The stylist behind the 90-Day Wool Habit looks shares how to find more possibilities in your own wardrobe.
How many ways can you wear one dress?
That’s one of the questions I’m exploring through the 90-Day Wool Habit: wearing the same British wool dress every day for 90 days and documenting its versatility, care and wear along the way. Helping me explore the styling possibilities is Yorkshire-based personal stylist Anna Mewes. Anna and I first met around ten years ago, and I’ve worked with her on my own wardrobe since lockdown. Her encouragement to “shop your wardrobe” has stayed with me ever since. I asked her about styling the dress, the worry about repeating outfits and where to start if you’d like to get more from the clothes you already own.
For anyone discovering you for the first time, tell us a little about yourself and your work as a personal stylist.
I’m Anna Mewes, a personal stylist and style mentor based in Yorkshire. I’ve been working in the industry for nearly 15 years, helping women understand their personal style, make the most of their wardrobes and feel confident in what they wear. I originally trained in colour and style consultancy in London, and my approach is all about making style feel accessible, practical and genuinely enjoyable. I believe you don’t need a completely new wardrobe to feel fantastic in your clothes; often, you just need a fresh perspective on what you already own.
What was your first thought when I told you I was planning to wear the same wool dress for 90 days?
My first thought was, what a brilliant experiment! As a stylist, I’m always encouraging people to think beyond wearing an item in just one or two ways, so I loved the idea of demonstrating just how versatile one dress could be. I was also intrigued to see how much the styling could change the overall feel of the outfit. We can be so quick to assume we need something new, when actually there’s often a huge amount of untapped potential hanging in our wardrobes.
How did you approach styling the dress, and what did you look for when putting different outfits together?
I approached it by thinking about the different roles a dress can play in a wardrobe, rather than treating it as a single outfit. I looked at how we could change its proportions, layering, colour combinations and overall mood using different pieces. For example, wearing a dress with a blazer and loafers creates a very different feel from layering a chunky knit over it, adding boots and a belt, or wearing it with trainers and a relaxed jacket.
Accessories are incredibly powerful, too. A change of bag, jewellery, shoes or belt can shift an outfit from understated and casual to polished or more statement-making. The key is to look at the dress as a foundation and build different outfits around it, rather than simply changing one accessory and hoping for the best. I also think it’s important to consider the reality of someone’s lifestyle: the most successful outfits are the ones that work for where they’re actually going and what they’re doing.
What are your favourite ways to make the same garment feel different, using pieces someone might already own?
Layering is probably my favourite trick because it can completely transform the silhouette and the way a garment feels. Try wearing a shirt underneath a sleeveless dress, layering a knit over the top to create the effect of a skirt, or adding a blazer for a sharper finish. You can also experiment with belts to change the proportions, or use a different shoe to shift the whole mood of an outfit.
Colour is another brilliant tool. The same dress can feel completely different with tonal neutrals, rich autumnal shades or a pop of a contrasting colour. And don’t underestimate accessories: changing your jewellery, bag, tights or scarf can make a familiar outfit feel fresh. My biggest tip is to shop your own wardrobe first. Pull out the pieces you tend to wear with other things and deliberately try them with the dress. We often have more styling options than we realise because we get into the habit of wearing items in the same combinations.
What would you say to someone who worries that repeating an outfit will look boring — or that other people will notice?
I’d say that most people are far less focused on what we’re wearing than we imagine! And even if someone does notice, so what? Wearing something you love repeatedly is a sign that you’ve found something that works for you. I think we’ve become accustomed to seeing constant newness on social media, which can make outfit repeating feel like a lack of creativity. I’d argue the opposite. Being able to style the same piece in different ways is a skill, and knowing what works for you is far more valuable than constantly buying something new. There’s also something incredibly reassuring about having reliable pieces in your wardrobe that you know you feel good in. Getting dressed shouldn’t have to mean reinventing yourself every morning.
By day 90, what would you hope this experiment has helped people understand about their own wardrobes?
I’d hope it encourages people to look at their wardrobes with fresh eyes and realise that they may not need as much as they think they do. Often, the problem isn’t a lack of clothes but a lack of clarity about how to put them together. I’d love people to start asking themselves different questions before they shop: Can I style this in at least three ways? Does it work with what I already own? Will I genuinely wear it, and does it fit the life I lead?
Ultimately, I want people to feel more confident, creative and intentional with their wardrobes. You can absolutely love fashion and enjoy getting dressed without constantly buying new things. The goal isn’t to have fewer clothes for the sake of it; it’s to have a wardrobe that works harder for you, reflects who you are and makes getting dressed feel easier and more enjoyable.
Thank you, Anna, for helping me explore what this dress can do and for the wardrobe lessons I’m still putting into practice years after those first online sessions.
Fancy trying it yourself? Choose one favourite garment and put together three different outfits using what you already own. I’d love to hear what you discover.
Follow the 90-Day Wool Habit to see the dress in action.
