Where do I shop now that I'm over 40?
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I can’t tell you the number of times a week I have this conversation, and it’s even more of a relevant question now that we have less choice on the High Street. There is no single, easy answer to this question nor indeed a list of shops you are no longer allowed to enter - nor shops that you now must go in. It’s not even about your body shape or size and who caters well for that (although there are undeniably some issues for smaller and larger size availability).
However, you need to reframe the question.
You need to make this all about you and not the retailers! You need to do some self reflection before you step into another shop! Here’s some questions you need to ask yourself:
What styles do I admire?
This can be a simple question of style icons or people you know who always look put together to you. Take a look at Pinterest or start a mood board and really begin to observe what you are drawn to. Have a think about things you really dislike too - maybe you hate tight shiny leather trousers or paisley. Maybe you hate frilly florals or the colour navy. Think about colours, patterns, textures and fabrics. Of course, think about things you love to, but sometimes the visceral hatred towards things really helps give you a starting point. Make a note or journal over some of these things. Great style starts inside your head, not the shops.
How do I want to portray myself?
The above exercise should start to give you an insight into what style personalities you might be (don’t worry, nobody needs to just be in one category). Maybe you love a classic or minimalist look, maybe. a floaty, frilly, feminine romantic look. Or are you a dramatic, creative maximalist? Maybe you just like what your favourite influencer wears - there’s nothing wrong with this, but rather than just produce a carbon copy and buy everything that influencer buys (I’ve been there), remember that they are sent lots of clothes or paid to advertise. It’s worth looking back at your favourite influencer and seeing what they wear on repeat - rather than just the one pretty top or dress.
What is my lifestyle?
Reality check time - you may love the Meghan Markle in Suits look, but if you live in the country with children, dogs, horses and chickens… you either need to move back to the city or accept the fact that your ideal look needs to be made more suitable for your lifestyle (it’s ok, in one episode she wore jeans and a t-shirt).
What do I wear over and over again?
Start observing what you reach for day after day and make a note of it or take a quick selfie. It’s good to note your favourite items and mark these things as potentially something to invest a little more in next time you have to replace them. Doing this also helps you get out of a style rut? There’s something about observing what you wear that makes you want to wear more of what’s in your wardrobe. Do this for a couple of weeks, if not a month.
What am I not wearing in my wardrobe and why?
You can then see what you’re not wearing and can ask why? It might not fit or be flattering. It might just be that it’s worn out or you wore it a lot a few years ago and you’ve moved on. Sometimes there are things with the labels still on. Very often these items were purchased for your imaginary life. Often in the sale. “I can see myself wearing this the next time I go out in London.” Then you don’t go out in London and when you do, you don’t wear the thing you bought for that very purpose - the moment has passed for that item and it needs to go.
What gaps are in my wardrobe?
Once you’ve had a look at all of these things, you can start to build a shopping list of the items that are missing - the things that will make your wardrobe more wearable and the things that will make you look more like you and the styles you admire.
Shop for the gaps
And now that you have a shopping list, you can shop for the gaps only! Easy! Or is it? I think this is where are Wardrobe Workout comes into its own, so that you’ve taken a really good strategic look at your style and where you want to take it. and not be bogged down in the question of which shops you can go to.
Once you have your shopping list, no shops are off limits. Be open minded about all the shops on the High Street - the last time you went in, they might have been having an off season or a season full of the wrong colours. and remember that with your carefully honed shopping list, you’re only looking for those items And the shop itself becomes less relevant. Saying that, sometimes I know when a shop is right for a particular client when I walk in - but sometimes it’s only for that season.
And if that doesn’t give you the answer you’re looking for, then email me and I’ll send you my list of my favourite retailers.
