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.

Basics and Fit

You can buy the basics for you wardrobe just about anywhere. The key is finding the brand that has the right fit for you. Most brands offer multiple “fits” for different body types. That’s the only way for them to appeal to a larger audience. But even so, they are not all created equal. A curvy fit at the Gap will be different from a curvy hit at Ann Taylor, and this is true across the board.

Do not underestimate the importance of fit. Fit is everything. When you have a basic that fits like it was made just for you, you automatically look 10x more polished than you would in an item that doesn’t fit you perfectly. You can compare an expensive item that doesn’t fit your body type to a less expensive item that fits you perfectly and the one that fits will look more attractive hands down.

In order to find the fit that works best for you, start trying on clothes. If you try on multiple fits at one brand and find that none work for you, don’t get frustrated. It’s simply time to find a different brand. And I hate to tell you this but as you may have already realized, brands tend to change their fits from time to time. So you’ll fall in love with one, only to find that the brand has stopped making it and now offers something they market as improved, but that doesn’t fit you the way your old favorite did.

(Isn’t this the most frustrating thing? It happens with my beauty products all the time! I hate that they are constantly switching on me. Okay, enough complaining…)

If you are struggling with fit, make friends with a seamstress. You can have a variety of items tailor to fit you specifically. A good seamstress will know exactly how to tailor an item to you. Once you start having items tailored you will start to learn what items of clothing can or cannot be tailored to you. You will also quickly learn (if you haven’t already) which styles are most flattering on you. Pay close attention. A good seamstress can teach you a lot about clothes, styles and fit!

In my last post on basics, I suggested a few items including jeans, a blazer and t-shirts. Neutral colors work best for basics as they can be the most versatile. But simple prints and patterns can also work as basics. When shopping for these items, look for classic pieces. You want items that will work with any trend in multiple seasons.  You want these basics to lay the foundation for your wardrobe.

In case you're looking for a little inspiration, I have highlighted a few basics from two great brands. Madewell and Lucky Brand have a variety of basic style that are worth your consideration. These two brands have a reputation for a more timeless classic look which makes for great basics.

Here are few Madewell pieces that are perfect examples of great basics:

Sound Ribbed Crewneck Tee

AM scoop tee

Anthem Split Neck Tee in Vartan Stripe

Long sleeve swingy tee dress

Bridgewalk V-Neck Dress

The Jean Jacket in Pinter Wash

Milestone Pullover Sweater

Ryder Cardigan Sweater

Below find a few highlights from the current Lucky Brand offering. To make it easy for you within the Featured Shops they have a Back to Basics curation that is simply on point.

Drop Needle Knit Top

Feminine Military Jacket

Washed Popover Tunic

Eyelet Peasant Top

Quilted Suede Moto Jacket

School Boy Blazer