What’s Coming Next? Your Wardrobe
Has life thrown you a few curve balls? Maybe COVID-19 made lasting changes in your wardrobe needs. You’ve moved into a new role or made a complete career change, you’re in hybrid mode or maybe you’re still figuring out what comes next. Whatever you’re facing, you’ll need to get dressed for the day’s activities.
So it might be time to think ahead and evaluate your wardrobe for what’s next in your life. From years of helping clients sort through their true dress needs, we understand that you want to get confidently and stylishly out the door (or on your next virtual conference call) without a lot of frustration. Chelsie was one of those clients, searching for the next move up in her career. After several years in banker suiting, the birth of her first child and a closet full of clothes she wasn’t wearing, she was able to confidently weed out 10 bags of clothes, now donated to better causes. Her win was existing garments that felt brand new, and she defined an authentic style that will guide future additions to her wardrobe.
When is it time to re-evaluate your wardrobe?
- • Professional Transitions – College to career, upward move in position, open/close a business, career to retirement.
- • Professional/Personal Social Needs – Special life events, interviews, speaking engagements, leading others at conferences.
- • Personal Body Needs – Weight loss/gain, pregnancy, illness or disability.
- • Life Transitions – Change of seasons, move to a different climate, family changes or just wanting to truly express who you are.
Here are the steps image pros use when evaluating dress and wardrobe needs.
Define an Authentic Style Presence
Take the time to discover who you are, including your body’s physical characteristics (e.g., skin undertone, bone structure, style personality). Then use this knowledge to define your needs, current garments and accessories, and future purchases. This step will give you the foundation to confidently express your true self and make sound wardrobe decisions.
Know Your Audience
Who you are dressing for? Who do you come in contact with? What do you do? Consider your role(s), the circles you move in, the level of your position and your activities. Define the where, how and when about the people you’re interacting with.
Define Your Goal
Consider the successes you’ve had and what you’d like moving forward. Know your purpose and end goal for this moment in life. Select garments that define a supportive “look” to help you obtain your goal in relation to each of your audiences. Use your visual presence as a tool to support your words and actions.
Interview Your Wardrobe
With these three strategies in mind, set aside 30-60 minutes to review your garments and accessories. Like speed dating/networking, trust your gut as you review each item in your wardrobe. Ask questions. Have I worn this in a year or two? Does this garment fit? Do I feel comfortable wearing this? Does it represent me/my needs today? Immediately move anything questionable out of your life or at least to the side of your working wardrobe.
Review and Evaluate
Now finalize the audit of your wardrobe “keepers” — the pieces that made the cut and are still hanging or folded in your working wardrobe. What ensembles are complete and what’s missing? Where are your funds best spent for making new purchases?
Build Clusters
No matter who you are or the level of dress you need, cluster dressing will help you create a foundation to grow a wardrobe with fewer pieces that generate more looks. Build your ensembles from two or three core colors. Think traditional suiting colors (navy, grey, black, tan) for your pants; skirts; shoes; and layering pieces such as cardigans, vests or jackets. Next, starting with solids and subdued weaves, add shirts, tops and accessories. (You can add patterns and variety later.) Identify pieces that support your authentic personal presence and your audience goals. Make sure they mix and match with at least two of your core colors.
Regardless of your reason/need for evaluating your wardrobe, following these strategies and tips will help you assess, organize and curate a wardrobe that meets your dressing needs for today and beyond. If you’re not sure where to begin, we can help. And we’d love to hear how applying these strategies has assisted you and your wardrobe. Please share!
