The easiest way to refresh a wardrobe is to put familiar pieces next to something unexpected, like a crisp shirt with worn-in jeans or a satin skirt with a sweatshirt. A few simple pieces help. Nili Lotan's light blue Raphael shirt, The Row's blue Kate sweatshirt, Violante Nessi's army green satin Rebecca skirt and Roxanne Assoulin's ivory beaded necklace make the idea easy to try.

A sharp shirt looks fresher against soft, faded denim. Ossou's off-white draped poplin Tess shirt and Toteme's light-wash straight jeans make the contrast, and Loewe's purple suede Double L loafers and Balmain's black Anthem belt add a little polish.

A dressy piece looks more modern next to something relaxed. Ilkyaz Ozel's silver crystal-embellished Ani skirt with Róhe's cream cable-knit sweater is an easy mix of shine and softness, and Tod's leopard calf hair Gommino loafers and Saint Laurent's brown suede Le 5 à 7 tote keep it grounded.

Swapping a short necklace for a longer one changes the proportions of an outfit. De Beers' Lotus diamond necklace and Lizzie Fortunato's sky blue beaded Laguna necklace sit well over Lemaire's brown cardigan, with Blazé Milano's light blue pleated Vezon trousers underneath.

Some pieces never need replacing. Bottega Veneta's beige belted trench, Dries Van Noten's black wool-crepe blazer, Mother's cream Dodger Skimp jeans and Alaïa's army green laser-cut ballet flats will look right for years.

Refreshing a wardrobe rarely takes as much as you think. If you take one thing away, let it be that contrast does the work: crisp next to worn-in, dressy next to casual, and a longer necklace where you would usually wear a short one. A common rule of thumb is to let a trend rest for a few years before bringing it back, and it tends to feel fresh again. We would skip replacing pieces that still fit and work, since a new pairing often does more than a new purchase. Try one swap this week and see how it changes the outfit.