“Hello Kim!
I changed my career a couple of years ago. The day I walked away from 24+ years in higher education, I swore I would never wear boring pumps again. At 47-years-old, I was uninspired by my career and needed a change. When my only son was getting ready to go off to college, I figured I better start planning what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I started my own business as a professional organizer and hadn’t realized how many things would change for me, including my closet.
Simplifying my wardrobe was my mantra, so I immediately gave away my conservative suits, sensible shoes and lackluster clothes. I also swore off pantyhose, except for special occasions since I heard businesswomen in NYC don’t wear them. I wanted to limit my choices of what to wear in my one small closet to beautiful clothing that I would love wearing. Running from room-to-room and closet-to-closet to choose an outfit was no longer appealing to me.
Knowing full well that I would be dressing down to work with clients in their homes, I wanted my casual clothing to fit my shape, highlight my assets and fit the new me! What I wear now: slim fitting jeans (in all colors), unusual blazers and jackets, and simple tailored shirts and tops. I even bought a few imprudent sexy shoes without backs that are quite comfortable.
I went through all my jewelry and accessories and got rid of whatever I wasn’t wearing, looked boring or didn’t have any significance to me. What’s left is a beautiful assortment of unique items that have meaning in my life—that invoke wonderful memories or a special person.
The icing on the cake was getting the tattoo on my ankle, the Chinese symbol for karma: your thoughts and your actions determine your destiny. I believe the simple act of purging my wardrobe and accessories will help guide me through this new and wonderful stage of my life.
How am I dressing for the rest of my life? More like the new me!
Vali, owner of The Clutter Crew
www.thecluttercrew.com
Comments
In fact, most of my work is virtual now so my clothes are more for me, and for that occasional networking meeting I might attend. Unfortunately, I still have corporate clothes in my closet that I never wear. I'm in the process of going through my closet, selling things on ebay, donating and trashing, and it feels great. I did need to have a friend come over as I tried things on and tell "You will never wear that again."
I think I'll need to go through the closet more than once. I like the idea of going through my accessories as well. I have some great clothes that I love, but I feel like whenever I am about to get dressed to do anything or go anywhere, I struggle with what to wear.
Thanks for the inspiration.
I like to wear nice black jeans, skinny dark indigo jeans or dressy jeans and match them up with different jackets and blouses. Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or I'm staring at my whole closet, I'll pick one piece of clothing or a piece of jewelry I haven't worn in a while and work an outfit around that. Then it gets to be fun!
Lastly, to get away from the blah look, I say to myself, would my mother-in-law buy this? I love my mother-in-law, but if she would buy it and wear it, I say no.
Have fun!!