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“If you are wearing the same types of outfits over and over again, make a change. If you feel like you are blending into the walls, make a change. If you are tired of looking into the mirror, make a change. Change keeps the mind busy, the heart full, and the spirit young. Change is good.” – Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner in You Are What You Wear
Read that last sentence one more time…Change keeps the mind busy, the heart full, and the spirit young. What an important sentence for those of us in midlife and beyond. Adding a little spice to life is healthy…and can easily begin with our wardrobe. Women just smile more and walk with confidence when they feel they look their best.
Dr. Baumgartner’s book offers some quick tips to revive your wardrobe. I have six favorites. Here are the first three:
- Designer brands… “Find a designer brand you can rely on for style and fit. Nothing is better than knowing you will always find something you like or that looks good on you when you enter a store or on-line site. These no fail relationships can get you through the toughest fashion ruts.” For me, Ralph Lauren is a BFF. I love the fit of the clothes and every collection has something which meets my style. I can also find Lauren lines in thrift, consignment, and stores like Marshall’s and TJ MAXX. I also have a couple of retail outlets like Chico’s and Soft Surroundings where I know I will find ME or a little spiced up version of ME.
- Re-create a look….”It has never been easier to get the look for less.” Choose a designer outfit from a magazine or runway show and re-make it with lower priced items. I take cell phone pics of mannequins often, in order to do exactly that, recreate looks I love.
- The statement piece…”Dress simply, but pick one statement piece for each outfit. This is a piece that is colorful, sparkly, and artistic, goes against the norm, or is completely different from what we are used to seeing.” Or, better yet, from what you are used to wearing. Just find one amazing piece…a jacket, cardigan, scarf, necklace to take you a tiny bit out of your comfort zone or funk.
She writes of 13 suggestions to shake things up and I am sharing six in two posts. Her last one is called GET RID OF IT, and as so many stylists recommend, if we do not love a garment, then sell it, donate it or throw it away. However, you do it, get it out of your closet.
Now, are any of these ideas do-able for you??
Please join me next week in The Joy Boutique for my next three suggestions…and I hope all of you have a safe and joyous July 4th!
Pamela Lutrell
Pamela Lutrell began her blog, over50feeling40, July 2010 with a desire to encourage women over 50 to walk in strength, confidence and joy. Of course, head turning style makes each day fun!
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Jennifer says
I usually go for number 3 because I buy very few clothes.
These are great suggestions. You’re lucky RL fits you well. I find brands will occaisionally change their “fit model” and then a brand that fit my body. all of a sudden doesn’t. So I have to move on. RL does seems consistent. I like their clothes for their versitility and quality.
Karen says
All of them are doable for me, but I especially like #2, recreating a ‘look.’ (I often do this when decorating my home also!) I believe in quality for the basics and don’t invest so much in trends. But when I see a fun trend that I want to try, I will certainly do what you suggest here and recreate it for much less. Then there is no guilt when the inevitable happens and the trend is no longer trending! Also, I am one for purging on a pretty regular basis. I recently made an error (online shopping) when I fell in love with something that seemed like it was going to fill a wardrobe gap. It is not a disaster but not a wardrobe workhorse by any means, so it’s probably going to be going to the consignment store at the end of the season. These are very good tips and I look forward to seeing the others. Incidentally, I also like RL for the classic styles and things seem to fit. I have never deliberately chosen a designer that felt like it was me, but I’ll have to think on this one a little more!
Anita Irlen says
I’m still looking for “my designer.” Maybe my friend, Marie Hell. I usually go for number three. I like having a few really good, really versatile things that I always feel good in. A great bag, great boots, or jacket can just make an outfit special every time.
Anita