I started 2019 with a modest collection of clothing items after having gone through a year of restricted purchasing in 2018 and a significant closet purge at the end of the year as I figured out the whole retirement thing, and how it affected me. I went into the new year with clothes I LOVED that would suit the OTG (On The Go) life I lead. These clothes make up mix and match capsules that suit my classic, sporty, and tomboy style.

I stuck to a budget based on 5-6% of my income (I have $200 left over!) while adding 35 new items. 2 new items have been passed on as duds, and some older loved items have been retired. My wardrobe is larger than at the start of 2019, but not by a whole lot. (86 vs 66). I’m not counting underwear and socks, nor fitness apparel. Sports kit comes out of the ‘sports and rec’ budget and is in a completely different category than daywear fashion - in my mind.

My shopping style has been consistent over the years and did not change after retirement. I lean towards 2 big seasonal shops - usually March/April and October/November - working from a list - and shopping B&M stores, and thrift. 2019 was distinctive by the number of colourful, non neutral items added to my closet. I worked slowly on an olive capsule, and quickly on a golden/beige capsule while continuing to add bits of red throughout the year. I cut tags and put my clothes to work right away. Not much languishes in my closet.

For 2020 I will stick to the same budget numbers as 2019. I am more interested in colour than neutrals this year, and I am inspired by a concept I learned as a quilter - that certain (low contrast) prints and patterns can ‘read’ as solids - yet add so much interest to an outfit. (Angie pointed out in my summer Most Valuable Player (MVP) post that my hard workers were patterns). I want to experiment with a few trends, and keep ‘boring’ to a minimum. I am also going to make ‘colour, pattern, texture, shine’ - my outfit mantra.

I’ve settled on a hairstyle that works with the natural texture of my hair. I think I’ve had it straightened only 4 times this year! My Rosecea symptoms are banished, thanks to a prescription cream from my derm - and that makes me VERY happy. I need to be more consistent with make-up, though. I get lazy there.

My word for 2019 was JOY, and my word for 2020 is CELEBRATE
My colour for 2019 was RED, and I’m thinking AMBER for 2020
Style moniker remains Happy Tomboy

Thanks for reading - and I’m open to advice and suggestions.