Part 4: Before You Shop; STOP
Now that we've narrowed down our style, it's time to reevaluate our current wardrobe. We'll need to make room in our closets, for new stylish pieces. As long as we keep the old pieces, we are tempted to backslide into frumpiness again.
Purge time!
Start by emptying your entire closet and sort through them, one by one. Then make piles on one side of the room. Skirts over here, blouses over there, sweaters over there, etc. Don't worry about arranging them nicely. The time has come, my friend. Put on some comfy clothes and your favorite playlist."Embarking on change is never easy. Beginning a task you've been avoiding cracks open the dam of pain, frustration, hurt, hopelessness, and anger and makes you face the unknown of the future." -Dr Jennifer Baumgartner (You Are What You Wear)
Purge time!
Look at your clothes and ask yourself these 6 questions...
- Does this fit my current body type?
- Have I worn this in the last 12 months?
- Is this item efficient for my lifestyle (Mom, CEO, etc)?
- Is this currently in style, and/or does this still accurately represent my style?
- If this is damaged in any way (e.g., piling, rips, stains, missing buttons, broken zippers, fading, etc.), will I actually make the effort to get this repaired in the near future?
- And most importantly: Do I feel confident when I wear this?
Getting rid of old clothes can be deeply emotional. It's hard to admit that those perfect jeans no longer fit, due to your thyroid problems or eating disorder. It's daunting to realize that your only style goals have become comfort and coverage, now that you're a mom to those adorable rugrats.
You're not alone.
Over coffee, a friend of mine bravely admitted that she had to throw out the majority of her wardrobe, after she realized that none of the clothes reflected who she was.
Instead, she bought clothes that magazines promised would "get her a man." With no man to show, at the end of her efforts; she was left with an unsettling realization.
My friend did what so many of us do; obsess and live in denial of the present reality. Maybe it's time to ask yourself; am I content with the way I am presently?
Can you relate to any of the following thoughts?
"As soon as I lose that leftover baby weight, I'll fit into my old clothes"
"It's not really me anymore, but I can rock it. I'm still adventurous!" "I'm just going through a random weight gain, I'll be my normal size in no time."
My loving answer to all these is LIVE IN THE PRESENT. Embrace the person (And size) you've become. Weight might be temporary, but work with what you've got now. Wear the right size. Embrace change.You're still that fun gal, but your expression of fun may look different now. Embrace it.
Change is, and always will be, a constant in our lives. Don't let it paralyze you into living in the past.
Throw out the clothes of the past, and express the new you with fresh style.
