Happy New Year! Don’t worry, this isn’t another drab “new year, new you” post. Rather, it is a two-part blog series to get you off on the right foot, style-wise, in 2020. First, let’s get a handle on your wardrobe so you can get dressed with ease and confidence every day.
Most of us rarely remove pieces from our wardrobes. We shop, we buy and we add it to the closet. However, after several years of adding and no removing, the closet becomes stuffed, and we grab the same 10 pieces every week. What a tragedy.
Say goodbye to an overstuffed wardrobe.
It is easier than you think to get your wardrobe ship-shape for 2020. Here are four quick and easy steps get you there!
- Understand your choices. Take 20-30 minutes to look over your wardrobe, including accessories, shoes and handbags. As you do this, look for your acquisition patterns. How do your things find their way into your closet? Do you shop in a rush and grab what’s “close enough” or “good enough” right before an event? Perhaps you “collect” things like jeans, blazers, sweaters, etc.? Maybe you buy online and fail to return things when they don’t work out. What color or colors do you consistently buy? Do you have a lot of hand-me-downs from others? When you assess what is there and acknowledge how it got there, you open the door to having a concise wardrobe that serves you well. That is because next you will…
- Recognize habits and adjust. The exercise above opens your eyes. Perhaps 20 pairs of jeans are enough. Maybe 8 pairs of navy dress pants are too many. It’s possible 18 black tops are overkill. Acquiring without looking at what you have does your wardrobe and wallet a disservice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen what is already needed hanging in a client’s closet with no reason to shop. Once you see what you have, you can edit and abstain from habitual choices. Next…
- Allow fresh ideas to enter. This is tougher. Habits are safe and easy. Trying new things is hard and a little scary. However, if you continue in your usual fashion habits, you close the door on a style that is fresh and current. Times change and a modern personal style adjusts with the times. Start small. If you own a lot of black and/or navy, identify a color or colors that pop well with it, and purchase pieces in those colors. If you never wear dresses but like them, purchase a few. Find something (anything!) new to try this year. Last…
- Be good to yourself. You deserve a wardrobe that makes sense, is easy to work with and serves you across all facets of your life. Holding onto old pieces that “might come back in style one day” only makes it harder to get dressed. Clutter creates confusion. Getting rid of things does not hold you back; it propels you forward! Releasing the old opens the door to the new. Reading Marie Kondo’s book “the life changing magic of tidying up” early last year greatly helped me let go even when I already had a well-edited wardrobe. I blogged and podcasted about it. I learned I didn’t need “back-up” pieces I didn’t like. If my first choice is not available, I will find something else to wear. If I need another one, I will add it to my wish list without holding onto a piece I don’t like.
You can do this!
If the above feels daunting, I can help. Comment to this post, contact me via my website or send me an e-mail at bethany@bethanysiggins.com. Right now is the perfect time to uncover a wardrobe that supports you and gives you energy and confidence. Make this year your most stylish!
I’ll be back soon with the second installment: Your Style Your Way. I love hearing from you, so be sure to leave your comments below!
Here’s to a fabulous, fashionable 2020!
Photo of me by Studio 18 Seniors.
