6 Ways to Revive Your Wardrobe – Part II

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“I have spent the majority of this chapter stressing the maintenance of the self, but that self should also stretch and shift. If your environment doesn’t require this of you, you must actively work to stimulate such changes. One of the most noticeable elements of the self that can get stuck is your external self – the image you choose to present to the world.”  -Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner in You Are What You Wear

We began this discussion last week on Midlife Boulevard in THIS POST, about how to refresh, revive, update our current wardrobes.  Actually, right now is the perfect time to discuss an update.  We are in between clothing seasons.  Retailers are clearing their summer inventory and preparing for new styles to arrive.  This week is known as one of the down weeks of fashion retail.  So, it is a perfect time to clean out and plan for a new, vibrant, and more confident you.

Out of many suggestions the author presents, I have selected my six favorites.  Here is the second set for your consideration:

4. WARDROBE REPEATERS….Spend money updating the items you always wear, always buy, and always feel good in. For me, I love a little leopard print, so I recently purchased a new leopard cardigan in an updated design.  I also purchased a new black trench coat….my old one is worn and tired.  Maybe that caramel, leather handbag you have worn out should be replaced.
5. COMPLIMENTARY AND SEASONAL COLORS…Know your favorite neutrals. Mine are black, brown, and grey.  Then select three seasonal colors you love for accent pieces.  This is a simple way to coordinate your wardrobe and keep outfits simple for your life and travel. For this fall, my accent colors will be burnt orange, forest green, and a rich blue.
6. DRESS YOUR LIFESTYLE…”I am a big supporter of a wardrobe that supports a lifestyle. Why should I collect clubbing clothes when I prefer to have a great meal at a restaurant, walk on a beach, or drink coffee at a bookstore? Clothing should seamlessly fit into your current lifestyle, but it can also serve as a great motivator to go after the lifestyle you desire. This is my version of reverse psychology.  You can dress for the lifestyle you have now, but why not dress for the lifestyle you want, and go out and get it?” writes Baumgartner.

Finally, I encourage my blog readers to do as Baumgartner suggest and start a style file of looks you find attractive.   This can be Pinterest pages or a notebook for magazine pages.  However, you do this, it will begin to help you formulate what you like and don’t like and how you envision a wardrobe.  Shake things up a bit, just for the fun of it.  Wear something small out of your comfort zone…this is the way I started wearing leopard print items and they stayed with me.  It is fun!

Before you shop again, have a plan, and plan to have fun!  What do you think of her advice?

Thanks for stopping by The Joy Boutique…have a great week, everyone!