Your 2018 style resolutions

The start of the New Year is the perfect time to take stock and re-evaluate your personal style.  Resolutions don't have to be those dreaded things you make at the beginning of every year, only to be cast aside and forgotten. When it comes to fashion, committing to some new resolutions can help reinvigorate your personal style. Regardless of whether or not you feel like you're in a bit of a fashion rut, or you just want to take your style to the next level, 2018 is the year of making leaps.

Read my style resolutions to help your start your new year in style!

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Everyday is your 'best day' 

This means not saving anything for best – life’s too short not to wear that amazing jumper, or go for dinner in that OTT dress. Embracing your special pieces will instantly change the way you see your wardrobe.

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Don't be seduced by the sales

Let 2018 be the year you don’t buy that dress you’ll never wear just because it’s got a 50% off tag. I recommend adding to your basket online in advance of the sales, so you know you’re purchasing items you actually love.

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Invest in accessories

From statement earrings to wow factor shoes, accessories were the star of the show in 2017. The perfect investment for colourphobes and black devotees, try investing in this season’s crop of must haves to easily transform simple looks to stylish outfits.

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Wear more colour

Wearing the right colours that suit your skin tone can change your style, your wardrobe and your life. Knowing your colours improves your confidence when pulling outfits together and when shopping. It also gives you more ideas if you are stuck in a rut wearing black all the time. Break out of your black habit and get your colours done and change your outlook on colour forever.

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Love your wardrobe & it will love you back

Hands up if you’re guilty of ‘the chair’? Stop throwing everything into a pile this year and, instead, take the time to fold things, hang them up, buy good hangers, head to the dry cleaners – making a little bit of effort will make your wardrobe last.

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Try somewhere new

Whilst I love a high street bargin and will always be a Topshop girl at heart, it's always great to try new places to shop. Read my blog on where to find clothes you actually want to wear and get upto date on the new places to shop online.
 

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Buy Less, buy clever

Make the most of your budget by spending more wisely on pieces that have a big impact on your wardrobe rather than buying throw away items in the sale.  Avoid impulse buying by delaying your purchase by a day, walk away from the shop, save the link or add it to your wish list and give yourself a chance to really think it through.

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For more style tips and advice then follow me on social media or book me for a consultation.

YouTube video styling tips - style advice top 3

Chatting all things style on my new YouTube video. 
Feeling the mid January blues & need some style inspiration? Watch my latest YouTube video for my top 3 style tips to give your Winter looks a boost. Click on the link below...

How statement earrings can save your January style

If like me you are doing dry January, which also means not spending any money (more about that in next week's blog post), then going out with nothing new to wear can feel rather depressing. Of course I can advise you to re-look at your wardrobe and utilise those forgotten pieces lurking at the back but sometimes it is nice to wear something that has impact - makes a statement. 

Recently I have become a huge fan of the statement earring. Not just for Christmas, I believe that a fabulous pair of earrings can be a game-changer for any outfit. Something bright, bold, glitzy or colourful worn near the face can magic the most dullest top or boring jumper into a stylish outfit.

The statement earring is here to stay and I say the bigger the better! It’s the perfect accessory to dress up a shirt, jumper or t-shirt. They can be perfect for day or evening - in fact, they are probably your most versatile accessory right now and are easy for everyone to wear. Fashion influencers and street style regulars are pairing them with jeans and Breton tops, minimal make-up and generally low-key looks. Sales of earrings have been increasing throughout 2017 and it doesn't look like it will slow down anytime soon with people buying into mainly statement, drop earrings, mostly with coloured tassels and beads.

So if you are going to buy anything to style up your daytime or evening looks then splash out on a pair of statement earrings (or 2!). See my favourite statement earrings of the moment...

1. Toolally Half Moon drop earrings, John Lewis £45.00

2. Crystal and thread ball drop earrings, JCrew £38.00

3. Green Resin abstract earring, Jigsaw £30.00

4. Crystal fabric drop earrings, Topshop £14.50

5. Mahli Jewelled Tassel Earrings, Anthropologie £44.00

What to ditch from your wardrobe to make you happy

There is a difference between saying you hate everything in your wardrobe and owning items that actually make you feel sad. When it comes to your wardrobe, stocking it with items that make you happy should be a number one rule. If you agree, then you need to ask yourself why are you holding on to pieces that trigger feelings of insecurity, disappointment or the kind of nostalgia that hurts, such as trousers you used to fit into or gifts from someone special who is no longer in your life, or maternity wear that you no longer have a need for?

In my opinion, life is stressful enough, so when it comes to my wardrobe, I want it to be a place where I can temporarily escape to; one that makes me feel like the best version of my current self, and nothing else. Here, I break down the items I (not so easily) ditched from my wardrobe in order to make my life a happier one overall. From personal experience, I can tell you that letting go of the five types of items was not a walk in the park, but after ripping off the Band-Aid, I live a life that is generally more at peace with my style, I increased my self confidence as I now know the pieces I own fit and suit me, and I have less urges to buy new things all the time.

Go on to read about the items I ditched from my wardrobe that lead to a happier stress-free style!

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ITEMS THAT DON'T FIT

I think it's safe to assume that most women (and men) keep that more than one article of clothing hidden away in their wardrobes that used to fit them, but no longer does. The intention behind keeping said item is to hopefully motivate yourself to trim down enough to fit into whatever it is. From personal experience, this tactic only stirs up negative feelings about your body, and no one wants that.

Instead, I recommend ditching those items. For me, it's my "too-skinny" jeans. I'm now investing in jeans that not only fit, but ones that make me feel more confident and happier with my body.

Jeans chuck out of skinnies that no longer or will never fit me again.

PIECES WITH UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

When I was younger I had tended to buy articles of clothing that require a lot of work to wear—fashion tape, cross-over bras, slips, etc. Or items that I can only wear to one type of event or holiday - that strapless ball gown or an over complicated top and skirt, that kind of thing that you end up never wearing again. These items always overwhelm me when I come across them, as I remember all the activities I imagined myself doing in them, but never actually did and all the extra items I had to buy to make them work. 

Once you get rid of these not so versatile items from you wardrobe, promise yourself to buy pieces that are a breeze to wear, uncomplicated and doesn't require a slip or cami top in every single colour you can think of.

Unrealistic ball gown that is never going to be worn again.

PIECES GIVEN TO YOU OR HAND-ME-DOWNS

We can all fall into that trap of accepting items from our Mothers, Mother-in-laws, sisters, friends but this is just a cycle of cluttering rather than making you feel good. They are handing you the items that they no longer want, so why would you want them? If it's a Burburry Mac, Chanel bag or a pair of Chloe boots I wouldn't say no, but your mother-in-laws purchase from Matalan 5 years ago, just isn't going to cut it with your style let alone your confidence.

Learn to say thanks and then bag it up for the charity shop. Don't feel bad about this, if they were going to chuck it out then there is no problem with you doing it for them. 

TRINKETS FROM A PAST RELATIONSHIP / LIFE

When it comes to nostalgia, I am someone who appreciates my memories more than the physical items that trigger those memories. But I have clients out there who love keeping their memories alive with items of clothing or gifts that have been given to them from a past relationship. Unless this is something you wear everyday, like a ring from your grandma for example, then keep them in a memory box. You don't want that cut up t-shirt from circa 1990 from your travels around Europe clogging up your wardrobe in the summer months, when you could be making room for something that fits and suits you.

If you make a memory box with items that bring back good memories then make sure you put it somewhere you will remember and won't throw out in the future.

ITEMS THAT HAVE DUST GATHERING

When I am helping clients detox their wardrobes we often find items of clothing with a heavy layer of dust on them. Most commonly this is suits that women have worn in a past corporate life and are now either in a different job, are Mothers who don't work or just have no need for suits in their life. Don't hoard these in your wardrobe thinking one day if you go back to work in a corporate environment that you might drag those suits out of the back of your wardrobe, because inevitably you will buy yourself new clothes for your new job.

Think of all that space you will create by getting rid of all those old suits that by gathering dust they are no longer wearable anyway. 

Upto date suits, gathering no dust.

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By having the items we love the most in our wardrobes we are taking back control of our identities and have a wardrobe that serves your life and future goals. If you need help with reviewing what you have in your wardrobe and want to develop your signature style then please get in touch now to book your consultation with me.

Dreaming of an uncomplicated de-cluttered wardrobe.