Cleaning the clutter: Clothes

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Today's daily dose: Cleaning the Clutter: Clothes
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Do you wear the same clothes, styles and colours all the time? Is it because they look good on you, or you just can’t be bothered to find anything else?

Clothes are an excellent indicator of your current state of mind. The image that you portray to the outside world can mask what you are really feeling, but on the whole, your outer state is a direct reflection of your inner being. Now there are days when I can wear a black bin liner (and I have) and looked awesome, and other days have worn designer outfits and looked a complete mess. And it comes down to my state of mind more often than the quality of the clothes I happen to have put on that day. But here is the thing.

Do you wear the same clothes week after week? You may have a wardrobe full of clothes but few fit you and those that do fit don’t exactly inspire you. You know you’re in a rut when you wear the same kinds of clothes, the same styles, same colours regardless of where you are going and what you are doing. If you consider that you are a Director of First Impressions, what does your image say about you at the moment? Are you always immaculately dressed and groomed? Is you hair washed, brushed and trimmed or did you get up so late this morning you look as crumpled as you feel?
 
Now there are a couple of things I need you to do for me. I need you to go and have a good look at the clothes you wear. Go through everything from your socks and underwear drawers to the suits, ties and Little Black Dresses you have hanging up or thrown on the floor.

When was the last time you replaced any of it? Now a good quality suit/dress will last you years – assuming they still fit. So a good way to tell is to put them on. Go through your entire wardrobe and start trying them on. If you don’t feel comfortable in something – then put it to one side. There are a whole slew of second hand clothing shops that are begging for new stock.

Now what about colours? Is your wardrobe made up of the same colours – mine is - Black and Navy with the odd splash of colour in Jackets and Shirts. Why do I wear mainly black and navy? Actually there are many reasons, but the main one is - black never goes out of fashion AND is a slimming colour. Light and tight means you can see what you had for breakfast - and more often than not, that is not a good thing.

But if you can’t really decide whether you need to throw something away – then you need to be a bit more critical – are the collars and cuffs frayed? Are the colours faded, and when did you last wear it? If you haven't worn something in the last couple of years - chances are going to be good you won't wear in the next couple either. So clear the clutter and make space for the clothes you do wear.

With many thoughts
Elle