A Digital Wardrobe Revolution

It began with an outfit diary, just a small notebook which I covered in all the dream dresses you could wish for - and then I went digital, and everything changed...!

I'd been in London for around a year, and I LOVED my job; I was working for a brand called Planet London (part of the Elegant British Brands group) as a buying assistant, and to this day it was the best job I ever had, with the best team, in the best office! Fast forward 6 months and it was a sad day when Planet London dissolved, but thankfully my job was safe as I was moved onto another brand within the company, Jacques Vert, and the good times continued!

I was quite popular in the office, and received daily outfit compliments, the best type in my eyes! I'll never forget my wonderful buyer, Rosemary, swivelling her chair round to me as I was putting my organza blue and white floral long jacket on over my white dress and matching blue beaded necklace to go for lunch, crossing her legs and pushing her glasses down her nose to say “G, I don't think I've seen you in the same outfit more than once”. She had, but I wore everything differently every day, and I was so flattered that not only had she noticed, but she commented! Numerous others in the office had said they looked forward to seeing what I'd be wearing each day as well, and directors noticed little old me too – every day really was a fashion show, and the Elegant British Brands head office was my runway! Looking back, this is where I was truly happy, and if I'm honest, I don't think I've found the same type of happiness within a company ever since...

I've always had a lot of clothes, and making sure everything got worn to it's full potential meant opening my wardrobe doors to pull things out each night, have a play and put together an outfit for my next working day – it was important to me. It was my pride, my professionalism and who I was, and still am. Going to the office having thrown just anything on was never an option, so the planning for the next day not only was an integral part of my evenings, but it was enjoyable too. This evolved into my little notebook, whereby I simply gave each week two pages, and wrote down my outfits from the clothes to the shoes to the accessories for the following week, each Sunday night. This was so I made sure I was wearing all that I owned, outfits weren't repeated too quickly and I made the most out of everything.

This little notebook came everywhere with me. I'd be on the tube jotting down outfit ideas for social plans that came in on my phone there and then from my friends, jotting down changes to the rest of the week if my schedule or the weather changed, and checking what was next to be worn and if I still fancied wearing it. My pink jacquard belted shift dress was only worn 2 weeks ago? I'll push that back another few days then, lets make the most of something else!

As I got to the last page of my notebook and was about to start another, I remember thinking, if only there was an app for this...

Before I researched however, I genuinely considered putting the contents of my wardrobe into an Excel spreadsheet, inputting a calendar and taking my outfit diary digital that way – a critical path, is a massive part of the fashion buying process, and I was about to make my own for personal use! Well, thankfully there was an easier option, in the form of an app – my very own version of Clueless Cher's computerised stylist; my wardrobe, on my phone and always with me!

Upon discovering this app, I can't explain my pure euphoria! After downloading, I cleared my diary for the next few weekends, and I can honestly say I was looking forward to getting home from work on the Friday more than ever! It was blissful – a relaxed weekend spent in my joggers, music on, snacks out and in my room getting stuck in, category by category!

My digital wardrobe! Home page, category's and sub-category's - set up by me, for me!

The app was great, but to set it up, meant that I had to photograph everything I owned, or search for an image online, and then attribute it – what it is, where it's from, the fabric and the price, before uploading it. I wanted this project to mean that everything I owned was on there, so I began by pulling all of my dresses out, photographing each one, attributing, putting them all away, and moving on to the next category of tops, and then skirts – and so on, all the way to accessories, including jewellery, sunglasses, belts and footwear too of course. It took about two weeks, including two whole weekends of photographing/searching for an image online, and attributing/uploading in the week too, on the way to and from work as well as in the evenings. Then the fun really began!

Once everything was uploaded, I planned my outfits on my phone, on the sofa, on the tube to work – and it wasn't from memory, or from having to stand and search through my wardrobe like with the outfit diary; it was all there, in my hands, imagery, information, and all!

The price , the fabric, the colour, the brand – as well as notes! Notes such as if it need's repairing, had been left at a friend's or even which shelf to find it on in my wardrobe! Everything, and I mean everything, about each item I owned, was documented.

The information detail for each item

is just a tap away!

I planned what I'd wear using the calendar, put looks together and took note of my stats – do I need to buy another prom skirt when I have exactly 19? No, I don't. What size do I take in the Topshop Joni denim? Exchanging is annoying at the best of times, so I'd just have to check what size I had on my phone, and then I knew what size and style to buy and exchanging was a thing of the past!

When it came to shopping, it was revolutionised! I'd created a wishlist within my digital wardrobe app, whereby I uploaded items I was currently eyeing up – outfitting them with other items I own to see how many things it'd pair with. Checking I didn't have something similar already and generally managing my shopping – managing my shopping like I'd never managed my shopping before!

My official outfit diary!

My packing lists; add an image for each one, plan your outfits and plan perfectly!

Holiday buying and packing became stress free – putting outfits together for each day and evening I was away, meant I knew not only what I would wear, but what I'd pack, too. It was the end of over-packing, the end of paying for extra luggage and the end of hotel floor-drobe chaos – packing lists which were printable and tick-able were actually life changing!

It was also easy for me to tell my friends what I'd be wearing for an up and coming night out which was planned – sharing the collage over Whatsapp of the whole outfit instead of screenshots of each piece from a model on the website for each item. It relaxed me to know I always knew what I'd be wearing, and if it had to change, all it took was a quick amendment from my phone, there and then. But I was always prepared, always.

De-cluttering was easy too – I knew from the app what had the least wear, and after archiving for a few weeks to see if I missed it, I then knew it was time to give to charity or sell on. The benefits were endless!

Looks put together to suit my lifestyle using my

own clothes - my personal editorials!

I didn't shut up about my app ever again though! I talked to everyone in the office about it, all of my friends, all of my family – they all knew about “G's bloody app!” but the joy it gave me was worth all of the banter that it came with. Organised to a whole new level, the Monika Geller of the office, now able to shop smart, understand my needs, my wardrobe worth and make the most out of everything. Filtering by the least worn, I made sure that everything I owned was utilised, and loved.

A number of app's after some technical issues down the line, I know my clothing apps – I know which ones to avoid, and which ones are worth paying for. It really has changed my life and catapulted it into an organised haven of a digital wardrobing.

My statistic information - everything I

need to know about my wardrobe!

This was a major part of the creation of The Clothing Consultant – I want to bring these apps to you, and I want you to reap the benefits just as I have. It's hard work to set up, but it's worth it, and I'll do it for you, after which, you can plan your outfit from you sofa, from the tube or even on a night out with your friends when discussing what you're all going to wear to a mutual friends wedding in a few weeks time.

Come to me, the first wardrobe organiser and personal styler to offer this service; I'll take you on your digital wardrobe journey. Go digital, get consulted, and email me to discuss further, because these apps are the Monika Gellers of the world's secret weapon, and literally, the next best thing since sliced bread!