Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Gratitude as an Element of Wardrobe Planning

Over the past week, I've been discussing how the Paradox of Choice affects both our clothing choices and how we maintain our closet. Today I'll share some thoughts about how approaching your wardrobe with an attitude of gratitude impacts your ultimate satisfaction with your wardrobe.

If I may share a bit about my wardrobe planning philosophy -- I believe that the most functional wardrobe consists of a pared down closet full of clothes that you love that look great and reflect how you wish to be perceived by the world. A closet that is overburdened with too many choices leads to an inconsistent image and dissatisfaction with your overall appearance. We've been talking about some of the reasons this is so.

However, it is very hard to be satisfied with less choice unless you can be grateful for the clothing that you've chosen to be in your closet. When you aren't grateful for what you have, you are longing for what you don't have. Here is where wardrobe planning can help you figure out what to keep and what to let go of...and it can give you a sense of peace surrounding the choices you've made. It also gives you a plan for moving ahead into the future, so that you can let go of a lot of the fear surrounding not having "enough".

Right now, I am in the midst of a wardrobe updating of my own. I have a wardrobe of clothes that I love, and have served me well. But for many of these outfits, their functional life is near over. It's time to let them go, and bring in some new. However, I am still very grateful that I've had these outfits, and I will continue to be grateful for them until I have replaced them. My wardrobe plan allows me to be able to strategically replace these garments without anxiety.

Remember:

You are a work in progress. Thinking that your closet must be perfect before you can appreciate what you have will set you up to fail. Think instead of seeing every piece in your wardrobe as having a function...perhaps you are not able to afford the quality of clothing that you desire, or this season you will not be able to update as extensively as you thought you might be able to. Be grateful that you have a functional wardrobe that is easy to manage. Love the garments that you wear, take good care of them, and appreciate them for how they serve you today...knowing that you are not tied to these garments for the rest of your life. Having a plan for slowly upgrading, for slowly improving, for always evolving is far more valuable than having the perfect wardrobe today.

Join me tomorrow when I share how keeping up with the Joneses can disrupt even the best laid wardrobe plans. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel....



(For more information on the topics of wardrobe planning, style and image, pleasestop by my website.)

7 comments:

Lisa M. McLellan said...

Found you. I am a lot of different people at different times so I have extreme differences in clothing in my closet. Of course, I don't have the zebra striped pants anymore (nor would I wear them if I did) but some days I'm feeling a little wild so the leopard print comes out. Then the next day I might have that school teacher (not meant offensively)bun in my hair and a very conservative blouse. And still other days I'm feeling like soft pink and hair down and fluffy is the look I want. Maybe that's why my closet is not working for me.

gr8skot said...

I sure am a work in progress. Thanks for the great tips.

Scott A Bell
www.IamTheRoadWarrior.com

Tim Birch said...

"Happiness is not getting what you want. It is wanting what you have." Tough one. Grateful for the service the garment provided, let go of memories attached. Have to 'Zen' out on that for a while.

Like what you have written.

'TimBirch –Sell more or Die!

Sheridan Randolph said...

What a time-saver to have the kind of closet you describe! I know people who still have a hard time getting dressed in the morning!

Sheridan
www.recession-proofmarketing.com

Aaron said...

Ah, defeating the feeling we need to keep up. Sounds awesome!

Aaron

Matthew Shields said...

Jenn
I think every man can use your tips, I know I too have many clothes that get pushed aside and hav't been worn in a lng while
energy expert
Matthew Shields

Midlife Dating Expert, Singles Workshop Conference Speaker said...

oh and jenn, I am SO grateful for my fabulous push up bras. really. they are amazing and do such wonderful things for our figures, making us our MOST attractive selves.

All the best,

April Braswell

Online Dating Coach, Dating Expert, Relationship Coach, Romance Coaching

Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide