People who look ‘put together’ might give the impression that they’re naturally better at getting ready to go out, and that their success is a result of their innate qualities. The truth, however, is that getting dressed properly is often a matter of devising and implementing the right systems, and developing the right habits.
This is good news, since it means that there’s hope for all of us. If you design your wardrobe appropriately, then the process of getting ready in the morning might swiftly become effortless.
But how might we approach this project? Let’s look at a few simple habits that might make a big difference.
[Photo by Reza Roshan]
Defining Your “Uniform”
The fewer your options, the less you’ll suffer from ‘decision fatigue’ – that is, the extent to which your willpower is eroded by the innumerable small choices you make each day.
Make sure that you understand which silhouettes work with your body, and which combinations work. Then, filter out everything that doesn’t work within your system.
Elevating Basics With Signature Accessories
You don’t have to spend a great deal to look like you’ve spent a great deal. What matters is that your money is invested in the right places. This is often a matter of accessorising. A basic t-shirt-and-jeans combination can often be elevated with the help of the right silver jewellery. This might help to imprint a sense of personal identity and glamour onto every outfit – even the very functional, everyday ones.
The Sunday “Life Admin” Hour
Keeping your wardrobe in good shape is often an ongoing effort. But if you set aside low-stress time in which to make this effort, you can get ahead of the work, and stop it from piling up. You might spend an hour each month cleaning your makeup brushes, wiping your shoes, or steaming your shirts. A Sunday evening, while you’re waiting for a batch of meals to cook, might be perfect.
Maintaining The “One Touch” Rule
If you’re constantly picking items up and setting them down, then you can easily create an exhausting chaos of junk that covers every available surface, and that makes your physical environment stressful. Adopt a cast-iron rule: if you’re holding something, you have to either deal with it or throw it in the bin. This will force you to be decisive about everything from your mail to your wardrobe decisions.
Prioritising Grooming Details
The fact is that certain aspects of the grooming process are more consequential than others. If your nails are chipped and your skin is blotchy, then it won’t matter how much lip gloss you’re wearing. Try to identify where the easy gains are to be made, and then design your grooming rituals accordingly.
