Both me and others were a bit saddened by a comment from Cheryl as a response to an outfit I posted on my Facebook page: “When you are slim you can wear what you like. I am feeling so down today and have lost my way with my wardrobe I’m feeling old, (at 48) fat and frumpy”.
I know that quite a few women feel this way. I also know it doesn’t have to be this way. Age, body type, money, or location have nothing to do with style. Let’s discover how to get out of a style rut.
I also know that an increase in weight, hormone changes, health issues, and life, in general, can get us into a style rut and make us feel less than wonderful.
Of course these can sometimes lead to more serious issues like depression, but that is beyond the scope of this article. Today we will mainly focus on how to get out of a style rut.
That in itself can make you feel better about yourself, as it really is true that looking good can make you feel good as well.
How do you get into a style rut?
A style rut often happens when you feel that you don’t have the time or the desire to spend time on dressing and / or self grooming.
You may be overwhelmed by or too busy with your children, not feel happy with your career or relationship or got frustrated by the increasing size of your body or overwhelming health issues.
You may feel that looking after yourself is not important or that there is no time for that.
The problem is that when you stop looking after yourself, you will look even worse and therefore FEEL even worse. It can become a downward spiral.
Before you know it, you may feel old, fat and frumpy as Cheryl expressed above.
How to get out of a style rut?
First of all, you need to realize that you are in a style rut and that you are doing this to yourself.
You have stopped caring at some point and stopped making an effort to look after yourself for any of the reasons mentioned above.
You will need to get rid of any excuses you have given yourself as reasons why you can’t look good.
Some of these can be:
- “I’m too old to look good”
- “I’m too fat”
- “I have no style”
- “I have no time for shopping”
- “I have no money to buy anything”
Let’s tackle these excuses one by one.
1. I’m too old to look good
I assure you that you can never be too old to look good!
No matter what age, if you have developed your own sense of style, it really does not matter if you have a few more wrinkles or not. Everyone can achieve a young & hip look and there are so many ways to achieve that.
You may like to read: is there a big difference between dressing at 40, 50, 60 or 70?
Add some funky shoes to your outfit. They can still be comfortable but they will give you a young and hip vibe. You may like to check out the latest trends for clothes and shoes on this page.
You can also wear a modern necklace and it’s important to choose clothes that fit.
These are just a few things you can do but there are so many more ideas.
In fact, this whole website is about how to dress after 40 and still look hip.
Often it’s not even about how you dress specifically, but how you approach life in general.
Suzanne’s article on how to look young and youthful after 40 gives some great tips on how to achieve this.
A great example of someone who celebrates life and looks amazing after 80, is Judith. Check out her article on this site on how to look amazing in hats.
2. I’m too fat
Many women give their increased body size as the excuse for not being able to look good. I understand that it can be a challenge to dress for a changing body after 40. Many find that they need to adjust to a bigger tummy, the loss of waist, bigger hips etc. It is no excuse to look frumpy though.
When your body changes, you may need to learn a new set of guidelines on how to dress the new curves of your body. It may take some effort and it may involve a few trips to the shops, trial and error and some commitment from you. You can start by reading this article on determining your body type.
When you understand your horizontal and vertical body type better, you can now decide which parts of your body you want to highlight and which parts you want to downplay.
Many women prefer to downplay their belly which is why I offer lots of tips here in how to hide a belly.
Then concentrate on the parts of your body you like. Maybe you have a great pair of legs, or you like to show off your shoulders.
When you put in the effort and learn what works for your body type and your personality, you will soon discover that you can look good no matter what size you have.
One of the best examples of someone who looks superbly chic while being curvy is Georgette. Check out this article on how to dress for curves and be inspired by how fabulous she looks!
3. I have no style
When you have neglected yourself for a while you may feel frumpy. You have probably paid no attention to what you like, what excites and delights you. If you have lost your (style) spark, you put no effort whatsoever in finding clothes that suit your body type and personality. You may say to yourself that you have no style.
The truth is that you have neglected your style too much.
Everyone has style.
Everyone has a unique personality and their own preferences and likes. You just need to find or rediscover what they are.
If you want to get your style back on track this year, you will love my course 21 Steps to a More Stylish You which is now open for enrollment.
4. I have no time for shopping
Another well-known excuse is that you think that you have no time.
Fact is, everybody has the same amount of time each day. It’s up to you to decide on how to spend that time. What will get your priority?
If you think that you have no time to look after yourself because your kids, husband, job or whatever else it is needs it more, you are doing both yourself and others a disservice.
You should always make sure that you look after yourself first.
Only when you are happy with yourself, both mentally and physically, will you be able to look after others and/or your job well. If there is no time to go to the hairdresser once a month or go to a shop, there is something wrong with your priorities.
Have another look at your schedule and make sure to plan some “YOU” time a month in advance if you must. It’s the best thing you can do both for yourself and for others as well.
You can, of course, also shop online. While it can be more difficult to find pieces which perfectly fit and suit you, it also means that you can try pieces on at home. Check out my list of the best online shops for women over 40.
5. I have no money
This is another popular excuse.
I know that not everyone has equal amounts of money and that times are tough for some, but most of us in the developed world have enough to live on.
You don’t need the latest designer clothes and bags to look good. If you know what you like and what suits you, you can buy fabulous clothes in thrift shops, fast fashion retailers and Amazon as well.
When you are on a budget, you will need to be even smarter about your fashion choices.
You will need to know even better what suits you and what does not. You may want to create a few smart capsule wardrobes, so you can easily mix and match all your clothes and always have something unique to wear.
By taking time to find out what suits you and what doesn’t, you will have the confidence to edit your own closet, and wear different combinations.
You may find this piece on how to wear the clothes already in your closet inspirational.
You may also enjoy this article on how to thrift like a pro from the (very stylish) Karen.
How to get out of your style rut?
Regardless of your height, weight or physical limitations, feeling comfortable in your body is important at any age.
When our clothes fit and feel comfortable they become an expression of who we are and cannot only be an enjoyable experience but uplifting as well.
Many of us throw our hands up in the air as we sense our appearance changing and the clothes we once enjoyed no longer feel or look good on us.
You just have to adjust. And, you can!
Go through this list of excuses and ask yourself honestly: “What is my excuse?”
Perhaps you have several.
Concentrate on the one that is your biggest excuse, and try applying some of the recommendations mentioned to counter them.
Start with one excuse at the time. Once you have overcome that issue, move to the next excuse you may use for yourself to stop looking good.
Take baby steps and slowly but surely start making some positive changes.
As an extra motivator, here are just some reasons why looking good is important
1. When you look great, you feel great
You may have heard the phrase before: When you look great you feel great.
I believe this to be true.
When you don’t put in the effort, you will know deep down that you don’t look your best and your face will show it.
You will look less confident and less approachable.
On the other hand when you have made an effort and can look in the mirror with a confident smile, you will show that to the world. You will look confident and happy and beautiful and others will notice that too.
I even believe that making an effort in terms of your clothing can actually reverse a bad mood, so it can be very therapeutic as well.
2. It shows that you care about yourself and others
Others DO really appreciate when you look after yourself.
Not only are you entertaining and pleasing yourself with some creativity or color, others will be delighted as well.
Although I believe that you should mainly dress up to delight yourself, there certainly is no harm in entertaining others as well!
3. You will be taken more seriously
Unfortunately, this one is a fact of life. If you look better, others will take you more seriously.
In a study it was even shown that women that put on more makeup will have better promotion chances (for more info see my article makeup: is it essential for women).
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t agree with this, but I have experienced myself that you will be more appreciated when you look better.
I am hoping though, that you will take the first 2 reasons more to heart. I believe that making yourself look stylish and beautiful should always be done, because you yourself will feel and see the benefits and not because others expect it from you.
4. You will have more FUN
Fashion, styling and dressing up is fun. When you start seeing the potential of dressing again and how it makes you look and feel, it will become a fun activity and not something you dread.
You will take delight from websites like these and not feel threatened by thin models and the latest styles. You will know what suits you and what you can do this season to make YOU feel better.
You will know how to add perhaps one trend to your style this year and how you can play with color, prints and silhouettes. You will have fun with your style and that is exactly how it should be.
5. You can connect with other women
Fashion is often said to be frivolous.
And, maybe that’s true to an extent.
But style, in particular, can also be something much deeper. Not only can style change the way you see yourself, and how others relate to you, but it can also create connections and lifelong friendships.
If style is important to you and you want to learn how to improve it, you will love my course 21 Steps to a More Stylish You.
While some women who joined the style course would say they had become stuck in a style rut, others just want to take the opportunity to improve their style. Take a look at some of the style transformations here.
Some final words on how to get out of a style rut
I hope I have convinced those of you that are in a style rut to have more fun with clothes and discover your stylish you.
Looking stylish doesn’t have to be a chore but can be fun.
I’m sure that the time (and perhaps a bit of money) invested will make you feel happier, more alive and will help you to enjoy your life after 40 even more!
I would love to hear your feedback! Have you ever been in a style rut? How did you get out of it? If you are in a style rut right now, what is your main issue and what will you do to beat the style rut?
P.S. If you are in a style rut right now, my course will definitely help
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I was brought up by a mum who totally didn’t care about how she looked, hated clothes shopping (shopping at all) and dressed me in hand me downs when I was young (which was the norm then), I had an elder sister who I always followed around and tried to copy her style (I wore her hand me downs and had her old handbags) and that was about it, may be that is why when I got older, I had no idea what would work for me and never seemed to know how to maintain the skill of looking good, stylish etc. I was always made to feel that ‘buying’ clothes was not the thing to do, but ‘make do and mend’ was better, to this day, whenever I buy a new item, I feel guilty and almost always return items.
Hi Sylvia, my style rut is a bit different. I know my style, i know my colors and my body type and i have lots of clothes I love with the right colors, style, shape, etc. BUT I am always wearing the same Outfits even I know there are million more combinations possible with what I have, however I am missing a guide how to create new outfits. Did lots of research, but most advise is something like, take a neutral bottom, colored Top, completer piece,.. this is not what I am looking for. Maybe you have the eye-opening hint. Thanks, Holly
Hi Holly, I always encourage my style students to PLAY. I also give them specific challenges and ‘force’ them to try new things. Often that leads to new discoveries.
The other thing that’s happening is actually really common. The brain likes to repeat what it has always done. The brain resists new things because it feels uncomfortable. So you need to learn how to cope with this discomfort while trying something new. This is something I teach in my new program: The Self Confidence Formula. This program is not specifically about style but it teaches you to step outside of your comfort zone so you cant tap into your full potential. More info at https://truepotentialacademy.com/confidence/ Good luck!
Has anyone ever gone through this: You see all kinds of styles and everything looks good, but you have a hard time deciding what you like? I recently turned 54, and some days I look older than my age. Other days, I could pass for 40. Trying to find a style that works for me (the age that I am) has become like a scavenger hunt. One day,I want to be Classic and Elegant, the next day, it’s Bohemian-Chic. Then, I’ll look at all the Romantic/Girly/Feminine things and be on a quest to find those styles. I keep forgetting that my body (which is sort of an Apple-Hourglass) won’t let me wear a lot of things I’m interested in. Don’t get me wrong,I like the age I am. However,I’d like to find a style that works for my body. Currently,I work in retail (supermarket),I’m in the process of starting a blog about baking/cooking, and I’m completing my undegraduate degree online. So excited. I’ve been in a style rut for wayyyy too long, and I am in need of some inspiration. As you can tell,I’m one of those creative types and I feel as though my clothing needs that creative edge. Still, there’s the side of me that wants to be classy, feminine, and sophisticated. Any suggestions? I’m really in need of some style. Want to enjoy dressing and looking good.
There are LOTS of articles on this site that can help you Tonja. If you want all my best advice in a step by step way, I recommend my style course which helps you to find your own unique style.
Well, I am going to be honest with you. I have just gotten lazy! But!! I had an epiphany just recently. My husband and I are Seniors. My Husband loves me no matter how I look – his love is truly unconditional. I feel the same way about him too. We both have gotten lazy in our appearance. My husband hates to shave and will go days without shaving – drives me crazy because it looks lazy and unbecoming. One day while I was telling him how I have always thought he was a hansom man but lately it seems like he doesn’t care to make himself look good for me anymore. BOOM! I suddenly realized that I was doing the same thing! Then I remembered what my Mother had told me when I was a teenager. She would have to get up at 5:00 am to fix my Dad’s Lunch and Breakfast because he left for work at 6:00 am. She was always dressed nice and had her hair fixed and has makeup on – AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING! One day I asked her WHY?! She told me, Ann, Don’t you make the extra effort to make yourself look good for your friends and other people you don’t know? Well, Why wouldn’t you do the same for the people you love and that love you? She also ALWAYS told him and us I LOVE YOU when we left the house for work and school because she wanted to make sure that if something ever happened to her or one of us, she wanted to make sure that I Love You was the last thing she said to us.
I continued the same I Love You with my children and they do the same for their children.
Anyway, I have started fixing my hair and have started to wear makeup again, and have taken a hard look at my wardrobe – needs work!.
Funny Thing – I am starting to feel younger again and I am happier!
I think I am getting my “Groove” back!
Fun!
Thanks for sharing your story Rose. Wishing you lots of fun in your style journey!
I can relate to everthing in this article, except that I don’t have an issue with not having any style. I definitely still rock my own look, but here’s the problem: I HATE SHOPPING. Shoes, jewelry, accessories? Fine. Those? I can do all that online. Clothes? Not so much. I get horrible anxiety in shopping malls, and I get easily frustrated and discouraged. Trying on clothes makes me feel even worse about myself. (Damn those dressing room mirrors)! My go-to’s, the items that I can just grab off the rack, pay for, and bolt out the door (black band t-shirts and skinny jeans) ……..well, it’s time to let go of them at age 42. I’m not saying I will never buy another band t-shirt, or skinny jeans, but I can’t ONLY wear black band t-shirts and skinny jeans. Always. Everywhere. My big boobs and belly are somewhat camouflaged in a large men’s t-shirt, but I want to feel and look sexy! It’s SO bad at this point. My biggest problem: JEANS. I am an apple shape, and I’m short, so any jeans catering to “curvy” women fit over my waist and belly, but are loose and baggy on my butt and thighs. I’m always pulling my jeans up to hide the extra material. Even a belt doesn’t help. And then my butt looks flat and square and saggy. Low-rise jeans bring the overflow of the ugly muffin top. I won’t even get into the dreaded camel toe issue. I know HOW I should dress my body type, I just don’t know HOW to start developing a staple wardrobe! Any suggestions on a good brand of stretchy high-waisted jeans that don’t bunch up in the crotch area? I have killer legs, so I guess I can build off of that, bottoms up!
It can be challenging to find the right brands and clothes but they are out there! Don’t give trying to find them. You may find this article helpful from Julia who talks about her favorite brands for her apple shape: https://40plusstyle.com/best-shops-for-apple-body-shape/
Thank you so much for the link to Georgette’s site!! I LOVE her style! Those bold bright skirts paired with simple tees and fabulous clutch and heels – WOW! Definitely a look I want to master. I love how she has embraced her curves and femininity and how she celebrates who she is with such a fun, bold, bright look! So much inspiration…
Yes she is amazing!
Hi after reading comments I know I have definitely given up on myself. I thought maybe it doesn’t matter how I look now I am 70 and have been feeling depressed about the way I look…especially at the end of summer, here n England I am at a loss what to wear. I am hoping to try and get my style back on track. Thanks for your comments ladies.
It always matters how you look, especially to yourself Marjorie. I hope you’re taking some of my tips to heart here. It all starts with choosing clothing that’s right for you and perhaps putting a little bit of lipstick on.
I am SO happy I found your site. But I need help! I read the articles and they make such perfect sense – seems simple and straight forward – and then I look in the mirror and I am completely stumped.
I think I’m a pear with perhaps a tendency toward Apple. I’m 44 and 5’2 or 3”. But my should res aren’t really smaller than my hips. My bust is 36 my hips are about 43 and my waist is about 34. I think my shoulders are also 43. I am not long in the torso like many petites. Doing the vertical test I was 18 head to nipple line and only 15 from nipple line to hip. My leg length was 30 and about even between upper and lower.
I don’t think I’m rectangular but the shoulders have completely thrown me. I don’t think I’m hourglass as my bust is not very large. I kind of have a waist but at the moment I have love handles. My butt isn’t very curvy but I definitely have hips. My lower tummy is definitely not flat (age, weight and a two c section kind of belly). It is definitely the low “diamond” from from the Apple video.
I am feeling confused and overwhelmed and also excited to figure things out. I know everyone is different but I was expecting something to click and it hasn’t yet.
One last thing – I think I tend to try (when I try) to dress for pear but I was more drawn to the visuals of Apple outfits.
I. Just. Don’t. Know.
The most important thing is that you focus on the guidelines for the parts you want to downplay or highlight. If you want to dowplay your belly follow the guidelines for the belly. If you want to downplay your hips, follow the guidelines for the pear.
It can take a while before you really understand how to dress your body and know your style which is why we offer more in depth training on this. You may like to check out the 40+Style club at https://40plusstyleclub.com, which is also where we can offer more personal support.
Lea, I went through the very same feeings around 60, I am 64 in Feb. Funny enough, moving and meeting new friends who are in their 70s and very fashionable has helped me work through some of these issues. I don’t have the money to buy Armani as one new friend does, so look for similar things in a lower price bracket with nicely fitted puffa coats for example, ones that are quite smart enough for a town, but you can still go for a walk in. Actually, I have never been as classic a dresser as her, so tend to dress them down with well fitting dark dye jeans and a nice roll neck or casual smart jumper. For me (and this is very much a personal thing) fit is important and viscoise which breathes, not polyester, in easy fitting jersey wrap dresses are a constant, with little boots which are less dated than conventional heels. Jewellery, long casual scarves and bags are my big thing and lots of short boots, which I use to dress up the jeans or black jersey slim trousers (almost skinnies, but more flattering) or dresses.I love the British brand Warehouse, although I have to be selective, given my age. I tend to shop in younger stores like that one and Mango and Zara, but look search for things that will work for me, its a lot of legwork, but fortunately I quite enjoy it, and I enjoy finding a bargain in H and M too, or anywhere come to that. I would not go to stuffy stores meant for older women as that would make me feel older than ever. I had my colours done too, this means I stick (but not religiously) to roughly an autumnal palette of softer wines, reds, rusts and greens with black as a basis. This makes it easier to just fling something on with something else and have it go together without too much pontificating. In fact, I have found the best thing is to go more casual with age, but smarter with it, if that makes sense!
Recently, I turned 60 and it doesn’t feel like me. Dressing my age is too old and dressing really younger is silly and foolish. It is difficult to find a balance. Most retail stores, try to dress you older than you feel, etc. Maybe, I should start a women’s line of clothes and call it, “Not There Yet.”
You’re on to something there!
I’ve always prided myself on wearing beautiful clothes, and everyone knew me for being quite a clotheshorse. However, after having a baby, I have a frustrating shape, and my clothes no longer fit me well. I’ve decluttered and given them away, and now feel I have nothing to wear!
Add in the factor of an endless summer this year (think super hot, sticky, humid days) which makes my hair frizzy and unmanageable, and it adds up to feeling frumpy and awful every day. I realize I have given up. I just put my hair back everyday, and wear “whatever”. Not a good feeling.
Reading your blog has inspired me to get back up and try again! It’s so true what you say about looking good being important. It reflects how you feel about yourself, and in turn can affect your success in other areas of life. Thanks for saying that!
Glad I could inspire you Madeleine. It sounds like you are on the right path to looking fab again!
Thanks Sylvia, I like your ideas. although I have 3 kids I try to make sure that what I wear day to day is a bright color or just groovy trainers and ‘running around’ wear can be funky and uplifting. I don’t have many opportunities to ‘dress up’ so those day to day clothes can be a boost.
Thank you Sylvia for another awesome post.
like some ofyour ideas…and I am over 50 and a little over my usualy size, it fluctuates, but I do go to thrift stores, garage sales for jewelry, and several discount/outlet stores for odds and ends. I just try to come up with new combinations of what i have and try to stay away from my comfort color, black, which is hard to do. Thanks for the tips
Welcome Di and thanks for your feedback. Keep experimenting with new combination and ideas and most of all have FUN!
Just catching up Sylvia. Thank you so much for the mention and for the message!
Being of reasonable height (even rather tall), normal weight and size, normal appearance, rectangle shape and having a fair bit of money to spend…. I am home and dry. I should never, ever complain. Got the message. I am grateful, really I am.
Great article.
I agree so much that when we take the time to make ourselves look good we feel better and are more productive.
bisous
Suzanne
Thank you for this write up. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and at the moment we are in the a deep freeze, we are talking -35. I find it very hard to dress fashionably in this weather as no matter where I go I leave my coat on. I try to dress nicely under my coat but find, why bother, when I never take it off. I am in the process of trying to find trendy warm coats/scarves/hats to spruce up my wardrobe and hope that helps. I will be reading your article on cold weather style, love your website.
I feel for you Sheri. Don’t worry too much about it. Even the best of us would have trouble dressing nicely in that kind of weather. Sometimes you just need to stay comfortable…. Yes, the coat becomes very important in this instance!
What a great article and something we can all relate to. As you know from the 2013 Style Challenge I hadn’t given up but was in a style rut. I didn’t feel my lifestyle allowed me to wear the clothes I wanted to wear and I had generally lost my way.
However, I shed a few excess pounds through Weight Watchers, did the Style Challenge, reignited my enthusiasm for clothes and started creating opportunities to wear them. It even carried me through some health issues last year.
You don’t have to pay a lot to look stylish – Annette (Lady of Style) is a great example of somebody who shops on the high street but looks amazing.
I urge anybody who has lost their way to learn to love yourself, lose the pounds (if you need/want to) and do the Style Challenge!
Great to hear that it was such a turnaround for you! I know I and my readers are all still so impressed how you went through some difficult times this year and found solace from your clothing.
For others, the style challenge Lorraine is referring to is now my Style Course that I mention in the article.
I totally agree that you can begin to look good, even when you don’t look your ideal bodywise or feel very good mentally. I’ve suffered from depression at times and a bright lipstick or red bag has worked. Obviously, it doesn’t do away with serious depression, but it can help to lighten the mood a little. I have a sister-in-law who is a British size 18 and refuses to buy new things because of it – unless they’re men’s checked shirts, which she wears over enormous loose T-shirts. Going shopping with her is a nightmare; she just will not even try things on. We saw a lovely lady shop assistant, herself at least an 18 – and she looked wonderful, in colourful, fashionable clothes that really suited her. She offered sis-in-law help, but she utterly refused to try anything on or take advise – which was so sad, as she has a very young face and lovely complexion, as well as comparatively slim bottom and legs. Her size depresses her, but I feel that she could still dress for now, look good and be uplifted. I have to shut up about it with her, or I start to feel as if I’m preaching at her or being horrible, but it exasperates me no end!
Quite a sad story Trisha. It’s hard to give help to those who don’t want to listen. I hope she will be able to understand one day that her size does not prevent her from looking good and hopefully then she will be able to take baby steps and find her style groove back.
Very good post, Sylvia, I am sure there is at least one point most of us can relate to very well!
“I am too fat” – when there are a couple of extra “winter” kilos, get rid of them. I am currently on “no alcohol, no meat, lots of vegetables, fish, fruit and herbal tea”…. Just to feel better again and fit into my spring/summer clothes.
If, for whatever reason, there is more than a couple of kilos, also Tanesha’s blog Girl With Curves is fabulous.
“I have no money” – On my blog I show how to dress without designer clothes. And I get a lot of inspiration from Kimberly of Penny Pincher Fashion
Annette | Lady of Style
Thanks Annette and great site referrals.
I do suffer from moderate but chronic depression and can all too easily slide into an apathetic state where I don’t make an effort to care for myself let alone do my hair and makeup and choose a cute outfit. If I can get excited about my clothes, hair and makeup it is very therapeutic even if I don’t have the funds to purchase anything new I can still make the most of what I do have. Even going through my wardrobe and eliminating items that drag down my mood is helpful. Wearing more color and combining my things in new ways cheers me up, and so does refashioning old jewelry into new pieces. Sites like this are a great source of encouragement and inspiration. Keep up the good work Sylvia and all you other bloggers :).
Great to hear that my site works and keeps you inspired Kay. Keep up the good work remixing your clothes and accessories and having fun with them!
Right now the winter has begun to take it’s toll on many of us in the blogging world and this is timely written…. I hibernated on my couch for a few days last week when we had an entire foot of snow dumped on my beach town that rarely gets snow… this after 5 inches the week before… The hibernation was just the thing to get me back in the mood to start styling outfits again… Heading to the forum to show my “Coming Out of Hibernation” Outfit…
Yes, I should probably have added the climate as a reason too. It’s very easy just to hibernate and cover yourself in huge layers in winter. For those that don’t feel that they can dress well in winter this interview with Nicole who lives in Alaska is a great resource: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-for-cold-weather-a-style-interview-with-nicole/
I must confess that my clothes yesterday were a turtleneck and a plaid wool men’s button down shirt over jeans (over long-johns). It was not attractive. But I was warm as I shoveled sidewalks and shook snow out of trees!
Sometimes you just need to be warm and comfortable. Believe me I’m very practical for my work indoors here too!
I think I have used all the excuses at one time or another.
I mentioned this during the style challenge, but my road out of this was a commitment everyday to wear earrings and put on mascara. The rest followed. Sometimes we need to take a really, really small first step to move forward.
The other thing I did was I named the date when I would stop using my children as an excuse (this was mostly for housecleaning, but it can apply for this.) I realized that when my youngest started kindergarten, I would have two mornings a week where I wasn’t working and she wasn’t home, when I would suddenly have “time.” I think this was important for me because it saved me from frittering away those 8 hours and really using them to do things that were important to me.
Great advice Lisa. It’s all about taking that first small step….
Wonderful advice Sylvia! As a sales associate in a popular clothing shop that caters to over 40 women, I often see women who have totally given up on themselves. They buy clothing for solely utilitarian purposes often not even trying the clothing on. Many have given up on grooming, makeup, etc. On the other hand, I see women who still make efforts to look attractive and put together and enjoy dressing and look forward to updates in their wardrobes. I think it boils down to thinking that you are worth the effort it takes and being confident in yourself.
Yes you are totally right. It’s so sad that women give up on themselves; everybody can look beautiful and feel confident. I hope you are able to help some women in your shop.