Posted on January 5th 2014 by
Well hello, 2014.
It’s that time of the year people, when we make promises to ourselves and others that we unintentionally forget to abide by in honor of the new year, well before months end. On New Year’s eve I found myself at home with Chinese food, wine, and reading a good book; very Miranda from Sex and the City, I know – thinking about the ways I could hone my personal style with greater resolve. Come January 1st, this usually means dedicating ourselves to a handful of mostly minor changes. After all, New Year’s isn’t about reinvention it’s about reflection. What style missteps would we care not to repeat? Which purchases are we most proud of? How can we make decisions more confidently? How can we feel better in our own skin? How can we have more fun with what we wear? I’ve never been into resolutions but, there are some things I would like to try out. For example, invest in a subtle pair of mannish flat oxfords, ditch the boyfriend jeans every once in a while, wear more midi-skirts with casual sweaters, incorporate more feminine pieces to my very black masculine tailored wardrobe, and find another word than chic to describe something that’s, well chic.
The word on the street in 2013 was, once again, that the street is the word in fashion. Gathering each Fashion Week to see the latest collections on the runway in New York, London, Milan, and Paris outside of the shows you could rely on Miroslava Duma, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Leandra Medina, Yasmin Sewell, Giovanna Battaglia, and Hanne Gabby Odiele to debut their own unforgettable sartorial pairings captured by Vogue.com’s contributing photographer Phil Oh, Tommy Ton, and the lenses behind Stockholm street-style.
Miroslava Duma photographed by Phil Oh at Milan Fashion Week
Taylor Tomasi Hill photographed by Phil Oh at Paris Fashion Week
Hanne Gabby Odiele photographed by Phil Oh at Paris Fashion Week
The ones that stood out were the ones who went all out; in a double dose of plaid, prints on prints, pink on pink, tip-to-toe pinstripes, and perfectly orchestrated menswear elements. The most head turning looks were the ones effortlessly put together with minimal detailing. Oversized coats became the key component to your ensemble, even worn as a separate, as seen on Giovanna Battaglia in Paris; while chunky knit turtlenecks and skirts stopping below the knee introduced new lengths and silhouettes.
Giovanna Battaglia photographed by Phil Oh at Paris Fashion Week
Photos via Vogue.com
With all these things in mind, I’ve put together a few of my own style resolutions for 2014, that can be useful to you as well.
1. Think beyond the season – In an effort to build a wardrobe that will last for multiple years, I vow to evaluate the long-term appeal of bigger purchases. If you too are a victim of buyers remorse remind yourself that it matters more about cost per wear, you will wear the item if not more than its initial cost. Be sure to organize your wants vs. needs and ask yourself if it were to vanish will you regret not taking the plunge.
2. Edit, viciously – If you don’t wear it more than once, it has no place in your closet. End of story.
3. Spend less money on fast fashion – You don’t have to spend a hefty penny everyday on your clothes and everyone doesn’t have disposable income but, it will fall apart. Think about it, the amount of money you spend on building a one-time wear wardrobe you can invest in something that will last more than one wash. I usually spend more on shoes, denim, and handbags, and mix and match shirts from high-street shops like Zara and H&M. They’re also easier to dispose and you won’t feel as bad when they get ruined. Every now-and-then is fine, just don’t make it apart of your regimen while out shopping.
Fashion should be about cherishing clothes and creating an identity, but instead it’s based on the constant adrenalin and the excitement of purchasing.
4. The smaller, the better – As much as I can appreciate an oversized bucket bag, when it comes to choosing a chic everyday bag that looks great paired with trousers and a pointed-toe pump; I’ll be downsizing to something lighter and clean, like this Alexander Wang polished leather Racketeer sling shoulder bag.
5. Rethink heel height – I’ve already joined the other sartorial woman making an attempt to achieve the Parisian je ne sais quoi by welcoming the return of the lower heel, now completely forgetting about high-heels altogether would be a damn shame but it’s something to think about at your own discretion. Lastly, stacked heels and mules will be your new best friend.
And finally, wait for it.
6. Color is the new black – I will no longer default to black when in need of a neutral. Instead I’ll be looking to incorporate reds, camels, and midnight blue come spring.
What are your style resolutions for 2014? Tell me everything, leave nothing out.
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Great tips! I need to get better at purging, but I am very good about spending less on the quick moving trends … H&M and even XXI are perfect for that!