What to Wear?
Women love to shop! Well, at least most women. I think I got the male gene when it comes to shopping as it is not my favorite pastime. Most women have more clothes than they know what to do with and yet, every morning they stand in front of their closet and utter, “I have nothing to wear.”
Clothes do two things – they cover and they communicate. Have you ever asked yourself why you choose the clothes you do? If your only goal is not to be naked, then you can easily accomplish that with a gunny sack. It would not be the most comfortable, but you would be covered.
Clothing is so much more. Every item of clothing, every accessory and how you assemble it all, says something about you. What is the message you would like to communicate? Is your clothing supporting your message? In the first three to five seconds that you meet someone they have already assumed over a dozen things about you. This is known as a first impression and is expressed through your clothing, accessories, hair style, make-up and body language.
I don’t know a woman who doesn’t want to appear youthful, thin and beautiful. But, wearing clothes designed for a teenage girl, or squeezing into a certain size if it does not fit, will only make you look inappropriate and leave you anything but beautiful.
Your clothes must support both your lifestyle and your fashion style. Do you spend the day in an office or with livestock? Are you sporty/athletic, feminine/romantic, classic/preppy or artistic/dramatic?
Less is more! The 80-20 rule applies to your closet. Typically, you wear only 20% of your clothing on a regular basis and the remainder is left hanging. How many pairs of pants do you really need?
Consider cost per wearing when you shop. Most women have no idea how much they have invested in their wardrobe. Invest more for classic pieces that are well made as you may have them in your wardrobe for many years. Trendy, one season pieces should take up less of your wardrobe budget.
Choose clothes that fit well. Dress for the body you have, not the one you wish you had. Men will not buy clothes that don’t fit them well and they know the value of a good tailor.
The next time you stand in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear think about where you are going, who you will be meeting, and what your goals are for that day. Then, select clothing that will support your goals.
Posted by Deborah King at 2/13/2010 10:45 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: communication civility dress business image
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: communication civility dress business image
Oh Deborah! Thank you! Here all these years I thought I was the only woman on earth who doesn't like to clothes shop!
I so agree that an age-appropriate wardrobe goes a long way in making a first impression. The problem I see is that fashion designers are unaware that there is a rather large population out here over the age of 25 (maybe 30?). The waist on pants is sitting lower as the hem of tops are getting shorter --- what's a woman to do?!
A gunnysack may be our only answer!
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Lyn,
My good friend sells CABi (Carol Anderson) and it's wonderful because not only are the clothes beautiful and well- made, but they are appropriate for a large range of ages. I'm 40 and my mom's 75 and we both love the clothes. A 25 year-old could also find great CABi clothes!
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Bravo!
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Funny enough my husband looks like the clothes horse now. ;o) He tells me I don't have anything to wear but I have most of my favorites on the hanger! Mixing spring/summer with some of my fall/winter is a great way to stretch that dollar! :o)
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Deborah, Thanks for the reminder that less is more. I wish I did a better job of weeding out my closet on a regular basis and that I was more willing to spend more on quality, well-fitting clothes!
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This is a very welcome article - thank you. A few years ago, I gave my closet a thorough clear out. I decided that, being a lady, in business and of "a certain age", it was time I dressed in a lady-like and serious manner. So, out went the elasticated waists, the flowery frocks and "comfort clothes", and in came a small-ish wardrobe of well-matched clothes and accessories. Suits for business, dresses for the afternoon and a tiny number of evening dresses. I don't spend a fortune on garments, but enough to buy good-quality, classic clothes that will last.
I think that dressing well (appropriate to age, funds available and according to season/activity) is so important. Taking care with one's appearance is also about consideration for others. It doesn't matter if you are wearing a cheap dress from a thrift store or a designer gown from a boutique, if your outfit is less than sparkling clean, unpressed, hemlines in need of repair, buttons hanging off, ladders in your stockings or shoes unpolished and heels worn down - you will still look less than your best.
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You are such an amazing writer! I love all of your insights about people and how you connect them to fashion. Keep writing!
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I wish I did a better job of weeding out my closet on a regular basis and that I was more willing to spend more on quality, well-fitting clothes!
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No blog I have seen is more informative than this one here
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The posts are explained with great competencer
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