When we were all forced to work from home for 2 years, everyone started asking themselves, “What’s the point of getting dressed??? Who cares how I show up???” We all began to adopt a loungewear look. ALL THE FREAKING TIME. It became our go-to uniform.

The sales of tees and leggings sky and pyjama wear rocketed into the BILLIONS of dollars.

Sales of dresses, heels, and skirts, on the other hand, PLUMMETED.

Now that businesses have opened up again and we are on the other side of that worldwide shift, the tide is

beginning to change course again. It’s about to turn into an enormous tidal wave as the newest trend for 2024

is now…

In other words, think blazers, knee-length skirts, and classic pullovers in high-quality, natural fabrics — without wearing flashy labels or looking trendy.

A look that is timeless, elegant and exudes success. It’s about dressing like you’ve ARRIVED.

You might say, “Oh, I’m not about following trends. I just wear what I love!” Or, “I’m never going to wear that! It’s too fancy for my liking!”

I get it. I’ve said the same thing. Over and over again in my lifetime. For decades. And so have countless other women. We all say that we’re never going to cave in and buy into the latest trends.

But you know what? We eventually do. We always do.

Why? Because that’s the only look that’s featured in the stores. And when everyone else starts adopting the same look, we realize that we’re now the only ones who feel silly still hanging onto what’s been deemed, “an outdated style.”

What’s the reason why we do this?

That famous line from Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” is a real giveaway of the fact that we don’t always have a choice…

(Trigger warning..this famous scene might make you feel a wee bit uncomfortable)

“It’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.”

There it is…the truth hidden in plain sight.

Do you adopt this trend or choose to stay the same? That being said, if you want to dress in athleisurewear, I’ll celebrate that. If you’re ready to adopt a new way of dressing, I celebrate that, too. We should all have the freedom to wear what we love.

The trouble is, if you’re ready to make a change, and you’ve lived in loungewear and sweatpants for any length of time, changing into a new set of clothes requires a complete shift in your identity and your habits, not to mention a whole new mindset.

Let’s face it, when you’re dressing down, you’re showing up in ways that are cosy, comfortable, and casual. You’re so chill, that you could curl up on the couch with a bag of chips and watch Netflix all day.

On the other hand, when you’re dressing up in a new style such as high-quality jackets and skirts or trousers ensembles, you’re forced to step it up to show up.  (When I’m wearing my cashmere, the last thing I want to do is eat something like a hot fudge sundae and spill chocolate sauce all over my sweater!)

When you dress like that woman who has arrived, you need new reasons for getting dressed. This is where your High-Value Woman comes into play.  Dressing in your version of an Old Money style, let’s say, requires a new set of questions.  Instead of asking, “What’s the point of getting dressed up?” Ask yourself, “Who is my High-Value Woman? What dreams is she ready to step into? Why is she now commanding respect? For what reasons? And from whom? Where are these clothes taking her? To what levels?

This is where the adventure begins.  That is the adventure of discovering what you are communicating with your presence without even saying a word. Because clothing amplifies your presence. But first, it’s important to break some fashion commandments that keep you stuck in a style that isn’t serving you.

Have a look at others in the series including the article on Confidence & Image

 

Annie Den Haan
Annie is a Self-Expression Stylist who empowers career and businesswomen 50+ to find their SuperHero Cape so they can embody their Truest Selves with a style to match.

If you want to know how to Find Your SuperHero Cape Having to Renew Your Whole Wardrobe, click here: https://calendly.com/superherocapessession/30
Or send Annie  an email at: [email protected]