Do your research

If you tend to buy the same styles over and over, you’re probably shopping on automatic pilot and haven’t given much thought to how to apply current trends to your own look. Invest in a stack of fashion magazines and cut out the images that instinctively appeal to you.

Next do a second edit focussing on which pieces are going to accentuate the parts of your body that you’re most proud of and comfortable with that you identified in the first stage.

Finally go through the magazines a third time and pull out a few wild card styles that you think you’d never wear – if you try them on in the stores you might surprise yourself into finding something completely different that looks great. Now you’re armed with a plan it’s time to hit the shops.

Go for patterns

Patterns are a great way of refreshing your wardrobe. If you’re accustomed to wearing plain colours, a pattern can make your usual style look dramatically different. If you’re not used to wearing patterns you should choose something bold on a garment that is easy to wear like a shirt or a dress rather than something trickier like trousers. Alternatively, you can test it out with a less obvious accessory like a dramatic hair band.

Don’t overdo it

Ease yourself into any changes gently by choosing something that is an extension of a style that you know already works for you. If you live in knee length skirts, play with styles a couple of inches shorter, or go for a knee length dress in a completely new style.

Similarly, if your summer wardrobe is all about shorts and a T-shirt, as the weather cools in autumn and winter, wear a trouser cut that’s looser to maintain that free-and-easy summer time shorts feel, and top the T-shirt with a well-cut jacket.

Accessorise

Accessories are key to making a new look work. Don’t be afraid of economising on your clothes and allocating more of your budget on accessories. You can snap up a dress for a tenner and spend £50 on a belt to create a stunning outfit. You’ll be surprised just how much wear you will get out of a fantastic statement necklace or belt – and they will often hold their own through several fashion seasons too.