I was thinking about Mindfulness and ways we can be more Mindful in our everyday life. As I was looking in my wardrobe, I wondered if that was actually being a mindful moment?
I asked Christine Blundell from My Private Stylist & Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond’s Fashion Editor her opinion and she agreed that we can Dress Mindfully. So I tasked Christine to give us some ideas on how we can dress more mindfully each day. I hadn’t even thought of some of the tips she has given us in this post!
Don’t miss Christine’s special offer for you, Sizzlers!
What is Dressing Mindfully?
In this month of #MakingMarchMeaningful, let’s discuss what it means to dress mindfully.
I believe mindful dressing is about dressing with intention, thinking about what we wear, the style, the colour and how it expresses who we are to the world.
When you dress for the day, whether it be for work, leisure or a special occasion, do you consciously think about what you will wear and why? Most of us think a lot about choosing an outfit for a special event, but not about our day to day wardrobe.
6 Ways to Dress Mindfully
Style
Do you know what styles suit your body shape?
Not all styles suit all body shapes. We may absolutely love a particular style or current fashion trend, but finding out those suited to your own unique shape that is flattering and you feel good in saves money on purchasing clothing that we end up not wearing because it doesn’t look good on us.
If you would like to discover the styles that suit your own unique body shape from the comfort of your home, I have an online My Private Stylist Program that you can complete that will give you detailed, illustrated recommendations personalised to you.
Take advantage of my special offer for the price of $69, normally $89 until April 15th.
Go to My Private Stylist and Use the code MINDFUL
Colour
Do you know what colours you look best in?
Knowing which colours are most flattering to your hair, skin and eyes, those that bring you alive makes all the difference to how we feel, whereas the wrong colours can cause us to look drawn, tired or unweIl, prompting people to sometimes ask if we are feeling okay.
If we look good, we feel good.
Contact an Image Consultant in your area to discover the amazing colours that bring you alive. Go to Image Innovators and click on Consultant Directory
Expressing Our Personality
Do your clothes express to those around you who you are on the inside?
Our clothing is the only way we can give someone a first impression without words. What message would you like to send to others? Are you a creative
Dramatic? Classic? Elegant? Natural? Knowing our clothing personality can save wasted money on clothing that we don’t feel right in because it doesn’t suit our personality eg, buying a tailored shirt that makes us feel restricted when we are more of a natural person.
Take the Style Personality quiz here
Your Style Expression
Ethical Clothing
If you knew that the gorgeous dress you just bought was made by women who are paid well below what they can afford to live on, in conditions that are oppressive with fabrics and chemicals that are a hazard to the environment- would you still have bought it?
We live in a time of “fast fashion”, where we can buy clothes very cheaply, but are often unaware of the conditions in which they were produced. That is not to say that all cheap clothes are produced in less than ideal conditions, but perhaps we all should be more aware of not only how they are produced but also the fabric used as well as not buying something only to be worn a few times and thrown out, causing environmental damage with mountains of unwanted clothing needing to be destroyed.
According to McKinseys State of fashion report last year, more than half of fast fashion items are thrown away in less than 1 year.
I recently read about one company who takes unwanted clothing and remakes it into other garments. We can shop mindfully by supporting brands that are striving for a more ethical approach.
I have only just started looking at ethical clothing and have much to learn, but here are the names of some of the Ethical Clothing brands I have found:
Elk, Organic Crew, Biome, Everlane, Vege Threads, Velvety.
Pre-Loved Clothing
In theses times of financial struggles many are shopping at Charity Shops, where there can be some great finds. I know of several people who want to live sustainably and choose not to buy new but shop for all their clothes at these shops, which also assists the charities.
Another trend becoming popular is clothing swaps, which can be organised amongst friends or an organisation.
Investment Pieces
Consider investing in classic, high quality garment pieces. These will be timeless garments that you will be able to use as wardrobe basics. Instead of buying more clothes at a cheaper price point and quality, buy less but invest more and think of cost per wear over a number of years.
Some Australian labels that also produce ethical clothing are:
Cue, Veducci, Perri Cutten, Anthea Crawford.
If you would like to calculate cost per wear of garments go to:
http://www.myprivatestylist.com/garment-cost/
What steps could you implement to dress more mindfully, not only in March, but each day?
39 Comments
I love this idea of dressing mindfully. Many women I talk to consider clothing and style as fluff. But presenting it this way puts it all into perspective.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hi Jodie, yes it was a different approach to Fashion and one that not many of us really think about. Glad you liked it! Have a fabulous week. xx
Hi Jodie, yes I agree with you that many women do see style and clothing as fluff and don’t really get that it is so much more!
Christine x
Sue – you never cease to amaze me. I’m often tempted to ‘skip’ posts that have to do with fashion as I’m not very fashion concerned – yet I found something to ponder here. The idea of “ethical clothing” is important to me and it is sometimes so difficult to find out. I know my daughter dissuades me from shopping at GAP (which is one of the few places that I can find 100% cotton shirts at a decent price) because they ‘test’ on animals. And what a great turn of phrase ‘previously loved’. I’ve spent most of my life in hand-me-down and second-hand clothes – either from necessity or choice. Of course, having spent my 18-31 years in a religious habit has certainly impacted my relationship to clothes – but my current ‘go-to’ garment is a grey hoodie that represents my small attempt to be always mindful of the issue of police brutality towards young black men in solidarity with my husband and children. Clothes can speak volumes. Pardon my ramblings, but I’m feeling this may be the seeds of a future blog post of my own. Thanks for a surprisingly thought-provoking post.
Well I’m very happy you didn’t skip this post Janet as you may have found some ideas for your blog posts. I actually thought of the idea when I was wondering what to wear one day. I discussed it with Christine and she came up with this great post including ideas I hadn’t even thought about. I love it when a post comes together and is a surprise! Have a great week. xx
Hi Janet, I agree clothes can definitely speak volumes- both positive and negative and sometimes we don’t realise the message we are sending others. It’s great that this post has sowed the seeds of putting one together for your blog!
Christine
Hi Sue,
I like to think that I am dressing “mindfully”…I downsized my wardrobe severely when I retired from teaching, and even a bit before that. I only buy things that fit me well and that I enjoy wearing. I tend towards classic pieces, jeans, and neutral colors. My wardrobe, while not exactly minimalist, certainly tends in that direction. And I bought a couple of pieces prior to our trip to Costa Rica, but do not regularly shop.
And most of my pieces work with others. Ethical shopping also has to do with buying minimally and donating when you are done.
Hi Nancy, yes my wardrobe has certainly changed since I retired and I have downsized my wardrobe. I like classics as well because they never date and if you buy good quality they last for ages. You can always change the look with a scarf or jewellery. I agree with your thoughts on Ethical shopping and donating. Hubby and I are doing that this week as we prepare to move. It is a great time to take stock of what we want and give away what others can use. Have a lovely week, Nancy. xx
Hi Nancy, it sounds like you are definitely well on the ethical shopping lifestyle. Minimal wardrobe and donating are great ways of doing this and living sustainably. Well done!
Christine x
Hi Sue – I like the idea of dressing mindfully. Thank you and Christine for sharing ways to do so. In my province most textiles are recyclable so I donate, recycle, or wear what I have to their end of life. #lifethisweek
Hi Natalie, I think Christine did a great job with the topic I gave her and I must admit I don’t think enough about the ethical side of clothing and manufacturing. Christine reminded me of that. I have certainly changed my wardrobe since retiring and am happy with the minimalist approach. Have a great week, Natalie! xx
Hi Natalie, I think we all, myself included, tend to sometimes get in a rut and not be mindful about how we dress or how we contribute to the environmental issues are experiencing, but it sounds like you have some great ways of repurposing your clothing.
Christine x
Hi, Sue and Christine – I love these tips on dressing mindfully. I recently had a pile of my clothes spread out on the spare bed — which looked like a mini sea of pink, white and soft grey. My husband made a smart comment about my ‘consistency’. I completely agree with you on knowing what colours work best for skin tone (and personality)!
Hi Donna, I am so pleased you enjoyed the post and had a chuckle about the sea of pink, white and soft grey! Lovely colours together!
Christine x
I love colour Sue, it’s my overriding factor when looking at what to wear. So many women over a certain age resort to neutrals and black/white combos which can be good but not all the time. I don’t enjoy clothes shopping quite as much as I used to and I seem to have more than enough clothes for the moment but it’s good to keep abreast of what’s happening in the shops. Great ideas here!
I love colour too Deb and probably because I usually wore black or grey ‘corporate’ colours to work. I love bright colours and am increasing them in my wardrobe. I’m not a shopper and I’ve really started to decrease the number of clothes I have. I don’t need many and no good having a wardrobe full of clothes which aren’t used when they could be used by others in need. x
Hi Debbie, I love colour too and it’s amazing what the right colours for our skin, hair and eye colours can do to bring us alive.
Christine x
I like the idea of dressing mindfully Sue & Christine, and I think I do but I don’t think I’ve given enough thought to dressing ethically … and I’d like to! I don’t like the idea of walking around in a garment that someone has worked in less than desirable conditions to create for example. I think over time I’ve worked out what styles suit my body type and personality and what doesn’t and I try to stick with what I know works and makes me feel good. xo
I haven’t really given thought to dressing ethically either Min. I do have a friend who is very mindful though. Perhaps now that I’m decluttering my wardrobe I will be more aware of where clothes are made when I go to buy new ones. I don’t need as many now that I’m not working and find I’m in casual clothes most of the time.
Hi Min, I also had not given too much thought about the conditions of those who make my clothes have to work in as I am always budget conscious. It wasn’t until I started delving into it that I became so much more aware .
Christine x
Some really great tips here Christine and Sue. I think we’re all becoming more mindful of the waste of throwing clothing out that becomes giant piles of landfill. I’m not a big purchaser of clothes and I have many pieces that date back for a decade or more. I know what clothes and colours I like and I’m a big fan of mix and match to get the most out of my wardrobe. I don’t own any expensive statement pieces because I just don’t have anywhere to wear them these days – so that’s a saving!
I’m like you Leanne I mix and max and I’m really cutting back on the clothes that I have. I tend to wear the same ones until they wear out and no I don’t have the need for expensive pieces either. I should try to be a bit more mindful of the ethical side of where clothes come from so Christine made me think about that one. Have a great week. xx
Hi Leanne, mixing and matching is a great way to dress mindfully and it certainly saves money when we shop in our own wardrobe!
Christine x
I’d like to say I dress mindfully, but really I just dress in what’s clean and what fits! That said, I try to buy clothes mindfully, choosing pieces that I look good and feel good. I recently watched the documentary The True Cost and it’s really got me thinking about my buying choices. I’d like to think I’m a better informed and more conscious consumer 🙂
Hi Sammie, I think we are all becoming more aware when purchasing not just clothes but most things in life.
Hi Sammie, that is a good point about buying what looks and feels good as it makes such a difference. I have seen the trailer and the story behind the making of True Cost, but must watch the film. The little I did see was certainly an eye opener!
Christine
Hi Sammie, the documentary you mention sounds very interesting. I don’t give enough thought to the ethical side of dressing and aim to be more mindful as a consumer in future. I don’t need as many clothes now that I have retired.x
I like to think I pay attention to what I wear when i go out, but more so to support sustainability and other important ethical issues. Seriously though, I want to appear dressed for the occasion, even just a run to the store! I hate to see people slopping around in their pajama bottoms and slippers! Ewww, those slippers are coming back into the house?? I know I feel better when i am dressed appropriately and I had my colors done back in the early 80s as a gift from family when I graduated from college. I still adhere to the schemes today although I am known to throw in some orange and bright pink for fun–after all I am sizzling toward 60 too 🙂 Thanks for posting on something about fashion, I think all aspects of our lives are important to ponder and improve!
Hi Terri, I appreciate you enjoying the fashion post. Sometimes it is difficult to know what my readers want but I thought this tied in well with my theme of #MakingMarchMeaningful. I’ve had my colours done and it was pretty close to what I normally choose. I am guilty of not being more thoughtful of the ethical and sustainability issues but Christine has really given me something to think about next time I make a purchase. Yes we are all still Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond! Have a great weekend. x
Hi Terri, I am so pleased you enjoyed the post and like you I can’t stand seeing people slopping around in shops with their slipper and what looks like pjs still on! It only takes a few minutes to look presentable. And does so much more for our mental wellbeing.
Christine x
Sue
Thank you for extending mindfulness into our wardrobes. It is so easy to become a mindless consumer of fashion. This post has made me more rational about my wardrobe! Better for the planet and better for my wallet!
SSG xxx
Hi SSG, it was a light bulb moment standing at my wardrobe and then Christine nailed the idea perfectly in her post. I certainly learned that I’m not as aware of the ethical side as I should be but will endeavour to be more mindful with my next purchase. Have a great weekend, SSG xx
Hi SSG, it certainly makes us think about mindless buying and throwing out our clothing doesn’t it.? Something we all need to be more aware of.
Christine x
Great post and I believe now after reading this that I have been dressing mindfully! From my starting to dress with purpose to then adding accessories and shoes and bags, along with a variety of clothes (I know, I have to stop buying and I have really) means that I have been doing this naturally. Great reminder though about not just throwing on the first thing you grab each morning!
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week’s optional prompt is 12/51 Memories I’d Like To Re-Capture. Denyse
Hi Denyse, I’ve seen you evolve with your dressing and I think it brings confidence as well. I always look forward to the photos of what you are wearing each day. xx
Hi Denyse it certainly sounds like you have the right idea and from the photos you post I agree! You always look amazing!
Christine x
Enjoyed taking the style personality quiz and was pleasantly surprised at the results. Almost at two extremes, classic and creative. I spent some time looking at the designers suggested by my results and pinned some clothes on a Pinterest board called Defining My Personal Style.
Hi Leslie, I think it is interesting taking these types of quizzes to see if we would predict the same result. Thank you for sharing and pinning and glad you enjoyed the post. xx
Hi Leslie, I’m so pleased you took the Style quiz and found it helpful. A great idea to pin the looks you love.
Christine x