Fashion & Style Resolutions for the New Year
For my last post here on CF, I’m going to talk about some of my style resolutions for the New Year. New Years is a great time to make resolutions to change your life for the positive: from getting in shape (one of my non-style resolutions!) to studying more, it’s a time of positive change and that makes it a great time to look at your personal style and mix it up a little bit.
So here are some of my fashion & style resolutions for 2010! Hopefully these will inspire you as well.
Resolution #1: Add Color
Product Information: Dress – Forever 21. Scarf – American Eagle. Hat – Topshop. Tights – Asos. Boots – Forever 21.
I always tend to wear the same few colors: black, grey, white, and navy blue. So, this year I’m going to try to add color with accessories: scarves, jewelry, hats, belts, and anything else I can find! One of my favorite colors is red, which I feel like I never wear, so I decided to add two pops of red (a cute hat and a great scarf) to my favorite go-to outfit: a gray dress with black tights and black boots.
Adding pops of color can be as easy as throwing on a cute hat or a pretty scarf – two much-needed accessories during the winter! But you could also add some fun colored or patterned tights, a great piece of technicolor jewelry, or a fabulous, colorful bag. Using accessories is a cheaper way to grow your wardrobe and make it easier to mix and match!
Resolution #2: Mix It Up!
Product Information: Jeans – American Eagle. Top – Miss Selfridge. Flats – Forever 21. Faux Leather Biker Jacket – Forever 21. Bracelet – Zappos.
Confession time: in September, I bought a leather jacket much like the one pictured above… and I haven’t worn it yet! I cannot figure out what to wear it with – and I think the reason for that is because I am stuck in a “safe zone”.
To break out of that safe style zone, I’m going to mix all the “tough to wear” pieces in my wardrobe together with my staple pieces. For example, my “dressy” black jeans with a casual tank, some cute embellished flats, and a colorful bracelet will help make me more comfortable wearing my adorable leather jacket on top. This is my second style resolution: to mix and match all the pieces in my wardrobe to make a more unique style and a more versatile array of clothes.
Resolution #3: Dress Up
Product Information: Shoes – Forever 21. Dress – ModCloth. Coat – Forever 21. Earrings – Fantasy Jewelry Box. Bracelets – Asos.
My friends and I tend to throw ourselves into our work and only surface for air when the term ends! In 2010, it’s my main goal to make more time for the people in my life: for my friends and I, that means getting dressed up and spending some time away from the books.
I love basic black with a few splashes of red, and this outfit would be great for going out with my bests: a practical trench that I can wear anywhere, a shift dress that I can dress up or down, two classic pieces of jewelry, and some fabulous shoes.
Dressing up is a great way to boost your spirits: looking fabulous is good, but feeling fabulous is even better – and spending time with the people in that matter most is a huge part of that.
What do you think?
What are your style resolutions for 2010? Do you have any similar resolutions to mine? How are you going to make 2010 your most stylish year ever?
On one last note, I have had a great experience writing for CF for the past four months: CF readers are some of the most fashionable and fabulous people on the internet, and it has been so rewarding to write for you and to hear from you every single week! Whenever I asked for comments, I always said I love hearing from you guys – and it’s true! Your comments provided me with great insight and great ideas. Never forget how fabulous you all are – inside and out!
Posted on on January 2, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: 2010, Color, How To, Resolutions, Style Resolutions
Like this post?
Comment Rules: CF is a positive place and our comments section is no different. Constructive criticism is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your comment. Please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name and do not put your website in the comment text, as both come off like spam. For more info, see our 
Laura
I’m slightly confused by how anyone classifies a leather jacket as ‘hard to wear’. Surely the point of leather jackets is that you can throw them on over anything?
Isabelle
I’m always always up for dressing up, the outfit looks gorgeous!
Jessica
I like the third resolution! Hopefully I’ll make myself dress up like that and spend quality time with friends more often than not. Thanks for the ideas and all your great posts!
JG
These are all great resolutions (and great outfit picks too!)…Adding color is very important. I try to do this with every outfit I put on. Adding a graphic print is fun too…maybe a fun scarf or headband. Mixing it up can mean anything from mixing “hard” and “soft” pieces, mixing patterns, mixing designer with H&M/Forever 21, etc. Be creative! And last…I love to dress up! If you don’t, try not to think of it as a hassle…think of it as an opportunity to really get to show off your creativity. It’s fun!
Caity
Omg, I totally get what you’re saying with point #2. I’m all about buying pieces out of my comfort zone, but when it comes to actually wearing them, I always reach for pieces that are more “me”. I’m going to resolve to do that, too- wear pieces that are out of my fashion comfort zone!
Megan
I hate it when I buy something I like, but isn’t really me, and I just don’t know how to wear it. For example, I just bought a jean jacket but I don’t know how to wear it… a jean jacket and jeans look weird together… O_o.. How do you guys wear jean jackets?
Suzi
I have the same problem with my own black leather jacket. I think I just have to spend a little more time putting together outfits with it in mind. :)
Caity
I completely agree about the leather jacket thing. I am forever buying pieces that I’m not sure how to wear. They end up spending a lot of time in my closet! I had that problem with my leather jacket. Last year I bought a fedora and I’ve still never worn it.
Thanks for all of your wonderful posts!!
Rachael
I’m going to try wearing things this year I normally wouldn’t consider. I’ve just brought some leggings and a cropped stripy top to try pairing with different outfits. I buy things like that and don’t know what to wear them with, but I’m going to try ‘mixing it up’ as you’ve suggested! Usually I’m strictly a jeans girl but I’ve been wearing lots more dresses and skirts the last few months to try and build my confidence.
Love the first outfit by the way!
Luinae
#2 is a really good one! Also, love that hat on your number 1 outfit!
Jess
I am with you with adding color to your outfit. Like you, I wear black, Grey, and white. I want to add more color.
As for the leather jacket, go for it. I love leather in general (faux of course). Its a good idea to step out of your comfort zone to make a completely different look.
Your last resolution, I try to do everyday. I think its important to dress up everyday.It gives you so much confidence.
Last thing I want to say Michelle, you did such a great job here at CF. I love your posts, especially the vintage ones. Good luck with everything you do.
<3
J
Maya
Love your resolutions, 1 and 3 are mine as well! I only really realized that my wardrobe was severely lacking in more ‘outgoing’ clothes when I wanted to dress up for a New Year’s party, made all excited because of the posts here about it, and realized I had no clothes that were colorful AND festive!
I have bright red dresses but they’re very simply cut and knit, so not festive enough (though festive enough for a normal party) and lots of little special black dresses, but no color which I wanted for a glamorous New Year look like you all talked about in the posts about it!
So one of my New Year’s resolutions is definitely buying some largely impractical but fun party stuff, and add more color for everyday life.
Julia
I love the leather jacket outfit! Super cute colors and details on the tank and bracelet.
I haven’t bought my own leather jacket yet (and I am dying to get one!) but just to prepare, I’ve been compiling some images of Betty wearing hers (from La Blog de Betty) because she rocks hers fairly often.
Leia
One of my resolutions is to wear more color, too. But I wasn’t thinking about adding color via accessories as you described, but by actually wearing tops/dresses/skirts that are more colorful! My staples are black and white, with hints of cream and gray. I really want to branch out and try all the colors I love!
aish
nice post
i will follow these resolutions for sure
and i have my own fashion resolutions for the year
like
jeans only for 5 days a week
make sure im 100% satisfied be4 i buy something
take risks in fashion
plan a few outfits a day aheadand play around with diff looks
buy an LBD, boyfriend blazer,opaque tights and more tank tops
invest more in accessories
try out trends that apeal to me
Iris
As a color lover who was once in a rut, I strongly suggest you sit down and think about your favorite colors, or take note of the colors that you see everywhere (artwork, interior decorating, etc) that take your breath away, and then find accessories in those colors! One of my 2009 resolutions was to figure out my signature colors, and I discovered that they were mermaid green (Teal) and fuschia/magenta after a lot of trial, error, and inspiration, so don’t be afraid to take risks!
I also suggest looking at websites like http://www.colourlovers.com/ where it is all ABOUT color and beautiful combinations. Check it out!
Reneé
I agree that new year is a great time to decide making changes in your life 1 In the fashion wa I now decided that: I will wear everything I want and I won’t care about what people will say! besides I will add more color to my outfits like u Michelle :) cute post!
Breanna
Also, if you really like some color, but you don’t feel that great wearing it, try different shades! I wanted to have something green for a long time, but as a soft summer I don’t look very good in that color. I tried many shades and I found out that I actually look pretty good in light sea green, persian green, other bluish-greenish shades (like teal) and mint.
One of my New Year style resolutions is to gather in my wardrobe some staples that flatter my body type, are in a good color for me and can be mixed and matched easy.
Marisa
Really nice post! (As usual…)
This year I will try even harder to dress up every day. It’s so easy to put on some jeans and a comfy shirt in the morning.
Also I’m going to try to do not buy new clothes. I have a closet full of great skirts, dresses, shirts and so many accesoiries I never wear. So this year I hope to wear all those clothes instead of buying new ones.
charlotte
love the second outfit- i’m really into nude pinks mixed with black and leather at the moment!!
and as soon as i saw the first outfit i had to surpress the urge to go out a buy a red scarf!! i am definitely guilty of wearing too much black and grey!!
xxx
Norah
Can I just say I love every outfit in this post! so much so i am going to the mall asap to see if i kinda find similar outfits!!!!
I really dont have a good fashion sense in terms of putting outfits together so i really rely on posts like this that allow me to literally see an outfit and just go out and find similar pieces.
SOOO I LOVE THIS POST!!!
miya
So loveing the second 1