With
the New Year upon us it’s time to take a fresh look at your
wardrobe and make some style resolutions. Carrie Greene provides some useful advice.
With the New
Year upon us it’s time to take a fresh look at your wardrobe and
make some style resolutions. So forget about the celebrity diets and the
extreme exercise regimes, and make some resolutions that are sure to help you
look better and feel better in 2014.
Be Sale Savvy
With the January
sales this year predicted to be bigger and better than ever, the temptation to
snap up an armful of bargains may prove irresistible. But sales are the time
when we are likely to make the biggest style mistakes, ending up with another
sequin dress that will get worn once then shoved to the bottom of the wash
basket, and a pair of must-have heels that are so painful they will never leave
the house.
Preparation is
the key to successful sale shopping, make a list of things you need or want
before you head out and you’re less likely to end up with a pile of unworn
purchases – if you wouldn’t wear something when it cost £100 are you any more likely
to wear it now it’s £50? My top tip for sale shopping is to up-shop. So if you
normally shop at Zara and Topshop why not try visiting Whistles and Cos during
the sales, you’ll probably be spending a similar amount but should end up with
better quality items that will look good for longer.
Size Matters
Not the size of
your body, but the size of the clothes you buy. We’ve all picked up a dress in
a size smaller than we really are in the hopes that we may either lose enough
weight to squeeze in to it, or it may miraculously make us look smaller just by
wearing it - but we all know that we won’t and it doesn’t!
In fact dressing
in the wrong size clothing is the quickest way to make you look bigger than you
are, so this year make the resolution to only buy clothes that fit and flatter
your figure. Whether that’s a size 6 or a size 16 you will look instantly
better wearing clothes that are the right size for you.
Find your Signature Style
If you make one
style resolution this year it should be to work on finding your signature
style. Whatever your age, shape or budget, everyone has a look that suits and
defines them best, from sophisticated and ladylike to vampy and vintage, what
you wear can be a fun and creative way to express who you are and what you love.
A signature
style is not about dressing the same all year round or sticking slavishly to
one particular look, it’s about experimenting with different colours,
silhouettes and fabrics to find a style that enhances your assets and brings
out your personality. If you’re struggling to find your signature style take
inspiration from your favourite celebrities - do you admire the chic and
feminine look of the Middleton sisters, or do you aspire to the sexy and fun
style of popstars like Rihanna and Beyonce? Take elements from these
celebrities and develop a look that is 100% you.
Be Braver with Fashion
Part of the key
to finding your signature style is to be brave and try wearing things that you
may not usually consider. It’s easy to get stuck in a bit of a fashion rut and keep
buying the same items over and over, but you don’t have to make a radical style
change in order to achieve a fresh new
look.
If you normally
wear mini-skirts to elongate your legs, try a pair of tailored, high-waisted
shorts with opaque tights instead, it will make your legs look endless whilst
giving you a more sophisticated and modern edge. Or if you’re clinging to a
uniform of skinny jeans and riding boots this winter, a more feminine and
fashion-forward option would be a knitted maxi skirt and suede ankle boots.
Clear out the Clutter
Having a serious
clear out is often top of people’s new year’s resolutions list, but this year
make your wardrobe top priority for a thorough de-clutter. Anything that you
haven’t worn in the past year (apart from vintage heirlooms or your wedding
dress!) should go, as it’s unlikely you will wear it next year either.
Unflattering items, or clothes that you no longer fit in should also be tossed,
it will only make you feel bad to look at a rail full of clothes that you’ve
outgrown.
By stripping
your wardrobe back to just the items you really love and regularly wear, you
will get a great idea of what pieces you need to buy, if any, and will probably
find it easier to put together your
outfits in the morning. Some of the most stylish women in the world are big
believers in the capsule wardrobe, so don’t be afraid to be ruthless with your
clear out – just remember to take all your unwanted items to the local charity
shop so someone else will benefit from your hard work.
Carrie Greene
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