Going Rogue for 2017

Live Your Life in Style

Fashion header

Instead of all the “new year, new you” declarations, relax. Think about going rogue. Let’s just hit the reset button and focus on some of the “little” things that will make a difference when living your life in style.

START SMALL. Forget about redoing your whole wardrobe all at once and forget perfection... there’s too much stress with that kind of attitude. No, there is no “perfect” wardrobe. But we do make an impression on the people around us with the clothes we wear. So instead of just hanging out in yoga pants and hoodies all day long, find one new “something” that makes you feel great. It can be a fabulous, fringed jacket, an incredible pair of embroidered boots or a colorful new coat.

ONLY WEAR WHAT YOU LOVE. See above. When you buy clothes that “speak” to you and make you smile, then you’ll be well on your way to defining your own personal style. If you apply the “only buy what you love” rule to your wardrobe, even if it’s only one thing, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel and look. The first of the year is a great time to scour sales for those unique pieces that will become classics in your style journey.

SEEK OUT THE WOW PIECES. This is another way to give your wardrobe a new boost every year. Whether it’s a knock-out jacket, a dramatic scarf or an armful of jeweled bangles,  these provide the magic to your outfits and it’s what people remember. If you collect statement fashion pieces year after year, you’ll be amazed at how your wardrobe takes on a life of its own and transforms all the other basics in your closet.

STAY INSPIRED. So how do you find those great statement pieces? Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a shopaholic to add some real flair to your wardrobe. But you can become an explorer, even if it’s via electronics. For me, it’s much more inspirational to see a ton of movies, read a stack of magazines and go to as many art museum exhibits as possible. Antique fairs and crafts festivals are other favorites. And of course traveling is always a stimulating way to get inspired.  

STAY CONNECTED. When you get inspiration from every facet of your life, then you’ll start to see a connection to everything around you—your home also reflects your fashion style. Think about the colors you surround yourself with in your home. Then look at your closet. Most likely there’s a connection. Dark reds and emerald greens are the go-to color palette in my wardrobe and they have long been the paint colors I’ve used in my Victorian home. I was inspired by the colors of Oscar de la Renta’s home, featured years ago in Architectural Digest.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. If you think about the clothes you wear, there’s often a “uniform” in there somewhere. Whether it’s a colorful pantsuit or a pair of jeans and a turtleneck, we tend to gravitate to the same kinds of clothes that hopefully flatter the shape of our bodies no matter what size we are. Then add the special statement piece and voila...you’ve got your own definition of personal style.

DECLUTTER. You knew it was coming. You can’t start a new year off and not do some work on getting your closet in order, right? Well, I’ve decided it’s easier to declutter all year long. I keep two trash bags in my closet...one for donations and one for trash. All it takes is a few minutes to determine if that red sweater I bought and loved years ago doesn’t fit right anymore, and off it goes to the giveaway stash. Do a little decluttering one day at a time and you won’t have to do a huge clean-out all at once. Now that’s a resolution I don’t mind making!

 

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.

Leave a comment

You are commenting as guest.