Lia Sanders shares some thoughts on the common syndrome of having a full wardrobe but nothing to wear.

It is said that one can’t be considered truly dedicated to fashion until one has been late for a lecture after spending too long in one’s undies in front of an open wardrobe moaning, “I’ve nothing to wear!” No, let’s face it, this is a complete lie because the idea of not having anything to wear is something that exists entirely in the mind of the beholder.

Everyone’s wardrobe bulges with unwise impulse purchases which resurface whenever you’re looking for something that you would actually like to wear. The obvious solution to such a predicament is to go back to bed. After all it’s February and the only proper attire should be a nice cosy duvet. Alternatively, you can decide to face the world, make do, and mend like in days of yore.

Reassess your wardrobe
Wardrobe consultants may charge hundreds of pounds just for putting a few things on scented hangers and detangling some tights but they are correct in the key idea that knowing where to start is examining what you already have. While it’s unlikely that you’ll discover a Marc Jacobs dress that you completely forgot about, it is likely that you may have some hidden gems.

Use what you have differently
Many people throw away perfectly good clothes (the UK average is 30kg per person per year). Why not adopt a more sustainable approach by rehabbing some of your old clothes? That maxi dress you optimistically bought before summer could make a perfectly respectable showing as a mini-dress or silky pj bottoms can be re-imagined as evening trousers.

Alter ill-fitting clothes
Long gone are the days when it was believed that sewing was more of a priority for girls than science. While this is hurray for equality and society it means that you’ll probably be unable to go about darning a sock or hemming a skirt. Aside from sewing on buttons it may be best to leave the proper alterations to the professionals – you’ll be pretty upset when your favourite pair of jeans lies in eight pieces on your bedroom floor.

Customise?
This can remind you of the worse tendencies of the ‘80s and/or childhood. But it can be tempting, when you learn that a major trend of S/S ’12 is going to be crop tops, to whip out the scissors. Just remember some important things like measuring all the way round and being sober when you engage on such projects.

Be unconventional
There’s no need to conform to certain ways of wearing clothes. Who says you need to spend money on a handbag? Jane Birkin – the inspiration for the Hermès Birkin bag – carried her possessions around in Red Riding Hood style basket for years.

Make your own
Crafts like knitting, sewing and crochet have had a revival over recent years. If you start now you can have a lovely, wobbly, holey scarf done in time for summer.

Convincing people to give you their clothes because you look better in them than they do
This one will generally only work on mothers, sisters and other family members. You’re probably better off wrangling for the few seasons old Hobbs’ skirt rather than the ‘70s pin-strip trousers.

Swapping what you have
Clothes swapping parties have grown in popularity since the recession. If you don’t want to risk sacrificing your pristine, one-season old clothes for someone else’s smelly cast-offs in might be worthwhile seeing if your friends have any garments that they have tired of.

Go vintage
Not technically a money saving device but in terms of sustainable fashion it scores some serious brownie points. Fi Mackay of ‘Godiva Boutique’ recommends looking for quality when buying second hand, in particular checking the zips and the wear of the fabric.

Go home
Going back to your old wardrobe can sometimes be better than buying a whole new one - you might discover something that you never liked before that has suddenly come back into style.

Buy some washing powder
Can’t be bothered with all the hassle? Don’t wait until you’re down to that ‘edgy’ top with batwing sleeves and a beetle print.

A change is as good as a rest, so instead of giving up on your unloved belongings, try shaking up your views on them instead.