Kim France encourages us to break free from traditional closet organization rules and adopt a more flexible clothing budget.
Have you ever considered how much of your hard-earned money goes toward the clothes hanging in your closet, or how much time you waste deciding what to wear?
Research shows that a woman may spend an entire year of her life from age 16 to 60 simply standing in front of her closet, pondering outfit choices. This doesn't factor in the countless hours spent trying to organize and streamline our wardrobes. Common advice suggests that if you haven’t worn an item in a year, it’s time to let it go. Another tip is to remove something from your closet whenever you add a new piece. Yet, how valid are these suggestions?
Fortunately, Kim France, the former editor of Lucky magazine, is here to share her wisdom. Through her Substack, Girls of a Certain Age, she offers guidance for women over 40 navigating this unique and liberating phase of life.
LISTEN: The Psychology Behind Our Shopping Habits
France advises that we should trust our instincts when considering a clothing purchase. She remarks, “We often get caught up in lists dictating what women over 40 or 50 shouldn’t wear. Pretty much anything can be styled appropriately.” If you struggle with this, ask a straightforward friend for their honest opinion.
Additionally, she encourages us to view what we might call “shopping failures” in a positive light. Donating higher-end items to organizations like Housing Works can be a rewarding way to benefit others, as they know how to price designer items effectively. While she enjoys shopping at consignment stores, France believes that selling clothes through platforms like ThredUp or the RealReal often yields disappointing returns.
France also shares how her fashion perspective has evolved alongside her body changes, her thoughts on the ‘one-year rule’ for clothing, and the designers and styles she's currently drawn to.
