Clare Maxfield

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Oct 20 2018

Stop making the wrong clothing choices

How to make the right clothing choices

Not having anything to wear boils down to not having a supportive wardrobe for your lifestyle. Who else struggles with looking in your wardrobe and thinking… “Nothing feels right’ or ‘Nothing suits me’ or ‘I hate my clothes!’ Many people find that their clothing choices are often fraught with disaster and as such avoid shopping, or leave it up to someone else and never feel comfortable in what they wear.

If you pick up something which does not resonate with what you truly like or want in life, then it will forever remain an orphan. A piece in your wardrobe which goes with nothing else, a piece of clothing that fills you with buyers remorse. A constant reminder that you wasted your money. It does not fit in with your personal values.

Values are those core-beliefs that frame our world. They motivate us to act in a particular way and can be an indicator of our behaviour and the way we will make decisions. We learn our values through exposure to our culture, social groupings, family and friends, and also from the information that is presented to us by the media in all its forms. When you prioritise values you can form a hierarchy of the values that are most important to you. Our values often conflict with each other e.g. a career woman must prioritise her values between caring for her family and wanting to achieve success in the workplace. Values conflicts occur throughout society, within families, organisations, companies and governments.

Image Master Judith Rasband maintains that values may also conflict with or take priority over personality traits and personal style.

Research has established that generally, your clothing choices and values are consistent with your everyday life values, meaning that the same of the hierarchy of values that direct, inspire or drive your choices in life may also affect your clothing choices. To become aware of the values that are important to you means that you will better choose, clothing that reflects those values.

‘A Study of Values’ was a 1960 study reported by Gordon W. Allport, Philip E. Vernon, and Gardner Lindzey, where they discussed research carried out by psychologist Eduard Spranger. This study identified six dominant values types or orientations as general guides to help in understanding people and their clothing choices. This study showed that there was a hierarchy in these choices which corresponded to their values hierarchy. Spranger’s six value types include; Economic, Aesthetic, Political, Social, Religious, and Theoretical.

A.M. Creekmore (1963) used the six to develop measures of clothing values, adding two more types of values that relate well to clothing; Sensory and Exploratory. Judith Rasband used these value types and translated them into clothing values. After working with hundreds of clients I needed to expand the 8 even further. I have reworked and expanded these 8 types to 12 types which are:

  1. Aesthetic
  2. Conceptual
  3. Creative
  4. Economic
  5. Influential
  6. Modesty   
  7. Sensory
  8. Simplicity
  9. Social
  10. Status
  11. Theoretical
  12. Versatile

If you plan to understand yourself better you must understand why you make the clothing choices you do about to be able to understand what you saying and how. Identifying values types, particularly the 12 mentioned in the study above, will guide your understanding of yourself and other people.

In an earlier post, I have outlined and explained the various clothing personalities that we can reflect. When you put the two together you get a really clear impression of who you are, what you like and what you need. For me, when I am consulting with a client at this stage, my greatest dilemma is if the shop will have this person’s size? As I know now what will make their mind and body look and feel great.

So let’s look at each value individually. Do the quiz to discover your values

Aesthetic 

You love the beauty of design and harmony.  You are expressive and this is revealed in your clothing choices.  You focus on beautiful clothing and wonderful styles, colours, textures and patterns:  On its own cost is not an issue.  The message you send out is that beauty and total harmony is the most important. you will be recognised for your harmonious, elegant, well designed and colourful garments. Be cautious as you may overlook construction in your clothing in favour of beauty. You will enjoy shopping and delight in finding something that looks gorgeous in your eyes.

Conceptual 

You are reflective in your values. Generally speaking, you pay no attention to clothing and are interested in other topics such as world peace, politics and social injustices are much more important.  Clothes do not matter and you tend to wear anything just to cover up.  The intellectual mind is your focus and you feel that clothing and those who are interested in fashion are superficial. You can be quick to criticise anyone who shows an interest in fashion over current local and world affairs.

Creative 

You are individual, artistic, creative and like to think outside the square.  You focus on the unique or unusual and will explore options and experiment in your dress.  You like wearable art because creativity is very important. People will recognise this value because you want to add your own touch of flair to an outfit. You wear an unusual mix of colours and textures in a unique combination of styles using hand woven or hand printed designs. You hate shopping centres and the usual stores that everyone shops at. You will have your favourites tucked away in strip shops as opposed to wearing or buying anything mass produced.

Economical 

You are practical and frugal with money as well as your time, space and energy.  You like things to be functional, useful and do not want anything wasted. Your focus is on bargains and sales, you want the very best for the least cost and like to comparative shop.  It is important for you to buy clothes that last a long time and conserve the environment. You want to know that what you buy will have longevity so you may prefer more classic styles. You will buy clothing that is versatile so capsule wardrobes will be important to you and you want to know that it is durable. Cheap clothing may not necessarily impress you if it does not wash and wear well.

Influential 

Influential people are into power, authority and leadership.  Your influence is important to you and you dress to enhance your credibility.  Your focus is on dressing to influence and influence others. The message you send is that your appearance and image is of the highest importance.  Your appearance is sophisticated and understated. Many can see this as a negative value. I, however, find it is imperative for managers to have this as a value. Especially if they intend to be successful in their career.

Modesty

For the modest person, you wish to hide your body for religious or personal reasons. You will avoid clingy, revealing clothing that is short or low. If this choice is based in religion, then the next two elements will reveal the style of clothing you might wear at home or under your outer garments.

Sensory 

You are very sensory.  Your skin and possibly your hearing is very sensitive. You focus on the feel and fit of the fabric, you like unstructured and stretch fabrics.  It is important for you to feel comfortable in your clothes.  You will wear clothing that skims your body. You may not like wearing wool if you find it scratches or irritates you. If sound is one of your areas of sensitivity you will never wear anything which makes noise as you walk. Before you even think about trying anything on you will rub the fabric between your fingers to see if it feels good.

Simplicity 

Simplicity can be interpreted as very simple design lines and a very uncluttered appearance.  The element of simplicity will also be explored through clean lines and simple design and clothing structure. You will prefer styles which are neither fussy nor overly accessorised. You will be a statement person when it comes to accessories and will often prefer plain to print.

Social 

Social people are focused on their peers.  You like everybody to fit in and to feel at ease and you want to “belong” to your social group. Your focus is on conformity to significant others, to be like your peers and not to be perceived as dressing better or different.  It is important to you to put others at ease and be part of the team. You will find that you follow the fashion direction of your peers so it might be that you wear the latest fad fashions or follow the styles of those in your network. Wearing  uniform will not worry you if your friends are wearing it too. When it comes to dressing for a social event you want to make sure you are dressing like everyone else who is attending.

Status 

Your image is highly important to you and you want to be noticed by others. You are impressed by labels and celebrity endorsements. Rather than buying what the celebrities are paid to wear you will wear what they chose away from the spotlight or away from the marketing hype of any product. You will want to wear the best and if you can’t afford the best, imitation will do, as long as no one can tell the difference. You will spend your last penny on looking good or buying the right designer bag, shoe or outfit. If not all three. You will scan the internet to get fashion updates before they hit the mainstream and you will read the upmarket fashion art magazines to know what is happening and who is wearing what before the mass media knows. You are a style leader and a trend setter.

Theoretical 

You are concerned with the authenticity of a garment. You look for fair trade items, sustainable farming and manufacture of raw fibres and garment construction. Nothing from a sweat shop, or from anywhere where the animals are mistreated, the environment is poisoned, soiled or ravaged. You don’t mind paying the price for quality real fabrics and will check labels for fibre content, care instructions and anything else which can direct you to making a meaningful selection of the garment.

Versatility

You value your purchases being versatile. When you purchase anything it must go with at least 3 other pieces in your wardrobe or it is a waste of your money. You can get paralysed by indecision if you cannot see the options in a garment before you purchase it and can end up buying multiple of the same thing as you know that they ‘work’ with your wardrobe. To ensure that you do not end up with a wardrobe of orphans, prints have the most versatility in tops and dresses for women and shirts and ties for men.

To understand your own preferences there is a way of reading through all 10 outlines and coming up with your top 3. I then amalgamate these together to give an outline to discovering exactly who you are.

If you would like to know what your three top values say about you and your style do this quiz here.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll explain how each of the 7 personalities exhibit these values in their dressing.

This is also a great exercise I can run for your staff, conference or social group activity. It is a fun and exciting way to discover the differences and similarities that exist in any groupdiscover your clothing values

When you can define exactly what it is that you value in life and your clothing choices you will make much better informed decisions. You will have a wardrobe full of clothing that you know truly reflects who you are and you will feel more in control of your appearance, your life and how others see you.

Written by Clare Maxfield · Tagged: aesthetics, capsules, conceptual, creative, economical, influential, kineasthetic, lifestyle, modesty, nothing to wear, Personality, sensory, simplicity, social, status, Style, tactile, theoretical, values, versatility

Jul 19 2018

#100 days 100 outfits – days 40-60

100 days 100 outfits showing days 40-60

Days 40-60

Where has the time gone.

Today is truthfully day 80 so I am little behind my schedule in updating but that happens. here is what I have learned so far from this exercise.

  • It is possible
  • Highly recommend you shop for some new clothes before you make such a grand statement. I’m just a tad over last years clothes.
  • Highly recommend you do not put on any weight from the previous year. Sadly all of my leather skirts are a tad too tight this year.
  • Weekend photos are always better than weekdays as I’m able to get dressed in better light…and take my time.
  • The pieces that are still in my wardrobe, unworn, I clearly do not like as they haven’t even made the cut when I am desperate for something else.
  • Summer tops work really well with long sleeved t’s under them.
  • I can’t wait to get some new jeans.

It has been illuminating and I love how for the first time, so many of you are talking to me about what I do and giving me encouragement.

Thanks for all of your support and you really should try it. (maybe without the flat lays and photos every day) you will be amazed at what outfits are hiding in your closet.

As the last word, the other downside to this is that I cant just get dressed. There is nothing more annoying than realising that you have almost dressed and you haven’t photographed the outfit. First world problem of the social media kind

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Accomplishment, Clothing, communication, Fashion, Style, Wardrobe Capsule

Jul 15 2018

Days 20-40 of 100 days of 100 outfits

20 images of different outfits from a 100 day challenge days 20-40

When I started this challenge my thoughts were that I would not have enough clothes to wear.

Luckily as an Image Consultant most of my wardrobe mixes and matches. the greatest challenge has been preparing my clothes each morning, laying out my flat lay, photographing it and hoping that what I have put together will work.

I don’t have the time to put it on, check it, take it off and photograph it. One day though I changed three times as the first two outfits, which were vintage pieces of my Mum’s that I’ve had hanging in my wardrobe for years…just looked horrible. All of that space and time wasted holding onto something that I never wore and now know I never will wser. That very same week they went onto eBay and someone else loves them now.

It is interesting planning an outfit before I put anything on and committing to it. Normally, in the past when I have been getting dressed I put different pieces on and off as my mood takes me, but that is not the case with this exercise. Even down to choosing my necklaces and earrings, although, I will admit, I sometimes add those later.

I have also discovered that the pieces that I don’t really enjoy wearing are those pieces that I picked up thinking I’d try something new. Yes, they fit me and they suit me, but that does not necessarily mean I like wearing them. It has been a big eye-opener for me and something I’m always more careful of with my clients. Pushing someone into something new can work or can massively fail, especially if it doesn’t make them feel fabulous…no matter how great you and the world thinks they look.

So, have a look over days 20-40. I am really really enjoying this process. There are a couple of outfits up there that I won’t wear again. I wonder if you can pick which they are?

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Fashion, Personality, shopmywardrobe, Style

May 20 2018

Days 1-20 of 100 days 100 outfits – no repeats

days 1-20 images of 100 days of 100 outfits

So my first 20 days are over.

In case you are wondering what I am doing. I have challenged myself to wear a different outfit every day for 100 days and all without spending a money on clothes. I am shopping in my wardrobe every day.

When you consider that we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time and I am now 20% of the way through this exercise I am assuming that I am about to head into unchartered territory of style. I am looking forward to wearing garments that kept falling into the ‘Not today’ territory. That piece that you pull out and place back. That is no longer a viable option, every autumn/winter item I have in my wardrobe will get worn at some time over the coming 80 remaining days.

Before anyone makes a comment, yes I know there are 22 outfits. Two days I had to get changed so I shared those outfits as well. So, come to think about t. It looks like I’ll now manage to wear 102 outfits in 100 days.

At first, I was not fully considering the impact my choices were having and based on some of the feedback I received I decided to step up my game. I am treating every day as special now and the unexpected impact it is having on my self-esteem is great. I never dressed poorly, but now focusing with such intent on my choices, planning my outfits and looking forward to my daily outfits is making me feel great. It’s so true, when you look good, you feel good.

 

I love the comments that I am hearing from so many people who are also now exploring what they have that is sitting idle in their own wardrobe. I am glad that this is encouraging you to ‘shop your own wardrobe’ too. What many of you may not know is that as I work from home, whilst I still get ready and do my hair and makeup every day I don’t dress always dress as if I am going into meetings, consultations or coaching each day.

This daily exercise of wearing a different outfit has me dressing up each day. The upside is I am enjoying getting ready each day. I am looking forward to what I can wear the next day and I am getting compliments from places I haven’t in the past. I am rediscovering clothes that haven’t been worn in ages, and in some cases, ever. I was all ready to dispose of an overcoat recently and due to our cold weather, I am ginally wearing it at night. These were all unexpected results.

What I have discovered is that I have a few pieces I rarely wear that I really really like. You will see more of my tunic, my tweed dress and my jeans.

I have also discovered that my latest purchase, really doesn’t suit me much…what a waste that money was.

I have also discovered that my accessories are gold. They are getting dusted off and used and reused to create interest in my outfits. Wait till you start seeing my scarves in the coming weeks. A scarf can completely change an outfit.

So, please, if you are enjoying watching this exercise, just give me a thumbs up or make a quick comment. It really does give me a boost.

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Style

Apr 30 2018

Don’t forget it – Wear it

image of clothes saying wear it and hashtags 100days100outfits, shopmywardrobe, no repeatsI’ll wager you have items in your closet that you love but have only worn a few times thinking they’re too good to wear for everyday events.

The tragic truth is if you don’t wear them you’re likely to end up giving them away because they’ve gone out of fashion.

A better idea is to work out how to dress them up or dress them down and wear them – in any case being a little overdressed will only have people thinking you’ve got somewhere exciting to go. And that’s got no downside. ?

We are all consumed by fast fashion so I have decided to challenge myself and you to 100 days of 100 outfits, no repeats, and no shopping. Everything I will wear must already exist in my wardrobe.

I’ll be starting my 100 days, tomorrow on the 1st of May, the first day of winter here in Australia and well, for no other reason, than it is starting with a 1. I am expecting this challenge to be harder than I am anticipating as I have two training courses in the middle of this 100 days and I discovered last month that I have a process when I am training of wearing the same outfits. I really do wear 20% of my wardrobe 80% of the time. Well not for the next 100 days.

You can follow my daily outfits on Instagram at claremaxfield, or on my Facebook page at Clare Maxfield Image

As you follow my progress you might discover that you want help with your own wardrobe. I can help you in person or online. Contact me for more details on how I can help you maximise your wardrobe dollars and look fabulous every day.

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Fashion, norepeats, shopmywardrobe, shopping, Style, Wardrobe

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