I remember visiting – not long after it opened – what was to become one of my favourite boutiques.
It’s a boutique that is small in size but big in ideas and just perfectly suited to women needing a day-to-day wardrobe to match a relaxed lifestyle.
What I loved on that first visit was the advice they gave to anyone who came in store browsing for pieces to buy.
They said, “let’s play”.
This was some time before I started taking women shopping but it was something that stuck with me and helped me guide those subsequent 150-plus women on their style journey.
You see, buying new clothes SHOULD be about playing.
It should be about having fun and trying on things that you normally wouldn’t grab from the racks.
Just because.
Just because you’re already stripped down and in the change room.
Just because it’s really impossible to tell how a garment will look on you without trying it on first.
Just because if you keep buying exactly the same things then it’s a one-way ticket to Rutsville.
And since we’re trying to get out of Rutsville, then we need to play, don’t we?
Yesterday when I talked about making a shopping appointment with yourself, a big part of that time allocation needed to be devoted to change room play.
The more quality time you spend in the change room, the better you get at sensing when a garment is right for you.
It’s more than understanding your body shape and what fits and flatters you (see below for pointers on that).
You need to get skilled at recognising that spark in your eyes when you try on something that feels and looks great.
Because … if you don’t love that garment in the change room, then there is no way that you’re going to love it when you get home.
And you have to LOVE it. You do.
No, umming and ahhing.
Remember, we only allow clothes that make us feel fabulous into our wardrobes – and our lives.
Don’t settle for anything less.
Body shape
Ever since Trinny & Susannah burst onto our small screens all those years ago, we’ve become a little obsessed with analysing and understanding our body shape.
This is a good thing – to a certain extent – but it can also be limiting.
The reason I find it limiting is that even if, like Trinny and Susannah, 12 possible body shapes are offered, it is rare that you will fall into one shape category.
(For a simple body shape calculator, punch in your measurements to Westfield’s)
Most people – myself included – are a hybrid of two or more.
When we get fixated on pigeonholing our bodies into one particular shape, you can find yourself becoming more and more confused about what clothes you should be wearing, which can lead to frustration and “settling” on purchases.
In my opinion, you are better off learning to recognise and accept the bits of you like to flaunt and playing with clothes that do just that.
That’s where confidence in clothes buying comes from.
And that’s where your confidence in how you wear those clothes can grow.
Online shopping
Obviously, applying the above to online shopping is not as easy but a certain degree of playing is still possible.
Don’t be afraid to contact sites direct for help in choosing a garment you otherwise wouldn’t normally do so. Good online retailers will be happy to talk to you about this and guide you via email or phone.
Check on return policies – and buy in the knowledge that you’re happy to return if that spark is not there when you try on at home.
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Style work
If you think you’re about to “settle” for a clothes purchase, talk yourself through this little visualisation process and mantra:
(cue woowoo-Oprah background music here)
I’m in one change room.
I’m in one store.
I’m in one shopping centre.
I’m in one town/city.
Think just how much choice is out there – beyond where I am now.
The right garment is out there waiting for me.
I just need to keep looking.
How are you in the change room? Are you good at recognising what works for you? Do you experiment and try on things you normally wouldn’t?
PS. Don’t forget if you want to share any of your progress along the way via photos, you can upload them in the comments or share via Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #unlockyourstyle and make sure you tag me so I can find it (@stylingyou). Facebook uploads to my page are welcome too.
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** The Styling You Holiday Style Camp {Unlock Your Style in 14 Days} is based on the Styling You Manifesto. If you don’t have your own, you can download it here. I’ll also be giving away a proper printed Styling You Manifesto from The Smile Collective every day to the reader who catches my eye with their comments and participation.
Unlock Your Style in 14 Days (Day 4 manifesto winner): Stephanie Green. Stephanie, could you please email me your postal address: nikki@stylingyou.com.au
