FASHION RESOLUTIONS 2014 and the shape of things to come...

I found this series of short articles on how to identify your own unique style. Start with the first one. There are pics. Enjoy!

Dramatic
http://www.chicous.com/fashion-tips-how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-dramatic-style/

Naive Romantic
http://www.chicous.com/fashion-tips-how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-naive-romantic-style/

Natural
http://www.chicous.com/how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-natural-style/

Classy
http://www.chicous.com/fashion-tips-how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-classy-style/

Intricate Romantic
http://www.chicous.com/fashion-tips-how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-part-5-intricate-romantic/

Sporty
http://www.chicous.com/fashion-tips-how-to-choose-your-own-unique-style-part-6-sporty-style/

I fall into the Classy style, with some Natural and some Sporty characteristics. I kind of wish I could do Naive Romantic, but I can't wear a bow to save my life! I wonder if it really is about your physical characteristics, or your personality, or if your personality is reflected in your physical characteristics. Hmmmm..... :thinking:

Which style(s) are you?

I don't seem to fit any of these but I do admire the 'classy style' (although I have a problem with the word 'classy' as I think it's an un-classy word :P) I also have a problem with the word pairs 'paired with' and 'teamed with' :shrugs:.

I'd suppose I'm closest to 'natural' if you'd also mix-in a little 'mad-as-hatter style' :Partyhat: and add bit-of-flash-style' :supacool:
 
:blush:






ITA

The fashion/media industry is responsible for making women a) unhappy b) uncomfortable and c) forever unsatisfied. We have to take back the responsibility in order to take back our power.

Just cutting back on purchases (especially all-new) making each very well considered and enjoying them is better for the Earth as well as ourselves. Unfortunately, we have the full force of almost every industry and their conditioning to contend with :yes:

Yup...
 
one: Write a short review of your style and the progress you made in 2013. How did your style, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences evolve?

In 2013 I took a really good look at my lifestyle and wardrobe, taking into account that I spend 4 days a week in professional attire, my closet consisted of too many neutrals but I still could not pull an outfit together; outside of work, I dressed like a university student holed up in a library cramming for finals (not a pretty sight).

To start my cleanse, I purged everything that didn't fit, items that looked and fit only so-so, poor materials, things that were very worn or faded, and got rid of accessories I know I would never use (ie, fashion jewelry and trendy belts - not that I had that much to start with, but still, had to get rid of them).

For work, I determined that sheath dresses worked really well for my body-type and it's SO easy to just throw on one item, rather than having to think about a top and bottom. For winter and fall I purchased a few more and implemented colors. For spring and summer I purchased more colorful pencil skirts and sleeveless tops and explored patterns. Realized that as much as I loved a dress shirt, I could never find one that fit just right, so I've given up for now. Now that I've implemented color and patterns, getting dressed seems so much easier. Also got a few pairs of dress pants on sale that filled in some staple pieces that were missing.

For casual wear - I almost got rid of anything I couldn't pass off as business casual, save for a few hoodies, and pretty much left it at that. I didn't add more to my closet and am sticking to plain tshirts, jeans, and my patterned sleeveless tops for now until I can figure out exactly what i'm going for.

two: Write about one or two paragraphs about your style and wardrobe plans for 2014. Which aspects about your style and your wardrobe do you want to improve, why and how?

I'm pretty happy with my work wardrobe and am looking to decide on a few more items to let go, but that will be dependent on weight change in the new few months. For casual wear, I plan to continue to use what I have until it wears out and then I will begin to reinvest in that part of my lifestyle. I would like to continue to pare down my closet, especially my shoes, but my biggest goal is to make my accessories visible so I can try to implement them more into my outfits, and in turn, decide whether I should keep them or not.

three: Express your five most important goals in a short, motivating sentence each and then start sketching out how you want to achieve or implement them.

Sort of similar to #2 but I have started to track my clothing in addition to my bags, wallets, and shoes, and i'm hoping that will give me a better perspective on wear my money goes when it comes to my clothes and what items give me more value, whether cost per wear, or how it holds up.
 
[

three: Express your five most important goals in a short, motivating sentence each and then start sketching out how you want to achieve or implement them.

Sort of similar to #2 but I have started to track my clothing in addition to my bags, wallets, and shoes, and i'm hoping that will give me a better perspective on wear my money goes when it comes to my clothes and what items give me more value, whether cost per wear, or how it holds up.

Sounds like a plan. If you check the intomind blog she is doing a budgeting post. I had a look and is far too involved for me- (others though may find it useful) I just started noting down my expenses at the end of the month in my paper diary. I use a paper diary now as well, as last year I had a computer glitz and lost everything... I had no idea where I was going.
 
Sounds like a plan. If you check the intomind blog she is doing a budgeting post. I had a look and is far too involved for me- (others though may find it useful) I just started noting down my expenses at the end of the month in my paper diary. I use a paper diary now as well, as last year I had a computer glitz and lost everything... I had no idea where I was going.
Thanks! I'll check it out.
 
Ooh nearly end of the month- how is everyone's resolutions coming along?

Apart from one scarf at Hermes I'm done for this season (Spring and Summer) and I don't feel like I've made any poor choices, so far anyway. I've been wearing something precious I haven't so far and I have done some repairs.

1. Keep wearing clever and versatile accessories.

For this season and beyond I bought:

Theo Fennell pieces I had been lusting over for Y E A R S (so I knew they weren't a passing crush but a forever love)

Small ostrich clutch/shopper in basic brown that will work for day and evening

D.V.F Warhol scarf that if ever I get tired of wearing as a scarf, tie or top, I can frame and hang on the wall

Pure wool Fairisle scarf I can wear as a stole as well


2. Keep only the best of everything.

Sold lots and still keeping going. Made ove £3K so far

I've been wearing my best and loving it.



3. Only buy the best of anything, if at all.

RTW this season has been:

Gucci Heart-print top that typified the whole Cruise collection, I can wear it for Summer and casual evening

Ballentyne intarsia cashmere sweater I bought in a charity shop (I was dropping off a ton of stuff). Ballentyne is def the best cashmere ever created, and it fits me perfectly

3 Liberty print shirts add to the 3 I already wear all the time like a work uniform

D.V.F wrap-dress to add to the others I already wear as day to night. Perfect print and colour for me, in my size and just happened to be in the sale (the new season one I went in there for didn't look as good). Didn't buy the Ingenue (basically D.V.F copies) I thought about.

Plus
4 replacement sports bras: 1 long line; 1 racer back; 1 widely-spaced straps; the 1 neon, for twilight and early dawn runs



4. No great style in an icky colour or lovely coloured thing in the wrong size etc

See above :smile:



5. All repairs are logged and done

Jacket sleeve repair, tick
Lace dress repair, tick
Black silk dress belt loops sewn back on, tick



6. Don't go shopping just because I have some spare time and don't go shopping when I don't have the time and have to rush

So far so good.
I did get stuck in a protest march on my way back from Lillywhites (sports bras) but I managed to duck down a side alley
 
I'm good so far! Haven't bought anything new. Have decided on a few more possible purge items and will start assessing my winter work wear to see if anything needs replacing - I have a feeling I don't, and will only find things to get rid of (yay). I definitely need a new coat for work that I have been putting off buying since I have not been in the mood to, but I think now may be a good time to start looking.
 
Apart from one scarf at Hermes I'm done for this season (Spring and Summer) and I don't feel like I've made any poor choices, so far anyway. I've been wearing something precious I haven't so far and I have done some repairs.

1. Keep wearing clever and versatile accessories.

For this season and beyond I bought:

Theo Fennell pieces I had been lusting over for Y E A R S (so I knew they weren't a passing crush but a forever love)

Small ostrich clutch/shopper in basic brown that will work for day and evening

D.V.F Warhol scarf that if ever I get tired of wearing as a scarf, tie or top, I can frame and hang on the wall

Pure wool Fairisle scarf I can wear as a stole as well


2. Keep only the best of everything.

Sold lots and still keeping going. Made ove £3K so far

I've been wearing my best and loving it.



3. Only buy the best of anything, if at all.

RTW this season has been:

Gucci Heart-print top that typified the whole Cruise collection, I can wear it for Summer and casual evening

Ballentyne intarsia cashmere sweater I bought in a charity shop (I was dropping off a ton of stuff). Ballentyne is def the best cashmere ever created, and it fits me perfectly

3 Liberty print shirts add to the 3 I already wear all the time like a work uniform

D.V.F wrap-dress to add to the others I already wear as day to night. Perfect print and colour for me, in my size and just happened to be in the sale (the new season one I went in there for didn't look as good). Didn't buy the Ingenue (basically D.V.F copies) I thought about.

Plus
4 replacement sports bras: 1 long line; 1 racer back; 1 widely-spaced straps; the 1 neon, for twilight and early dawn runs



4. No great style in an icky colour or lovely coloured thing in the wrong size etc

See above :smile:



5. All repairs are logged and done

Jacket sleeve repair, tick
Lace dress repair, tick
Black silk dress belt loops sewn back on, tick



6. Don't go shopping just because I have some spare time and don't go shopping when I don't have the time and have to rush

So far so good.
I did get stuck in a protest march on my way back from Lillywhites (sports bras) but I managed to duck down a side alley

Wow ! Ladies we are on a roll...:smile:
 
Good job everyone who is doing well so far! And thanks for reminding me of my personal goals :smile:

1. I need to stop buying stuff I don't need. Hope to achieve this by keeping an actual list somewhere, with items I need and only allow myself to buy things on that list.
I have only half succeeded here: I did buy a skinny black belt that was on my list and I found some nice wool sweaters (also on my list), but I also bought off my list... It's so hard to resist when it's sale season!

2. I need to shrink my wardrobe, so the rule will be: for every new item in, one needs to go and cleaning out things that I haven't worn for a year, unless it has emotional or future vintage value
I need to do another cut. So halfway there.

3. Think in cost-per-wear when buying something new. Expensive yet peftectly fitting jacket? I will wear it lots of times, so buy and feel good. No more dressing for that imaginary lifestyle!
So far so good!

4. Perfect jeans only! For me that is either Levi's curve ID jeans or Paige jeans.
I recently had a problem completely new to me: I ordered multiple sizes and colors of skinny jeans and amost all of them fit! Since finding perfect jeans can be such a pain I allowed myself to keep 3 :smile: I now have plenty for the rest of 2014 :smile:

5. Use wardrobe and style apps on the ipad more often for inspiration and creating new looks with things I already have.
I have been using Pinterest more to pin inspiration and I am using my BF's ipad to catalog my wardrobe. So much work though!
 
Good job everyone who is doing well so far! And thanks for reminding me of my personal goals :smile:

3. Think in cost-per-wear when buying something new. Expensive yet peftectly fitting jacket? I will wear it lots of times, so buy and feel good. No more dressing for that imaginary lifestyle!
So far so good!

4. Perfect jeans only! For me that is either Levi's curve ID jeans or Paige jeans.
I recently had a problem completely new to me: I ordered multiple sizes and colors of skinny jeans and amost all of them fit! Since finding perfect jeans can be such a pain I allowed myself to keep 3 :smile: I now have plenty for the rest of 2014 :smile:

5. Use wardrobe and style apps on the ipad more often for inspiration and creating new looks with things I already have.
I have been using Pinterest more to pin inspiration and I am using my BF's ipad to catalog my wardrobe. So much work though!

I like I like!!!! Good jeans are so hard to find! I like them soft ( so comfy) but still hard wearing and flattering. Has anyone tried these? http://www.howies.co.uk they fit like a dream...
 
I like I like!!!! Good jeans are so hard to find! I like them soft ( so comfy) but still hard wearing and flattering. Has anyone tried these? http://www.howies.co.uk they fit like a dream...

Never heard of Howies... The ones I recently bought are Levi's Curve ID and J Brand. I've tried J Brand before but they didnt fit me right, but the fabric of these midrise superskinny coated jeans is light and soft, and yet flattering! I bought one blue and one bronze/brown :smile: All of 'em were 70% off btw :graucho:
 
5. Use wardrobe and style apps on the ipad more often for inspiration and creating new looks with things I already have.
I have been using Pinterest more to pin inspiration and I am using my BF's ipad to catalog my wardrobe. So much work though!

Just think - the sooner you start the easier it will be down the line!

I don't even think I have any goals this year. I was thinking nice jacket or coat but when I try to narrow down cut, length and color, I get lazy. I thought about wardrobe a lot in the last couple of years and built up a lot of variety. Now I'm too lazy to keep thinking about it. Maybe a couple of tops here and there. A dress if it really is special. As long as I don't buy and keep more than 1-2 items every few months I'm not gonna sweat it.

Maybe my resolution is just to stop thinking about it so much and wear whatever crazy thing comes to mind. And channel the visual inspiration from seeing what color combos others come up with into creative outlets instead of consumption.
 
Never heard of Howies... The ones I recently bought are Levi's Curve ID and J Brand. I've tried J Brand before but they didnt fit me right :graucho:

Howies (http://www.howies.co.uk) are a British company, not sure if they ship internationally,. The have a shop in carnaby street, and specialise in jeans, organic cotton/ denim, and merino wool. Their stuff is lovely and they are into low impact clothing, all about simple styles and high quality. I only just discovered them myself actually, though they've been going for years. I love finding more exclusive brands.
 
Last edited: