2018 Style Resolutions
Happy 2018 everyone! (I’m still not quite used to writing that. . .)
When thinking of what to write as the first post for this New Year, my first thought was of the much anticipated (or dreaded) “New Years Resolutions”. I personally like to make goals and resolutions. I’m not saying that I necessarily follow through on them as I am a procrastinating sort of person, but making goals is a practical thing for me to do- because if I didn’t, I don’t think I would ever actually get anything done- haha!
While thinking of New Years Resolutions, my thoughts turned to what “Style Resolutions” I could make this year, as I’ve been doing some thinking about my wardrobe lately. My lifestyle has changed in the past couple of years, but my wardrobe hasn’t quite evolved along with it, so I often find myself frustrated by the lack of garments in my closet that are appropriate for the occasions I need them for. There are definitely a few things that I could do to improve my wardrobe, and make it more wearable, so here are a few goals for this year. I’m also spending some time this week planning out sewing projects for the year, so I haven’t included those here, as they’ll overlap a bit and I am planning a second post for them.
- Wear hats more often. A few years ago I wore hats constantly, but in the last year, I have worn hats less and less. I still do wear them for particular occasions, but for everyday wear, I often forgo one. As someone who really does love the panache that only a hat can give, I want to remedy that this year. One problem I am facing is that my hairstyle has changed so much in the past year (from a growing out pixie, to a bob) that hats I used to wear, no longer work with my current hairstyle. I also have a bunch of hats that just don’t go with any of my clothes, or are not really my style anymore. I’d like to make or buy a few more “everyday” sort of hats to wear; hats that work well with my hairstyle (aka- don’t require copious amounts of hairstyling) and coordinate with more than one outfit or colour scheme too.
- Work at creating a more mix and matchable wardrobe; the “Curated Closet” so to speak. I got this book by Anuschka Rees from the library last Fall and sort-of-kind-of went through it. I am going to make it a point to do a complete wardrobe overhaul this month, and set a clear list of things that I “need” in my wardrobe. My wardrobe is currently rather disparate- with things that don’t really go together. I need to weed those things out, and from now on add pieces that are versatile and wearable. I also need to really hone down which direction I’d like my wardrobe to go. As much as I like the posh Lady About Town ensembles from the 50’s, I am more likely to be found wearing garments fit for a Lady Adventurer instead (aka- practical). So, a bit of planning and evaluating is in order.
- Consciously choose “slow fashion”. Even though I thrift or sew many of my clothes in order to continue building my wardrobe in an ethical and sustainable method, sometimes I am not practicing true “slow fashion” as I don’t always think through my secondhand purchases, or fabric choices. I want to sew garments that will stand the test of time, choose fabrics that are good investments and buy secondhand items because I like them, not just because they are “vintage” or cheap. (Those half price thrift store sales are bad!) Basically, I want to ask before I buy, “Do I really need this? And, is this a wise purchase?”
- Create a signature colour palette. Some of my favourite colours to wear are mustard yellow, olive green, brown, camel, rust, teal and black. I want to add in more of these colours.
- Put more effort into my everyday outfits. Since I work from home, it can be tempting to just throw on any old thing, since I’m not going out into public. For someone who loves Fashion, this is a tragedy! It’s not like I’m wearing pyjamas or anything, but I find myself falling back into the same old skirt and shirt combination, and it gets quite boring. I’d like to start planning my everyday outfits better and wearing those things I never seem to actually ever pull out of the closet. I’d like to cultivate a more suitable everyday sort of style, which definitely nods to the vintage style, but also doesn’t need to necessarily look like a period piece.
Well, we’ll see how this goes this year. Maybe, because I’ve shared the resolutions here I’ll be better at keeping them! 😉 Do you have any “style resolutions” for 2018? Do you like setting goals at the beginning of the year?
January 10, 2018 @ 12:59 am
Some admirable goals here Nicole! I want to wear stuff I rarely wear and make better use of existing clothes. Also trying to plan work outfits better rather than rushing in semi-darkness!!
January 11, 2018 @ 4:21 pm
I know the feeling of last minute clothing choices! It never works out the best. That’s a great goal to focus on the things that you have- it can be so easy to always want more.
January 10, 2018 @ 7:15 am
I’m not a goal maker. As soon as I make one I seem to rail against it. I have no idea why. Everything I’ve done in my life it seems like I’ve fallen backwards into it. I think I’m very much against disappointing myself. If my goals are too high and I don’t reach them I’ll feel like a failure. I have a habit where I naturally push myself, no goals required.
Good luck with your goals! They all seem well rooted in reality which is a great start.
Suzanne
January 11, 2018 @ 4:22 pm
Haha- that’s funny! But, that’s good that you push yourself without any goals- I don’t and so I end up not doing anything at all- hence why I make goals 🙁
January 10, 2018 @ 8:41 am
I like your goals, and find them similar to my own long-term goals for my wardrobe. I think we all long for a cohesive wardrobe, but I am beginning to think that a more varied wardrobe can still be unified if one’s shoes and accessories are simple and versatile enough to go with a lot of different hem-lengths and colors.
Part of the fun of clothing is its costume-like ability to transform. It is enjoyable to experiment, so this year I want to experiment a little: to try a few prints to see how I feel wearing them, to try adding trims to more of my sewing projects, and to keep working my way through my collection of vintage late-60s, 70s and early-80s sewing patterns, which have such inventive shapes and sleeve and collar styles.
I also work at home and like to get dressed up for myself. I feel like it increases my (admittedly shaky) confidence, and it is a pleasant thing to pick out an outfit and jewelry and not think of anyone’s opinion but your own. Otto Modersohn wrote that his wife, the painter Paula Modersohn-Becker, would dress very carefully before she went into the studio and would put flowers in her hair not because anyone would see her, but because it marked the respect she had for her work and the joy she had making it. I find her example very inspiring. Private, personal events are as important as public ones. It’s as gratifying (oftentimes more so) to dress for oneself as for other people’s attention and approval.
Good luck with your goals and your wardrobe changes!
January 11, 2018 @ 4:27 pm
You are exactly right- not everything in your closet needs to “match” as long as you are able to mix and match with accessories. My problem is that I have some things that I can only wear with one set of shoes/hat/purse etc to create only one outfit, which gets boring to wear all the time. Accessories really are the key- and that’s why I want to work towards more versatility in my clothes this year!
I love your goals of sewing through your pattern collection and adding in some different kinds of garments- I look forward to seeing them, and I wish you luck with your goals as well.
And- thank-you for taking the time to comment about dressing for oneself too. I really like the idea of respecting yourself and reflecting that in how you dress. “Private, personal events are as important as public ones”- I love this comment!
January 10, 2018 @ 4:16 pm
I am trying to weed out my clothes that I do not wear anymore. Some just do not look right and some do not fit any more. I try to make some resolutions. I do want to learn how to sew. Also learn a language[preferably] Latin. Wishing you and yours a Blessed,Happy and Healthy 2018.
Marilyn
January 11, 2018 @ 4:31 pm
It’s so hard going through your wardrobe and taking out the pieces that you no longer wear (for whatever reasons) but it is so gratifying to get rid of all the clutter. I hope your closet clear out goes well!
And, learning to sew is a great goal! Sewing really is an invaluable skill. If you are looking for some sewing tips and classes etc. Evelyn Wood Vintage Fashion House has some really great videos (I follow her on instagram). You can find her site here http://www.evelynwood.com.au/
I hope you have a great 2018 too!
January 11, 2018 @ 6:47 am
I used to set myself style goals like this, but I’ll admit I’ve gotten lazy in the past year. I’ve also accumulated too much stuff, so my only goal should really be reducing the heck out of it. So really, my goal should be to donate and sell until my heart’s content. I hear you about homeworking though – I only do it twice a week but I predictably wear the same 5 or so items, largely because I can’t be bothered to try. But it’s such a shame to waste all of that fabulous wardrobe that I can’t wear to work on my office days!!
January 11, 2018 @ 4:34 pm
It’s so hard to go through and get rid of clothes, isn’t it? But it is so nice to clear out the clutter of things that you no longer wear/need.
Maybe you’ll need to start wearing all the things you don’t wear often enough on your home working days. Cocktail dresses make great workwear 😉 And, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who struggles with “wanting to look nice, but feeling lazy and wanting to be comfortable, thus not dressing up”!
January 12, 2018 @ 4:14 am
I think it’s always good to have a plan for your wardrobe, then you don’t just end up buying random things just for the sake of it and then end up not wearing it. Whenever I buy or create something I always carefully consider the colours and style of it and make sure it goes with at least one thing in my wardrobe. Separates are great for this because you can have one skirt that will go with three different tops, for instance, creating three different outfits and you never get bored! Good luck with it all, and most of all have fun! xx
January 12, 2018 @ 4:04 pm
Yep exactly! A few years I used to just buy things from the thrift store that I liked, with no thought as to whether they actually worked, and then I always ended up with stuff I never wore, or couldn’t pair with anything else. Separates and accessories are where it’s at! 🙂
January 18, 2018 @ 1:30 pm
What interesting choices! And many of which I strive for myself.
Like you, I used to wear hats more often, but I really don’t anymore. I think for the most part, they aren’t really my style anymore, with the exception of a cowboy hat or a nice straw number that works for the adventurer chic I do. I still though have a hoard of amazing 1940s numbers that I keep because I can’t bare to part with them! One day!!
I really understand the desire for a more mix and match wardrobe. I have a hard time finding dresses that fit perfectly, as a I have a lower than average waist, so I find tops and bottoms work best, it also means your individual items are more versatile, as you can wear one item with an array of different items.
Everything you said about slow fashion is so incredible relatable. I’ve gotten better over the years, and the need to spend money elsewhere has helped curb this. Even though I don’t shop the typical fast fashion, I did often just buy things at thrift stores because they were vintage or just so darn cheap!
I totally get what you’re saying about putting more effort into everyday outfits, even when you don’t go out. I turned to vintage slips as everyday wear at home. I had collected two types of slips, the ones that are functional, and to be worn under outfits, then the more fancy ones, with embellishments, lots of lace, etc., which never really got worn. But now I wear them when going about doing daily chores, blogging, reading blogs, etc. But if I do like real housework of cleaning, painting, etc. I wear just old jeans and a tee.
Like you, I have some style resolutions for myself, and I look forward to seeing yours play out over 2018!
xoxo
-Janey
January 18, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
Thanks for your comment, Janey!
I completely understand your “hoarding” of the hats, even though you don’t wear them. I do have a few pieces like that myself, but I like to look at them, even if I don’t wear them. And, of course I’m trying to get better about not buying them in the first place 🙂 Spending your money elsewhere would definitely help to curb that!
Wearing vintage slips at home is a great idea- they would be pretty and yet still comfortable. When I’m doing housework etc. I don’t dress up, but for the times when I’m at my desk, I am trying to put in the extra effort.
I wish you luck with 2018 style resolutions too!