strategies for spring cleaning your wardrobe
By annemarie on May 10, 2010 | Filed Under faces & places, guest bloggers
As the weather improves and I dig out my summer duds (sometimes literally), I’ve come to the conclusion that I could use a little help decluttering my hodge podge collection of clothes. So I thought of Tracey Rossignol, a local mama and the author of Fashion Forward 40 , a mama and former fashionista who is rediscovering her style as an over-40 mum. I enjoy her musings on fashion, so I’m thought she might be a good source of advice on streamlining my wardrobe (and yours too).
Let’s face it some mornings just having a shower feels like a luxury. And doing my make-up while keeping an eye on my toddler feels like an Olympic sport. Then I hit the fashion parade of real life and wonder how I can possibly keep up (the young moms in their stiletto boots and skinny jeans at play gym really blow my mind – you won’t catch me in either item anywhere).
If you are like me, you are already juggling way too many things and likely with too little sleep. The pressure to bounce back to your pre-kid fashion days can feel immense. The “yummy mummy” trend has been great in raising the profile that mom’s can look great and sexy. But it also creates pressure to look like a fashionista. And to me fashion is not just about trends.
I need to look good for me. Knowing that I am dressed in something that fits my body and shows my personality puts that little extra spring my step. It makes me forget that my body will never be the same since having a baby and suffering the effects of gravity. Looking good and feeling good doesn’t hurt me socially or professionally either. But all that can seem like “Mission Impossible” when balancing everything on our plate’s everyday. So for most of us it falls to bottom of the “list”.
So as we look at spring and refreshing our wardrobes, here are my top 10 strategies:
- Know your body type and what works best on you. Highlight your best assets so that the parts you don’t love recess into the background.
- Update your foundation garments. To me a good properly fitted bra is worth more than almost anything else in my closet.
- Have a friend (or two) help you review your closet. Be sure to pick a really honest friend whose style you admire. Asking help from your super nice neighbour will not provide you the real advice you need. And don’t do it alone. Our inner voices love to lie to us. A good friend will tell you when you really look great in something. Or better yet hint for someone to buy you the gift of a stylist for that next special occasion.
- Look for good quality classic basic pieces that fit your body type. I know everyone tells us this. But it is true. It is so much easier (and cheaper) to mix and match your basics with a few trendy pieces.
- Buy some fun & inexpensive seasonal pieces. Who needs to spend a fortune on t-shirts that only last a year or two anyway? I usually hit Superstore or Old Navy to buy half a dozen cute and colourful t-shirts and tanks each spring. They are easy to mix and match for work or the play gym.
- Make a list. Clothing shopping without a list is like grocery shopping without a list. You come home with a lot of stuff, but it probably isn’t what you needed. You don’t have to buy everything on your list all at one time. A list just helps you identify what you need to help you build your own sort of uniform. Making it easier to shop. Saving you time and money.
- Buy items that do more than one job. Your clothes should work as hard as you do. Don’t waste your money on something you will only wear once a year or only with one particular pair of shoes.
- Accessorize. To me, this is the cheapest and most fun way to update your wardrobe. You can buy great statement jewelry at low prices at places like H&M or Superstore. Swapping with friends is also a fun way to try new things – free. Can’t get your head around accessories? Then buy clothes with built-in details.
- Don’t try to be someone else. Trends should inspire you. Not handcuff you.
- And finally, and really most important please repeat after me “It doesn’t matter how good the sale price is, if it doesn’t look good on me or match with something in my closet it is a waste of money.” And just like with shampoo repeat as necessary.
You should love your clothes and they should love you. You don’t have the time or energy not to!
Tracey Rossignol is an over 40 year old marketing strategist, blogger, mother to an active toddler and former fashionista. She used to live by fashion. Today she still loves fashion. But it is hard enough to balance life between work, husband, toddler, friends, family and sleep. And let’s not forget that ever-present gravity which must remind us that while we feel 18 inside – we’re not. So it is hard to think about whether you actually look good too. She started fashionforward40.com to document her adventures in rediscovering her style after 40. Follow to see how she balances her love of fashion, the needs of real life and gravity.
Will you be my stylist? My closet could use a SERIOUS overhaul.
Great article TJR.
Sue