1. Edit your wardrobe
Keep what you love and the items that make the outfits that work (those supporting acts), but get rid of the villains, those garments that don’t make you feel good. Let go of the past and live in the now.
2. Love how it feels
If clothes don’t feel good to you, on your skin, are uncomfortable get rid of them. If theydon’t fit properly you will fidget and fiddle with your clothes which is an instant style killer. You are wearing them against your skin all the time, you want them to feel great.
3. Your clothes should be beautiful to you
These are items you’re wearing all the time, you want to love how they look. If they are just so-so, or bland, or boring or say “it’ll do” to you, then they don’t earn a place in your wardrobe. You are special and your clothes should be special to you too.
4. Add a hero
An outfit purely of supporting acts will be bland.
5. Discover your signature style
Spend some time getting to know who you are and what you love. Notice the garments and accessories you turn to again and again and figure out why, they may be part of your signature style.
6. Start collecting accessories
Create beauty bundles so that you can easily change up your look with different accessories. You want some more formal, some more casual so you can dress your supporting acts up and down.
7. Don’t keep anything for Sunday Best
Remember that clothes are like milk, they go off. Fashions change and there is no point in not wearing your best clothes. Get your cost-per-wear from your best pieces and you’ll be glad you made the investment in them plus you’ll feel great when you wear them.
8. Try something different
Every now and again, pick up a trend or fad item that’s a little out of your comfort zone so you don’t become complacent and your style stale.
9. Don’t forget the foundations
Get rid of your terrible underpants and bras. Only wear foundation garments that don’t add extra bulges or lumps, that fit and lift and do what they need to to make your whole outfit look great.
10. Be brave
Push yourself out of your comfort zone periodically so that you don’t get into a style rut. Try styling something different or wearing an accessory like a hat, scarf, necklace that is right out of your comfort zone. There are so many places to be inspired by the styles of others. Read some Stylish Thoughts blog posts, surf pinterest or instagram.
11. Play in your wardrobe
Every now and again challenge yourself to style one garment 5 ways for different occasions. Take photos of the outfits you put together, you may be surprised at the new looks you create that become new parts of your style.
Great suggestions, Imogen, and perfect timing for my wardrobe. My husband and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this fall in Eastern Europe.
I am foolishly trying to create a cohesive capsule out of several years of different travel pieces. Yikes! I should dump all of it and start over but there’ s just not enough time left for me to complete a new travel wardrobe. It’s difficult enough trying to find one complete ensemble.
Thank you for the tips, encouragement and your never ending support of your fans. If you ever visit Southern California again, we’re going shopping.
A faithful fan,
Pat
PS I have to cut this short so I can start editing out the villains
This article is chock full of helpful advice.
I will indeed began editing my closet. I did a purge last summer and donated 3-4 bursting bags to charity but I was not ruthless enough. Indeed, your article abt holding on to the past opened my eyes. I’m still holding on to my business wardrobe while I have no intention of returning to work for at least 2 years. Possibly 4/5 of I stay home until my newborn starts kindergarten!
But letting those pieces go feels like giving up my career entirely. It feels like giving up security, and becoming a lot more domestic than I feel capable.
I could go on and on but the point is your article has set me on a path major introspection.
The rest were awesome too of course! ?