By Shay Greenwood
If you follow me on socials, you are probably tired of hearing about my new full-time job. At 54, I have a new career as a sales coach for a farm-to-table food service delivery company out of Maryland. I’m just a little excited to be on the other side of being a stay-home, homeschool mom of five.
Recently I was preparing for a work trip to Atlanta and found myself nervous about attending a corporate training session. What should I wear when I’m used to wearing a nice shirt and leggings for Zoom calls? How can I be comfy and professional? And for me, the most important question: How can I refrain from being so excited about my first work trip that I spend my entire paycheck on new clothes? As Christians, we are called to steward God’s resources well.
It is so easy to think we need certain items for a trip. Here are some tips to help us be good stewards when adding new items to our wardrobe:
- Assess your current wardrobe first.
Doing this is like making a list before going to the grocery store. We are more effective, spending less time and money, when we know what we need ahead of time. Not assessing your closet first can also leave you frustrated, going from store to store, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Ask yourself, what are the staples that you feel are missing when you put an outfit together? If it pains you to think about doing this, you might need a closet clean-out in order to get a clearer picture. If your closet stays cluttered and it’s hard to assess your clothing situation, my friend Suzanne Lindsey of Canton is an incredible organizer and offers a free Closet and Cabinet Cleanout Guide on her website, LighthouseOrganizer.com. - Define your personal style
Everyone has a personal style; it just takes time to develop it. It’s important to take time to figure out what your style is. Explore fashion magazines, Pinterest boards, or even consult with a stylist to help you identify key pieces and styles that resonate with you. A few questions to ask yourself are: What outfit did you wear last that made you feel most confident? What do you wear over and over that you love? It’s OK to keep rinsing and repeating looks that you love. - Shop strategically: quality over quantity.
Instead of buying multiple low-quality items, invest in a few high-quality pieces that will last longer. Look for well-made garments made from durable materials. You don’t have to spend a lot more to get quality items. I just bought a chunky, textured sneaker from a box store for $42 and saw the same sneaker, different brand for more than double the price at a franchise boutique.Spending time being thoughtful in the beginning will save you time and keep more money in your pocket. Shay is a style coach with a mission to help women look and feel their best! Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @shaygreenwood.
