Award-winning fashion stylist Susie Hasler, 36, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, has shared her top 11 wardrobe mistakes that women commonly make. Hasler, who runs Styled By Susie, specialises in helping women whose body shapes have changed due to pregnancy, menopause, or weight fluctuations.
One key mistake is buying items in end-of-season sales. Hasler warns that many sale items are not genuine leftover stock but cheaply made pieces bought specifically for the sale. 'If an item is good, it sells out quickly and doesn't come back again,' she says. 'Sale mistakes are the outfit that will sit in your wardrobe and will never be worn.'
Another common error is owning too much black. While black is often seen as slimming, Hasler advises that prints and patterns can be more flattering, as they act like a filter over curves. She recommends adding splashes of colour to a wardrobe rather than relying solely on black.
Hasler also cautions against keeping clothes that no longer fit, as this can lead to feeling deflated. She advises dressing for your current size and storing out-of-season or fluctuating sizes in vacuum packs. Additionally, she highlights the importance of basics like white T-shirts, which can be paired with multiple outfits and should be replaced when they start to yellow.
When it comes to footwear, Hasler suggests starting outfits from the feet up, choosing neutral-coloured shoes for versatility. She also warns against sporadic buying, which prevents forming a cohesive capsule wardrobe.
