Are you ready to make some changes?

Change is tough! We can all come up with really creative ways to stay in a rut. You may have come up with some of these excuses for why you shouldn’t make some changes to your image. But let’s look at things a different way.

1. “I’ll do something about my wardrobe once I’ve lost weight.”

You really can feel confident at any size, because clothes that fit and flatter (and that you LOVE) will make you look and feel great. Promise.

This blogger looks fantastic, because she knows how to dress for her body. That’s a win for self-confidence any day.

2. My significant other would think I was CRAZY to pay someone to help me get dressed.

Don’t expect yourself to know everything about clothes or to keep up with the constant change in fashion. You’re an expert in other things, right? In the same way, I keep up with trends. (And PS? Your significant other is going to love the new you. Trust me on this.)

3. The money I’d spend on myself should be spent on my family—a quick getaway, a gift for someone, or [fill in the blank].

Your family’s important, sure. But you count, too! Many women put their needs last, and that’s not being a good role model. Take your turn—invest in yourself.

4. I’m getting older—frankly, I’m not sure it matters what I wear.

You’re never too old to want (and deserve!) to look like the best version of you! In fact, the older you get, the you can benefit from dressing with expression and grace. After all, that’s what keeps you looking modern and relevant. An image consultant can teach you how.

Getting help means looking more relevant and modern. (Love this dress, because it says “I’m relevant: Take me seriously” without being pompous.)

5. I should be able to do this by myself. What’s wrong with me?

You probably get outside help in other areas of your life. This area’s not so different. There’s an art and a science to great style. You could spend the next 20 years trying figuring it out, or you could get help (and spend your time doing other stuff!).

6. I’m embarrassed for anyone see my closet.

Hey, we’ve all been there. And sure, sometimes clients do a little clean-up before I get there. More often than not, they don’t. I’ve seen everything. Most important is for you to take that first step. I’m only interested in helping you move away from the problem and into the solution.

7. I already spend too much on clothes. I don’t need to hire someone to tell me to spend more.

I’m not interested in having you spend more money. I’m way more focused on helping you make the most of the pieces you already own. Frankly, when clients work with me, they often end up saving money (sometimes a lot of it, too!), because they’re no longer throwing it away on clothes and accessories they never wear.

Don’t love it? Don’t keep it!

8. Why would I pay for help when I can get it for free from a department store?

The bottom line for sales associates is sales—the more the better. My focus is on helping YOU — on making your wardrobe work for YOU. I can do that because I understand you: what makes you tick, what your life is like, what your goals and aspirations are. I can help keep you focused.

(And when you take back that orange clutch you don’t even like but that was $1,500, you will definitely come out ahead. Not that there’s anything wrong with this bag—in fact, it’s gorgeous—but if you don’t love it, you won’t wear it, and THAT’s a big ole waste of money.)

You’re welcome. 🙂

9. My friend is stylish—I’ll just get her to help me.

Isn’t it time to get unbiased, objective advice? Friends want to be helpful, but they can be limited by their own style and preferences. Someone with experience just has more understanding about how to dress a wide variety of women.

What does your image say about you? What do you WANT it to say?

10. Why bother? I’ll leave styling to the fashionistas. That’s not who I am; I’m good at other things.

It’s important to take care of your image. Whether you like it or not, your image tells the world who  you are. Isn’t it better to control that information and decide how you’d like the world to see you? I can help you do that mindfully and strategically.

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, personal stylist, and public speaker in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs. Please contact her to schedule a quick phone call, so she can see if it makes sense for you to work together.)