So here you are, embarked on the process of figuring out what your personal style is. You’ve clipped photos from magazines, pinned things to Pinterest and done some window shopping.
That’s when you realize that the style you’re identifying for yourself is very (maybe even completely) different from what’s hanging in your closet, and what you’re wearing on your body, right now.
What happens when the style you are and the style you want aren’t the same?
Here are some options for reconciling this seeming contradiction.
Take a step back. First, stop and reassess. Does the new and different style resonate with who you are inside, or are you trying to transform yourself by changing from the outside in?
Make sure you’re telling the world who you truly are instead of trying to convince yourself. If you’re not already there, that new style can feel like a mask or costume rather than a personal expression.
And make sure it will fit the way you live. If you’re at home with preschoolers all day, rocker chic may not be the way to go.
Embrace the change. If you really feel the new style is the real you, then celebrate this discovery! Your new wardrobe won’t be born overnight, but now you know what direction you want to move toward.
When you do your big wardrobe edit, you’ll have a clear sense of what to toss. (If everything you own is in the style you want to abandon, keep key pieces in the most basic styles and build from there.)
Create your own hybrid. If you discover your dream style is more fantasy than reality, that doesn’t mean you have to set aside the work you’ve done. There are aspects of this aesthetic that caught your attention. What are the key features—shape, color, texture, pattern? What could you incorporate into your wardrobe and look for in new items?
The stay-at-home mom who loves rocker chic probably won’t stride about daily in a motorcycle jacket and studded stilettos, but she can work more leather embellishments, chunky silver jewelry and vintage denim into her look. And a concert T-shirt never goes out of style, especially if you have some from Back in the Day.
I have learned to manage a style contradiction myself. I secretly long to be an ultramodern Disciple of Lanphear, but my actual wardrobe is mostly a Classic/Chic hybrid with a dash of Sporty in the footwear. So I occasionally buy tops in unusual silhouettes and indulge my addiction to graphic black and white patterns. For me, a little Modern goes a long way.
Say goodbye to “I have nothing to wear”! Get step-by-step help editing your closet of the clothes you no longer need and filling it with style for the way you live. It’s all included in your instant download of “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style”, the Frantic But Fabulous wardrobe makeover workshop.
