Time For A New Start

Happy New Year! I know I’ve been missing for weeks now. I took some time off. Last year really challenged me in so many ways. At the end I needed time to step back and just let myself unwind. And that was harder than I realized it would be.

I can get so worked up that it takes a long time to un-do the stress. I tried to spend some time listening, absorbing and relaxing. As I listened, I heard others discuss what they were learning about themselves from the challenges of 2020. So many it seems were trying to find the silver lining in an otherwise disappointing year.

I’ve always approached life from a place of gratitude. Even in 2020, there were things to be grateful for. But I also struggled with the reality of the challenges I was facing day to day. And that hasn’t really changed. I have hope… and I know there is a light at the end of this long dark tunnel, but I am running low on the patience I need to have to get there.

And I know so many of you are struggling, losing patience, taking a breath and trying again. We can do this. We can. Let’s try to take this new year as a new opportunity to start fresh.

I’ve taken some time to think about what I want for this website and this blog in 2021. I’ve decided to take this blog back towards fashion and style tips that will support your wardrobe and make you feel fantastic each and every day. I think that we can each find a style that flatters our figure and fits our lifestyle. And that will make all the difference in your day.

I’ve also decided to work towards a new website layout that I hope you will love! So, please have a little patience with me as we make this transition into a new space that I am excited to share with you.

As we start this new year…. let’s start thinking about your style goals for 2021! More to come on this but I think now is a great time to start looking at your closet with a more critical eye. Time to filter out items that don’t feel quite right. Trust your gut. I’ll help you to develop your eye on what to look out for. We’re in this together.

There’s lot of tips, tricks, idea and inspiration to come but for now let’s focus on what makes you feel good. It can be the cozy sweatshirt that you wear as part of your uniform or the broken in jeans that fit just right. Maybe what makes you feel good are your black leggings or a boyfriend flannel shirt. Maybe it’s not just one item. For me, it’s my crewneck sweaters. Turns out that I have a number of them. And they are my go to items. And I wear them often.

Let’s build on the feeling you get from that item in your wardrobe that makes you feel good. I am not suggesting that you need to multiply that one item… as in my obvious sweater obsession… bur rather build a wardrobe that gives you that feel. Suddenly we’ve taken some of the stress out of your morning. We’ve improved your mindset and reset your perspective. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Dress the body you have...

A new year is a great time to clean out your closet and organize your wardrobe. This can be a daunting task. A great place to start is by trying things on. We often hold on to clothing that we have sentimental attachments to, or that we anticipate will fit us in the future. Maybe we are waiting until we lose a few pounds. Or perhaps we are just waiting for the right occasion. In the end we will benefit most from creating a wardrobe that fits the body we have today for the lifestyle we live in the present.

Over the course of our life our bodies will change. After pregnancy, your body will change. Perhaps you’ve had a surgery that might also alter your body. Maybe your weight has fluctuated over the years. Maybe gravity is taking over. There can be a number of different factors that impact how our bodies change over time. As a result, even if you hung onto clothes for 5 years, chances are they don’t fit you the same way today as they did 5 years ago. That’s not to say that we can’t hold onto investment pieces. We just have to be aware of how our bodies change and what that means for our wardrobe.

When organizing your wardrobe, be critical of your clothing. If something doesn’t fit you, don’t hold on to it. You want to create a wardrobe full of clothes that you can wear now. You can do this. But you need to be honest with yourself about what looks good on your body and fits properly.

When it comes to retail, we have more choices than ever to find clothing that will fit our bodies. Most retailers will carry petite, tall, curvy, short, slim, straight, flare, high-rise, low-rise and many other styles. With so many choices, you can quickly be overwhelmed. By starting with your own wardrobe, you can begin to identify how things fit and how that fit can be improved upon. For example, perhaps you try on a pair of low-rise skinny jeans that no longer support or flatter your post baby body. You can quickly identify that you want something with a higher rise and maybe a loose fit. Instead of skinny, slim might be a better choice.

Perhaps you own a pair of jeans that fits great all around but needs to be taken in at the waist. This type of fix can be handled by a seamstress. If your clothing item just needs a small adjustment to fit that’s where it’s worth taking to a seamstress to have it tailored to fit you. There’s a good chance that even an item you purchase off the rack might not fit you perfectly. Every body is different and you might require a little tailoring to have an item look tailored to you!

To make the most out of your closet cleanout, consider inviting a friend to help. Getting someone else opinion on how things fit is invaluable. As much as we look in a mirror it’s still only a two dimensional view. Another person can see the fit all around and offer a third party perspective. If you must be on your own, considering taking pictures of yourself in a full length mirror. (Be sure to always use a full length mirror to see your entire outfit.) Looking at a picture will let you be a little more critical of how you look.

As you build a wardrobe that reflects your current needs, start thinking about what items will compliment what you already have to create a full wardrobe that provides options for all your upcoming engagements.

Below are a few items that you might find to be welcome additions to your current wardrobe staples.

J. Crew Sophie Open Front Sweater Blazer

A blazer is a great layering piece and can work as a jacket in warmer temperatures. It instantly elevates an outfit and provides structure to your style.

J. Crew Quilted Downtown Field Jacket

New England weather requires us to wear a jacket most of the year. Chances are if you live here you own multiple jackets. These require a closet cleanout every once in awhile as well. They get worn and won’t fit like they use to after awhile. Look for a neutral color and classic style when shopping for an everyday jacket so it can get you through more than one season and still look on in style.

J. Crew Pointelle Crewneck Sweater

A simple crewneck sweater is universally flattering but watch out for the details. Where do the sleeves fall? Is it too short, too long? Color matters. Find the one that best compliments your complexion.

Anthropologie: Puff Sleeved Sweatshirt (RD Style)

The puff sleeves give this sweatshirt a little added detail that makes it less gym staple and more weekend chic. Look for these types of details in your clothing choices to add personal style to your wardrobe.

Anthropologie: Cassia Buttondown (Cloth & Stone)

A simple classic buttondown is a versatile piece to have your closet. With the right accessories you can make this basic piece work for any number of situations.

Set Your Style Goals for 2020

What do you want your style to say about you this year? How do you want your style to make you feel? What changes do you want to make to your wardrobe to better flatter your body and your personality? Have you ever thought about your wardrobe in this way?

I would say that most of us don’t think about our wardrobe in a strategic way. But we should. How do you decide on what to buy and how to fill your closet? We should be choosing items that fit not only our bodies but also our lifestyles. We should be choosing items that compliment what we love about your current wardrobe. We should be donating items that sit in our closets unworn month after month.

When you start to think about your wardrobe in this way it can be both overwhelming and empowering. In order to feel more empowered than overwhelmed, try to think of it in steps. First steps are to clean out your closet and donate items you no longer use. Only keep what you love and what fits. Now look at what is left and make a list of what you need to fill out that wardrobe. Start with the very basics. What do you need for your everyday life? This answer will be different for everyone. Think about where you go, the places that you frequent, and what you need to wear to those places.

Perhaps you got hung up on the part where I mentioned “fit”. Perhaps you sped right by it but shouldn’t have. Let’s stop here for a moment. How do you define the right fit for your body? We need to be brutal when trying things on. Take a good look in the mirror. Are the seams hitting all the right places? Is the hem where it should be? What about the length? The right fit for your body should flatter your shape. And because everyone is shaped differently the clothes you try on will not fit you the same way they do the model… any model.

This is where it makes sense to focus your efforts first. You might be thinking… what comes next? Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, you can start thinking about colors, textures, patterns. What silhouettes and necklines flatter you most? What clothing gives you confidence and why? When you start to break down your wardrobe this way, it can actually make shopping and deciding what you wear in the morning, much easier.

So here is to a bright and bold new year! Make all your style goals now and let’s get started.

It’s hard to find styles that are universally flattering. In lieu of such, see some examples of simple silhouettes from J. Crew below to give you an idea of where to start.

Long sleeve everyday cashmere crewneck

Long Sleeve Ruffle Front Top

Long Sheath Dress

Ruffle Trim V-neck popover

High rise Cameron pant

Long Sleeve Dress in 365 Crepe