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Recycle unwanted clothes

A stock-take of women's wardrobes has revealed a nation of budding Carrie Bradshaws. A whopping £1.5 billion worth of redundant clothes and accessories are literally left hanging never to be worn again. This figure includes 2.5 million pairs of jeans and 2.5 million pairs of shoes. 1 in 4 women admit to having worn just half the clothes they own in the last 6 months. Over 700,000 say they've never cleared out their cupboards so goodness knows what gorgeous garments are being left unloved and abandoned!

Raise money for Cancer Research UK

Over half of us claim to be stockpiling garments in the hope that one day they'll fit us again - how's that for wishful thinking? On a serious note however, our compulsive shopping habits are generating a lot of waste. To restore the balance in wardrobes across the land and to encourage people to give to charity, TK Maxx has launched GiveGet 2008: the longest-running charity collection campaign. Lead by style guru and star of '10 Years Younger' Nicky Hambleton-Jones the initiative urges women to de-clutter their cupboards and turn unwanted clothes and household items into cash for Cancer Research UK. Get more information how to turn your unwanted clothes into cash for charity at www.tkmaxx.com/giveget.

Tiscali interviews Nicky Hambleton-Jones

We discussed with Nicky, what she knows best... Looking young, feeling great and looking good. Here's Nicky's top tips on clearing the clutter and getting the look you love and deserve.

What are your five tips for staying as young looking as possible?

1) First thing - wear colour, next to your face and not greys, blacks, browns and very neutral colours. Colour injects light back into your complexion.
2) Wear clothes that give you shape. Don't try to hide lumps and bumps as this makes you look frumpy.
3) Accessorise... a classic t-shirt and jeans can easily be updated to reflect modern trends. Keep yourself looking fashionable.
4) Keep your hairstyle fresh. You may be 35 and have stuck with the same hairstyle for 20 years. Your hair colour might not suit you. At least every couple of years revamp your hairstyle.
5) Smile - make more of an effort. Children smile on average 400 times a day.

How do you trust a hairdresser to revamp your look?

If it's time for a change visit a few hairdressers. It's important you find someone who understands you and gets excited about your hair. Get recommendations. Take a risk. Remember, a haircut that isn't perfect isn't long term or life threatening.

What key make-up products are essential to looking young?

Use a good foundation that evens out you complexion. Good concealer will hide bags and dark spots. Nice light reflecting powder or blusher will put some light into you skin - as a result, you don't need to add colour.

If you are on a budget, but want to revamp your style, what would you recommend as the key essentials for your wardrobe?

You must have a good pair of jeans and at least one jacket and a coat. Get a good mix of tops so that you can make your outfit look different. Treat yourself to at least one day dress that you can layer over jeans or wear by itself. Waistcoats are great for layering over your top or tunic. Have a good pair of heels to feel glam and some good pumps for trendy comfort.

How should you get started with a re-vamp?

First, assess what you have and give your wardrobe a good de-clutter. If you're not sure if you know what you like, start looking online and get a sense of current fashions and trends. Go shopping with a list. The more focussed you are the better the trip… Hire a personal shopper - they're trained to help you shop according to your shape and style.