If you're very time poor, perhaps a busy working woman - potentially a mum, it can be difficult to keep up your image. Showing up as your best self at work isn’t always easy, and letting it slide may start to impact your career and what other people think about you. When you leave the house in the morning if you're not feeling good or prepared in what you're wearing, it can negatively impact your day.
Firstly: schedule the time. Your issue with your wardrobe not working for you is not gonna fix itself on its own. So the first thing that you need to do is actually to make the time, despite your lack thereof. We give time to the things that we care about. Perhaps, like many of my clients, you’re someone that doesn't actually care that much about clothes, or you're just not really that bothered about how you look. It's low on your priorities, and not something you wish to spend time on. However, not investing time in your image is often where then it starts becoming a problem and encroaching on your headspace.
Next, you need to think about and make a plan for what you actually need. Identify the issues. I suggest an image audit, to gain some reality on the situation. Look in the mirror, put some outfits on that you wear to work and just see where the real problem is; what’s letting you down? Although you've probably got a good idea anyway, it’s always really good to actually get a reality check on what's actually going on and see whether the clothes themselves are fine. Whether it’s just that they're kind of worn out now and need replacing, or maybe they’re out of date and making you feel dowdy. Get clear in your own mind where the problem is lying for you. Once you've got that, you're much more likely to take some action on it.
Next, I suggest you think about what you want to get from making a change. What difference will it make to you? Think about the positives that will come from taking the time to work on your wardrobe. You might be somebody who hates exercising, but you managed to get yourself to the gym because the rewards are waiting for you down the line. They might not be instantaneous, but you know how much better you feel when you go to the gym, get to a certain weight, or increase your energy through exercise. That’s how you need to think about your clothes; identify the end goal, and what you will achieve from having a wardrobe of clothes that will make you feel good about yourself; in and out of the workplace.
Then, you invest the time. Plan when you will clear out your wardrobe, and when you will shop to replenish the pieces you need. Schedule each step in, and take adequate time to focus entirely on that step. It’s not about multi-tasking - and it’s not a day to share with your children. It’s time investment into your career; treat it as part of your business. Allocate the time as you would if you were preparing for an interview, or if you had a big speech to do - neither scenario you’d be juggling other things with. You’d dedicate your time to it.
The final point I realised whilst personal styling, is that so many women believe they should know about their style and clothes, without asking for help as they would in other areas of their life. For example, if the paint started chipping of your front door, you wouldn’t wait for the day you had time to do some DIY - you’d find a painter or decorator. If you're a senior executive woman, a woman who owns her own business, someone that's successful, you know that’s not your priority to take on by yourself. You may help choose the paint colours, but you won’t be climbing any ladders with the paint.
You need to start thinking about your wardrobe in the same way. Whether it be making an appointment with an in-store personal shopper, or hiring someone like myself, it doesn't have to be something that you do all on your own.
Don’t put it off any longer! If you have got a wardrobe that's letting you down and your time-poor, it won't fix itself on it on its own. Get your image up to scratch with how you want to be perceived and how you want to feel.
I hope that those tips have been useful, even if only to plant a seed of how to moving forward and make improvements in your wardrobe. I hope that you can gain some confidence through this, and allow your wardrobe to start working for you.