I’m a firm believer that there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to styling. BUT, there is one thing that no wardrobe should be without. I’ll cut to the chase, the answer is…
…. a full length mirror.
Before we move on I must confess that I didn’t have one for more years than I care to admit so I understand how easy it is to get by without one!
I have since learnt that taking the time to review how you look, and most importantly how you feel, is the only way to get clarity on your personal style. Our friends, colleagues and loved ones often don’t want to comment on this, for obvious reasons!
When I’m doing a Wardrobe Style and Refresh with a client, we spend time trying on garments and accessing if they align with their personal style, the image they would like to project and are a good fit for their lifestyle. If they don’t tick these boxes they are ditched.
When was the last time you gave your style an honest assessment from head to toe?
Avoiding the mirror will not make any issues go away, it will do the opposite. Once you have your mirror ready, here is a quick way you can assess your style.
How to assess your style using a full length mirror
You’ll need to try on two outfits. First choose an outfit you love wearing. Next, select an outfit you wear every week e.g. for work. Check yourself out in the (full length) mirror and be honest with how each outfit makes you feel.
Clothes that align with your personal style will:-
- Feel comfortable and like ‘you’.
- Boost your mood and confidence
- Fit your lifestyle e.g. feeling professional at work
- Work for your body shape
Clothes you need to ditch will:-
- Feel ‘meh’ and like you are ‘making do’ rather than owning your style
- Need constant adjustments and fiddling with throughout the day
- Have that niggly stain on them that your conscious of
- Be a garment you loved ten years ago that feels very snug now
In a recent wardrobe edit Natalie said she felt ‘guilty’ about getting rid of any clothes. When we tried on these items it became clear that they no longer worked for her figure or lifestyle. Her job had changed so she no longer needed formalwear and as her waistline had expanded due to the menopause. This is very common.
There were some gems in Natalie’s wardrobe that she looked and felt great in. By comparing these items with the ‘old’ items Natalie was able to see it really was time to move on. In fact, she had already begun the process of moving on; she just hadn’t realised it!
Here’s what she said about the process:
‘I can’t believe that I’d held onto things for so long and it was much needed and quite cathartic to edit out the pieces that no longer worked for me’
Imagine how you would feel opening your wardrobe and it being filled with outfits that feel great from head to toe? That’s what you can do when you edit your wardrobe.
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