for fabric, get advice from the attendants on the best type of fabric for the style you have selected – if you will be varying from the one for the inspiration, or if the exact type is not available.

The next few articles will look at making items for:

. New Year’s Eve

. Corporate Events

. Church and family events

. Charity and volunteer events

. Parties and concerts

The Bra look: exposed bras and corsets

a. (Alexander Wang)

b. (D&G)

c. (Giles)

d. (Richard Nicoll)

Ruche: the gathered look of a draped design; this has been popular for some time and continues to be seen. It may be form-fitting or loose, made from satin, jersey or similar fabrics – that drape well.

a. (Altuzarra)

b. (Donna Karan)

c. (Doo.ri)

Eighties – still on the scene – shoulder pads, tights/leggings, mommy jeans (if you can pull it off), body-hugging minis, pink and purple.

a. (Balmain)

b. (Emilio Pucci)

Where to look?

. Magazines – ads and editorials as well as what people are actually wearing

. Websites – also for what people are wearing as well as the runway collections

. Television – movies and regular programmes of today, and even of the past for period inspiration.