Break the Boredom

Get out of your fashion rut!

This week I took a woman shopping who really wanted a new pair of heavy, wide chunky heeled loafer style shoes to replace a previous old, comfortable pair. This seemingly easy (to her) request turned into a major ‘needle in the haystack’ search – you see if you’ve been near a shoe shop lately, you’ll know that yes, there are new solid heels around – but they are higher, and more elegant than the very solid chunky heeled shoes so common a few years ago. The selection of these “chunky” heels has diminished as has the desire for them.

Now, in case you are wondering - yes, as a personal stylist it is my job to move people to a more fashionable wardrobe, and yes I wasn’t entirely happy with this particular quest, but while a stylist will move you out of your comfort zone, a good stylist will also recognise that change can be more of a process for some clients.  That said however, it is a fine balance between ‘taking your time’ to change and ‘time passing you by.’ So, how do you know if it’s time to make changes in your wardrobe? 

There are a few simple rules to check if you are stuck in the past: I often hear women complaining that when they read fashion magazines there’s “nothing” in them. Now, that’s often a dead giveaway that fashion may be passing you by.

Although fashion magazines often are ‘styled’ and seem to bear no relationship to real lives, there are things the stylists and fashion editors are trying to teach you: the shape of the pants, the cut and length of the jackets, where the belt is worn – all key points to consider in the way you are dressing.  Don’t disregard how important picking up the occasional fashion magazine is in staying current in your wardrobe.

Another pointer to wardrobe paralysis – you never go shopping.  If you are someone who ‘doesn’t have time’ to shop or you simply hate shopping, you are obviously more at risk of looking like a walking time warp. The simple answer here is to make time to check out the shops, even if you can’t afford to buy. This will keep you from future scary moments in fashion retail stores or fitting rooms as it will stop them from becoming a huge culture shock.

It’s fairly important to keep re-assessing who you are when you go to the wardrobe. Your life may well have moved on from the days when you were wearing suits to work every day, but you occasionally need to drag on a suit to meet with clients or the bank manager. Of course, if the suit you are dragging on looks like something from Ally McBeal you run the risk of looking dated (not to mention under-dressed in skirts of that length!) You still need a suit, but why not a more relaxed, modern look? Likewise, long shapeless shirts that you feel hide your bulges are actually less flattering than a slimmer, more fitted style.

An aside here: yes, the eighties are back – but that doesn’t mean you can haul out the Joan Collins or Cyndi Lauper numbers from the back of the wardrobe. These will make you look like you are trying too hard. Some things that will make the transition: belts,

Jewellery and shoes. When previous styles do get repeated in fashion terms, it’s usually elements of the look that are incorporated into modern styling, rather than the total package. Don’t make the mistake of thinking if you’ve held on to it for ages it will come back in fashion, or you can pass it off as ‘vintage’ and wear it again, you’ll simply run the risk of looking like you are a relic from the past.

Another scary trend for many women is they’ll hit the shops with their mothers – which can mean you’ll end up buying from stores that cater for older women. We’ve covered this before in a previous issue, but as well as dressing ‘too old’ you also run the risk of looking dated. This is because stores that cater to older women often take fashion that is directional and water it down significantly – and will often take a couple of seasons to introduce it, meaning that when you buy your lovely new top, it’s already past it’s use by date.

 The flip-side to women who are resistant to change, are those who are too eager to embrace every new trend. These are the women who will change the way they look every season. If you are any older than 20, this can signal that you are less than comfortable in your own skin. You see, as we grow into ourselves, we tend to develop a sense of style that eschews trends, taking from each new season the elements that will work in our wardrobes. We add a touch here or there – make-up colours, shoes, jewellery, to supplement our own style and simply update our wardrobes.

If you are someone who moves too quickly from flares to skinny jeans, from surfer girl to secretary it may be time to pause and reflect on how you’d like to be seen?   Take time to browse through fashion magazines and look for key pieces you’d like to have in your wardrobe. People-watch and then take elements from those whose style you admire. The outcome you want here is to develop a sense of style that transcends trends. Make a concerted effort to buy a couple of timeless pieces that you know you can wear from season to season, without feeling like you’ve spent too much money on something that will be out of date too soon.     

Fashion is a fickle beast: Oscar Wilde once said “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable we have to alter it every six months.” Stylish women know that to be a slave to fashion will date you faster than yesterdays newspaper, and those that are resistant to change run the same risk, but in a different way.

I encourage you to make a decision about the way you dress – does it reflect who you are now or ten years ago?