How many times have you bought something for a particular occasion, worn it once or twice and then left it hanging in your closet?

Perhaps it's a skirt you consider too dressy for the weekend, or a blouse you only ever wear to work. But according to Jacqui Neah-Myrie, of Touché, a little creativity with styling can open up more possibilities for the clothes we already own.

Before buying something new, she recommends asking yourself three questions.

“Does this item fit well, flatter my complexion and figure and is it comfortable? Does this item work with my lifestyle? Can this item be worn three different ways?”

For Ms Neah-Myrie, the ability to wear something for several different occasions is an important consideration, whether you're shopping for a new outfit or taking stock of your existing wardrobe.

“Take a button-down shirt for example. It's a classic style, which can come in contemporary fabrics. It would look great paired with tailored trousers or a skirt for work, with jeans on the weekend, or with silk or satin flowy pants for an evening look.”

To illustrate her point, Ms Neah-Myrie selected a chocolate brown suede-look skirt available at Touché and styled it three ways: for the office, a casual weekend and an evening out.

“We've chosen this chocolate brown suede-look skirt. It's one of fall's key colours, the slight A-line shape suits a variety of body types, and it's easy care machine-washable.”

The skirt remains the same throughout. What changes are the accompanying pieces, the footwear and the accessories.

Look 1: The Office

Polished, co-ordinated and professional

For the first look, Ms Neah-Myrie chose a co-ordinated outfit built around the chocolate brown skirt.

“For a work look, the skirt is paired with a cream short-sleeved top of the same fabric for a cohesive look.

Rather than adding too many competing elements, her approach is to keep the accessories simple.

“A simple layered necklace complements without overpowering. A longer pendant necklace would also work with this outfit.”

For women who prefer a little more colour or pattern in their workwear, she suggests introducing a print through an additional piece rather than changing the entire outfit.

“A print can be introduced in a jacket or cardigan, or in a shoe or a handbag. Animal print is a key trend this fall, and would add visual interest.”

It's a way of incorporating a seasonal trend without making it the focus of the entire look.

The cream top and chocolate brown skirt provide the foundation, while the choice of jewellery, jacket or handbag allows the wearer to put her own stamp on the outfit.

Look 2: The Weekend

Relaxed, comfortable and ready for brunch

For the second look, Ms Neah-Myrie keeps the same skirt but swaps the cream top for a button-down shirt in the matching suede-look fabric.

This time, the styling is deliberately more casual.

“Here the skirt is paired with a button down of the same suede-look fabric. Note that it's tied instead of tucked for a more relaxed look, teamed with sneakers. A crossbody bag would complete the outfit.”

The difference between the first and second looks is particularly noticeable in the details.

Where the office outfit is more structured, the tied shirt introduces a relaxed silhouette. Sneakers replace dressier footwear, while a crossbody bag provides a practical finishing touch.

Ms Neah-Myrie's choices demonstrate that creating a different look doesn't always require an entirely different set of clothes. Sometimes it's simply a matter of changing how an item is worn or choosing accessories that suit the occasion.

For a weekend brunch, shopping trip or casual afternoon, the same skirt becomes part of an outfit with a completely different feel.

Look 3: The Evening

A little shine for dinner or cocktails

For the third and final look, Ms Neah-Myrie takes the skirt from daytime dressing to something more glamorous.

“The skirt is teamed with a gold lamé cowl neck top and gold metallic sling back.”

The introduction of gold changes the overall appearance of the outfit, with the metallic fabric and footwear providing a dressier finish.

“The fabrics and the accessories change the formality of an outfit.”

To complete the evening look, Ms Neah-Myrie recommends adding jewellery and a smaller handbag.

“Sparkly earrings, layered bracelets or a cuff, and a clutch would complete the look.”

It's a different approach from the understated accessories of the work outfit and the sneakers and crossbody bag of the weekend look. Yet the chocolate brown skirt remains at the centre of all three.

Ms Neah-Myrie's selections show how a change in fabric, footwear and accessories can make the same piece suitable for very different occasions.

The Secret Is in the Styling

The chocolate brown skirt isn't the only piece that can be styled this way.

Ms Neah-Myrie says the same principle applies to simple wardrobe staples, particularly those that provide a starting point for different combinations.

“Take a plain sleeveless black dress. We call this a blank canvas item. With a denim jacket and sneakers, it's a weekend look, with a strappy sandal, a faux fur jacket and rhinestone jewellery, you now have a glam evening look.”

The dress itself doesn't change, but the pieces worn with it create two distinct outfits.

It's an approach that encourages shoppers to think beyond the outfit displayed on a mannequin or the occasion they originally had in mind.

Instead of asking whether a particular item works with one pair of shoes or one handbag, Ms Neah-Myrie suggests considering how it might fit into several different looks.

And while the clothes themselves are important, she believes the finishing touches are often what make the difference.

“It's all in the accessories — jewellery, handbag and shoes which change the look of an item, and make your wardrobe more versatile.”