A smug 10 minute habit to have you ‘wardrobe ready’

A smug 10 minute habit to have you ‘wardrobe ready’

By Liz Gaffer, I-Personal Styling

Do you find yourself staring at your wardrobe in the morning wondering what to wear?

Research by M&S found that women spend an average 17 minutes a day deciding what to put on (that’s an hour and a half in a work week and four days a year ).

Here is a habit with 5 clear steps that will

● leave you feeling smug

● save you time every day

● AND help you perform better in your business.

Because what we wear matters. It shapes how we believe in our own capabilities and of course how others see us.

The five steps to wardrobe smugness for your week ahead …

Step 1 put aside 10 minutes every Sunday evening (or the evening before your usual work week starts). You will need your diary and to be in front of your wardrobe.

Step 2 Look at the meetings you have coming up this week or places you will be going. Consider how you want to feel and what impression you want to make.

In particular consider any events where choosing a certain colour might help e.g. green for any situation where you might want some calm, or red or orange where you might want to inject some energy.

Now choose your clothes and put them into outfits at one end of your wardrobe.

Step 3 Put each days outfit on a hanger in order, i.e. with tomorrows first. If you need to wear something more than once in the week, just put it on the first day then move it onwards when that’s done.

Step 4 Hang your underwear with the clothes too. It’s easy to get distracted by underwear that doesn’t feel comfortable or doesn’t give the reveal you want (!). Don’t let this important detail derail your effort.

Step 5 Consider what coat you will wear. In the UK a coat is the first item someone will see when you meet them, and impressions are made within less than a second. So even if you take your coat off after you enter the building, cafe etc.. consider it as part of your whole outfit. Does the colour compliment what you are wearing and does the length work, for example.

I’m Liz, a personal stylist and a member of Cotswold Networking. For more styling insights and advice sign up to my newsletter here.