I get how busy life is. I run my business as a stylist Mondays and Tuesdays, then my radiography job takes over Wednesday-Friday - and weekends are a mix of the two. I've a family and like to see my friends here and there too! We're all juggling our responsibilities whilst trying to stay focused and productive, right?
I understand the importance of having a wardrobe with options and one that works for a lifestyle. I believe a wardrobe should be fun, practical, versatile and flexible. It should be a way of expressing ourselves and reflecting our personalities - and it shouldn't take up too much energy either.
In the midst of all this we want our wardrobe to also be comfortable and stylish. This is not too much to ask. Admittedly it can take planning and thought but I'm here to tell you it is possible and here are a few things to consider.
Your Lifestyle
I know this is obvious but it's important to properly consider your lifestyle. I've been to clients homes who have lots of "wedding outfits" but they've no weddings in the
pipeline, and a posh event is unlikely in the future. Your wardrobe needs to reflect your wardrobe. Do you mainly work from home? Are you predominantly office based? A combination? Do you spend lots of time outdoors? Do you often go out with your friends for lunch/drinks and so need outfits to reflect this?
Having a think about an average week - even planning it on a pie chart - is a great way of seeing what you need from your wardrobe.
Choice of Fabrics
Similar to this, the range of fabrics in your wardrobe needs to be practical to your
lifestyle. For instance if you now tend to get hot easily, wearing natural, breathable fabrics will be much more favourable to you. Synthetic fabrics are not so forgiving and aren't usually the best option if this is an issue for you.
Similarly, if you need ease of movement you'll want to make sure that your fabrics are not restrictive and allow for this. For instance, you can still look smart but you could consider a more relaxed fit blazer. Trousers with some stretch might be better if you sometimes experience bloating.
Footwear Solutions
A topic close to my heart. I walk a lot and so I often start my outfit with what shoes I'll be wearing. I just need to know that my feet will be comfortable, I won't get blisters (how many
blister plasters did I buy in my younger days?!!) and I can walk as much as I need to.
There are so many footwear options now and thankfully it is much more acceptable to wear trainers to the office. I would just say to make sure that your trainers are relatively clean and not too grubby so they still look smart - and don't forget about the laces! Loafers are a great alternative to a trainer whilst still feeling stylish and comfortable.
Accessories Investing in quality accessories which reflect your style and will work with your wardrobe will always serve you well. Having an awareness of your style, your frame
and proportions - as well as those colours which work well with your wardrobe is so useful here. When I say accessories I'm talking about belts, great socks in a variety of colours, jewellery, handbags, scarves, hair accessories.... It really can cover a multitude but I really find accessories are the items which are often missing from my clients' wardrobes. They can make the difference from an outfit looking good - to it being elevated and stylish.
Layering I'm a cold creature. Always cold! The flexibility of layering is a must for me - and thankfully there's lots of inspiration at the moment for layering. Layering is a practical addition to your wardrobe (especially at transitional times of the year), looks stylish and gives you options throughout the day. Waistcoats are your friend. Denim shirts are easily worn open as another layer and still look great. Gillets are very visible in the shops also and are a perfect example of something that can be worn under a coat. We love creative options!
So I hope this has given you some food for thought. It is possible to have a comfortable and stylish wardrobe, it just sometimes requires a little bit of time and thought to consider (I know that's sometimes easier said than done!). My hope is that whenever you are next reviewing your wardrobe (or indeed adding to it) that you can refer back to these points to ensure you are carefully considering what you need from your wardrobe. It should serve you and meet your needs.
Until next time,
Lou x
Commenti