My wardrobe is in tip top shape, and I’m very happy with my style. After years of soul searching and trial-and-error, it reflects my needs with honesty and precision. I can rely on my wardrobe to make me feel great and comfortable for every part of my life. From working with clients, going to parties and events, seeing friends, running errands, and working from home, to walking doggies, practicing yoga, cooking, going on outdoorsy adventures, traveling the world, sleeping, and lounging at home. It’s all covered and I’m a lucky fish.
2024 was a good editing and shopping year. I added new items, passed on others, ticked off items on my shopping list, found fabulous new bras, prevented delayed shopping disasters, and didn’t change the size of my wardrobe. Its moderate size works well for my lifestyle as a style professional living in a four-season climate. I am in full control of my wardrobe and love it.
There were some changes. I switched to wearing dressy flat loafers more frequently than fashion sneakers because I’m in an even dressier mood, and have super comfortable pairs. My loafers work with most things in my wardrobe, and for at least nine months of the year. Long length pants and jeans have made them easier to wear in colder weather too.
I reached my hair goal after growing it for three years from a super short pixie. I finally have shoulder length hair in my natural colour. I stopped highlighting it three years ago too. It’s dark blonde with no grey. To my surprise, I like the natural colour of my hair. I find it versatile because I can wear earth tones more easily, as well as my usual palette of white, navy, sour brights, and a few pastels.
I’ll keep my hair shoulder length for a while because the dramatic change was a slog to grow out. I need to enjoy the fruits of my efforts! Hubs Greg much likes the long hair change too. Unfortunately, I don’t enjoy the daily upkeep and styling of long hair. It’s time consuming and fussy, and I’m not sure it’s worth it. It’s much easier to style short hair, especially when you’re outside in the elements a lot like I am. It’s a trade-off though. I need haircuts every six weeks with a pixie, but can go months without seeing my hairstylist with long hair.
At some point in the Spring we’ll move back into our fully renovated loft complete with a bespoke and beautiful walk-in-wardrobe. I’m very excited to organize and store our wardrobes in their new spaces.
For the eighth year in a row, I’m keeping the same style descriptor and the adjectives that describe my aspirational style. The older I get, the more set in my ways I am with my style and sartorial preferences. I love trying something new, yet the comfort and confidence I derive from my signature looks and the “tried and tested” gives me the most pleasure, energy, and calm.
Urban Polish
I live in the city, walk almost everywhere in all sorts of weather with doggies in tow, wear smart casual and dressy clothes daily, and extremely comfortable shoes that go the distance. I am very neat, tidy, and organized by nature, so it’s important that my outward appearance exudes a high dose of polish.
Modern, because I enjoy injecting a few carefully chosen trends into my seasonal look. That’s part of why fashion is fun, keeps things fresh, and it works well with my line of work.
Crisp, because I love wearing shades of white and clear brights, and have a strong need to create a fresh, professional and tidy appearance.
Retro, because of my fondness for fashion from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, but remixing retro sensibilities with a good dose of current.
Playful, because it’s important to me to wear outfits that are or have amusing, sentimental, nostalgic and fun elements. This also reminds me to not take fashion and style too seriously, and to do my own thing.
Dressy, because super casual does not make me happy.
Goals
My high level goal is to to carry on doing what I’m doing. Many of my style and wardrobe decisions, strategies, and processes have become internalized habits that are intuitive and on autopilot.
I do also have a few specific goals:
- Add dressy cream pants, and replace old white bottoms.
- Add orange wardrobe items because it’s my colour of the year.
- Embellish my high Summer wardrobe because our Summers are longer than they used to be. That means more sleeved midi and midaxi dresses, and cotton co-ords.
- Add dark blue slim straight leg jeans.
- Replace the lenses in my sunglasses with a new progressive prescription.
- Add dressy red trousers to replace a worn out pair.
Please share your style goals in the comments section. I’m sure they will be interesting and inspirational to others, and I look forward to hearing them.
