Why You’re Ignoring 80% of Your Wardrobe (And What to Do About It)

Ever find yourself staring at your closet, bypassing most of what’s hanging there? You’re not alone. If you’re consistently ignoring 80% of your wardrobe, there’s a deeper reason behind it, and it’s not just that you’re tired of your clothes.

Here’s what’s really going on: You’ve changed.

Your Body Has Changed

Maybe your body isn’t what it used to be. Whether you’ve gained or lost weight, or it’s simply shifted in ways that make your old clothes fit differently, they no longer suit you like they did before. The shape, the fit, and even how you feel in them has evolved, and your clothing has not caught up.

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Your Lifestyle Has Changed

Your life might look completely different from the one you had when you bought those pieces. Whether you’re in a new career role, working fully remote, or even retired, your daily wardrobe needs have shifted. Yet your closet still clings to a past version of yourself, one that doesn’t quite match who you are now.

your wardrobe change of style classic
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Your Preferences Have Changed

The things you used to love? They don’t excite you anymore. Maybe the fashion-y pieces you once adored now feel out of place. Or your style has matured, and what used to be your go-to outfit now makes you feel disconnected. This shift in taste is normal, but it’s still unsettling to face a closet full of things that no longer feel like you.

Your Closet Reflects Your Past

No matter which of these categories you fall into, one thing is certain: you’re in a different era of life. Each time you stand in front of your closet, it’s like being confronted by the ghost of who you used to be. No wonder you keep passing over most of what you own!

But that’s not all. There’s another layer to this.

looking through your wardrobe

The Energy Drain of Your Misaligned Wardrobe

Every time you stand in front of your closet, you’re giving energy to clothes that no longer work for you:

  • The pieces that used to look amazing but don’t anymore.
  • The items that brought you joy but now feel off.
  • The outfits that were full fledged staples but now sit unworn.

And each time you consider wearing them, your mind runs through the same exhausting questions:

  • Should I wear this?
  • Will this even work anymore?
  • What could I pair this with?

These seemingly small decisions drain your energy. Plus, seeing clothes that no longer fit well can make you feel bad about yourself, which only compounds the frustration.

The Urge to Shop — And Why It Doesn’t Help

At this point, the dissatisfaction you feel from your clothes might be driving you to shop for something new. But here’s the problem: unless you understand what your wardrobe and style truly need, shopping only adds to the clutter. Without direction, you buy more pieces that don’t align with who you are now, further compounding the problem, creating a vicious cycle.

pile of clothes your wardrobe

The Closet Cleanout Trap

So, you might be thinking, I’ll just do a closet cleanout. But if your goal is to align your style with your current self, typical decluttering methods won’t cut it.

Have you ever started a closet cleanout, pulling everything out onto your bed, only to feel exhausted and unmotivated to finish? It’s common. Most traditional methods don’t work because it’s easy to lose motivation halfway through. These methods focus on getting rid of excess, but not on helping you define what your evolving style needs.

The Real Solution: Curate Your Wardrobe for your Next Stage of Life

Instead of just decluttering, the real solution is to curate your wardrobe to align with who you are now — and who you are becoming. This means not only letting go of outdated, misaligned clothes but also making space for your evolving style.

By doing this, you’ll step into a wardrobe that reflects the person you are today, not the person you used to be. And with that, getting dressed becomes less about frustration and more about feeling confident, aligned, and excited to embrace your next stage of life.

Ready to edit your wardrobe the right way, so it’s filled with pieces that feel like you? Join me in the Guided Closet Cleanout Challenge and save 20% as a Fountain of 30 friend!

guided closet cleanout challenge. fountainof30

In this 5-day challenge, you’ll get pro techniques to transform your closet from random to refined including:

  • How to tell if your clothes are outdated so you can keep your wardrobe fresh and relevant.
  • Avoid the #1 mistake midlife women make that leads to a misaligned wardrobe, so you can address the issue and control the clutter.
  • The 2 factors every item of clothing must meet to ensure you’ll actually wear it and feel amazing.

***You’ll also get a lesson on clearing the tough stuff — like gifts, sentimental items and expensive things so you can let go of the guilt tied up in your unworn clothes.

Of course you can do a closet cleanout on your own. But most women struggle to do it effectively, or continually put it off. Have you ever cleaned out your closet and fallen back into your rut? It’s because you’re not editing your wardrobe to support your next stage! When you join the challenge you’ll get a structured system to get the job done.

Join the Guided Closet Cleanout Challenge now! 
(Discount automatically applied at checkout.)

Are you up for the challenge?

– Eysha Lenkin

Elysha Lenkin is an expert personal fashion stylist who helps midlife women become confident curators of their clothing and style so they show up more powerfully in their next chapter. Throughout her 25 year career, she has styled women of all shapes, sizes, and ages, including Carrie Underwood, Tina Fey, and Serena Williams. For more style tips and inspiration, head over to Elysha’s website here or follow her on instagram here.

You may like to read more of Elysha’s styling posts like Am I Too Old To Wear That Trend? 3 Questions To Ask and Expert Styling Tip: You Must Let Go Of 3 Things In Your Closet

Are you following Fountain Of 30 on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest? We’ve got lots going on, so join in on the fun! Subscribe to our newsletter here.  You don’t want to miss a post and promise not to bug you to death. Join our Facebook Group called Growing Younger where women discuss everything good and bad about being over 50. Additionally Lauren hosts a bi-weekly podcast called Beauty is a Bitch! and an Instagram Live series called “Growing Younger Gabfest with Lauren.

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