1. Never buy something intending to diet into it. Celebrate the woman you are and honour your body with the correct fit.

2. Once you have researched what you want, stick to the budget you have set yourself.

3. The sizes will vary from shop to shop. In our shopping directory at howtolookgood.com we’ve flagged up who gives what type of fit where possible, so when you find a shop, chain or label that gives you a good fit, stick to it. The better the garment fits your body, the more stylish you will look.

Then mentally organise your wardrobe into 4 sections.

Section 1 - Fashion: Garments in this section are in and out of the shops in a season. They are directly influenced by what has come off the catwalk and are very trend-oriented. Clothes in this group are about change and novelty - they can be extreme, eye catching or brightly coloured and are to be bought in the knowledge that they will be worn for a few months only. Buy these garments cheaply or spend more and just make sure you wear them to death!

Important to remember here is that this fashion group sometimes offers a look that is suited to a certain body shape or has a particular offer that is just right for you. If this applies one season, then buy up the more classic garments within the look - it won’t be there next season.

Section 2 - Clothes: These garments are usually less trend-oriented and will last across a couple of seasons. Every woman will have her own favourite garments that she has found work best for her body. Spend a little more on these. Things like denim skirts, jeans styles, fitted shirts, shaped sweaters, will form this part of your wardrobe.

Section 3 - Capsule: These are the garments that every woman needs in her wardrobe which can be dressed up or accessorised with the arrival of each new trend. They are classic styles and they fit the body well, giving an air of sophisticated grooming. A good example would be a perfect pair of black trousers, classic jacket and skirt and a fitted coat. I’m such a committed trouser wearer that I have many pairs specially altered to fit me that come in and out of fashion that I have worn for years.

Buy these clothes as sale items to get the best value for your money or if your body shape is not well enough catered for, look for a good dressmaker to make up the clothes that will be in your wardrobe for a long time. It’s cheaper than you think if you balance the cost against years of pleasure, confidence and knowledge that you can always rely upon these garments to showcase your body beautifully.

Trousers are crucial for fit, as is a tailored jacket. Once the dressmaker has your measurements, you can wait for fabric sales and store cloth ready to make into a garment to fit.

This way you can create a wardrobe where the capsule and basics are in place and the fashionable items are updated seasonally and inexpensively

It is always better to have a few beautifully fitted garments than lots of ill-fitting garments in a wardrobe.

Section 4 – Basics: These are the t-shirts, slacks (read cargo pants) loose knitwear, comfortable fleeces etc, which need not be dictated to by trend unless you want them to be. Save time by shopping online or in catalogues for these items, since fit is less of an issue.

Above all treat your wardrobe in the same way you might treat a filing cabinet. File your clothes in sections and have regular clear outs. When you buy something new, relegate the worn out version to Oxfam.

The only reason to hold on to something is if it will age beautifully – like a beautifully crafted handbag for instance. Highstreet designs certainly do not age well, because they are not made to last. There sorted!

Related posts:

1. How to avoid looking like mutton, with no effort at all…
2. Trends can do your head in!
3. Closet Clutter
4. Classic Suits for Petites
5. Summer Dresses