Do you feel like you defined your style years ago? Or is your style more of an evolution?
I tend to think of style more as an evolution. Yes, there are things that you may always like – like your favorite color. Or striped t-shirts (my weakness). Or simpler styles vs. frills and lace. But life evolves. And your style evolves with it.
I work with tons of clients who are in transition. I work with new moms dealing with a bunch of changes – new priorities, a new daily schedule, new ways of working. I work with moms with late teen/college age kids, who suddenly have more space for their own priorities. I work with clients who are starting to date again. I work with clients who have moved or changed jobs and want their style to align with their new location or workplace. And I work with clients whose lives have simply evolved, but their style hasn’t caught up.
If you’re in transition. If your wardrobe reflects your old life (or who you used to be). Or if you’re just ready to evolve your style - there are a few things that will make it so much easier. And these are the things that I ask of my clients, to facilitate an enjoyable and productive process. So, here are 3 things you need to evolve your style (that you may not have thought of).
TIME
I know this may sound like a no-brainer. But I’ve seen many people who aren’t satisfied with their style who have never set aside time to focus on it. Here are a few things to make time for if you want to evolve your style.
TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU LIKE
Again, this may feel painfully obvious. You know what you do and don’t like, right? But have you ever taken the time to write it down? Or see if your preferences are actually reflected in your wardrobe? Anything that can help you consciously pinpoint what you do/don’t like is helpful in evolving your style. It provides filters and parameters that are super useful.
And figuring out what you like may also includes finding inspiration. Because your current wardrobe might not be the best place to start, if it doesn’t reflect where you want your style to go. Read this article for the exercise I give clients to gather inspiration.
TIME TO GO THROUGH YOUR CLOSET
The reason I won’t shop with a client without going through their closet is this: you don’t know what you need until you know what you have. So, you need to set aside time to see what is and isn’t working in your closet. Both in regard to what works for your current lifestyle and what reflects your current preferences. If going through your closet feels like a daunting task, click for 5 steps to take.
Sometimes, I’ll work with a client who isn’t confident in figuring out what is/isn’t working in their closet. So, I recommend a simple exercise – once you wear something and put in back in your closet, turn the hanger the other way. Then, after a month or so, check out which hangers have been turned and which haven’t. The turned hangers are the items you’re naturally gravitating toward. And the unturned hangers are the things you own, but are currently ignoring. And both categories can give you useful information.
TIME TO SHOP FOR WHAT’S MISSING
Once you go through your closet, you’ll most likely discover what you’re wearing the most. And what you’re wearing the least. And how these things align with your preferences and inspiration. And that can evolve into a list of what’s missing - which means it’s time to fill the gaps.
You need to give yourself the time to shop. And I don’t mean a 20 minute run to the mall on the way home from work. Or going to lunch with friends and browsing stores afterward. I mean a shopping trip that you prepare for. That you dedicate the time for. That’s targeted to find what you’re missing (whether you’re shopping in person or online). If you are shopping online, check this out for online shopping mistakes you don’t want to make.
TIME TO CREATE OUTFITS
I often work with clients who already have a great wardrobe. They have a dependable range of basics and fun pieces that express their personality. They have third pieces and accessories that add spice to their looks. But they don’t dedicate time to create outfits that work for the various aspects of their lives.
There are a few ways to dedicate time to create outfits. You can set aside a chunk of time on the weekend to pull together (and photograph) a bunch of different outfit ideas. You can create a few outfits each time you buy something new. Or you can simply give yourself 15 minutes to decide what you’re wearing the night before (as opposed to a frenzied 3 minutes in the morning). If you need a new way to create some outfits, here’s a method you may not have tried before.
SPACE
Space is often at a premium, especially in your closet and bedroom. But it’s necessary if you’re trying to evolve your style. Here’s what I mean.
SPACE TO SEE WHAT YOU OWN
If you’re dealing with a cramped closet, you may barely be able to see what you own. And you’re probably wearing what you can see and what’s easiest to grab, which is most likely a small subset of your wardrobe.
I can’t make your closet bigger for you. But I do recommend that you get everything out of your closet when you’re figuring out what does and doesn’t work. Here’s the strategy: take out one category at a time. Start with your tops – take all your tops out of your closet and put them on your bed or on a rack. And go through them one at a time to see what you’ll keep or get rid of. And then put all your ‘keeps’ back in the closet and move on to your pants, jackets, etc. And then read these tips to make your closet a happier place.
SPACE TO SEE WHAT YOU’RE WEARING
What do you think I recommend to clients that’s missing from many of their bedrooms? A full length mirror. If you don’t have a full length mirror, you can’t see your entire outfit from head to toe. And if you can’t see your entire outfit, you can’t truly decide how you feel about it. And the last thing I want you to do is jump up and down in your bathroom mirror to see what you’re wearing.
Another great thing about a full length mirror is that you can take selfies. Which is an ideal way to record an outfit that you love, so you can wear it again (especially on days that you’re not motivated to get dressed). Here are 2 other ways to get dressed when you’re not motivated.
SPACE TO SEE WHAT YOU OWN
I know I already said this, but I wanted to mention it from a different perspective. Small closets are an unfortunate evil. And they’re really a pain when they barely fit your wardrobe. So, if you can’t readily see most of what you own on a daily basis, find a spot in (or outside of) your closet to place your current favorite items. For example, put a few of your winter favorites on a coat rack in your bedroom. And then you won’t forget to wear them before the cold weather ends.
GRACE
So many people try so hard to get things 100% right the first time. But I think giving yourself grace is key as you evolve your style. Here are a few ways to give yourself grace.
GRACE TO ACCEPT WHERE YOU ARE
My first step when working with new clients is a review of your lifestyle, preferences, body, etc. And we often talk about accepting where you are right now. Your current lifestyle, your current budget – and especially your current body. Because you deserve to feel good in clothes right now. And not when you make more money or have more events or reach a certain size. Read this if you’re having a hard time getting dressed after gaining weight.
Sometimes, new clients will get bogged down in past ‘style mistakes’. Like expensive items that just didn’t work. Or things in your closet that you wish you wore more. But evolving your style is a process of moving forward. So, give yourself grace to let go of the past, too.
GRACE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW
Trying something new can feel daunting (especially when it’s something you’re wearing). But it never hurts to push beyond your existing comfort zone. Because the last thing you want is get into a style rut by constantly wearing the same things the same way. And then feeling completely bored with your style.
When you try something new, give yourself grace that it might or might not work. Either way, it’s an opportunity to learn and give yourself feedback. So, if it doesn’t work the way you want, it’s just one outfit on one day (that you get to take off as soon as you get home). And then you know better for next time.
And by ‘trying something new’, I don’t necessarily mean shopping. I mean trying a new color combination. Or a different way of layering. Or a pairing of items from your closet that you’ve never tried before. Read this for a few methods to try something new, in a totally low commitment way.
GRACE TO SHOP DIFFERENTLY
As you go through the process of evolving your style, you might discover that the stores you used to shop at don’t work anymore. They may not mesh with your current vibe or budget or size category. But it’s worth it to give yourself grace and expose yourself to brands that align with exactly what you’re looking for.
And while you’re exploring shopping differently, how about trying a new method of doing it? Like renting something to test it out. Or shopping thrift stores/second hand for items that may be out of your budget. Or even buying something that you know you’ll restyle (like full length pants that that you’ll shorten to cropped pants). It never hurts to expand your shopping horizons – you may be surprised with what you find.
Are you ready to evolve your style? Were these tips helpful? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.
If the idea of evolving your style feels challenging to do on your own, click here to read about the framework I’ve used with hundreds of clients. I’ve spent the past (almost) 10 years demystifying the process of getting dressed and feeling great for over 300 women and men. Click here to see what a few of them have to say about working with me.