See The Change: Make A Plan

Me at the 3 Sisters showing my usual disregard for fashion when it’s hot

So now that I’ve made my big confession what do I plan to do about it? Change my wardrobe and my look.

Anyone who’s read my personal blog www.lisarutland.com will know that I’m all about visualising. I believe the more crystal clear I can be about what I’m trying to achieve the more likely I’ll be to achieve it. So before I start any project, and I’m quite the starter, the first thing I do is take a moment to really think about what it is that I want to achieve, and, more importantly, how I’ll know that I’ve achieved it.

Incidentally I’m hoping that this is part of the problem that I’ve had with my wardrobe in the first place. I’ve always just had this idea that it would develop. And to a certain degree it has, as a result of looking at so very many different pictures of women and many, many outfits. But I’ve never really sat down and planned out what it was that I wanted to achieve. Hopefully a little planning and reflection will make a big difference.

So … where to start? Simple.

WHAT’S BOTHERING ME ABOUT MY CURRENT LOOK

Ugh! I could make a list. Actually, good idea.

What’s bothering me is:

I feel my look is categorising me as a medium wage office worker (which I am, but I don’t actually want to look that way!)
I’ve been looking for a new job and I think my look, well and my size, is really hampering my chances
I have hardly anything left in my wardrobe that I actually like – I’m a constant editor so I’m always getting rid of things I feel don’t inspire me
I buy things that I like in the store but when I get them home, they don’t really go with anything else I have
When I shop I wander around looking for bargains that will fit and often … well see item number 3
My look is too plain, too understated; I’m not having any fun with it at all and dressing is a chore
I feel like I’m trying to hide all the time, or at least fade into the background
I feel frumpy
Special occasions are a nightmare that leads to frantic shopping usually the day before or even the day of
The clothes I do love wear out really quickly because I wear them so much

WHAT CHANGES DO I WANT TO MAKE?

I don’t think I’m ever going to be the sort of person who lives for clothes. That said I do want to get to the point where I can go to my closet any day, or night for that matter, and pull out an outfit that is smart, chic and totally me. Something that I will feel very comfortable in, both emotionally and physically.

I want to make more of a statement with my clothes. Actually, I want to make a different statement; one that says this woman is successful and confident and really has something to offer. I want that statement to still reflect who I am which is kinda preoccupied and vaguely messy while still being chic, user friendly and feminine.

I want to be neat and tidy, which I am now, but more cohesive in my style. I want every outfit I have to really reflect who I am, preferably in the same way, whist still having the capacity to change and evolve as I do.

I don’t want a large wardrobe but I do want each and every item to work together or at least work with a large number of other items in my closet.

I want to shop with a list and only buy impulsively if the item in question is just perfect for me and my look.

I want to be chic and stylish instead of just chucking on whatever I’ve got that will work. I want to have planned in advance so that I have the right clothing for whatever I’m doing, even if it’s only hiking in the mountains.

I want to love my clothes. Each and every one of them. I want to look and feel good all the time and look forward to dressing each morning. And I want to give up worrying if what I’m wearing is not right.

WHAT’S MY PLAN