Happy Friday loves,
Earlier this week, I shared with you 10 beauty resolutions, 7 health & wellness resolutions and even gave you 8 powerful thoughts designed to jumpstart your thinking in 2014. Â Now that you are all set up to feel good on the inside and outside it is time for us to tackle your style. I am excited to share these 8 simple tips to help you look your best year round.Â
1. DRESS YOUR BODY
Enough is enough. No matter what your desired weight is, you should dress the body you have today. I don’t care if you are 100 or 200 lbs you can make your clothes work for you. So dress your shape. If you are pear-shaped for example, you can create the illusion of having broader shoulders and slimmer hips by wearing a printed blazer with shoulder pads and an A-line skirt. The goal is to highlight your assets to balance your proportions.
2. SHOP YOUR CLOSET
Looking for something new to wear without breaking the bank? Shop your own closet! Look for something you haven’t worn in a long time and style it differently from the last time you wore it by changing the accessories and pairing pieces. You should also reach for that thing hiding in the back of your closet with the tags still on and ask yourself why you bought it. If it’s because you loved it and it still fits, then wear it. If you regret buying it however, don’t cry over spilt milk and just sell it on eBay or give it away! Use the latter as a valuable lesson: remember to think twice before you buy next time.
3. SHOP RESPONSIBLY Â & CONSCIOUSLY
When it comes to shopping all of us wished we had an unlimited budget but the reality is that we don’t. So shop responsibly and remember that shopping is not a substitute for therapy. If you happen to be hitting the mall to relieve some stress make sure to follow these simple rules: shop alone, don’t use a shopping cart, keep the receipts, give yourself a strict budget and a time limit. Last but not least, use all the tips on this website to shop consciously. Select brands who treat their workers fairly and create products that are good for the environment, and your body.
4. UPCYCLE
Thrift and vintage shopping are so conscious & chic! Shopping this way gives a second life to items that would otherwise be dumped. It also gives you the opportunity to have something that no one or very few people have. And did I mention how inexpensive thrift shopping can be? I once scored a pair of high-waisted leather pants for $10 and this is not uncommon in the thrifting world.
5. BE KIND TO YOUR FEET
Hi my name is Kathleen and I am a heels-aholic. I love wearing high-heels. When faced with a flats vs heels dilemma, I always pick the heels. I even wear high-heel boots in the snow. It’s a no brainer for me but the truth is even though they are fabulous, high heels can be damaging to your feet and spine. So as a preventive measure in 2014, I will be kinder to my body by wearing flats, sneakers and flat boots whenever wearing heels is not necessary. This way, I’ll be able to rock Louboutins to my 95th birthday party!!!
6. DRY CLEAN
Dry cleaning can be expensive but it is necessary to insure the longevity of some of your items like outerwear, evening gowns and designer pieces. At the end of each season, I dry clean my coats and blazers in preparation for the following year. I do this religiously to prevent the dirt from settling into my clothes while they are not being used. I also do it to make sure they are ready to be worn at the first sign of the new season.
7. TRY SOMETHING NEW
If you are in a style rut, try venturing out of your comfort zone. Give a new trend a try, go to a store you would never dare to step into or borrow something from a friend. And if your attempt to reinvent yourself fails, just try again.
8. GET HELP
If you’d rather get a root canal than go shopping for clothes, get help. A stylish friend, a girlfriend, boyfriend or a personal shopper can be of great resource. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them. Don’t use your dislike for shopping as an excuse because, let’s face it, the way you look does affect your success. So suck it up and learn how to dress appropriately for your style, body and budget because it can improve your personal, romantic and professional life.
Stay Conscious & Chic!
