Spring clean

It's time to detox that life and soul of yours, new year, new start and all. If you're anything like me, it's a big task, so where better to start than your wardrobe?

Clean up your habits and get those drawers neatly folded, and the hanging goods all neatened up. If that means unleashing the inner OCD and having everything in colour order, by length of hem, by category, or by all of the above at once, then so be it. Knock yourself out.

Be realistic about what to keep, what to throw, and what to sell. Is it a classic or on trend this season? Have you worn it in the last two years? Has it ever been worn? If the answer is no to any of the above, get it out of your closet, and out of your life. Don't kid yourself, you won't be losing any extra weight just to fit into those trousers. Even if you do, chances are you'll be so happy with your new bod, you'll just go out and buy another two pairs of trousers just to reward yourself, anyway.

I was never a seller. Too much hassle, too many friends vying over the cast-offs, might aswell donate to a charity shop that won't realise what's landed on their doorstep and price up your pieces scarily low, but nevermind it's all for a good cause, right? I'm out of breath already. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? SELL IT. I can't even begin to describe the high you get from watching people get excited about the prospect of buying that dress you never really liked but bought for the hell of it. Do it. Just once. It's like opening up a tube of Pringles crisps, I promise.

You know the saying: out with the old...

ph: HBO

Encore

More recently I have become obsessed with finding second hand treasures through dress agencies and online swap shops. I am very particular and often sceptical of the photos and quality of descriptions, as not many details are provided and you never know how well cared for they may be. So, more often than not, I end up just selecting the unworn or BNWT items to save both time and that broken-hearted feeling you get when you fall head over heels for something that just doesn't work out.

It all began as an opportunity to get my hands on collections from past seasons- you know, the few pieces you wish you had bought, like that Isabel Marant broderie anglaise dress you would have grabbed off the rails, were it not for your bank balance and inclement British summer weather preventing you. Then, before you know it, it's sold out everywhere and that plan you had about getting in in the sales? No chance.

My first purchase were a pair of Christian Louboutin Formentera 130, where the red sole was untouched, yet the price was a bargain and very much worth the risk of buying online (something I would never recommend with Louboutin, as sizing varies between styles). They have proven very handy this summer, and the ribbon tie has a knack for making your ankle look very narrow and ladylike (I bow down to you, Monsieur Louboutin).

I was also incredibly lucky to land my second steal, a pair of never-been-worn polka dot Miu Miu sandals from the summer 2011 collection. In a stunning lime green, they truly are a memorable piece; so memorable, in fact, that after 18 months I still couldn't get them off my mind. So, after too many hours scouring every website known to man, I managed to track them down. One pair. Green. In my size.

Paired with a simple slogan tee, tuxedo jacket and the boyfriend fit Phoebe jeans from MiH, I managed to wangle more compliments at a girly get-together than one person's ego can handle in one evening (being English and receiving compliments somehow doesn't mesh too well). In the space of 30 minutes they had more than earned their stripes- and I knew from that moment on that I had gotten my money's worth.

So, the moral of this story is that sometimes it really is just as exciting to find that odd special item you never forgot about as it would be getting brand new off the shop floor. Finally, if you still think that pre-loved isn't for you and you need more convincing, it also sounds good when you say: "Oh these? Well, I had them shipped over from Paris, darling".

Photo credit: Net-a-Porter.com; Goody Two-Choos