For the most part, my style came back home this year. Home isn’t exactly what it was before, because my style has evolved since the last time I had similar style sensibilities. But it’s home nonetheless, and feels really good.
I started moving away from simple, strict, and less structured tomboy outfits at the beginning of 2015, and I’m still on that leg of my style journey. At the end of 2015, I changed my aspirational style persona to something I call “Urban Pretty”, which emphasizes the soft, ladylike, structural, polished and pretty components of an outfit. In 2016 I continued to embrace this direction. I’m back to loving romantic flounces, ruffles, structure, scarves, necklaces, and all things pretty. Goodbye button-down shirt, and hello blouse.
As I reflect about my style over the last year, five things come to mind.
1. Retro
I had a strong Modern Retro element to my style when we started YLF ten years ago, and I’m thrilled to have come full circle in 2016. I thoroughly enjoy wearing retro silhouettes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s because they’re my favourite fashion eras. As a sentimental person, these silhouettes increase the happy factor of an outfit.
2. Pearl Fun
I LOVE PEARLS. After a five year hiatus, I am back to wearing my chunky pearl necklaces several times a week. The pearls have to be a shade of white, because that’s the colour I like best. Nice and bright, matches the colours that run through my hair and most of my footwear, and is low contrast against my pale collection. I also amped up my pearl wearing style this year by wearing a new pearl wedding ring and bracelet on a daily basis.
3. Hair Fun
I grew out my fringe for a year and a half and sported my hair both straight and wavy throughout 2016. I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic waves for seven months, which was just what I needed to change things up. By the end of September I grew tired of the fringe and chopped it off. I’m back to sporting a short polished pixie, which is where I want to stay for now.
4. Frocks
2016 was my year of the frock, and I added eight of them to my dress capsule. Wow. That’s a first for jeans-and-trouser-loving me. Despite the fact that I complain about the dress assortment at retail level, I managed to find items that fit well and are a pleasure to wear. Of course, that only happens when you’re not looking for dresses. Sometimes your unplanned purchases are just what you need to inject newness into your look. Go Team Dress!
I wore dresses throughout the year, and tweaked my style goals along the way. Thanks to a new pair of tailored and tall ink blue boots that I bought in London, I can now wear dresses with hosiery in colder weather.
5. Maximal
I was done with minimal outfits by February, but hadn’t realized it yet. The maximal trend in both Spring and Fall had worked its magic, and soon I was pattern mixing, layering, adding accessories, and looking for garments with intricate detail. Adding pearl necklaces to my outfits, along with green specs, created a maximal look all of its own.
Of all the outfits that I posted on YLF this year, the ones below were my favourites. My birthday blue lace dress holds top position, while the other four are tied for second place. Lace, white pearls, metallics, shine, tomato red, sour yellows, ink blue, white jeans, dark denim, dainty footwear, white footwear, pretty blouses, green specs, Ray-Ban sunnies, modern classic patterns, retro styling, ankle straps, and a nod to fashionable trends. These all made me happy in 2016.
