As seen in the Dayton Daily News on May 7, 2016.
I used to dread getting dressed for the day. Peering inside my closet, I would see plenty of clothes, but felt frustrated because I had nothing to wear.
Upon reaching my destinations, I would see others looking classy, elegant, sophisticated or savvy. My self-esteem would plummet since I looked somewhere in between a tomboy, mother of five and fashion castoff.
I hated going places. I knew how I would feel once I stepped into the room and saw how everyone else was dressed.
Until one day, my daughter shared with me she wanted to be a personal stylist, open her own boutique and help people choose clothing. Could the answer to my dilemma be standing right before me?
As we headed to my closet, I became her first client.
She tossed things, made shopping lists and matched outfits. I marveled at her creativity and how she combined colors and textures. When she was done, I had less clothing in my closet, but more outfit choices.
I then realized having an organized closet wasn’t enough. I lacked vision and imagination. She helped eliminate the clothes I shouldn’t wear, which reduced the chances of fashion mistakes.
Utilizing her services worked. I had more confidence, stopped buying clothes I didn’t wear, and people started asking me if I did styling in addition to organizing. This last one makes me laugh considering I struggled getting dressed for most of my life.
If you’re suffering from my same plight, here are some tips to get you on your way to feeling more confident and comfortable with your wardrobe choices.
SORT
Before hiring a stylist, round up all your clothing and put “Like with Like,” for example, shirts, pants, skirts, shoes and scarves.
CLEAR THE WAY
Remove items you no longer love and put in boxes marked Donate or Sell. Put clothing that needs to be cleaned or repaired in boxes marked Laundry, Dry Clean and Tailor.
Move any items that shouldn’t be in your everyday closet to a spare closet or storage area.
GET HELP
Once all of your clothing is back in your closet, invest in a stylist, or ask an honest, fashionable friend or family member to help you. Tell them your style goals and the kinds of events you attend.
BE OPEN-MINDED
You may be emotionally attached to your clothing, but your stylist will not be. Remember, you enlisted this person for help, rely on their expertise and trust their advice. They know which items no longer serve you.
SHOP
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started. Stick with the shopping list your stylist gives you.
CREATE AN ALBUM
Take photos of outfits your stylist created. You will have a catalog of things to wear once they leave.
Since style is an ever evolving thing, maintaining a relationship with your stylist is important. When I go shopping, I text photos of clothing to my daughter and she gives a thumbs up or thumbs down.
Ellen DeGeneres once said, “Being stylish means fitting in yet standing out at the same time.” Hiring a stylist is worth the investment.