When it comes to getting dressed, most everyone opens their closet and faces too much stuff. Reactions to a jammed closet can be frustration, confusion, anxiety, or guilt. Often that’s followed by the desire to shop for new clothes that will fix the problem of having nothing to wear. It’s a vicious circle!
The thing is, shopping for more stuff could add to the problem instead. Here’s what I’ve learned that seems closer to the truth.
You look into your closet and say, “I hate everything in here.”
Most often people who say this are frustrated that after all that shopping, they still don’t have great outfits to wear.
What’s closer to the truth is that there are great pieces in the closet, but there’s too much clutter getting in the way. Clutter makes it hard to harness your creativity and put outfits together.
Take a few minutes to edit a few things that you know you’re not going to wear again. Thin your closet out a little. You’ll find more inspiration in there once you do.
You look into your closet, see the hangtags on items, and say, “I’ve made so many mistakes!”
Clothes with tags still hanging on them aren’t necessarily mistakes. Most likely you had time to make those purchases but haven’t made time to actually work those new pieces into outfits.
Don’t make yourself wrong for not wearing what you’ve purchased. One day when you’re not rushed, take an item out of the closet, put it on, and try to make an outfit that pleases you.
You look into your closet and say, “I think I’m buying clothes that aren’t me anymore.”
This is a very common thought for women, and it could be true. When changes happen in life, it often suggests a change in the wardrobe
Here are three examples:
1. A professional woman has a baby. Her body has changed. Her body has a slightly different shape and she may never be the size she once was.
2. A woman leaves a marriage, enters single life, but wants to start dating again. She doesn’t know the appropriate way to send the signal “I’m available” at this stage of life.
3. A woman leaves a corporate career and wants to take a year off to figure out what her next chapter will be. She wants to look different than she did as an exec but isn’t sure how.
It’s very common to continue to shop where we’ve always shopped from labels we’re familiar with even though we’ve gotten older, changed professions, retired, or are living out a new adventure in our life. It would be a good idea to get some help defining what works now so you don’t fill your wardrobe up with clothes that aren’t relating to your current lifestyle.
A professional wardrobe consultant has experience dressing women of all shapes, sizes, style personalities, professions, and ages. Is it time to let someone help you so you can find relief and get back on track? I’d love to sort this out for you so you stop doubting yourself. You deserve to look and feel great in clothes. Give me a call!
Jill and I have worked together for years and she has helped me tremendously! One funny – I used to shop at one of my mother’s older woman’s store because that is what no I learned. Jill pointed out to me that I wasn’t 60 or older and maybe that store wasn’t right for me. Once she created the awareness for me, it was completely obvious. Thank you, Jill. You are a blessing in my life!