Style Freedom: Add A Jolt To Your Wardrobe
Have you ever wondered why younger women are so open to the newest concepts in fashion? They try high-waisted denim, wide-leg pants, and cropped sweaters and they pair trainers with everything. It’s really quite simple. They have fewer references in their shorter history to measure against. I’ve found that many women over the age of forty start resisting the styles that they have already worn–that previous younger version of themselves becomes a measure in their memory. It could be that we “slayed” it the first time, and it’s now an unattainable Everest, or it could have gone so tragically that we have scars from the entire memory as a visual. I spend a lot of time with clients, breaking down old ideas in order for them to entertain seeing themselves in the present moment. I’ve gone on record, reminding my audience that we’ll never get today back. How unfortunate would it be to stumble upon photos of yourself from 2023 and wish you had lived with a little less of a critical eye?
Imagine what we might be willing to try if we had no fashion recall from our past.
How do we convert this urge to resist the things that make us uncomfortable into an ability to take more risks? Anything worth having requires putting a little skin in the game. Whether it’s time, investment, or the agony of defeat, acknowledging the pain is important in order to relish in life’s moments of success. Styling is an ongoing process that requires a willingness to push outside your comfort zone. It’s also about committing to an intention. Small changes can bring big results. With this in mind, I wanted to give you a place to begin as we start 2023. Let’s call it the January Jolt.
If you were to add one thing to your wardrobe each month that pushed your comfort zone in one way, by the end of the year, your overall style could look very different than if you continue to play it safe. Committing to this one item each month would give you a focus on how new pieces can be applied to your style and your wardrobe. I consider this a bit of training your brain to remap an often haphazard form of shopping behavior. Working with one item at a time, within a controlled time frame, helps slow down the desire for more. Anything can become your favorite purchase if you allow time to explore and appreciate its intrinsic value. Try holding yourself accountable when you add new pieces to your wardrobe by completing some easy math. I suggest creating a spreadsheet and following your progress on how many times you wear your piece, and the applications it satisfies. Each time you wear an item, the initial cost comes down. I’ve actually created my own goals to keep my own desires reined in a bit. Once you make this an intentional practice, you can start holding your older items to a new measure of how they enhance or hinder your style.
What items would you consider “Jolt Generators?”
Leather pants are a great item to consider for January. They can energize your sweaters, jackets, boots, and blouses, and really crack the code on being able to get dressed for the next few months. Committing to leather can be a bit of a financial pinch. The ROI is there if you can take advantage of winter sales or if you break up the payments. Another idea is to lay it all down, letting this be the one item for January, February, and March. There’s always a way to make the math work, and the pain of relinquishing all other temptations could prove to be your first best decision of 2023! If leather isn’t in your language of style, the Wanda High-rise Crop Wide Leg in Noir is coated and gives a similar appearance to leather. I’ve paired it here with a cobalt blue turtleneck that feels bold and brings the energy to carry you through these winter months.
Another great idea is to invest in a suit. Two pieces that create one statement look could set your intention to explore beyond the obvious go-to dress options. Pink is everywhere this winter and is making its way into spring, as well. I styled this Ulla Johnson suit on Tuesday Night Stories recently and was captivated by how her print shirts and turtlenecks pair so well with the suit. My advice is to make decisions quickly where suits are concerned, since many women buy two different sizes in the pants and the jacket, according to their needs.
Getting comfortable in the uncomfortable!
However you decide to imagine 2023, I urge you to veer towards the uncomfortable. Nervous energy should never be misconstrued as “being wrong” about a style choice. We can only carry so many things in a lifetime, so don’t let the past hold you down. Step into the future with a lighter load, making room for new ideas. What if you discovered letting go of your safety net is exhilarating? There’s an underlying beauty to the world of fashion. There will always be something to replace what you thought you couldn’t live without.
