I was chatting to a friend who is a committed activist in the area of fashion and waste, and we agreed that the best way to approach the problem of over-consumption was to shop in our own wardrobes.

“Remember all that stupid money we spent when we were in the thick of the fashion scene?” he said as I winced.

“Well, I found thousands of dollars’ worth of vintage clothes in my cupboard” he said happily. “Even a mad Gucci cardigan, which is perfect for now.”

While it’s definitely true that the kookier statement pieces you buy can come out time and again (because they are an extension of your personality), there is also something to be said for having a capsule uniform of basics that work for all occasions, seasons, cities.

The best thing we can do is wear what we already own, on rotation. On average, fashion items are worn only seven to 10 times before being thrown away, and people are keeping clothing for only half as long as they did 15 years ago.

My top 10 doesn’t change that much, it pretty well just gets reinforced every season. If you removed every impulse buy in my wardrobe, I could live easily in just these 10 things, whether it was for shopping at Coles, or dinner in Paris.

1. A pair of straight-legged dark denim jeans
2. A long-sleeved striped black and white or navy and white T-shirt
3. A blue cotton man-style shirt
4. A white cotton shirt
5. A white tank top (or T-shirt if you don’t like your arms!)
6. A well-tailored black pantsuit
7. A navy wool pea coat
8. White sneakers
9. Loafers in leather or velvet
10. A black V-necked sweater

The casual way to wear all these items is obvious, but evenings are covered as well with the black pants from the suit worn with the white shirt and a pair of loafers, or with a simple black sweater. Then personalise with accessories, earrings, lipstick, a scarf.

There were other basics I considered, like a puffer jacket or sleeveless vest, but they are so ubiquitous now, for men and women, I put them in a category of essentials along with leggings and lingerie.

Trench coats often make these lists, but I find they don’t travel so well, and come out at the end of a Sydney-Europe flight looking slightly worse for wear. A well cut, hip length pea coat in navy blue is smart enough for walking into a posh restaurant, or appropriate for a hike (plus it has big pockets, which often means you don’t have to carry a handbag, bliss).

I bought a thick blue cotton shirt a couple of years ago, and I put it on at least two or three times a week, for beach or office, which means it has been worn more than 150 times already. In terms of being a better consumer, try to wear your clothes out. Literally.