She "hasn’t been in the fashion game long", describing herself as previously "mostly an enthusiastic collector and observer".
"But after decades of advising friends on what to wear and where to buy from, I decided to put myself more distinctly in the space of resolving the wardrobe confusion," she says, describing her current role as helping "decompress people’s wardrobes".
In order to speak authentically at the iD event, McLauchlan chose to take the idea of a wellbeing wardrobe to the next level, adopting the principles of Project 333, an international minimalist fashion challenge created by US blogger and author Courtney Carver after her diagnosis with MS.
"Project 333 is an undertaking to have only 33 items of clothing for three months," McLauchlan explains, describing the project as a kind of "fashion diet".
"The philosophy behind it is to teach people how to be satisfied with fewer things in their life."
And while 33 items might initially seem like a lot, that figure has to include jewellery, footwear, hats, belts, bags and other accessories.
"That adds up to only four to five outfits, for three months. And three months is actually longer than you think."
When faced with editing your wardrobe down to such a limited number of pieces, it’s natural to want to stick to more "sensible" items, but in hindsight, McLauchlan says, "don’t be afraid to put in something brave".
"A minimalist wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to strip that joy of dressing away from yourself.
"I recommend looking for pieces that are true to your style, and with an intention to keep them for a long time. The pieces most likely to have a longer life in your wardrobe are ones that flatter your shape, that are constructed from quality, enduring materials and above all, feel great when you put them on."
She also recommends including local labels in the mix.
"Locally, we are blessed with phenomenal designers, and if you wear these brands you have the added joy of promoting our region."
"My personal experience of doing the project has also provided me with a fresh perspective on what fashion means."
For those down south interested in taking part, McLauchlan says, "There’s no one prescription for every person, but a key tip is to make sure each item functions well, i.e. a cold weather jacket needs to be warm and not just look the part; likewise for footwear".
"You need proper effective warmth in Otago at this time of year, so one of the things I’d recommend is a woollen vest or waistcoat as they are so versatile."
McLauchlan also included five coats as part of her own 33 items and says that while people laughed, she stands by her choices - "in Dunedin it’s the top layer of every outfit!"
Project 333
Key principles of the Project 333 challenge people can adopt that would benefit themselves and the planet:
1. Make an effort to wear things more often. Get more enjoyment from each item before you look for something new.
2. Be more creative and explore the versatility of your clothes. They can work in different ways.
3. Avoid fast fashion and trying to keep up with trends with cheaper disposable wardrobe fillers.
4. Buy the best quality and fit that you can afford, even if it is secondhand. It is more likely to last you a lifetime.
5. You can reduce a certain amount of stress by having less clothes. Fewer options make life simpler.
