Since starting this website I have really started thinking about my style and clothes. I spent a lot of time thinking about fashion, style and dressing well. But the amazing thing is: I haven’t actually bought anything since then.
The effects of analyzing your style and clothes
What I did do, is really start looking at my closet, its contents and its potential. These are some of the results:
- Instead of running to the shops to buy the latest and greatest trends, I have sourced my own closet and combined different pieces with eachother. I have found pieces that I hadn’t worn for a long time, but that I could wear in new ways.
- I started thinking about my style and the message I want to give with my clothes. I looked at some of the style icons and how some of their enduring style is still current today. I saw that some of my clothes fall into that enduring style category and that I could wear them with trendier pieces.
- I’m having lots of fun finding new combinations that work and to come up with new ones whenever I go out.
- I’m getting a very clear picture of which clothes are missing from my wardrobe.
It’s also been a good exercize to cut out pictures or display photos of favorites. I do it on my website, but you could easily make collages or inspiration boards.
This is very effective because:
- It prevents you from buying things on a whim. You’ve done your research so you clearly know what you want.
- If you don’t buy the items of your inspiration board straight away and let it settle in for a while, you know which styles you really like and which ones kind of fade away after a while. It’s great to stop those high fashion impulse buys.
- If you keep going back to a certain style in your pictures and keep missing it in your wardrobe, you will know that that is the thing to get.
The bottom line
I’m sure I’m going to get something new soon, but I’m very pleased with the results of just thinking about my style and clothes. As opposed to what you might expect, it does not lead to more purchases and obsession with fashion, instead it leads to far more selective and well-thought through choices, which will ultimately save a lot of money, time and frustration and will make me look more stylish in the process. If you want to know more be sure to follow my finding your style series.
How about you? Have you ever really thought about your wardrobe and your style? Have you analyzed it? Or are you happy with the way things are right now?
Image from closetfactory.com
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Yes, I actually did go through the pain of this process when I learnt about on TLC’s WNTW. I can still hear Stacey and Clinton asking ‘how many people live in this closet?’. I did do a lot of editing but I love love love clothes. The more the happier I am. But I need different clothes for different things. Work, church, shopping, dining out, parties, sports, ect. ect. And ect. I really like the ‘mysterious’ look. People are never sure what I will be wearing – and they can’t copy me. Will it be red or purple or blue or ? Dress, skirt or pants? What length of skirt? I’m always wearing something different and I never bore myself either.
Planned shopping vs. shop what’s available : I find it difficult to go to the mall with the strategy of: today I am going to buy a skirt/top/dress .. whatever I need on my shopping list in my head (after I have thought about the gaps in my wardrobe). Because very seldom I will find that specific item when I was on a mission to find it. My shopping strategy is more or less; go to shops (very excited with the idea…!), browse through the clothes available; see something that I like (in terms of style, colour, PRICE and quality) and then comes the difficult part… buy it or leave it.
That is true. And casual shopping is usually what I do as well. BUT. If you have analyzed your style and your wardrobe you will have a pretty good idea in the back of your head what you would need to get. And if you ever come across such an item while just casually shopping, you will not need to think so much. If it fits perfectly you know you should get it right away. I think knowing your style statement(https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-discover-your-style-statement/) can really help with the casual shopping as well.
Oh I have such a tendency to buy the same thing over and over! (I’m still looking for the perfect black skirt.) Just recently I wrote down all the jewelry pieces that I had, and made of list of what I lacked. I think it’s already helping!
I think it can make a real difference! And it’s actually a fun process…
Sylvia – how do you feel about mixing prints in an outfit? I have been trying to put some of my things together in new ways and I am curious about this. I have a red and black plaid RL blouse with a ruffle down the front and I am thinking of wearing it under my black and white (tiny) houndstooth check RL blazer. I know you wore a striped blouse with a print skirt but they were in the same color family. Do you have a “rule” about mixing patterns?
I think it’s great. It’s very much on trend at the moment and it’s a lot of fun. The only reason I don’t do so much of it is that I basically have very few prints in my closet. Bella is a star at pattern mixing. Here is a lovely example of a top and blazer: http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/2011/11/outfit-post-plaid-meet-mandarin.html, 1 with socks, skirt and cardigan http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/2011/10/outfit-post-wicked-witch-of-wild-west.html and this one with houndstooth http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/2011/10/outfit-post-hair-of-dog-tooth-of-hound.html
I think it’s important that there is is a connection between the colors. All 3 combinations above work as the colors of all the patterns all go together. I think your combination would work well!
Bella is so cute and is a fearless pattern mixer. Her last look inspired me to try my black, white, and gray paisley shirt with the houndstooth blazer. I love it! And I will wear my gray Fedora with it in honor of you Sylvia. 🙂
Oh I wish you could get somebody to take a nice picture! If you take some good pictures (outside is best), I will publish it on the site!
This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. I have tons of cheap clothes that don’t work together and constantly feel I have nothing to wear… I have also recently gone down a couple of pants sizes, so I have to really analyse the situation and decide where I want to go style-wise. I am definitely exercising self-control. I have been to the shops and succeeded in just looking…a major conquest for me! I think this will be a long but fascinating process.
Hi Saretta. Thanks for visiting my blog and your comment. I think it can be a very interesting journey: finding out about your style and really getting a clear look that truly suits you and a wardrobe that is solid. I will write continuing articles about that. Have you read my article on the style statement? That may be a good way to start…
By the way I noticed that you are living in southern Italy. How lucky are you! Italy is one of my favorite countries. I’m still hoping I end up there some day….
What a great post! Turning 40 a little over a year ago made me start thinking more about my style and my wardrobe. I’ve never been very consistent in my style preferences although leaning against a more relaxed classic style personality, and found myself lacking some of the most important basics in my wardrobe. Through the last year I’ve been culling and sorting, going through a process of trying and failing, and finally feel like I’m starting to get things together. The fact that I actually was missing some of the most important wardrobe basics made it necessary to do a bit of shopping, and I decided to go for a decent quality that allows me to have a workable wardrobe and then upgrading slowly with better quality items later on and as my budget allows for it.
Hi Nanne. Welcome to 40PlusStyle! It sounds that you benefited a lot from your exercise. Let me know if you are interested in writing a guest post about your process and the results here. It’s always great to read from someone who has gone through the process and I’m sure my readers would appreciate it!
I took a short look in my closet yesterday and found 7 dresses I have never worn. That is pretty silly. I am not going to buy any new clothes until I go through my entire closet (which is a small room really) to see what I actually have. I am truly inspired by you and I am excited to put things together in fresh and “creative” ways.
Thank you for this great blog!
Great Suzanne. Let me know how you go with that. So happy to have inspired you!
I want you to know that you (and your readers) have had a positive influence on me. I actually returned a dress I am sure I would never have worn and when I shopped today I asked myself if I “needed” the item and how I could use it in my wardrobe. I bought two simple tops that will go under many sweaters and jackets and I bought a Michael Kors dress (on deep discount) that looks great under the navy MK blazer I bought earlier. I also bought a navy fedora and a gray pearl necklace but these will add personality to many outfits. I have always liked hats but did not have the courage to wear them until I saw you and the Style Crone rock them. Thank you for that. I am having FUN getting items to style the things I already own in fresh ways.
PS – I did not come home with any new shoes even though Nordstrom’s is having a huge sale. That is amazing for me. My friends can not believe it. 🙂
Great to hear Suzanne! I’m sure your hat and pearl necklace will look great. They are both items you will be able to use for a long time. I’m not making much progress with my hat shopping, even though I would love to have a few good ones… Going to a little street market this afternoon, so who knows….
I am having a similar experience and am currently organizing and analyzing my inventory. Shopping my closet has become entertaining and challenging!
It is and I found that it’s amazing what you can do with your existing clothes if you just use your creativity….
This post really resonates with me. I think about clothes and shoes a lot and I love to shop. I am picky about how garments fit. But have I actually analyzed my wardrobe or “my style”? Maybe not. I found this definition of analyze – “to determine the nature and relationship of the parts”. This week I bought a navy Michael Kors blazer and a black and cream Ralph Lauren jacket. I love both but the first thing I thought of is what am I going to wear under them? I need some simple, sleek tops. It is fun to buy the exciting pieces but not so fun to buy the basics that are the backbone of most outfits. It would be hard for me to stop buying and really take a long look at what I have and to make a list of what I need. You have given me something to think about.
That definition sums it up nicely. Sofar I have found analysing my style very interesting. I think it will be very valuable to have a recognizable, signature style where people get the immediate right impression of me. As you say basics are essential, so it’s good to have a ‘full’ wardrobe without any clear gaps. I will do some posts on the essentials of each style some time soon…..