Clothes can keep you warm, protect your skin, and help you express yourself. If you haven't been clothes shopping for a while, it may be time to update your wardrobe. Here are four tips that will help you select a new wardrobe when shopping with an online catalog such as Blue Generation apparel:

1. Choose clothes that complement your lifestyle.

Your clothes should make your life easier, not harder. When shopping for a new wardrobe, choose clothes that complement the kind of life you lead. If you enjoy physical activity and spend a lot of time engaging in exercise, you'll want to purchase more athletic apparel. Look for clothing that is made from synthetic fabrics that wick away sweat to keep you cool and dry while you play sports or exercise. If you play a sport with a dress code, such as golf, you'll want to look for polo shirts that will look good while remaining functional.

2. Stick to neutral colors to start.

When you're faced with a full catalog of clothing to peruse, you might be tempted to try as many colors as you can. Vibrant, colorful clothes are certainly tempting, but it can be hard to match a closet full of various colors. When you're first building your wardrobe, start with neutral colors. Black, white, grey, and brown are all easy to match. They aren't overwhelming, and they can be used as a base for outfits consisting of other colors. Purchase the majority of your wardrobe in basic, neutral colors and branch out once you have a solid foundation.

3. Ask a friend to help you.

Sometimes it's hard to know what really looks good on you. Your perception of your own appearance is colored by your thoughts, feelings, and insecurities, so you can't evaluate outfits impartially. If you need help figuring out what looks good on you, ask a friend for assistance. Find someone whose sense of fashion you admire and who you trust to be honest with you. Look through a clothing store's online catalogue together and pick out outfits you both think would look good. A second opinion can make shopping a lot quicker and easier.

4. Measure yourself.

When you're ordering clothes online, you still need to know if they're going to fit you. Since you can't try the clothes on before making a purchase, measuring yourself becomes very important. Take your measurements at three key areas: your bust, waist, and hips. If you plan to buy pants, you may also want to measure your inseam. Write your measurements down and keep them handy.