Getting divorced can be really painful for both men and women. You lose your balance and everything that seemed constant in your life and have to start again from scratch.
For men, it can be even more confusing, especially if they don’t have much of a fashion sense.
So, if you suddenly find yourself cluelessly staring at your wardrobe and trying to figure out what to do, you’re not alone.
Here’s how to reinvent your wardrobe after divorce.
1. Try to figure out what you like
Married life and the daily grind that goes with being a responsible adult tends to make people lose a sense of their identity. You have a steady and serious job, so you buy some work-appropriate clothes. For days off, you wear casual clothes. If you’re into exercising, you get running shoes, shorts, and tees. Everything gets so predictable and maybe even a bit boring. When going through divorce, you may lose that feeling of comfort and security from having a regular routine.
That elegant suit you used to wear on date nights suddenly seems redundant and out of place. Your hiking boots you wore on family hikes bring back memories. It’s important to lay out all your clothes and figure out which items you genuinely like. When you know your preferences, it’s much easier to find clothes that fit your tastes.
2. Declutter, and don’t look back
Having a wardrobe full of clothes can be stressful, especially if you don’t wear them regularly. A lot of married men rely on their spouses to buy them clothes, so the divorce can create real confusion when it comes to buying new jeans or a buttoned shirt. In case you feel uncomfortable just looking at your wardrobe, it’s time to declutter! Yes, some pieces might be too expensive, but instead of letting them collect dust, you could gift them to someone who’d appreciate them more.
Maybe your ex bought you those expensive elegant trousers, but if you’ve never liked them, chances are you won’t after the divorce. Instead of keeping clothes you don’t plan on wearing, get a few boxes and go to your nearest homeless shelter and donate them to someone who’ll actually be happy to get something to wear.
3. Ask women for help
That’s right, women like to help men, especially if their help is revolving around fashion. If you feel really lost in the world of shopping malls and online fashion stores, ask a woman that you trust (your sister or a co-worker you get along with) to keep you company and advise you. Even if a woman doesn’t have a natural eye for fashion, she’ll instinctively know if something looks good on you or not. Additionally, shopping trips can be a good way for you to reconnect with women and boost your self-confidence.
Now, this definitely doesn’t mean that you should use those trips to hit on them, but rather try to learn how to spend time with women in a friendly atmosphere. And before you ask a woman for help, make sure she knows how to dress as well, so she’ll know what to suggest to you.
4. Keep the classic pieces in
Trying to figure out what to wear and what to discard can sometimes be too much, so it’s always best to keep it safe regarding certain clothes. Some pieces are classic so buying them will always be a good investment. If you’ve spent your married years wearing business suits, opting for men’s polo shirts can be a welcoming change as you sometimes need to wear clothes that are both casual and stylish. Same goes for well-tailored trousers and jeans, button-down shirts, evening shoes, chucks, and tees.
All of these can be worn no matter what else is in fashion, so investing in them is always welcome. Besides, you also need to have something elegant that you can wear if you ever get invited to some formal event or a wedding.
5. Some middle-age crisis moments are OK
Yes, we all know of a stereotype of a guy in his 40s and 50s who suddenly freaks out and starts acting like a teenager all over again. Same can be said for some divorced men, as after coming to terms with their divorce, they get to feel free again which in return can fuel their extravagant shopping and dressing habits. Some men also use classic middle-age moves, such as buying a motorcycle, as a way of coping with divorce.
Of course, instead of overspending your money on trivial showy things, you should really focus on bettering your life, but if you feel like indulging yourself every now and then, feel free to do so. For example, if you’ve always wanted to wear a certain item, you can treat yourself, but always, always remember that there are a time and place for everything. So being divorced doesn’t mean you suddenly get to wear combat boots to your corporate office job, no matter how much you love alternative music!
In conclusion, reinventing the wardrobe post-divorce doesn’t have to be tiring or difficult. Focus on wearing what you like, and don’t forget to buy things that are suitable for your body type.
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