Embrace change to build a wardrobe

embrace change

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I want to share with you my journey with my wardrobe today and discuss how I embrace change to build my wardrobe.

This photo back drop at church on Sunday provided the perfect message for today…Fall is proof that change is beautiful.

Just the day before, I noticed how much more I am enjoying my wardrobe right now and experiencing a deeper level of contentment with it.

Deciding what to wear every day is bringing me so much joy and contentment.

It has been quite a journey the past couple of years, but the destination results in confidence and a healthier mindset.

The truth is that we feel better about ourselves when the woman in the mirror is smiling back at us.

EMBRACE CHANGE TO BUILD A WARDROBE

embrace change

I have never embraced change easily…in fact if something in my life is smooth sailing and suddenly undergoes change, I really hate it.

However, I am gradually learning the powerful lessons which come with embracing change.

Many of us transitioned our worlds when the pandemic showed up.

I know so many women, like myself, who made the decision to work from home or to completely retire.

Several of us received unexpected layoff notices forcing change we could not foresee.

Those changes meant new decisions with our wardrobes…what messages did we want our style to say about us in a new stage of life.

EMBRACE CHANGE TO BUILD A WARDROBE – STEP 1

embrace change

Since this all began, here is the way I embrace change and how it has worked for me.

Most of you know I learned that I was wearing the wrong colors in my professional life.

I am not a “cool” palette, but a warm vibrant autumn.  So, I actually decided to embrace change completely and I cleaned out all of the colors that were not my best.

Wearing my best colors now for over a year has instilled confidence in myself and my wardrobe…it all works together now like a well oiled machine.

My best colors put a smile on my face and I know they are me. 

EMBRACE CHANGE TO BUILD A WARDROBE – STEP 2

embrace change

Because this has been a new transition for me, I needed to build a wardrobe that is casual yet polished.

Though I work from home, blogging does take me out and about to events and meetings, so I still need a quasi-professional appearance.

I want to tell the world with my clothing that I am creative, polished, approachable, joyful and current.

These have been my new style adjectives for the past year and I know they are working.  

Every time I go into my wardrobe to pull together a look, it must tell the world I am those five adjectives…if not…it is back to the drawing board.

Regular readers will recognize this as my foundational five…and it makes a huge difference to control what you buy and how your look…it sharpens a personal style just for you.

EMBRACE CHANGE TO BUILD A WARDROBE – STEP 3

embrace change

Another big change is that I am paying closer attention to fit…and trying not to hide in my clothing as much as I did in my past.

This has been gradual and purposeful since 2021….for me, and I know for many of you, this takes courage and acceptance of your body type.

But with each outfit, my courage has grown.

Most of you know I love kimonos, but I embrace change by purchasing short kimonos where I size down.

The top picture is a recent purchase from Chico’s.

This the Burnout Woven Kimono in a size S/M.

I styled it with all Chico’s….girlfriend jeans, necklace and tank….though all are past acquisitions. 

For me this is perfect….colors (check)….adjectives (check)…and fit (check).

EMBRACE CHANGE TO BUILD A WARDROBE

embrace change

As I embrace change in my style, the change has become beautiful.

I am content knowing this is the right path for me at this time.

How is your contentment level with your own wardrobe?  Is anyone else working to embrace change and accept new style?  We can all learn from the shared experiences.

I was recently asked to post “sweaters with pizzazz” that are currently on the market.

In this slideshow, I have all price points…and looked for sweaters with interesting design…enjoy….

Thank you for joining me today for a discussion on how to embrace change with our wardrobes…tomorrow is Today’s News for Women over 50…hope to see you there.

KEEP SMILING, EVERYONE!

By Pamela Lutrell

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Email is over50feeling40@gmail.com.  

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embrace change

 

27 Comments

  1. I love this post. The world is constant change, so might as well embrace it! My biggest change is getting a professional color diagnosis. I have always known I was winter (since the 80s) but to my great surprise I am dark winter! (I have fair olive/neutral skin and gray green eyes/dark brunette now salt and pepper hair). My fall purchases have been these colors, I’ve banished whatever cool/muted/summer type items I had, and my closet is really coming together just like you experienced. I also agree keeping your words in mind really helps. Mine are modern, effortless and edgy. Maybe I need to add two more words!

  2. Sounds like you are on a path to wardrobe success, Shari. I am glad to see another woman who has found a love for your wardrobe after wearing you best colors and understanding your style messages…whether three or five, it helps to understand what you want to say to others about you with your clothes! Great work!

  3. Good Morning Pam – I loved the look of the outfit while standing in your garden. Could you tell me where the pumpkin/orange top was purchased. I searched but was unable to find it.

    Thank you, have a wonderful day.

  4. Oh how great you look in that burnout tunic abd in the wide sleeve burnt orange (cinnamon) too you’re wearing with jeans! Absolutely beautiful. That’s you!
    I’m still working through things that fit me well, but are too “Simple/boring /sameness”.
    I just love navy blue and gravitate to blues but rarely the turquoise or summery teal just deep dark shades. I wonder if I’m hiding?

  5. Janet, I do love this top and, unfortunately, it is a thrift find…so I cannot link to it. I love to thrift at Goodwill San Antonio and this was a real score!

  6. I doubt that you are hiding, Paulette. You seem like such a vibrant woman…just take a few steps out of your comfort zone with accessories…colorful scarves and necklaces. I am enjoying embellishing my navy blue with fun accessories. Just try it and see what you think.
    Since I have chosen creative for a style message, it opens up a treasure chest of fun for me. Just think about taking a few steps into that territory and see what you think.

  7. You have definitely embraced the change in your wardrobe, and it shows well in your clothing choices. Your face radiates how good you feel. I hope that people feel the same when they see me. I have a friend who says I always look so elegant which is not an adjective I would use to describe myself, but I appreciate her compliment.

  8. It is a wonderful compliment, Celia…and that says that you care about your appearance and take time to put yourself together. Embrace it!

  9. I love this morning’s post. It is always smart of you to remind us of how the foundation five works when you stick to it. I only shop my colors (it makes life so much easier), but I have felt predictable lately. A third piece with pizazz is just what I am looking for. Thank you, Pam.

  10. Pam, I’m so glad you decided to fit your body a bit more, and wonder if the “polished” adjective helped you do that. Your journey and advice certainly has helped me make fewer mistakes, and transition a wardrobe I thought would work in retirement to one that actually does. My style seems to be growing more sporty over time, but I think that my adjective of “active” covers that. I’m also tweaking a bit, and thinking “minimal with accessories” (simple, well made clothing with scarves and jewelry) and wondering what word that might encompass. Lots of fun!

  11. I personally think it is two words, Linda…minimal with artistic or creative…that way you speak to both messages.

  12. Pam, I love reading your blog but for the last few weeks I have not been able to read it properly because of the pop up adverts. Can your sftware change this?

  13. I have jokingly said for years that I only wear two pieces—a top and bottom— but it is true. Sometimes I add a vest. When I saw the picture of you in the orangish top and jeans with the cool necklace, It was a huge reminder of who I am. I could happily replicate that look many fabrics and colors and be a happy person. Thanks so much. Your blog is delightful.

  14. Hi Lorna,
    During the election season there are always more ads…should calm down considerable tomorrow. The only way I can be here is to receive funding from those ads. I just cannot do this for free. I ask your patience and understanding with them. All forms of media are supported with ads. This is how I generate income for my family and if I do not do this, then I must go get a job somewhere else. I beg you to understand.
    Thanks.

  15. Love the look you are wearing and the fit! Very flattering. I was once told I was an autumn and I love the autumn colors. However when I wore them they did nothing for my skin coloring.
    I’m a medium/olive so any time I wore something with a green/yellow tone I looked jaundiced. My hair is almost black, dark brown eyes. I gravitate to winter colors. And I find every time I want a “new” look or piece of clothing it’s usually in the winter palate.

  16. Sounds Like you are a winter, Mary Ruth. I tried for years to be a winter and it hit me like autumn palettes hit you. Isn’t it great when we find our best colors…no matter how that happens.

  17. Pam, this is a really good post. It does make sense that once we find our right colors and style we will feel better and more comfortable with our clothes. We won’t buy more of something we don’t need.
    Question though does the person who did your color analysis do it virtually? It is interesting to read that sometimes the palette we thought we were is not right. Especially if it was done many years ago.

  18. Hi Paula, it seems most color experts have moved to in person analysis rather than online. Mine was done online and I believe it is spot on, but she has moved to in person. The one done for me years ago in person was not correct. Most large cities have women doing color in them.

  19. Pamela, I’ve liked change but less so as I’ve gotten older!! I do embrace change when concerning my wardrobe sometimes too much!! I’m working on not buying sooo often and playing with my wardrobe a bit more!! I love my style and have honed in it as of the last few years. I must learn to wear my good things on a daily basis!!!

  20. I have to say I’m very contented with my style. I have always dressed in a classic style, and that has evolved into more tailored, elegant choices in the very best quality that I can afford. I don’t follow trends, so my wardrobe makes getting ready for my day very streamlined and simple. Having a neutral skin tone gives me quite a bit of leeway with color, but I mostly depend on neutrals and add color in scarves, shoes and handbags. This meant a closet purge to eliminate tunics, oversized anything and dropped shoulders. Goodwill was the recipient of a lot of bold jewelry pieces that I bought and never wore. It feels now that I’m being true to myself, don’t need to shop as often and am content with what I have. I do have a few relaxed things for lounging at home, but they aren’t appearing outside the house! Adjectives are more refined, and definitely still working!

  21. Sounds like it is working very well, Karen! So glad to have you join in today. Hope all is well your way!

  22. That’s a great goal for all of us, Natalie…to dress for each day no matter what it holds.

  23. I thought I was a summer, but I am a dark autumn. What a difference! I should have realized when I wore out that beautiful mustard top.
    Now retired, but lost so much weight that I don’t have a style other than baggy right now. I feel so ugly. Still, business suits are unnecessary and I don’t know what to buy for gardening and tramping the hills.

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