Many women by the time they are in their forty's have experienced sufficient trial and error that they are on the right track in respect to the styles and colours they wear. However, that track can easily turn into a rut and once you are stuck in it, it can be difficult to escape.

A rut can happen at any age and is caused by a mind set, which has become trapped in one thought pattern and from not taking notice of the changes that have occurred to, and around us.

There are different types of Ruts -
The Time Warp rut where you look as though you and your clothes belong in a former fashion decade.

The Peter Pan rut where you have not been able to let go of styles and looks that are now too young for you.

The Too Busy or Too Lazy to Think rut where your wardrobe becomes a 'no-brainer' with everything exactly the same.

When ruts occur we become blind to the changes occurring around us. Enlightenment often comes only after a particular comment or event has 'shaken our tree', and challenged the perception we have of who we are and how we are seen by others. At this point you may realise you want to change but have no idea of where to start. That's a perfect time to invest in an image consultation.

Words used to describe a rut are boring, stayed, dowdy, unyielding, inflexible, strange, weird, ordinary, uninspired or dull.

Life is every changing; fashion changes, our body-shape changes, our colouring changes, globally thoughts on any number of subjects change, our lifestyle changes,our expectations and desires change and our circumstances change.

Symptoms of a Rut -
You look in your wardrobe and you're totally uninspired by what you see.

You bring home something new only to discover that you have four others just like it.

Your wardrobe looks like you've time-warped back to a former decade.

Others give names to your look e.g., purple lady.

You rarely consider wearing different styles or colours. Some of you will know what I mean when I say Blaaaaaaack!

Fashion and clothes in general are placed in your 'too hard basket'.

You don't bother looking in the mirror because your clothes and total look are the same as every other day of the year, so you know exactly what you look like.

You don't shop, you restock.

You are dressing by someone else's rules (and sometimes these people aren't even around any more).

You can't remember the last time you did anything different with your hair, makeup or clothes.

You stop wearing a garment only when it's completely unwearable.

Once a Rut is identified it's common to make excuses for why/how it happened
"I don't have time to shop"

"Nothing works at my age"

"I'm too fat/busy/old etc

"Nobody cares how I look"

"I don't have money to shop"

"I don't want to appear vain"

"I couldn't care less what people think"

Although I've heard all these comments I am yet to meet a woman who deep down does not wish to look attractive. Most of us have discovered that when we look good, we feel good and when we look good we get noticed in a positive way and treated better (not fair, but true).

All it takes is the will, courage and commitment to take action and make the change.

This article is courtesy of Ann Reinten of The Australian Image Company & Ezibuy