Shop Your Wardrobe: Taking Your Style into the New Year

Discover dazzling, new outfits this year, hidden in the depths of your existing wardrobe.  

At Joe Browns, we believe that all it takes is just a few staple pieces, and some innovative accessorising to create fresh-from-the-rail outfits from your current clothing collection. 

In this blog, we’ll help you sprinkle some styling magic into your wardrobe to create enchanting new ensembles throughout 2024 and beyond.

The art of remixing simply involves revamping your wardrobe to put a chic spin on your existing looks. You can do this by taking individual pieces from your favourite outfits and finding new and exciting clothing combinations. It’s the ideal opportunity to finally find the perfect pairing for those striking pieces that you’ve always struggled to style.

Before you can begin to organise your wardrobe, first, it’s time to clear out any old items that you no longer love to wear. This is a great opportunity to give back to your local community by donating to charity shops - while also freeing up precious wardrobe space in the process!

Next, pack away seasonally inappropriate clothes. Wave farewell-for-now to summer swimwear and sandals to make room for those all-important cosy season pieces, such as comfy knitwear, winter coats, smart blazers and stylish boots.

Once satisfied that your wardrobe has been fully cleared of clutter, you’ll be left with stunning, seasonal ensembles that provide you with new and exciting styling opportunities.

Staple items are a must when recreating your wardrobe. Blue jeans, white tees and neutral shoes that pair with an infinite number of outfits will be there to save the day every time you have a  missing component in an otherwise exquisite ensemble. 

To learn more about the essential fashion staples for easy outfit-building, discover our guide on how to create the perfect capsule wardrobe.

Throw aside the rule book and create stand-out outfits by blending pretty patterns. Make a stylish statement in smart, pinstriped trousers or a chic polka dot blouse, or explore your wild side by pairing contrasting animal prints together. 

If you don’t feel comfortable going too bold, try experimenting with plain and patterned combinations, such as a black or white tee with a patterned coat or vibrant leather jacket.

When crafting new outfits, experimenting with colour is a must. Take your favourite monochromatic looks and mix them up into vibrant new creations. Colours opposite to one another on the colour wheel are known to complement each other well, such as blue and orange or go for fashion-forward colour clashes, such as pairing reds with pinks.

 Alternatively, try pairing analogous colours (colours next to each other on the colour wheel), such as yellow and orange or green and blue. These unique combinations give you a charmingly co-ordinated look without reaching for that safety net of monochrome tones.

One of our favourite new ways to re-wear old clothes is by implementing contrasting textures into luscious, layered looks. Think sleek satin skirts with chunky knits, leather jackets with cotton tees or a flowing boho blouse with distressed denim.

A suit is an essential style staple due to the numerous styling opportunities. Whether it’s a two or three-piece ensemble, simply wear them as separates to unlock endless styling opportunities 

Add a structured blazer to a boho dress for that fresh-off-the-catwalk masculine-meets-feminine style, or pair your suit trousers with a textured jumper and heels for a chic workwear ensemble that’ll you can wear straight to the bar for evening drinks, without looking out of place. The possibilities are endless!

Dreamy dresses are one of our favourite pieces to transform with accessories and styling.

While we all love a statement dress, there’s no denying that they are more memorable which can sometimes cause us to only reach for these during special occasions. If you want something a little more versatile,  opting for a subtle pattern or block-colour dress can be easier to style with a few savvy clothing choices. Experiment with different coats, jackets, shoes and accessories to give the overall look a fresh angle each time you wear it.

Jewellery goes a long way when transforming a simple dress into stunning party attire. A small brooch adds a touch of elegant decoration, while statement earrings add a touch of glamour to elevate your ensemble further. Complete your look with a fabulous pair of heels and you’ll be sure to turn heads all night long.

Jeans are a must-have staple in anyone’s wardrobe, thanks to the countless number of ways to wear them. Keep them cool and casual with trainers, or transform them into a glamorous evening outfit with your go-to heels.

Another way to transform your jeans ensembles is by experimenting with the length to produce different looks. For a more casual spring/summer look, try rolling the hems slightly. This works great with sandals or pumps on sunny afternoons.

Creative accessorising is one of our favourite simple tricks to make an outfit look completely different. Whether it’s jewellery to take that casual look into glamorous occasion wear or a scarf that fools your friends into thinking they’ve never seen the ensemble before, the power of accessorising goes a long way when it comes to repurposing outfits.

A scarf is your secret weapon when finding new ways to style old clothes.

• Drape them across your shoulders as a sleek shawl
• Tie them around the waist as a boho-style belt
• Wear them as a stylish substitute necklace 
• Use them as a statement headband or to tie a ponytail

Changing up your belts is another way to transform a look. Or why not add a belt to an outfit that you don’t usually wear one with? Change the shape of a flowing dress or tunic by cinching it at the waist- this creates a wonderful hourglass shape, a completely different silhouette to the original outfit.

Jewellery is almost magical in the way it changes an outfit. Take a favourite casual jeans-and-tee outfit and see how a necklace and earrings make it a perfect brunching or lunching look. 

Brooches are another firm favourite when finding new ways to style old clothes. When placed perfectly on a dress or top, or used to clasp together a cardigan, they can appear as though they were an original part of the piece.

Muted tones, neutrals and monochromes have been seen all over recent runways. These are effortless to style. Simply pair them with different colours, cuts, shoes and accessories for a new and fresh look each time.

Layering is another trend forecasted to gain popularity across 2024 - so be sure to take note of our expert styling tips above on texture and colour mixing! 

If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to create layered looks next year, check out our how-to Joe Browns layering guide.

Texture is set to play a significant role in 2024, with denim and knitwear, in particular, stealing the show in recent fashion weeks. Presenting layering opportunities will provide your seasonal looks with endless versatility.

Mixing items associated with different dress codes will also be on-trend next year. Both business casual, championed by Loewe and Chanel, and sporty-chic, as seen in Louis Vuitton and Gucci shows, are set to experience a boom.