Fashion resolutions are some of the best New Year’s resolutions because they are easier to accomplish than losing weight, and can dramatically impact your life in a positive way. These nine fashion resolutions will decrease stress, increase closet space, and lift your self-esteem. They may even improve your social life! Many of my clients report feeling more enthusiastic and comfortable socializing once they have accomplished these style resolutions.
Fashion Resolutions: Purge Your Closet
This is my favorite fashion resolution on the list. The more you own, the less you wear. You must get rid of items you don’t wear and that do not add value to your style. When you have a lot of crap in your way, it is difficult to see the garments you love. Plus, space is incredibly valuable and clutter ferociously degrades one’s peace. For inspiration, check out Lessons From Madame Chic and read my post on closet purging tips for step-by-step instructions that will make cleaning out your closet a breeze.
Fashion Resolutions: The Seasonal Wardrobe Switch Out
I am obsessed with the seasonal wardrobe switch-out — and so are my clients. It’s another great way to keep your closet clutter-free and to get excited about items you already own. About 2-4 times a year, I make my clients store all the clothing they will not wear in the next 3-6 months. For example, we put away shorts in the winter and coats in the summer. When the weather turns, get out your storage bins or dig into that spare closet for the next season and pick out all the items you are excited to wear. (I call this “shopping the closet.”) Anything you need a break from stays in the bins or on the rack. Obviously, anything you are totally over gets donated, which tends to be easier when something has been put away and forgotten about. Sometimes though you just need a break from something. For instance, I have a Mara Hoffman statement dress that I wear every other warm season because it feels too memorable to wear every year.
Don’t have a spare closet for storing out-of-season items or don’t have the space for storage bins? Arrange your closet to have the current season’s items in the most prime real estate and put the out-of-season items in the harder-to-reach part of your closet and in your bottom drawers.
Fashion Resolutions: Buy Less
Buying less is better for the environment, better for your closet, and better for your personal style. Take your purchases seriously, and consider what each purchase will add to your life and look. Don’t be tempted by discounts, and pressured by sales associates or friends. Ask yourself a few questions before buying something: Am I excited to wear this? What will it go with? When will I wear it?
For the items you do buy, there are small things you can do from the beginning to increase their longevity. For example, mesh laundry bags will protect delicates in the wash, a fabric shaver will get rid of pills on your sweater, a jewelry cleaning cloth will keep your sterling silver rings fresh, and a protectant spray can extend the life of leather or suede booties and shoes. (You can see all the fashion tools I recommend for lengthening the life of your wardrobe, here.)
Fashion Resolutions: Buy Better
When you do buy something, buy better quality pieces. They will enhance your look, last longer, and feel better on your body. It also saves you from having to replace cheap things all the time. George Hahn defined it well in an article titled Less, But Better. I regularly feature the best items I’m putting on my clients in my Best of Best posts — these are versatile, quality items that tend to flatter most body types, from the best affordable puffer jacket to the best wide-leg pants. Looking for something else? Stylish pjs? Non-itchy sweaters? I’ve probably written about it on the blog. Just type what you’re looking for into the search bar.
Fashion Resolutions: Stop Buying The Same Thing
Do you have a drawer full of the same white t-shirt? Quit buying them. Do you have three black tank tops for the same purpose? Keep only the best and toss the one you never use. If you are buying something because you’re looking for the perfect one and keep settling on a non-perfect one… stop that. Don’t settle on a mediocre version of something. Keep searching for the excellent version you have in mind.
Fashion Resolutions: Tailor It
I know so many people who have a bunch of clothes they don’t wear because they haven’t taken them to the tailor. Sometimes these items hang in your closet and you forget why you don’t wear them. Other times you have the bag of tailoring just sitting there, waiting for you to do the errand. Don’t want to go to the tailor shop? Ask the tailor what their fee is for coming to your home! It might be cheaper than you think. Some only charge $50 and drop off the items when they are done. Tailoring items you already own will also help with the fashion resolution of buying less.
Fashion Resolutions: Wear It
This is one of my favorite fashion resolutions: stop saving those special occasion items for the perfect event that never seems to come up. Wear that dress, shoe, or coat that you love. What’s the point of owning that fabulous frock if it never leaves your closet? Make the occasion and don’t be scared to ruin something. In this age of resale fabulosity, you can hunt down just about anything on eBay, Poshmark, or The Real Real if you ruin it beyond repair.
Fashion Resolutions: Repair It
This fashion resolution is in the same vein as the tailoring resolution. If it is clothing that needs repair, obviously take it to the tailor. But you can also repair any jewelry, shoes, or bags you stopped wearing because they “broke”. Google “jewelry repair” and “shoe repair” to find the top-rated ones in your area and bring in all those broken bracelets and filthy shoes. (You can see my go-to shoe repair places in San Diego, here). And yes, a shoe repair place can clean your shoes for you, change out the soles, and bring back the original color.
Fashion Resolutions: Buy It
There are over shoppers and then there are under shoppers. This resolution is for my under shoppers. If you need to get a black stretch blazer, buy it. If you need new jeans, get them. If you need a new handbag, purchase a nice one. Stop putting your needs last and stop saving all your money for a rainy day. Just get the things you need and stop being cheap about it. You will be happier if you get some pants that actually fit.
