Recently I encountered two separate articles with the same theme: repeating outfits.
The first, from the Telegraph.co.uk is titled Vogue Editor Anna Wintour Wears Same Dress Three Times by Anita Singh. From the article: "It is unthinkable that she would make a fashion faux pas. So when Vogue editor Anna Wintour made her third appearance wearing the same dress in the space of a fortnight, observers could only conclude she was making a style statement."
But the fun doesn't end there. More recently, Derek Blasberg posted at Style.com a little gem titled Hallelujah: It's OK to Wear Things Twice. This fun little piece mentions that Emanuelle Alt, the Paris Vogue stylist was caught wearing the same pair of pants in one week. Quelle Horreur! And then she was seen wearing not only the same pair of shoes in one week, but the exact same pair of shoes that Carine Roitfeld was wearing at the same time! Non!
The somewhat tongue-in-cheek message behind both these articles is that if the big names in fashion are now recycling their outfits, it must mean that it's now trendy to do so. Repeating your outfit has now been officially sanctioned from on high. Yay!
When I read articles like these, my first reaction is to be ever so thankful that I'm not in the spotlight so much as to have every detail of my daily wardrobe documented and criticized. Jiminy Crickets! It's enough to make me want to become a hermit and live on a desert island.
But then I also muse on the sheer ridiculousness of the whole idea of never repeating an outfit. Since when is it not ok to wear an outfit more than once? I get it that these women in question are in the public eye constantly, in a way that few people ever have to deal with, and in an industry that absolutely requires a near-perfect designer wardrobe. Perhaps they are an exception. But even so, what gives us the right to criticize them for opening showing affection for an outfit by wearing it a few times? And why must we conform to their industry standard by editing what we wear in the same way?
And just for a moment, think about men. Are men looked down on as fashion imbeciles for daring to wear a suit more than once? I think not.
The clothing that you wear defines you and helps create your personal brand. While you wouldn't want to wear the same thing day in and day out, I can't think of any reason why wearing clothing that you love and looks great on you over and over again is anything akin to a crime. In fact, I would say that it is a real fashion coup to have built for yourself a wardrobe that you can wear repeatedly and still look amazing every day. This is the ideal... Not wasting time and money and effort worrying about whether or not it's ok to be seen in the same sweater more than once.
Just remember -- no one thinks about you as much or as often as as you think about yourself. And if they do, they are the one with the problem, not you!
Just my 2 cents.
See you next time...same blog time...same blog channel....
(For more information on wardrobe planning, or to sign up for my e-zine, you can visit my website, www.JenniferSkinnerOnline.com)
Showing posts with label wardrobe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wardrobe. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
The 100 Thing Challenge
If you thought that I was being rather severe when I said that I will give away an item of clothing if I haven't worn it in the last year, wait till you hear about Dave Bruno.
Dave Bruno is really into minimalism. Not only as far as his closet goes, but for all of his possessions. He began what has now become a grass-roots movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge." The goal: pare down your possessions to a mere 100. And that includes clothes!
In an article titled "How to Live With Just 100 Things" in the June 5th issue of Time Magazine, Bruno admits he is down to five dress shirts and one necktie...but wasn't sure whether to give away one of his three pairs of jeans. However, he does count a pair of shoes as only one item.
This is not the first exercise in minimalism that has caught the public's attention. In 2005 Alex Martin started a performance project where she wore the same brown dress for 365 days in a row. You can read about her project at brown dress . The most amazing thing that she discovered was that the majority of people in her professional life didn't even notice she was wearing the same dress day in and day out!
Now I do have to say that both the exercises mentioned above are far more extreme than I would ever recommend to a client, let alone follow myself. Even so, when I share with clients my slightly more generous philosphy of paring down a closet, many of them initially balk at the idea of having "too few clothes." They can't imagine surviving with "so little." However, after doing the work of weeding out, they soon discover that having less is actually the key to developing that great wardrobe they've always wanted.
So even though I won't be joining Dave Bruno in his "100 Thing Challenge" anytime soon, I'd like to thank him and all his followers for demonstrating that not only is it possible, but perhaps also desirable to get by with fewer items in the closet.
(For more information on wardrobe planning, or to sign up for my free E-Zine, please visit my website.)
Dave Bruno is really into minimalism. Not only as far as his closet goes, but for all of his possessions. He began what has now become a grass-roots movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge." The goal: pare down your possessions to a mere 100. And that includes clothes!
In an article titled "How to Live With Just 100 Things" in the June 5th issue of Time Magazine, Bruno admits he is down to five dress shirts and one necktie...but wasn't sure whether to give away one of his three pairs of jeans. However, he does count a pair of shoes as only one item.
This is not the first exercise in minimalism that has caught the public's attention. In 2005 Alex Martin started a performance project where she wore the same brown dress for 365 days in a row. You can read about her project at brown dress . The most amazing thing that she discovered was that the majority of people in her professional life didn't even notice she was wearing the same dress day in and day out!
Now I do have to say that both the exercises mentioned above are far more extreme than I would ever recommend to a client, let alone follow myself. Even so, when I share with clients my slightly more generous philosphy of paring down a closet, many of them initially balk at the idea of having "too few clothes." They can't imagine surviving with "so little." However, after doing the work of weeding out, they soon discover that having less is actually the key to developing that great wardrobe they've always wanted.
So even though I won't be joining Dave Bruno in his "100 Thing Challenge" anytime soon, I'd like to thank him and all his followers for demonstrating that not only is it possible, but perhaps also desirable to get by with fewer items in the closet.
(For more information on wardrobe planning, or to sign up for my free E-Zine, please visit my website.)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Letting Go and The Satisfaction of Plenty
The reason we hold on to clothes that I will discuss today encompasses all the of the aforementioned reasons that we hang on to clothing that we do not need...and yet it has a feeling all to itself.
The reason I refer to is the satisfaction of plenty. Just like enjoying a full belly is different from eating because you fear hunger, receiving satisfaction and comfort from a full closet is related to, but different from, hanging on to clothes because you fear the outcome of letting them go.
There are plenty of us who are comforted by the knowledge that we have a lot of stuff. You might know that it's really more than you need, but it pleases you that you have it at your disposal. It's not a love for a certain item of clothing. It's not sentimentality or nostalgia for this piece or that. It's the general warm and fuzzy feeling that you hold for quantity.
If you were to really dissect and examine this feeling, you might find at the heart of it a fear of lack. And you'd be partially right. But it's really more about the pleasure of acquisition and the belief that more is better, than anything else.
What do you do if this is you?
It comes down to making the decision that you would rather experience pleasure from quality over quantity. Quality meaning not only in form but in function: it looks great on you, you love it, and you wear it often. Would you rather have a very small closet that contains only the clothes that are guaranteed to make you look and feel fabulous every day? Or would you be happier just knowing that you have a lot of clothes?
In your mind, practice replacing one pleasure with another. Project yourself mentally into the future and imagine yourself feeling incredibly happy with your fantastic, streamlined wardrobe. Imagine how much easier it will be to get dressed each day, and how consistently stylish and put-together you will look. See yourself content and satisfied by the quality of your small wardrobe.
Then...choose to let go.
Not everyone would choose a very small closet. But you can tell which choice I would make....
See you next time...same blog time...same blog channel....
(Visit my Wardrobe Planning Website for more information or to subscribe to my E-Zine.)
The reason I refer to is the satisfaction of plenty. Just like enjoying a full belly is different from eating because you fear hunger, receiving satisfaction and comfort from a full closet is related to, but different from, hanging on to clothes because you fear the outcome of letting them go.
There are plenty of us who are comforted by the knowledge that we have a lot of stuff. You might know that it's really more than you need, but it pleases you that you have it at your disposal. It's not a love for a certain item of clothing. It's not sentimentality or nostalgia for this piece or that. It's the general warm and fuzzy feeling that you hold for quantity.
If you were to really dissect and examine this feeling, you might find at the heart of it a fear of lack. And you'd be partially right. But it's really more about the pleasure of acquisition and the belief that more is better, than anything else.
What do you do if this is you?
It comes down to making the decision that you would rather experience pleasure from quality over quantity. Quality meaning not only in form but in function: it looks great on you, you love it, and you wear it often. Would you rather have a very small closet that contains only the clothes that are guaranteed to make you look and feel fabulous every day? Or would you be happier just knowing that you have a lot of clothes?
In your mind, practice replacing one pleasure with another. Project yourself mentally into the future and imagine yourself feeling incredibly happy with your fantastic, streamlined wardrobe. Imagine how much easier it will be to get dressed each day, and how consistently stylish and put-together you will look. See yourself content and satisfied by the quality of your small wardrobe.
Then...choose to let go.
Not everyone would choose a very small closet. But you can tell which choice I would make....
See you next time...same blog time...same blog channel....
(Visit my Wardrobe Planning Website for more information or to subscribe to my E-Zine.)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Clothing and the Friendship Factor
Yesterday's post Instant Makeover Failure discussed how too much change in too short a time period is nearly impossible to maintain. Today I want to take that thought and extend it a bit to our habits of acquiring new clothes.
We are all creatures of habit, and we all tend to gravitate towards the things that are familiar and make us comfortable. This goes for most everything: what we choose to eat, who we choose to be around, what we choose to wear. And when life gets hectic, or our spirits take a nose-dive, we are even more prone to seek out the things which make us feel comfortable and secure...the things that we feel are comforting.
Let's examine the relationship between comfort and familiarity. Say you have two neighbors...one is a very close friend and the other a passing acquaintance. Who would you call first if you wanted companionship? Chances are, it will be your close friend. Why? Your familiarity with one another establishes a certain level of comfort that is not yet present with your other neighbor.
The clothes that you wear frequently...the ones you gravitate towards... are like close friends. You have a relationship with those clothes. You know how they look and feel when you have them on. A new outfit, however, takes a number of wearings before you begin to feel like it "belongs" to you. It takes a while to integrate it into your current wardrobe of clothes. And perhaps the new oufit never becomes fully integrated. It ends up abandonded at the back of your closet waiting for the "someday" that you plan to wear it.
When you purchase new clothes, you have to anticipate that there will be a period of "getting to know you" with each item. And if you go overboard and buy too many new things at once, you run the risk of never successfully integrating these new finds into your wardrobe. Bring new items into your closet a few at a time, and you will greatly increase the likelihood that your new "acquaintances" will become "friends".
Next time I'll talk about why it IS important to bring new clothes into your closet. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel....
(For more information on Wardrobe Planning, please visit my website.)
We are all creatures of habit, and we all tend to gravitate towards the things that are familiar and make us comfortable. This goes for most everything: what we choose to eat, who we choose to be around, what we choose to wear. And when life gets hectic, or our spirits take a nose-dive, we are even more prone to seek out the things which make us feel comfortable and secure...the things that we feel are comforting.
Let's examine the relationship between comfort and familiarity. Say you have two neighbors...one is a very close friend and the other a passing acquaintance. Who would you call first if you wanted companionship? Chances are, it will be your close friend. Why? Your familiarity with one another establishes a certain level of comfort that is not yet present with your other neighbor.
The clothes that you wear frequently...the ones you gravitate towards... are like close friends. You have a relationship with those clothes. You know how they look and feel when you have them on. A new outfit, however, takes a number of wearings before you begin to feel like it "belongs" to you. It takes a while to integrate it into your current wardrobe of clothes. And perhaps the new oufit never becomes fully integrated. It ends up abandonded at the back of your closet waiting for the "someday" that you plan to wear it.
When you purchase new clothes, you have to anticipate that there will be a period of "getting to know you" with each item. And if you go overboard and buy too many new things at once, you run the risk of never successfully integrating these new finds into your wardrobe. Bring new items into your closet a few at a time, and you will greatly increase the likelihood that your new "acquaintances" will become "friends".
Next time I'll talk about why it IS important to bring new clothes into your closet. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel....
(For more information on Wardrobe Planning, please visit my website.)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Instant Makeover Failure
So many people watch the plethera of makeover shows on TV and say to themselves, "Oh, if only I had a super-famous makeover artist make me over then I could finally look fabulous, too!" We are so envious of these makeover recipients because we think that they have been given the answer to all their style woes...and we want the same magical answer for ourselves.
But the truth is, not long after that super-famous makeover artist makes over those lucky individuals, all but a small percentage will be back to looking the way they always looked, dressing the way they always dressed, styling their hair the way they always styled their hair, and going about their lives in exactly the same way as before.
Why is it that, even after being "fixed" by the industry's top professionals, these people cannot maintain their new looks?
There are several reasons for this.
The first is the problem of dissonance...the new style is so different from their previous look that it is not within their comfort zone to truly maintain. And if you are not comfortable in your clothes you will not continue to wear them.
Another reason is that true style is cultivated over time, and is based in a large part on personality. A stylist in these makeover situations hardly has the time to develop a relationship with the person he or she is dressing--or the the time to help them develop a style and build a wardrobe, rather than just the one look created for the camera.
And the third reason is the problem of habit...it takes time to make changes in your routine. If you try to change too much all at once, nothing will stick.
Your wardrobe is a reflection of many thoughts and decisions and experiences. If you try to make yourself over in one fell swoop, you will not succeed. Develop the image of how you want to present yourself to the world, and then work on becoming that person one step at a time. Integrate the new aspects into the old.
And consider that you are always a work in progress...which is a really exciting thing to be.
In the next post I'll continue with this idea and tie it into how we make mistakes buying too many new clothes at once. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel...
Jennifer Skinner, Wardrobe Planning Expert
But the truth is, not long after that super-famous makeover artist makes over those lucky individuals, all but a small percentage will be back to looking the way they always looked, dressing the way they always dressed, styling their hair the way they always styled their hair, and going about their lives in exactly the same way as before.
Why is it that, even after being "fixed" by the industry's top professionals, these people cannot maintain their new looks?
There are several reasons for this.
The first is the problem of dissonance...the new style is so different from their previous look that it is not within their comfort zone to truly maintain. And if you are not comfortable in your clothes you will not continue to wear them.
Another reason is that true style is cultivated over time, and is based in a large part on personality. A stylist in these makeover situations hardly has the time to develop a relationship with the person he or she is dressing--or the the time to help them develop a style and build a wardrobe, rather than just the one look created for the camera.
And the third reason is the problem of habit...it takes time to make changes in your routine. If you try to change too much all at once, nothing will stick.
Your wardrobe is a reflection of many thoughts and decisions and experiences. If you try to make yourself over in one fell swoop, you will not succeed. Develop the image of how you want to present yourself to the world, and then work on becoming that person one step at a time. Integrate the new aspects into the old.
And consider that you are always a work in progress...which is a really exciting thing to be.
In the next post I'll continue with this idea and tie it into how we make mistakes buying too many new clothes at once. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel...
Jennifer Skinner, Wardrobe Planning Expert
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It's Q & A Day
Welcome to Q & A Day. Today I have a number of great questions from you, my loyal readers, that I shall attempt to answer with wit and charm. And if not that -- well, then I'll resort to words.
First, Kevin Hogan asks: "Is there some kind of a mental disorder attatched to a closet stuffed with clothes from 15 years ago that I've not worn (and I've moved in the interim)?"
Jennifer responds: Yes, there is. It called compulsive hoarding. But before anyone starts to worry, very few people with just an over-flowing closet would fall into the category of a compulsive hoarder. Most people with too many clothes just have an unrealistic picture of how many garments they actually own, how many they actually wear, and how many they actually need. They may also be victims of affluenza and the KUWTJ virus ...pesky psychological challenges, but not full-blown mental disorders. Unless the hoarding extends to spaces beyond your closet and to things other than clothes, I would say you just need to invest a little thought and time in some good ol' purging. Fifteen years is a long time to hold on to clothes you don't wear.
Next, Aaron asks: "If I want to convey a comfortable, confident image, how do I bring my evening/weekend wardrobe into harmony with my work stuff?"
Jennifer responds: It really depends on several things. A few have invested a tremendous amount into their image as a brand...and for them, there is very little difference between work/not work. They dress for their public no matter what the occasion. An example of a person with this view is Dave Lakhani. His image is consistent across the board. For the rest of us, however, there is the recognition of a difference between work clothes and casual clothes. My recomendation is that when choosing casual attire, aim for neat and clean. Unless you're off to the gym, avoid tennies and sweats. If you're wearing a cap, that should be clean, as well. Avoid throw-away T's with silly slogans (although sports team T's are allowed--especially Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins). You can also mix up the work/casual wardrobe as well. A nice button-down with jeans and loafers for example. I'll go into this topic at more length in a later post, as it is a really good question deserving of a more thorough answer.
And last, Sue wonders: Have you been peeking into my closet, Jenn?"
Jennifer responds: Oh, Sue, you caught me! X-Ray vision. Bought my glasses from a comic book ad...worth every penny.
Have a good evening, all! And come back next time for a discussion on the pros and cons of new clothing. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel....
Jennifer Skinner, Wardrobe Planning, Style Development, Image Consulting
First, Kevin Hogan asks: "Is there some kind of a mental disorder attatched to a closet stuffed with clothes from 15 years ago that I've not worn (and I've moved in the interim)?"
Jennifer responds: Yes, there is. It called compulsive hoarding. But before anyone starts to worry, very few people with just an over-flowing closet would fall into the category of a compulsive hoarder. Most people with too many clothes just have an unrealistic picture of how many garments they actually own, how many they actually wear, and how many they actually need. They may also be victims of affluenza and the KUWTJ virus ...pesky psychological challenges, but not full-blown mental disorders. Unless the hoarding extends to spaces beyond your closet and to things other than clothes, I would say you just need to invest a little thought and time in some good ol' purging. Fifteen years is a long time to hold on to clothes you don't wear.
Next, Aaron asks: "If I want to convey a comfortable, confident image, how do I bring my evening/weekend wardrobe into harmony with my work stuff?"
Jennifer responds: It really depends on several things. A few have invested a tremendous amount into their image as a brand...and for them, there is very little difference between work/not work. They dress for their public no matter what the occasion. An example of a person with this view is Dave Lakhani. His image is consistent across the board. For the rest of us, however, there is the recognition of a difference between work clothes and casual clothes. My recomendation is that when choosing casual attire, aim for neat and clean. Unless you're off to the gym, avoid tennies and sweats. If you're wearing a cap, that should be clean, as well. Avoid throw-away T's with silly slogans (although sports team T's are allowed--especially Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins). You can also mix up the work/casual wardrobe as well. A nice button-down with jeans and loafers for example. I'll go into this topic at more length in a later post, as it is a really good question deserving of a more thorough answer.
And last, Sue wonders: Have you been peeking into my closet, Jenn?"
Jennifer responds: Oh, Sue, you caught me! X-Ray vision. Bought my glasses from a comic book ad...worth every penny.
Have a good evening, all! And come back next time for a discussion on the pros and cons of new clothing. See you then...same blog time...same blog channel....
Jennifer Skinner, Wardrobe Planning, Style Development, Image Consulting
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.)
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.)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Good Enough -- Better Than Best?
Yesterday's posting was all about the opportunity costs of opportunity costs -- what we lose when we put too much mental energy into figuring out all the pros and cons of minor decisions. Now today we'll touch upon the concept of "good enough".
We are all lured by the idea of "best" and everything emotionally associated with it. When you are the "best", or own the "best", what exactly does that mean to you? Why is it so important?
Come with me on a semantic journey here: the word best can be used as both a noun (as in "do your best") and as a superlative ("that is the best car"). The superlative form connotates hierarchy -- if you are the best xyz or own the best xyz then unquestioningly you are or have the highest quality or most desirable xyz of all.
And this means...? Status. Freedom from worry and doubt. "Best" means precisely that there's nothing better...which means you've made a great choice. Ahh...the nirvana of "best"!
We as humans will put a lot of energy into "best" because of how it makes us feel. For some it is more important than others, but we are all affected by this drive. The problem comes when we spend so much energy finding the "best" of something when the truth is, it may not exist. Because, it so happens, "best" is also extremely subjective.
Enter "good enough". Sometimes it's far wiser to go with a suitable choice, rather than stressing out over finding the very best. "Good enough" doesn't have to be a throw-away term of defeat. You can have very definite criteria for what is good enough, and your standards can be quite high. Looking at your options in this manner will save you a ton of stress and worry.
Now, how does this apply to our closet? If you've been following my blog, you probably already have a good idea how to do this. But here are some more ideas to ponder:
1) When shopping for clothes, think in terms of great, amazing, fantastic, fabulous, beautiful....pick your adjective. These are concrete descriptors that can help you make distinctions between items. But avoid obsessing over finding the very best that exists. "Best" is illusory.
2) Begin to see when your desire to find the best option is filling an emotional need rather than a practical one. On the practical side, there are extremely good reasons to have high quality. But if you are trying to find the best because you fear those opportunity costs, fear not.
Tomorrow is Q&A day, when I take questions from the audience. So if you have a burning question that you would like answered, please ask! See you tomorrow...same blog time...same blog channel....
(If you would like more information on wardrobe planning, please visit my website!)
We are all lured by the idea of "best" and everything emotionally associated with it. When you are the "best", or own the "best", what exactly does that mean to you? Why is it so important?
Come with me on a semantic journey here: the word best can be used as both a noun (as in "do your best") and as a superlative ("that is the best car"). The superlative form connotates hierarchy -- if you are the best xyz or own the best xyz then unquestioningly you are or have the highest quality or most desirable xyz of all.
And this means...? Status. Freedom from worry and doubt. "Best" means precisely that there's nothing better...which means you've made a great choice. Ahh...the nirvana of "best"!
We as humans will put a lot of energy into "best" because of how it makes us feel. For some it is more important than others, but we are all affected by this drive. The problem comes when we spend so much energy finding the "best" of something when the truth is, it may not exist. Because, it so happens, "best" is also extremely subjective.
Enter "good enough". Sometimes it's far wiser to go with a suitable choice, rather than stressing out over finding the very best. "Good enough" doesn't have to be a throw-away term of defeat. You can have very definite criteria for what is good enough, and your standards can be quite high. Looking at your options in this manner will save you a ton of stress and worry.
Now, how does this apply to our closet? If you've been following my blog, you probably already have a good idea how to do this. But here are some more ideas to ponder:
1) When shopping for clothes, think in terms of great, amazing, fantastic, fabulous, beautiful....pick your adjective. These are concrete descriptors that can help you make distinctions between items. But avoid obsessing over finding the very best that exists. "Best" is illusory.
2) Begin to see when your desire to find the best option is filling an emotional need rather than a practical one. On the practical side, there are extremely good reasons to have high quality. But if you are trying to find the best because you fear those opportunity costs, fear not.
Tomorrow is Q&A day, when I take questions from the audience. So if you have a burning question that you would like answered, please ask! See you tomorrow...same blog time...same blog channel....
(If you would like more information on wardrobe planning, please visit my website!)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Questions from the Audience
Greetings!
Today I would like to take time to answer some questions that have come from you, my loyal readers!
First, Kevin Hogan asks: "Does it count as a small wardrobe if you have a bunch of clothes in the closet and only wear a few of them?"
Jennifer replies: It sounds like you need to do some weeding! The world only sees the clothes that you put on, not the ones "hanging" out in your closet. And if you don't wear them, the clothes have no function other than to take up space. Think of it this way: you don't really need them if you aren't wearing them in the first place. Build your wardrobe around what you DO wear. Get rid of the rest. Then you will have a small wardrobe!
And now a question from Steve Chambers: "How do I get rid of those pants I no longer fit but can't get rid of yet?"
Jennifer replies: This is a common problem for many people. I call it the problem of the "someday clothes". Someday they'll fit again, someday they'll be in style again, someday I might need them.... but someday rarely comes. Or if it does, you find that you actually don't WANT the article any longer. You lose the weight, you want NEW clothes! The style comes around again, but you're just not into it any longer. The way to separate yourself from clothing that is no longer useful is to box it up and store it away for six months to a year. Hey, go through your closet and take out ALL the stuff that doesn't really fit and do the same. If, after a year you haven't missed them, donate the box to charity straightaway...don't even open it!
And lastly, Aaron Agostini wants to know: "What are some basic recommendations for guys? I want to communicate something professional, but we have a fairly business casual office."
Jennifer replies: At the top edge of business casual, I would recommend a nice pair of dress pants and a button-down shirt. Add a pair of good leather shoes and a belt and you are good to go. Slightly more casual is to change out the dress pants for a pair of khakis. And the next step down is to trade a polo shirt for the button-down. Never, never go for jeans...even of the other guys are doing it! And watch the shoes...you don't need dress shoes per se, but stay away from anything blatantly casual. The shoes can keep an outfit looking just that one step snazzier than the next guy without being too over-dressed for dressed-down office.
Cheers, everyone! I'll be doing another Q & A next week, so do ask the questions! As for tomorrow, I'll be elaborating on The Mysterious Paradox of Choice. Come back and see why too many options actually causes stress. See you here...same blog time, same blog channel!
(My website on wardrobe planning just loves visitors!)
Today I would like to take time to answer some questions that have come from you, my loyal readers!
First, Kevin Hogan asks: "Does it count as a small wardrobe if you have a bunch of clothes in the closet and only wear a few of them?"
Jennifer replies: It sounds like you need to do some weeding! The world only sees the clothes that you put on, not the ones "hanging" out in your closet. And if you don't wear them, the clothes have no function other than to take up space. Think of it this way: you don't really need them if you aren't wearing them in the first place. Build your wardrobe around what you DO wear. Get rid of the rest. Then you will have a small wardrobe!
And now a question from Steve Chambers: "How do I get rid of those pants I no longer fit but can't get rid of yet?"
Jennifer replies: This is a common problem for many people. I call it the problem of the "someday clothes". Someday they'll fit again, someday they'll be in style again, someday I might need them.... but someday rarely comes. Or if it does, you find that you actually don't WANT the article any longer. You lose the weight, you want NEW clothes! The style comes around again, but you're just not into it any longer. The way to separate yourself from clothing that is no longer useful is to box it up and store it away for six months to a year. Hey, go through your closet and take out ALL the stuff that doesn't really fit and do the same. If, after a year you haven't missed them, donate the box to charity straightaway...don't even open it!
And lastly, Aaron Agostini wants to know: "What are some basic recommendations for guys? I want to communicate something professional, but we have a fairly business casual office."
Jennifer replies: At the top edge of business casual, I would recommend a nice pair of dress pants and a button-down shirt. Add a pair of good leather shoes and a belt and you are good to go. Slightly more casual is to change out the dress pants for a pair of khakis. And the next step down is to trade a polo shirt for the button-down. Never, never go for jeans...even of the other guys are doing it! And watch the shoes...you don't need dress shoes per se, but stay away from anything blatantly casual. The shoes can keep an outfit looking just that one step snazzier than the next guy without being too over-dressed for dressed-down office.
Cheers, everyone! I'll be doing another Q & A next week, so do ask the questions! As for tomorrow, I'll be elaborating on The Mysterious Paradox of Choice. Come back and see why too many options actually causes stress. See you here...same blog time, same blog channel!
(My website on wardrobe planning just loves visitors!)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A Style to Call My Own
It didn't take me long to discover that I really had nothing to wear that year in Sweden. I managed to squeak out a few weeks of dressing...until I started to get a wee bit rounder. And then most of what I'd brought with me didn't fit.
To make matters worse, the Swedish girls dressed in a way that was entirely different from my American friends. At first I really couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was other than to say that many of them wore things that I would have been embarassed to wear back home. Like big mohair sweaters (chunky-knit cotton was big back home) and socks with sandals (eeeek!). Some things were the same, like Converse All-Star high tops and jeans. I had become so accustomed to seeing nearly everyone in the states dressing like carbon copies that it took me by surprise to see something different. And I'm ashamed to admit that at the time I thought they did it because they didn't know any better.
Several things, however, became exceedingly apparent to me as the year went on. These Swedish girls each had a unique style that was all their own--and dressed in a manner that I felt intuitively was more "grown up". All the kids in my American high school wore jeans day in and day out. These girls favored slacks and skirts. What I had originally seen as a lack of fashion sense was really a lack of conformity...and a very highly develped sense of personal style. I was really a fish out of water. I had nothing to wear and no style to call my own. Until I met Caryn.
Caryn was another exchange student from the states. Had we not both been far from home that year I am not sure we would have ever become friends, as Caryn dressed in a manner that I found...welllll... frightening. I'll explain more tomorrow...but let it be known that we did indeed become the best of friends, and this girl taught me more about developing style than anyone before or after. So come on back now, y'hear?
(Or mosey on over to my website and take a gander while you are waiting.)
To make matters worse, the Swedish girls dressed in a way that was entirely different from my American friends. At first I really couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was other than to say that many of them wore things that I would have been embarassed to wear back home. Like big mohair sweaters (chunky-knit cotton was big back home) and socks with sandals (eeeek!). Some things were the same, like Converse All-Star high tops and jeans. I had become so accustomed to seeing nearly everyone in the states dressing like carbon copies that it took me by surprise to see something different. And I'm ashamed to admit that at the time I thought they did it because they didn't know any better.
Several things, however, became exceedingly apparent to me as the year went on. These Swedish girls each had a unique style that was all their own--and dressed in a manner that I felt intuitively was more "grown up". All the kids in my American high school wore jeans day in and day out. These girls favored slacks and skirts. What I had originally seen as a lack of fashion sense was really a lack of conformity...and a very highly develped sense of personal style. I was really a fish out of water. I had nothing to wear and no style to call my own. Until I met Caryn.
Caryn was another exchange student from the states. Had we not both been far from home that year I am not sure we would have ever become friends, as Caryn dressed in a manner that I found...welllll... frightening. I'll explain more tomorrow...but let it be known that we did indeed become the best of friends, and this girl taught me more about developing style than anyone before or after. So come on back now, y'hear?
(Or mosey on over to my website and take a gander while you are waiting.)
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Tale of Two Suitcases
I was so excited! I would be spending my Junior Year as an exchange student in Sweden. Here was my chance to be *that girl* abroad! It didn't matter that I couldn't speak Swedish or had no idea what the Swedes were like. And it didn't matter that I could only take two suitcases with me. I was going to S-W-E-D-E-N! The land of ABBA!
Just before departing, my mother and I went shopping for clothes. And in my usual manner of purchasing, I managed to bring home a small handful of disparate items with no relation to one another. Distant cousins, perhaps. Maybe. I remember that among the items were a pair of purple flower-print jeans (really--these WERE trendy at the time), a pair of olive-green high-waisted pants, a red short-sleeve knit sweater, black leggings, and a brand new pair of white Nikes. But perhaps the worst mistake I made was this: I bought most things just a *tad* bit too small. After all, I would be LOSING weight on the other side of the pond, wouldn't I? Please don't laugh...I really thought I was going to impress my new European friends with my ultra-trendy style. (I did mention that I was young and clueless, didn't I?!)
What I know now that I didn't know then is that you cannot throw two suitcases' worth of individual items together and expect to get a year's worth of outfits out of the mix. It is not possible. It does not matter how wonderful each piece of clothing is on its own if it doesn't have an outfit to belong to. And in the context of two suitcases, it better have more than one outfit to belong to!
This is the same problem that so many people have with their own wardrobes...only it is their closet they are challenged by, and not a suitcase. But the principle is the same. Without a plan, you will end up looking into a full closet/suitcase and saying to yourself, "I don't have a thing to wear!"
So there I was in Sweden, with two suitcases full of a disaster waiting to happen. Come on back tomorrow and I'll tell you about the girl who rescued me from my own cluelessness ...same blog time...same blog channel....
(If you can't wait that long, you can read more on wardrobe planning at my website!)
Just before departing, my mother and I went shopping for clothes. And in my usual manner of purchasing, I managed to bring home a small handful of disparate items with no relation to one another. Distant cousins, perhaps. Maybe. I remember that among the items were a pair of purple flower-print jeans (really--these WERE trendy at the time), a pair of olive-green high-waisted pants, a red short-sleeve knit sweater, black leggings, and a brand new pair of white Nikes. But perhaps the worst mistake I made was this: I bought most things just a *tad* bit too small. After all, I would be LOSING weight on the other side of the pond, wouldn't I? Please don't laugh...I really thought I was going to impress my new European friends with my ultra-trendy style. (I did mention that I was young and clueless, didn't I?!)
What I know now that I didn't know then is that you cannot throw two suitcases' worth of individual items together and expect to get a year's worth of outfits out of the mix. It is not possible. It does not matter how wonderful each piece of clothing is on its own if it doesn't have an outfit to belong to. And in the context of two suitcases, it better have more than one outfit to belong to!
This is the same problem that so many people have with their own wardrobes...only it is their closet they are challenged by, and not a suitcase. But the principle is the same. Without a plan, you will end up looking into a full closet/suitcase and saying to yourself, "I don't have a thing to wear!"
So there I was in Sweden, with two suitcases full of a disaster waiting to happen. Come on back tomorrow and I'll tell you about the girl who rescued me from my own cluelessness ...same blog time...same blog channel....
(If you can't wait that long, you can read more on wardrobe planning at my website!)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Young and the Clueless
I'll admit it. As a young person, I was clueless about style. It wasn't until my late teens and early twenties that I even began to develop anything remotely like a personal style. Now it wasn't that I couldn't recognize style when I saw it...I certainly knew who the stylish girls were in school. And I was envious of how they always looked so trendy and well put-together. But I had no clue about HOW they did it. And I began to fall into the terrible trap of believing (along with everyone else) that the MORE clothing you had, the MORE stylish you would be. Probably because my family really couldn't afford to spend all that much on clothes, while I just "knew" that these trendy girls could. And so I began to accumulate. Little by little, over time. All the time thinking that eventually I would find just the right outfit to miraculously confer upon myself that mystical state of STYLISH.
Ummmm...I was wrong. But it would take me years to figure that out. And in the meantime, my wardrobe developed into a schizophrenic mess of odds and ends that looked absolutely amazing on the dummies in the store, but looked...well, not equally amazing on me.
However my style misadventures really came to head my Junior Year in high school...the year I spent abroad in Sweden. Looking back, it was SO bad that it was comical. Come back tomorrow, and I'll let you know why...same blog time, same blog channel...
(And if you can't wait that long, pop on over to my website for more information on style and wardrobe planning.)
Ummmm...I was wrong. But it would take me years to figure that out. And in the meantime, my wardrobe developed into a schizophrenic mess of odds and ends that looked absolutely amazing on the dummies in the store, but looked...well, not equally amazing on me.
However my style misadventures really came to head my Junior Year in high school...the year I spent abroad in Sweden. Looking back, it was SO bad that it was comical. Come back tomorrow, and I'll let you know why...same blog time, same blog channel...
(And if you can't wait that long, pop on over to my website for more information on style and wardrobe planning.)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Prefacing the Whys and Wherefores
I am really excited to be getting this blog off the ground. For a long time I've mused on the idea that I should be writing about the things I am passionate about...so here I am, finally. Writing about... simplifying what's in your closet. Now, those who know me well are probably wondering why I didn't choose to write about my adventures in theatre (I have had many) or my thoughts on education (yes, I am opinionated). So over the course of the next few days, I plan to write about just exactly WHY I find this topic so fascinating...why this fairly petite, theatrical, teacher-type would choose to step out as a wardrobe guru. I can tell...you're just itching to know! What I hope you'll see is that my journey towards my own "very small closet" is one that anyone and everyone can take...and how this journey can improve nearly every facet of your life. If you enjoy what you read here, you may also want to check out more information on wardrobe planning . Until next time....
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