Five Tips to Help You Renew or Find your Own Sense of Personal Style after Divorce

Are you ready for a whole new look? During your divorce, appearance might have been the last thing on your mind. But for those ready to begin embracing a new life, an updated wardrobe and appearance can be a great first step towards discovering a stylish new identity.

How you dress often speaks volumes about your personality,” says Betsy Thompson, spokesperson for
Talbots. A new wardrobe may serve as a daily reminder that you’ve changed and are ready to face the world in a whole new light.”

Changing your personal style can also be an opportunity to reexamine what you like ““ and don’t like ““ about how you present yourself to the world. Making over your wardrobe is a great way to start fresh, treat yourself to something nice and give your self-confidence a boost,” says Camille Mason, owner of Magnet, a clothing boutique in Berkeley, Calif. It’s an opportunity to re-assess how you want to present yourself and explore aspects of your personal style that you have otherwise ignored, neglected or been criticized for.”

Winston Chesterfield, a writer for Men’s Flair, an online magazine, suggests that shedding outdated and unneeded items of clothing can even help people let go of the past. Giving the old clothing collection a makeover can make you concentrate on the future. Certain outfits, and even individual items, can bring back painful memories and they can chain you to the being you were before, during and even after the divorce,” he says. New clothing and accessories help you to focus on creation after the procedure of dismantling and destruction, and this is a positive way to start rebuilding.”

Both men and women can benefit from updated clothing and accessories. While the idea of a makeover” may not be as natural for men, they should not shy away from changing their appearance and personal presentation. A man with a look of confidence and attention to detail (without being too metrosexual) is a very attractive quality,” says Mason.

Chesterfield agrees that attention to clothing and style can have a significant impact on a man’s success and confidence. First impressions are extremely important,” he says. Attention to appearance shows a personal pride and self-confidence which is, to women and men alike, very attractive.”

Want a new look but worried your wallet won’t be able to go the distance? Relax. A new style doesn’t require a completely new wardrobe. Thompson suggests combining the best of your old items with new and inexpensive accessories.

First, consider shopping your own closet for items you haven’t worn in ages but can be brought to life with a little TLC (tailoring, levity, creative mixing),” she says. Second, invest in timeless styles that are well made and punctuate them with great accessories that provide a glimpse of your personality. Well-chosen accessories are a great and affordable way to update your wardrobe.”
Accessories can also help men look stylish without breaking the bank. Accessorizing is one of the cheapest and most effective methods of upgrading or enhancing a look. While larger items dominate, it can be the smaller items; the belt, the tie or the pocket square, that get all the attention and approving glances,” says Chesterfield.

To update or alter an outfit, he suggests adding accessories in coordinated or matching colors. Different styles of belt or scarf can upgrade, or downgrade a look, as required; smart leather belts can smarten jeans, and large knit long scarves can look youthful and loosen up rather stiff ensembles,” says Chesterfield.

Accessories can also help prepare your wardrobe for whatever your new life may bring. You can wear the simplest of outfits like a cashmere sweater and dark jeans,” says Mason, but with a slightly eccentric or dramatic piece of jewelry and some killer shoes you are ready for just about anything.”

FIVE CLASSICS FOR WOMEN

1. A trench coat.
Try to find one that’s both practical and stylish,” says Thompson. It will be perfect for those winter days when you want to be comfortable while still looking good.

2. A white tee.
Clean, comfortable, and perfectly tailored, this piece will go with everything else in your closet.

3. A jacket or dress that fits you perfectly.
Spend a little more for fit and quality and keep it forever,” says Mason. You can mix it with anything in your wardrobe and your cost per wear will be worth the investment in the long run.”

4. A suit.
Thompson suggests buying a fluid pantsuit that goes from desk to dinner to anywhere” in a neutral color.

5. Lipstick.
Mason recommends one great lipstick” to give any look instant polish and style.

FIVE CLASSICS FOR MEN

1. A high-quality belt.
“Belts are an easy way to make any outfit look polished. A standard width, chrome buckled black belt is timeless,” says Chesterfield.

2. A pair of really great jeans.
The ultimate modern classic, jeans are perfect for any casual occasion.

3. A white shirt.

Here fit is key. It is best to get properly measured by an experienced tailor,” says Chesterfield.

4. A watch.

Try to select one that’s streamlined and sleek.

5. A dark blue two-button suit.
The two-button suit is a fashion perennial,” says Chesterfield. The classic low-break is modern and yet reassuringly classic.”