Are Your Clothes Working for You?
I'm no fashionista, but I do recognize that clothes can create confidence or make me self-conscious. Whether you are on the job or out on the town, you want clothes that work for you.
My clothing personality has morphed through life's changes - jobs, marital status and children. What fit my lifestyle as a single PT in my early 20s would not appeal to me today. If you find you are frustrated with your wardrobe, maybe you have moved on to a new stage of life, but your clothing hasn't moved with you. Whatever stage you are in, choose clothing to reflect your personality.
There have been clothes I have held onto long past their practical usefulness. Did I mention I have four kids? This old body ain't what it used to be! But there are outfits that hold sentimental ties - special occasions those clothes bring to mind. Even if I can't wear that cocktail dress anymore, the memories it evokes are too special for me to remove it from my closet. There is comfort knowing it is hanging there.
Unfortunately, clothes can also be tied to negative memories. You may find an outfit makes you sad. The blouse you were wearing when your boyfriend broke up with you. The tie you wore the day your divorce was final. The dress you wore to a loved one's funeral. The suit you wore the day you were downsized into unemployment.
Whether you have one piece of clothing that makes you gloomy or an entire closet that reflects a bygone era, don't be afraid to discard outfits that don't work for you now. You can resell them through a garage sale or one of many online vendors. Or you can donate them to any of numerous charitable causes.
As you are replacing clothing that no longer works for you, make sure new purchases reflect your current personality. Clothes you enjoy wearing give you the confidence to own every room you enter.