It’s not essential to create a list of style goals, but they can serve as a helpful frame of reference as you review your closet, shop for new items, create outfits, and evolve your style. Having a FLEXIBLE set of goals will make your style journey more effective and enjoyable. 

If you have a good handle on your style direction and are in the fine-tuning phase, setting style goals is a quick, intuitive and incremental process. On the other hand, if you’ve experienced dramatic changes in your life, or if you’re in a style rut, setting style goals requires time, some soul searching, and an in-depth analysis of the internal and external factors that affect your style.

For a formal and thorough approach, write down or type out your style goals, keep them close by, and check in on them regularly to asses your progress throughout the year. Tweak your goals along the way. If this sounds overwhelming, try a less formal approach by simply taking a moment to think about how you’d like to improve your fashion and style life in 2018. Keep those style musings in your head and see if that way works for you.

Anything that relates to your style can go on the list. Style goals can be long or short, general or specific, seasonal or annual, abstract or countable. Remember that style goals can be changed at any time.

I reflected on my 2017 style a few weeks ago. It took me a while to settle down last year, but I eventually found my direction, added lots of wild cards, and ran with it. I’ll be building on those reflections as I evolve my look for 2018, and try new stuff that tickles my fancy. We have a busy year filled with lots of travel and many special occasions, so my wardrobe needs to reflect my needs even more closely. It helps that I feel more content about my style direction than ever, and have a solid base to work from.

One small epiphany: I tend to crave a change in colour and colour combination more than a change in silhouette. This accounts for my colour-rich wardrobe, my propensity to regularly add new-to-me colours to my wardrobe, and to remix colours in fresh ways.

I’m changing my style moniker slightly from “Urban Pretty” to “Urban Polish”. I may live in a grungy and casual city, but it’s important to me to create daily outfits that are refined, pretty, structured, polished, comfortable, and somewhat dressy.

Here are my goals:

1. To wear outfits that are Modern, Crisp, Retro, Soft and Dressy. I’ve chosen these adjectives to describe my ideal style. They’ll serve as a benchmark for assessing outfits and purchases on this leg of my style journey.
   • Modern because I enjoy injecting a few carefully chosen hot-off-the-press trends into my seasonal look. That’s part of why fashion is fun.
   • Crisp because I love wearing shades of white, and have a strong need to create a polished and tidy appearance.
   • Retro because of my fondness for fashion from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, but remixing their sensibilities with a good dose of current.
   • Soft because I do not like wearing hard-edged looks.
   • Dressy because super casual does not make me happy.
2. To continue exploring Maximal style my way. I thoroughly enjoy scarves, piles of pearl jewellery, matchy-matchy looks, pom-poms, belts, intentional layers, as well as a whole lot of pattern mixing. I’ll be looking for that next layer of maximal fabness that makes me happy.
3. To further explore colour by adding a few more new-to-me non-neutrals to my mix of sour brights, pastels, earth tones, and favourite neutrals. To continue remixing the colours in my wardrobe in bold, new and tonal combinations.
4. To continue adding elegant touches to my style. My custom-made dainty pearl bracelets, pearl ring, watch and scarves make me feel more elegant and polished, as does wearing dresses, real pearl necklaces, Furla handbags, structured outfits, and refined footwear. I hope to add comfortable pointy-toe ballet flats and pretty Summer dresses to my style.
5. To add a pair of white Modern Retro prescription sunglasses.
6. To add soft, bright turquoise wardrobe items. A tricky goal when turquoise is not an on-trend colour at the moment.
7. To continue wearing black in small doses.
8. To continue wearing skirts and dresses more frequently year round. Wearing dresses over cropped straights and flares counts as wearing a dress.
9. To wear both casual and dressy trousers more frequently and blue jeans less frequently.
10. To continue mixing high-end and low-end items in one outfit.
11. To continue finding wardrobe gems on my travels because they are unique and sentimental.
12. To build an effective Modern Retro swimwear capsule that makes me feel fab.
13. To have even MORE fun with fashion.

Over to you. Have you thought about your style goals for 2018? Many of our forum members have thought about theirs, and they have been a pleasure to read. Please share your style goals in the comments section. Begin with just three goals if that’s easier, and take it from there. Or simply jot down some rough thoughts about your current and aspirational style direction.

Instead of a weekly roundup, just two fab finds this week. The hosiery is pricey but worth it. The dress is quite reasonably priced, but looks designer and even better in person. 

Spanx Luxe Leg Pantyhose

I can’t rave enough about these pantyhose, especially since I was skeptical about their comfort and don’t enjoy Spanx in general. A great sales assistant who I’ve been working with for years suggested them to me, so I gave them a go. She said that they will feel too small when you’re trying to get them on, but to persevere and not size up. She was right. Once on, they fit perfectly, creating a smooth silhouette under my dresses. I find the compression very comfortable, and toasty warm. I’ve laundered the same pair multiple times so they’re quite robust.

Nordstrom

Spanx Luxe Leg Pantyhose

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10

Nordstrom

Spanx Luxe Leg Pantyhose

$28.00

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18

Nordstrom

Spanx 'Luxe' Leg Shaping Tights

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8

Nordstrom

Spanx Luxe Leg Pantyhose

$28.00

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15

Poppy Power Scuba Crepe Sheath with Balloon Sleeves

Zappos

Maggy London Poppy Power Scuba Crepe Sheath Dress w/ Balloon Sleeve

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13

I was blown away by the fit, fabric and finish of this dress. The fabric is thick and weighty, and glides over the body without any cling. The balloon sleeves are beautifully architectural. The neckline can work on most body types because it’s not too wide. The length is magically elegant, and the softness of the fabric is very comfortable. The pattern is bold yet soothing, especially if you like poppies. The fabric does not crease. It might run one size small. We’re going to an evening wedding in a couple of weeks, and this is a strong contender for the Winter event, although I might need to have it altered a little. Also available at Amazon if you can’t find your size.

A new outfit from Veronica Popoiacu of Bittersweet Colours, whom we introduced to YLF in August 2013.

Veronica is looking cosy and stylish in her bright sweater dress. She’s expecting her second child, and the roomy, knee-length dress is an easy solution to accommodate a growing baby bump. The fiery orange-red makes it a cheerful statement piece, while the chunky knit and oversized cable pattern on the sleeves add plenty of textural interest. Veronica has created structure by pairing the dress with sleek tall brown suede boots that have a tailored fit. Classic sunnies and brown-red lipstick to complement the colour of the dress finish off the look.

I’ve been in the fashion world for more than half of my life. I’ve learned so much and it makes me very happy to share my experience with others when it can help them on their style journey. Here are are my top style tips in no particular order. 

1. Style is beyond size, age and body type. It’s an energy and confidence that is expressed through clothing, footwear and accessories.
2. An authentic style is one that’s manageable and makes you happy. It celebrates that style is PERSONAL, and emanates from the inside out.
3. Be patient and positive with your style. Relax into your style journey. Pat yourself on the back every time you get it right.
4. Dress the body you have right now. Don’t wait for some future version of yourself.
5. Create a column of colour when you’re after a streamlined and slender outfit effect.
6. Be mindful of how you wear black. It can look chic, dressy, slimming, hard-edged, strong and dramatic, but it can also look boring, harsh, flat and predictable.
7. Focus on fit, and not the size written on the clothing label.
8. A glowing smile, great posture, and happy eyes are the best accessories to an outfit.
9. Do not underestimate the importance of fabulous hair, killer eyewear, and excellent underwear. These are the areas of your style to analyze first when you’re in a style rut.
10. Don’t “compare and despair” by focussing on what others have and you don’t. Compete with the best version of your current self, and focus on what you do have.
11. Don’t take the emotion out of your style. Listen to how you FEEL in an outfit. The more you are in tune with your preferences, needs and emotions, the easier it is to sport a style that is easy, authentic and makes you feel fabulous.
12. Celebrate your body because it’s an incredible gift that deserves daily care and praise at any shape and age.
13. The sooner you embrace the next phase of your own beauty, the easier it will be to stop fighting the aging process and start celebrating the miraculous journey that is your life.
14. Appreciate all the different ways we can be beautiful. Life would be awfully dull if we all looked the same.
15. Create brow, lash and lip definition to frame your face.
16. Look after your skin and wear sunscreen daily.
17. Keep your fashion feet moving. Allow your style to evolve.
18. Judge the outfit, and not the person.
19. Never say never in fashion and style because you’ll be surprised at how your feelings about a look, colour or item can change over time.
20. Ask three questions to troubleshoot outfits:
    1. Is it the length of an item that will make the difference?
    2. Is it the contrast between the items and your skin tone?
    3. Do you need to add heels to the outfit?
21. Create outfit proportions that align with YOUR figure flattering priorities.
22. Your favourite colours are always in style.
23. Life is too short to save your clothes for special occasions. Ration the super special stuff and wear the heck out of the rest.
24. Modern Classics can be incorporated into any style.
25. Have fun with fashion at any age. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your fashion exploits.

Which of these style tips resonate with you the most? Please post your own favourite style tips in the comments section below.