I’ve lived in four countries and in many homes, and learned through trial and error how to best move my wardrobe. International moves are tricky because you can wait up to six weeks for your wardrobe to ship across the world. In that case you pack a substantial travel capsule that will see you through to the time the rest of your wardrobe is with you. And when it finally arrives, it’s like Christmas.

There are many ways to move a wardrobe. Strategies will differ depending on the size of your wardrobe, where you’re moving to, and how you’re moving. We recently moved two miles down the road to an apartment in downtown Seattle. It wasn’t far to move, but we still had to pack everything.

I’ve done these types of short home moves before and knew exactly how I was going to tackle packing up my moderately sized wardrobe in an efficient, effective and practical manner. Here’s my process in case it’s useful to you.

1. Mega Edit

I can’t stress this point enough: make sure your wardrobe is thoroughly edited before you begin packing it up. That way you have less to pack and move, know exactly what you have, and can start fresh and organized in your new home. It’s an extremely practical and liberating process. Be sure to pass on wardrobe items in a responsible way.

I’m in the habit of editing my wardrobe extremely frequently, so this part was done before I even started packing.

2. Begin a Week Before Move Day

I started packing slowly but surely three weeks before move day, but left my wardrobe to the last week so that I could use and enjoy it to the fullest. Leaving it in its zen state helped things stay organized and neat amidst a house full of boxes and packing chaos.

3. Pack Off-Season Items First

A week before our move, I packed the items I wasn’t wearing at the moment, like Autumn & Winter clothing and accessories, occasion wear, duplicated wardrobe items, and excess sleepwear/ loungewear. They went into a gigantic duffle bag that the movers could take in their truck.

4. Pack Workout Items Next

I wasn’t working out a week before move day so I packed my yoga capsule into a much smaller duffle bag and popped it next to the gigantic one full of off-season items.

5. Pack Footwear and Bags into Boxes

Next, I packed my footwear and my handbags. We used very handy Bankers Boxes to move our items, which are assembled without tape. With lids and handles they are THE best moving boxes because you can pick them up with ease, and access the contents by removing the lid. I wanted easy access to my shoes and bags throughout the last week and the first few days at the new digs amidst packing and unpacking chaos. This was an ideal way to do it.

6. Pack Current Items into Suitcases

I filled a medium sized suitcase with current clothing and basics that I would be wearing for the next ten days. This was like packing a travel capsule without the shoes and bags (because they were already packed up in Bankers Boxes.) I kept things very neat, tidy, clean and folded, because the suitcase was my closet for the week before our move, and for the first couple of days in our new home before my wardrobe was fully unpacked and organized. I kept a separate bag for dirty laundry, much like when I travel.

7. Pack Hanging Items into Wardrobe Boxes

I packed the items that hang in my closet and the coat closet into three garment boxes. That way they didn’t need to be folded and rehung, but could go straight into the new storage areas on the same hangers. The garment boxes kept the items relatively crease-free. I kept the garment boxes open so that I could access clothing throughout the week.

8. Fetch Remaining Items from the Cleaners

I fetched items from the dry-cleaners and packed them into the suitcase and garment boxes the week before we moved. I also paused online shopping for a while because of being between shipping addresses.

9. Laundry till the Second Last Day

I was vigilant about laundry, right up until the day we moved. The last thing I wanted was a pile of dirty laundry on top of moving mess in our new home. I was doing laundry and packing away clean items until the morning of the move. This helped me feel organized and in control of the process.

10. Set Aside Move Day Outfit & Seal Wardrobe Boxes

The night before we moved, I put out my moving outfit and taped up the wardrobe boxes. The morning of the move I packed the last bits of clean and dirty laundry and zipped up the suitcase. Everything was ready to go when the movers came to move the contents of our home at 8am.

We moved without a hitch and the wardrobe packing process worked well. For this type of move, I wouldn’t have done it differently. I thought of maybe moving part of my wardrobe to our new home before the big move day but was glad I didn’t. Our wardrobes stayed dust-free, dry and safe packed up in boxes, bags and suitcases. And it turns out that I needed to have my entire wardrobe out in the open and in one place in order to figure out how to best pack it into the storage spaces of our new home.

We moved on a Friday, and our wardrobes were fully unpacked and organized by Sunday afternoon. More about that process tomorrow.

Earrings are the most popular and worn accessory among my female friends, family and clientele. Almost all of them wear some form of earring, either daily or on special occasions. From small studs and hoops, to statement looks, asymmetrical looks, dangly styles, clip-ons, crawlers and multiple piercings in one ear. 

Those with big hair tend to wear big earrings so that they don’t get lost in the locks. Some wear pearl, diamond or metal studs and leave it at that. Some wear big fun earrings with every outfit. Some wear big fun earrings and specs with every outfit. Others have made large hoops a signature look. Some wear an assortment of sizes during the day, and others switch to dangly styles at night. These women LOVE their earrings, and most feel naked and undressed without them.

There are no earring wearing guidelines at all these days. Combine earrings with other jewellery pieces. Wear statement earrings with a statement necklace and eyewear. Wear matchy-matchy sets and mismatched sets. It’s all good as long as you like the combination, feel that it’s appropriate for the setting, and the earrings are comfortable.

I had my ears pierced when I was six years old. I wore small gold, pearl, and horseshoe studs forever to school as a child, and fab big white plastic earrings as a teen in the ‘80s. I wore gold hoops from time to time too. In the late ‘80s I had a second hole pierced, and at university I sported two small studs in each ear. In the early ’90s I lost interest in earrings. I wore earrings for the last time on our wedding day in 1996.

I have a small head, dramatic hair, big eyes, and wear statement specs. I wear a short chunky white pearl necklace most of the time. And I wear a lot of bold colour and pattern. Adding earrings to the mix — no matter how small — feels to me like too much going on. Twenty three years later and naked ears are signature to my style. You can hardly see the pierced holes in my ears so I don’t feel unpolished leaving them empty.

Talk to me about your earring style!

Summer is fast approaching. For many of us that means relaxing our dress codes, even at the office. Here are this week’s top picks across a range of wardrobe items. Many were winners on clients, and some earned a place in my wardrobe. Lots of good reviews, and an ample colour selection.

• Banana Republic Quinn Straight-Fit Cotton-Linen Shirt: This is an interesting cut because it's shorter and boxier than a regular shirt, and with quite the curved hemline. The silhouette looks FRESH. The fabric is lovely, and drapes well in the fluid silhouette. Fun roomy fit. To my eye, scrunching the sleeves is best to create some structure. Works well semi-tucked too. It's just the type of top I like to wear in blazing heat because it's made of natural fibres, breezy, and covered. It earned a place in my wardrobe as an updated classic. I love the white buttons and the tomato red is delicious.
• Banana Republic High-Rise Wide-Leg Cropped Jean: These fit well on a range of body types. They come in petite so try them in that size if you're short in the waist or rise. Great opaque white denim and no pocket grinning. Hem is easily hackable.
• Cinch Waist Knit Jacket: A very lightweight KNIT jacket that runs a size big and comes in seven colours. The part elastic waist provides a nice bit of structure to the fluid shape. Good side entry pockets.
• Banana Republic Cropped Denim Jacket: Extremely comfy soft denim jacket with stretch. It might run a little small if you need a fuller cut on the bust and back, Extremely soft and a bright white. Roomy sleeves. Great over dresses, skirts and wide crops. Comes in two denim washes too. I bought this in the white in my regular size. It's boxy on my waist, but I like that fit. Looks architectural.
• Karen Kane Women's Plus Size Asymmetric Maxi Dress: Casual Elegant Fabness. Flattering, comfortable, streamlined, machine washable and easy to wear. A little fashion tape will help if the V-neck spills open when you sit.
• Crop Wide Leg Jeans: These work well if you're regular or longer in the rise. Quite good on a curvier body type but might need waistband alterations. Good on apple-shaped body types. Fab opaque white denim. Easy to hem to a shorter length.
• Jen7 Women's Slim Straight Jeans: These are a repeat style that work every season. Extremely well made and gorgeous quality. Fab on a curvier body type. Size down if you're straighter through the hips and thighs. Great full-length jeans.
• Boden Helena Chino Dress: A cute and classic utility dress that has good reviews for good reason. Works on a range of body types because the cut is that good. Eight colours and comes in longs and petites. Goes up to a US18.
• Natesa Perforated Sandal: EXTREMELY comfy sandal booties that have worked on a wider foot if you size up half a size. Nicely tailored, and comes in three neutrals. They work with shorts, dresses, skirts, pants and jeans.
• Rebecca Minkoff Cyder Top: Dark Floral Fabness. Great layered under a jacket or worn on its own. Nice mesh fabric. Fab with a camisole that comes with the top, can be removed, and has adjustable straps. It's not as fitted in person, and quite forgiving.
• Banana Republic Petite Cotton-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater: The photo does not do this fun top justice. It's quite fitted, but with just enough fluidity. It has a subtle cabled panel down the front, and is a good length. It's great worn over most bottoms, and the length of the sleeve looks fresh. Fab under a jacket. I have this in navy and it handles the laundry well.
• Ruched Sheath Dress: An easy jersey dress with magical diagonal lines. Works as well for a curvy figure as it does for a straighter one. Flattering.
• Ruffle Sleeve Paisley Tee: Mesh is fab because it does not crease. If you liked those iconic Sweetpea tops from way back when, you might like this. Very flattering on petites in the regular size, and it does not run large as Nordstrom suggests. V is not too low.
• Wilt T-Shirt Dress: Easy T-Shirt Dress Fabness with architectural drape. Works on a range of body types. In fact, this type of dress is beyond body type. The hi-low hemline adds excellent structure to the volume of the dress.
• Chaser Gauzy Cotton High Low Muscle Tank: Fun '80s graphic tee worn as is, under a blazer, or as a vest over a shirt.
• Helmut Lang Pocket Tee: This type of pricey Helmet Lang tee is a repeat silhouette that is worth a look if you enjoy wearing designer tees. Some of my clients adore them. They're quite fitted, neat and tidy despite the rips, and look interesting worn with dressier bottoms and footwear. A good backdrop to showcase statement jewellery.
• Madewell Resin Hoop Earrings: Super fun and VERY lightweight resin hoops that come in five colours.
• Robi Stripe Tee: Arty Statement Tee Fabness. Wear with slim bottoms, a pencil skirt, harem pants, over a pleated skirt, or with shorts.
• Darno Stripe Cotton Blend Tee: One of the best ruffled tees of the season. It combines soft flounce with graphic crispness and hard edge. Covered, yet alluring. I like it best semi-tucked.
• Stripe Midi Dress: A flattering dress that hugs and glides over all the right places on the body. The diagonal lines are interesting, and the bodice a little kimono-esque. Feel free to wear it with casual footwear.
• Endless Summer by Free People Drop Waist Midi Dress: A dropped waist dress is unique, and works better than you might expect, especially when it's A-line. You have to like the high neckline on this one though. The armholes are low so wear a pretty bra, cami or bralette.
• Front Knot Jersey Maxi Dress: An easy throw-on-and-go frock that works on most body types. The length can be hemmed to midi if that's your preference.
• Sam Edelman Kassie Loafer: A surprisingly comfortable and interesting espadrille-sneaker hybrid. Fits low and regular volume feet. Tailored and tidy on the foot. Wear them instead of sneakers.
• Ryde Sandal: If you have a Dystopian, Hard-Edged or very casual style - try these. Extremely soft and comfy, and make quite a statement. Runs a size big. Comes in four neutrals.
• Elax Slide Sandal: '90s flashback! Comfy and on-trend slides in four colours that work on a range of foot shapes.
• Catch Me Sport Sandal: Trendy sporty platform sandals that work on regular and higher volume feet. Lightweight and cushioning. The blush is pretty too.
• Bali Sandal: Super soft, supportive and comfy sandals for regular and higher volume feet but not very wide feet. All the neutrals are nice.
• Luckie Sandal: If you like flat bed sandals like Naots and Birkies, you might like these. They're supportive, very comfy, and go the distance. The grey is nice too.

Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.

We’re thrilled to re-feature UK-based Lisa Welden Lennkh (49) of The Sequinist, who was first featured here in October 2016. Lisa continues to sport Modern Classic looks mixed with high-quality on-trend pieces. She very much enjoys eye-catching footwear, bold colours, fun bags, statement jewellery, and a good dose of glitz, shine, and glam.

“I definitely use a LOT more colour now. Partly because I am older and I need more colour to make my skin look fresh, and partly because I’ve had a colour consultation with some real experts, and I’m more educated on the topic. I now really see the difference that wearing warm-toned bright colours makes on my skin. I still wear some black, but`I wear only warm toned makeup to compensate. I still adore sparkle, so sequins will forever be the first thing that catches my eye.

Another way my style has changed is I am very conscious of the provenance of my clothes now. Who made them? Under what conditions? What is the ethos behind the company who made them? I buy less but I buy better. I look for versatility. This has had an impact on my style because it means I buy high quality well-made investment pieces and no fast fashion. Traditionally, people think of investment pieces as navy, black, camel, or grey; since that doesn’t work in my more colourful ‘statement’ wardrobe, my investment pieces are a long orange wool coat, a bright green cashmere sweater, a red cashmere cape, or a multicoloured bag that works with almost all of my outfits.”

A red and black outfit with lots of punch. Lisa is sporting black Ponte capri trousers with a V-neck sweater and matching cashmere poncho in a vibrant tomato red. Opting for fitted pants and tailored sweater offsets the volume of the poncho, which has clean lines as Lisa prefers her ponchos streamlined. Our blogger’s delightful pointy-toed tartan booties add patterned pizzazz, while the red beret with black leather trim adds a military-inspired accent. A structured satchel, black sunnies, and red lipstick to match the colour palette are the accessories of choice.

Lisa has a flair for the dramatic. Inspired by Dior’s veiled berets, she decided to channel Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde for this all-black look. She’s paired a knee-length Modern Classic knitted turtleneck dress with silver and black sequin pumps that add sparkle. The star of the show is undoubtedly her black faux-crocodile patent coat, reminiscent of the ‘60s and The Avengers’ Emma Peel. It adds pattern, texture and shine in one fell swoop, and makes Lisa look like the stylish hero in a spy novel. Her black satchel, glam DIY-ed beret and bright pink-red lippy finish off the look.

Happy colours for a grey day. Lisa has tucked a white silk blouse into dark-wash jeans with big turned up cuffs. Tucking the top lengthens the leg line, while turning up the cuffs showcases more of the green statement booties. They’re satin with a gold bird print that matches the butter yellow of her Modern Classic coat wonderfully. This shade of yellow also looks beautiful with Lisa’s blonde hair. Our colour-loving blogger then cleverly added all the colours of the rainbow with her unique bag. She also layered two identical floral motif necklaces in blue crystal, and picked a matching pair of earrings to complete the look.

Lisa was invited to put together an outfit for a Summer mother-of-the-bride look, and fell in love with this magnificent orchid purple one-shoulder dress. It fits her like a glove, has asymmetrical drape detailing in the back, and clever ruching in the front that looks very flattering. For this occasion, she styled it with turquoise accessories and footwear, which makes for a striking combo that is signature Lisa. The pointy-toed pumps peeking out from under the dress add a playful touch. The oversized envelope clutch creates structure, and the gold and turquoise chandelier earrings work perfectly with Lisa’s shoulder-length hair.

A simple black V-neck sweater is a great support act for Lisa’s dressy form-fitting pencil skirt in bold colours. It draws all the attention to the sparkly fabric and interesting mix of vertical and horizontal stripes. Keeping the sweater at hip length creates vertical integrity. The pointy-toed high-heeled pumps in burgundy suede add texture and personality. A multi-layered necklace picks up all the colours in the beautiful skirt and fills in the V-neckline of the top. Add pink-red lipstick and timeless sunnies, and Lisa is good to go.

Comfy sneakers, a striped tee, and jeans are fab for a day of running around London. But Lisa being Lisa amped up the style quotient by adding items with details that have her name written all over them. The blue and white breton tee is sequined for a bit of daytime glitter. The nubuck sneakers are a shade of blue that works brilliantly with her jeans. The newsboy cap brings a slightly different shade of blue and a tomboy touch into the mix. And her chic Sherlock Holmes-esque cape with its trapeze silhouette dresses up the look. So does the iconic golden-beige Chanel bag. A big cocktail ring, leaf motif earrings and raspberry lipstick are the polished finishing touches.

Let us know what you think of Lisa’s strong and colourful outfits in the comments, and be sure to check out the rest of her outfits on her blog.