HOW I'M ELEVATING MY STYLE IN 2023

There is always something so special about the start of a new year. Everyone is filled with optimism and a newfound sense of motivation to better themselves. There are the traditional New Year's resolutions of “eating more fruits and vegetables” and “working out more.” While these tasks are definitely on my to-do list, I also want to add a fashion-focused resolution to my list this year. In 2023, I am elevating my personal style.

UPGRADING MY ACCESSORY GAME

Accessories truly make an outfit feel complete. Adding a beret can turn a look from boring to interesting, while adding hot pink shoelaces to sneakers adds an eye-grabbing element to an outfit. This year I want to focus on finding accessories that match my sense of style and make my outfits feel complete. I love the diy beaded bracelet trend (I even have a blog post on how to make your own beaded jewelry). I also want to start wearing more rings and colorful jewelry in general.

MIXING PRINTS & PATTERNS

Growing up, I was obsessed with the fashion on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up. I know most people thought those outfits were horrid, but my younger self was so inspired by the costumes. One style choice they frequently made on the show was mixing patterns. I firmly believe it is possible to mix prints and patterns while still creating a cohesive look. Pairing contrasting plaid prints, for instance, creates such a cool and creative outfit.

CREATING A TEMPORARY CAPSULE WARDROBE

As you may have guessed, I own a lot of clothes. I have a whole closet and Ikea dresser filled with everything from coats to t-shirts to jeans to dresses. The ironic thing is, I often feel like I have nothing to wear. The problem is decision fatigue- I have so many options to choose from that I do not know where to start and get overwhelmed when trying to pick an outfit.

​A solution I came up with is creating a temporary capsule wardrobe. I believe getting rid of half my closet would not be helpful considering I’m still navigating my personal style, so instead I am opting for a temporary capsule wardrobe. I plan on selecting 15-25 clothing items in my wardrobe that speak to me and do not clash with one another. I will then hang these items on my clothing rack and use it as my capsule wardrobe for the next month. This way I can have fun creating outfits with cool pieces without experiencing decision fatigue.

REMIXING TRENDS TO MATCH MY STYLE

It is important to not let trends dictate your style. That being said, it is fun to participate in what is trending and try out new looks. This year, my goal is to experiment with trends in a way that stays true to my personal style.

I am definitely an “all in” type of person, meaning if I’m trying something, I give it my all. If I do a trend, I’m not going to half ass it. The problem with this is when I try out trends, I often end up feeling like I am dressed as a character rather than myself.

A good way to have fun with trends without compromising my identity is to add elements of a trend to an outfit I already love. For example, I love my American Apparel skirt set and Doc Martens. I can create a “dark academia” outfit by reworking this look and throwing on an oversized sweater, adding tall white socks, and braiding my hair. Keeping the skirt and shoes while changing up the top, socks, and hair is a good balance of trying a new look while maintaining elements of my own style.

I am excited to see what 2023 will bring! One of my other New Year’s resolutions is to upload a blog post every single Saturday, so be sure to follow along this year as I share articles about fashion, sustainability, diys, and classic outfit of the day posts.

Happy New Year :)

SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY WITH ANOTHER FASHION POST.

XOXO, STEFFI