HOW TO FIND YOUR STYLE IN 2017

Was one of your resolutions to step up your style game this year? Is your closet in desperate need of a refresh? I’ve got your back.

The start of a new year is a great time to start making a new statement with your wardrobe. Whether this be the first time you’ve ever decided to put thought into your looks or if you just aren’t feeling the vibes your current attire is giving off, you can use my tips to find your style for 2017.

Having go-to looks that you know feel good make your life so much less stressful and can make you walk through life feeling confident and in control. I really value the time I take in the morning to do my makeup, style my outfit and create that day’s look. While some may say caring about clothes is superficial I think that showing that you care about your appearance says that you love and respect yourself because you want to look and feel your best. I use my outfits to tell the world who I am and there’s nothing wrong with that.

So let’s get started!

1. MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW YOU

It’s time to go through your closet and ditch all of the junk you don’t absolutely love. If we’re going to start fresh here we’re going to need to make room for your new favorites or just allow your old ones to live in a clean and organized space. I have two closets; one in my office and one in my bedroom. I also have a clothing rack in my room where I like to keep that season’s favorites. I curate a capsule wardrobe using my favorite things to wear that time of year and move off season items that I still love into my actual closets. Now I understand that not everyone has as much space as I do but if you have the space in your room I would highly recommend considering a clothing rack to start housing your favorite looks. They’re inexpensive and can look really chic.

But before we start curating our capsule wardrobe we have to get rid of the clothes that are taking up valuable space. So I want you to go through every item of clothing in your closet and if you don’t absolutely love it, throw it in the “donation” pile or the trash if it’s damaged. Just to be clear, it is possible to love “basics” or what some might consider boring pieces. I have a plain white t shirt that I love because of the fit and feel, so even thought it is not exactly my show stopper I definitely have a place for it in my wardrobe. If you’re struggling and wondering if you should keep something or not it probably isn’t worth keeping. Especially if you haven’t worn in it six months and can’t see a time in the near future when you’ll wear it again. New year, new you! Toss it in the trash and let’s move on.

2. TAKE INVENTORY

Now that you’ve cleared out space for only the clothes you love, it’s time to start evaluating your wardrobe. What do you have? What do you need? By need I mean what items are necessary for you to dress appropriately for the weather and your lifestyle. For example if you hated all of your old jackets and decided to donate them then you’ll need to get a new one if it’s cold where you live. Or if you work in a business casual job setting but you threw away your old blazer because of its awkward fit then that should be added to your list. Once you’ve taken inventory start putting everything back into your closet first by style, then by color. For example, in my closet you will see all of my blouses hanging in one spot all colorized, starting with white all the way through pink (I use the ROYGBV method and end in pink). Then there are cardigans, then dresses and so on. This makes picking out my clothes so easy and organized.

3. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR STORY IS

Now the fun part begins! Take a notepad and make a list of everything fashion related you love. Think about clothes you’ve worn that made you feel the best or the most like yourself. Think of clothes other people have worn that you loved. Think about what you want your style to tell the world about you. For me, I love bold colors, contrasting patterns and textures and feminine silhouettes. You’ll want to keep this list in mind for the next step.

4. FIND SOME INSPIRATION

Now that you know what you want out of your looks it’s time to start finding some outfit inspo. For this we turn to everyone’s favorite way to procrastinate; Pinterest. Create a board where you can start pinning all of your favorite looks to start getting ideas for pieces you want to add to your wardrobe and new ways to style what you already own. Use some of the styles and items you listed in the previous step to search for inspiration. This is a great way to keep getting ideas and also find new brands you love. Check out one of my fashion boards here.

5. KNOW WHERE TO PUT YOUR $

Finding your style can start to sound a whole lot like spending all of your money. But don’t worry! Not only does it not have to be super expensive, but it also doesn’t have to happen all in one day. I would recommend finding good deals on your basics (getting t shirts from Forever 21 for example) and saving your money to splurge on your dream pieces. Every once and awhile I’ll see a pricier item at Nordstrom or on Nasty Gal and I will completely fall in love and have to have it. This type of item is usually something I’ve been looking for and something I will get a lot of wear out of. Coats and jackets are usually something I spend more on because the quality matters way more to me than that of a gray t shirt. I also am always keeping my eye out for sales on items I’ve seen and loved but couldn’t quite justify. It’s just about being smart when deciding where your money should go.

6. ACCESSORIES ARE YOUR NEW BFF

I could spend all day telling you how much I love accessories and how I truly believe they are what make the outfit. They are the intricate details that can take any look to the next level. I have a handbag obsession and always feel so fashion forward when I let me bag steal the show. Accessories are also a great way to enhance your style without going out and buying all new clothes. If you have all of the basics covered then use accessories to pull your look together. For example, a t shirt and jeans may seem super boring but if you pair that with ankle boots, gold bangles, and a (faux) leather backpack you have yourself a complete look. I never leave the house without my favorite dainty gold jewelry from Henri Bendel, a nice mauve colored lipstick (my favorite) and a killer handbag. These are my signature items that friends and family associate with my style and compliment me on the most.

7. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR STYLE

After you’ve refreshed your wardrobe with some comfy basics, show stopping pieces and killer accessories it would be a real shame to let all of that hard work (not to mention cash) go down the drain by not putting in some effort before you head out the door. Sure, we all have days where we just can’t and we have to toss our hair up into a messy bun, throw on some yoga pants and a hoodie and call it a day. But as I mentioned before, there is nothing that boosts your confidence more throughout the day than knowing that you look your best. So make the time to put the look together! If you don’t like having to get up early in the morning then plan out your outfit the night before. I usually do this on Sunday nights when I’m planning out my week and while this may sound super extra it actually makes my life so much easier. I plan out all of my outfits and then the night before I steam anything that’s wrinkled, set out my accessories and have everything ready to go for the next day. Then I’m able to get dressed quickly, do my makeup and hair and leave my apartment feeling totally put together.

How would you describe your style? Tell me in the comments!

Xoxo,

She