Friday 31 December 2010

A New Year, A New You


So, this is the time of year that is traditionally “out with the old” and “in with the new” and this applies no less so than to ourselves......no not just those annoying habits we promise we will break in the new year that is dawning, or those extra pounds we have piled on over the festive period, but also to our wardrobes and in turn, the way we present ourselves to the world at large.

If that item of clothing was bought in last year’s sales and you still haven’t worn it yet...believe me...you won’t. Saving it for just the right occasion....who are you kidding...no one but yourselves!  Admit it, it was an impulse buy...it was cheap.....and  there was probably a good reason it was in the sale in the first place i.e very few people will ever look good in it.  Charity sack at the ready....first items go in.
 Now look closely at those items you’re saving for the day “they fit again” or the day after you have religiously gone to the gym for six months and are now body beautiful and all these clothes you have been saving suddenly make you look like a goddess....ladies I hate to disappoint.....but it is unlikely this is going to happen.  But say it did...you are now just the right size for these solitary items of clothing in your wardrobe....who have been waiting for just this day.......chances are though.....they will no longer suit you and your new “to die for” body shape and if you have been harbouring them for many years....they probably no longer even go with your skin tone or hair colour and their fashion heyday has long ago disappeared from the fashion pages of those coveted women’s magazines.  Charity sack at the ready......second items go in.
Okay now give yourself an approving pat on the back...as hard as this is, you’re doing well.  Now for all those items of clothing that are lurking in the dark corners of the wardrobe and which haven’t seen daylight for at least six months, let alone been worn. Time for a reality check here....why haven’t you worn them? If they fall into either of the above two categories...they should already be in that Charity sack and if there not, pull yourself together and grab those hangers and get them deposited without a second thought.  For the remainder, consider, why haven’t I worn them...possibly they never did suit you in the first place...but hey they cost a lot of money.....no, straight in the sack...and console yourself with the thought you are donating them to charity.  Other items.....possibly they no longer fit and flatter your ever changing body shape, skin tones or hair colour....in the charity sack and also remember fashions change and for some of those more exotic items.....they are unlikely to good on you now in the current fashion climate.  Any remaining items?  Old favourites? Let’s face it they probably have  buttons missing, are frayed and faded and are no longer your fashion statement items – they are clogging up space and are no longer your best friends...do yourself a favour.......charity sack.  And if any items remain in this category that you love, suit you and you can’t bear to throw out.....well now you can see them because you have already created some space in this wardrobe......then start wearing them!
Anything unworn any longer than six months ago needs no discussion does it....be ruthless, liberate yourself.......put them in that charity sack this minute.
Now you have space to treat yourself to some wonderful new purchases.....you can go shopping and this time of year is ideal with all the sales around......but there are rules...you mustn’t buy just because it’s been reduced...remember what we said earlier...with a lot of items there is a reason it’s in the sale and sometimes that’s because there are only a few women who can pull off this particular item of clothing...and sadly...it may not be you.  Take stock of what clothing you have remaining in your wardrobe...co-ordinate and try things on, or if you buy on line and when that shiny box arrives full of goodies, try them on and if they don’t look good.....send them back and don’t hide them in the recesses of your wardrobe for next year’s de-cluttering session.  Be bold and be brave with colour, shape and line but be clear what suits you now...not six years ago and not after you have that body beautiful you are going to get by punishing yourself at the gym. Fashion should be fun but more than anything, the clothes that you wear should make a statement about you as a person, and enhance the way you look, should make you stand out from the crowd and make you feel fabulous, feminine and flatter your body – everyone of you deserves to feel like this, no matter what your age or your body shape.......so come on ladies...let’s go to work on creating that fabulous new you for this fabulous new year ahead of us.