There’s nothing quite like a new year to bring on the need for a change. I myself am prone to making numerous snap decisions throughout the year such as ‘I need to buy more skirts’ before deciding that trousers are essential a few months later. There’s just something about January that makes me want to jump on the resolutions bandwagon and attempt to make minor improvements in my life. Being immersed in the fashion industry and blogging world makes me reflect on my own style a great deal, which can be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one hand I’m reasonably happy with the way I express my personality through the clothes I wear, but I always feel I could push things more as I approach my 25th year. I’ve had a think about a few things I want to work on style-wise in 2012 (I have various other life resolutions which I’m slightly too scared to write down) and have attempted to jot them down here. It’s probably not ideal that most of these resolutions involve spending money that I potentially might not have in a month’s time, but hopefully I can learn to make wiser decisions with the cash I do have this year.
Utilise, anticipate (and budget for) sample sales
I’ve had a few years now of being more ‘fashionably aware’ in London and have seen a fair few sample sale seasons come and go. It seems that the months between March-June and September-December have the potential to yield multiple brand bargains but I never seem to know what’s going on when or have any money to spend. This needs to change. I know the brands I love and wish to own pieces by them in this lifetime, so as soon as these seasons start I need to do a little bit more detective work. Whether it’s by stalking prolific tweeters or just hoping for Google miracles, I’m hoping to know a bit more about what’s on when and budget accordingly. This resourcefulness could also be adopted for scouting potential eBay bargains (was very jealous after seeing Carrie’s tweet about scoring a Lover dress for £15) and hopefully yielding cheaper rewards.
1. Primark top and skirt (a dead ringer for Prada, I know)!
4. Asos dress
Take a few more risks
I guess that the years will start flying by if 2011 is anything to go by and I want to be even braver with what I wear. I tend to stick to very specific prints, colours and fabrics and I know that could quite easily just be seen as my ‘style’ but I want to try and wear more of the things I have shown appreciation for on Pinterest and Tumblr. I guess since I’ve started working, I’ve become a bit more conscious of what other people are wearing and slightly more cautious about expressing myself in a appropriate way. I really admire the combinations seen on these bloggers and would love to channel some of their fearlessness in what I wear. The items above represent the new SS12 trends I’m looking to experiment with but I also need to stop buying more of what I already have (polka dots, I’m looking at you)!
I wish this was my wardrobe, behold the source
Commit to the items I buy
Of course after taking all of these style risks, I actually need to see them through. I guess I’m prone to buying items and saving them for non-existent special occasions. I know that I liked the item when I bought it but when it comes to wearing it, the timing is never right, meaning I have a fair few things I have only worn once or twice (like this bright yellow dress). I am going to try and make a conscious effort to wear some of my more infrequently worn items and cull any regretted purchases.
Save for something significant
Since I started writing these resolutions, I’ve started to feel differently about this one. I know it’s not essential to have a designer bag and I’m quite happy with my current satchel situation, but it doesn’t stop me wanting to buy one. Take from that what you will. I’m hoping to be able to put a small amount of money away each month (perhaps the price of a few accidental online purchases) and buy something unexpected in the sales by the end of the year. I think that the thrill of waiting and saving up for something and not cheating with credit cards or overdrafts is something I need to get into the swing of again.
New make-up brushes to start the year afresh c/o Japonesque
Make more of hair and make-up
I’m slightly ashamed to say that make-up still baffles me at the age of 24, even though I consider myself to be a creative person. I probably experiment with the non-clothing part of my appearance the least simply because they are the things that I’m most afraid of getting wrong. After reading this post, I decided to invest in this book in the hope that I can understand what most of my adopted make-up collection actually does. These new brushes sent to me by Japonesque are a great start and I feel enlightened at the discovery of a foundation brush (I know I’m rather behind the times) and clean hands after application. Please say I’m not alone in my beauty confusion? Luckily nails are a different story…
Go back to New York
This may not be an obvious style resolution, but it’s been around a year and a half since I finished my internship in the Big Apple and I’m intrigued to see how it might have changed and what new shops and markets might have appeared. I really enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere in the various districts and observing the differences in style. I’m determined to go back and do all of the things I somehow didn’t manage to in six months (such as go up the statue of Liberty) and make a few well-considered purchases that are impossible to get in the UK. I know I should really attempt to travel to the other areas of America that I never got around to visiting, but there’s just something about New York that makes me want to see it again in the near future.
Have you made any style-related resolutions for the new year? I must add that I have various other personal and professional aspirations for 2012 but making these seemed a lot more fun! Hopefully you’ll see my progress in some of my future posts and it’ll be interesting to reflect on this in a year’s time.
Follow on
sarah says
This was a really interesting read! I don't think I'll be making any resolutions as such (I never make any 'life' ones so I don't think I'll bother with fashion ones!) but it does seem like a good time to reflect on what I wear.
NRC♥ says
I hadn't made any but after reading yours perhaps I should lol.
daisychain says
Oh, I must try and adopt some of these for myself, although living where I do I am at a distinct disadvantage.
Forever Miss Vanity says
Lovely new years resolutions. I agree with the designer bag situ, I don't need one, but i would really like one for a special occasion. I'm going to be 21 in April, so I'm hoping to buy one for my 21st 🙂
I'm a new follower btw, love your blog 🙂
xxx
Caroline says
Best of luck with your resolutions, I think I need to adopt some of these too!.. especially not just saving something for a special occasion, I'm often guilty of buying a dress for a set occasion then changing my mind on the day and not really getting round to wearing it, this must stop! x
Harriet says
The Mulberry Harriet is everywhere at the moment – it's like I am destined to need one…
I love your style resolutions, especially the one about taking more risks. I've been working in building up a wardrobe of items that all match and go together, and now maybe it's time to mix it up a bit!
Mat says
i liked this post, i think i'll carry on with what you said and i'll try get wearing some stuff that i have neglected. i've got plenty
WeShop says
This is a great post – food for thought and very inspiring. I hope you achieve everything you want in 2012. xx
Cylia says
make-up.. still a mystery to me aswell! not really a mystery, but I know very little about it.. I really don't like foundation to be honest. Need to find a way to put on a little make-up and still feel secure I won't look completely tired on camera! ha:)
life/style/flash. says
These are fantastic, I hope you manage to stick to them!
I've climbed up the Statue of Liberty – as a height-fearer I despised the climb but it was worth it, of course.
life/style/flash.
Clara Turbay says
Awesome ideas put together i find here.
http://paquetevistasbien.blogspot.com
Buaket says
Thar wardrope is amazing… And again: i love your blog, Thank you for your posts
chloe says
ha, i love the resolutions, i must say im guilty of some of them myself! i particularly giggled at the "buying items and saving them for non-existant occasions". ive also noticed that i buy things for my evening outfits and have nothing to wear at any other time! thus whenever i bump into anyone i know in the daytime i always want to hide because my outfits are distinctly un-chloe, ts ts!
Kylie says
Beautiful post as per usual. yes I want to get out of the habit of just buying/acquiring going out dresses. I just don't ever go out really haha xx
Winnie says
Those Japonesque brushes look so soft and fluffy! I own several foundation type brushes but I still apply foundation with fingers most of the time…ahhh I love make up.
Yes I want to go back to NY too! It's just got such a cool atmosphere. Also, I love that ASOS dress- love the two tone style of it.
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Becky says
Great list, I like 'commit to the items I buy'!
Bianca says
i definitely want to commit to buy some staple designer pieces…perhaps shoes..more than clothes i want pieces that will LAST
love this list
Vivian says
great style resolutions, I have one too and its to dress classy haha =)I definitely agree with the taking more risks thing xx
L.C says
Aw i loved reading this! we share the same resoloution about make up! it completely baffles me too haha, but i asked for some pieces for christmas and am determined to learn how to use them all!!