Building the Perfect Wardrobe for You: 3 Steps to Fashion Success, Regardless of Your Body Shape.

In 2021 I went back to teaching and there was a moment of panic when I looked in my closet. I had been a stay at home mom for almost a decade and really didn’t have much besides church clothes, leggings, and a collection of baggy t-shirts. I didn't even know where to begin. Plus, I had never been good at fashion stuff. I have pretty much lived off of hand-me-downs and presents and hadn’t shopped for anything besides underwear for way too long. 

So, I asked all my close friends where to start and I got the best advice ever. Now, when I coach women who are losing weight, the issue of what to wear actually comes up and I have something to say (God truly works in mysterious ways). I love getting ready for work as a teacher or to go to town (remember, I’m a farm-girl). I feel confident in what I should put over my body. Let me share with you the beautiful lessons I learned to get me here and how they can help you from your dresser drawers to your closet. 

1. Less is more
Did you know that most women really only utilize a tenth of what is in their closet? Seriously. And, I know this was definitely me in my younger years. I had plenty of clothes but there were always the go-to outfits that I wore over and over. In fact, to be honest, if you leave the house five times a week you really only probably wear about fifteen outfits a month or less because you're cycling through your favorites over and over. 

Having too many clothes in your closet is expensive. First, with so many outfits we often lose track of what we own and buy things we didn’t actually need. Second, there is a cost of time when we look through so many options and just can’t make a choice. It is just like when you get on your favorite streaming service to watch something but can’t figure out what to put on. The last thing you need is analysis paralysis. A limited number of tasteful and in-season items that fit well is really all that most people use or need. Lastly, it is expensive when it comes to space. Our houses don’t have unlimited areas to store and keep all out worldly possessions.

I have found that weeding through my closet and my daughters’ closets twice a year is essential. When the weather changes in March and September I will weed out what doesn’t fit or isn’t being worn due to style choice or comfort, and I’ll store anything that is out of season. 

By the way, if you are losing weight and need to buy new outfits, get on Google or Pinterest and search “Capsule Wardrobes”. There are some really smart savvy people out there who can make like 50 different outfits from just a handful of clothes items that look beautiful and amazing. This is a great option for the women I work with who are hoping to only be in a size briefly as they continue to lose weight. 

2. Texture Matters
Why in the world would we willingly put something on our bodies so that we can scratch for the next ten hours or go home with a welt down our side from a pinching seam? Texture really matters. Discomfort is distracting, stressful, and just plain unkind. I have a one-time toss rule. If I wear something that makes me uncomfortable then I take it off at the end of the day and immediately place it in my donation box in my closet. I have other things I can wear. 

I’ve noticed that the discomfort from clothes that don’t fit us right or have an unpleasant texture, also can make us feel less confident in ourselves. It is a subconscious reaction, that something isn’t right. We already have too much going on in our busy lives to deal with this, too. When I shop, I take into account the way things feel. If I even get one icky reaction to a clothing item after having it on my body for a minute, I’m done. I’ve never worn anything that felt better the more I wore it. 

And, while we are on the subject of textures it is so important to mention underwear. Our bras, underwear, and socks play a huge role in how we feel and how our shoes and clothes fit. It is definitely worth investing in items that fit you correctly and can be worn all day. After all, those are the items on clothes we keep right next to our skin. 

3. Accent
The next advice I’ve heard on podcasts and from watching influencers on Instagram and Pinterest: Accent your outfits and your body but do not go overboard. Accents are the part you can have fun with. For example, a simple belt around the waist on a flowy dress accents your shape without requiring the rest of the outfit to be glued to your body. Some fun earrings will bring the eyes of others to your smiling face. And, this might sound counter-intuitive, you actually appear smaller when you are not wearing tight clothing from your neck to your ankles. You might choose one item that is shape fitting, but not the whole thing. As my mom always said, “Lora, it helps to leave some things to the imagination.” 

Those are the three tips: Less is more, texture matters, and Use Accents. Your body is a beautiful gift, made to be honored. After all, God designed it to get us through this time here on earth, housing our beautiful soul and God’s spirit. 

So, are you ready to get dressed? One last hack that works for me: I pick out all my outfits for the week on Sunday morning. I pick them out and hang them in the front section of my closet. I even look forward to it, as if I am making art. Then, I promise to stick to it unless I spill coffee on my outfit before leaving the house. It takes all the drama out of it and saves me tons of time each morning during the week. 

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