10 steps to ignite your style in 2015

Happy new year!

If you are like me, you use the start of a new year to evaluate what has gone well and what you like to achieve or improve this year. 

Among finances, career options and etc. - I also focus on what message I want to market with my style.

So...How happy have you been with your style this past year?

Whether you feel your style has progressed, it needs some improvement, or you feel that it could be turned up a notch (to get your groove back!) - these 10 steps from 40plusstyle.com may help. 

1. Go through your wardrobe and find the clothing hat makes you happy

You need to feel GOOD in your clothes. Determine which clothing pieces you own makes you feel or look slim, sexy, confident, or more professional. 

Don't wait until you lose the five pounds you gained over the holidays - start now with the body you have now. Then re-evaluate your wardrobe again when the pounds are lost.

2. Create outfits from these 5 pieces and try different combinations

Create new combinations with your happy pieces! See how you can mix and match them with your other clothes and photograph yourself.

3. Evaluate the photos

Ask yourself the following questions: Are you happy with the combinations that you came up with? Are there particular piece(s) that you are missing that would have created even more outfits? Are they basic (shoes, hosiery, sweater), or special show pieces (bold jewelry, scarf, designer purse) that are missing from your wardrobe?

4. Get inspiration from other sources

Go to Pinterest, your favorite blogger (hopefully me), or fashion and style magazines for outfit ideas that feature similar items to your happy pieces. Also, look for more outfit combinations and silhouettes you would wear when you add those pieces to your wardrobe. Create a file on your computer and save those images on your where you can look at them again.

5. Get even more creative!

Take time to go through your wardrobe again to find other combinations now that you got some more inspiration from the outfits from others. Hopefully you will get a clearer idea what pieces are missing from your wardrobe. Make sure to write it down so you can look for those items on sale (refer to my 12/21/14 "What to buy when" blog post).

6. Remove what does not make you happy

As you go through your wardrobe again, select the items you did not wear in 2014. Ask yourself why you did not wear them, and if these items should remain in your closet (and try to remember how you felt when you last wore those particular pieces). Assess whether those items need other pieces to become your style staple, or whether it was an impulse buy and you really didn't like the fit, color, etc.

Take time to remove clothing that does not make you feel happy and confident from your closet. Bless others by either donating them to a mission-oriented thrift store, or take them to a consignment shop. 

7. Create a detailed list of what works and what does not work for you

Now that you found out what you like and what you don’t, create a clear DO and DONT list. For example as your DOs you could write: ‘love deep red’, ‘love a-line skirts’, ‘want a lean silhouette that emphasizes waist’, ‘like a minimalist style’ and for your DON”T, ‘no ruffles’, ‘no florals’, ‘no horizontal stripes’, ‘avoid light yellow’. These are just examples, but make your list as comprehensive as possible and keep it handy whenever you go shopping. You can also write down what you feel is missing in your closet.

8. Evaluate your accessories

Accessories add "bling" to your outfit. Go through the same process and define what makes you happy.

9. Evaluate your grooming

Grooming is an important part of your style. Is your make up and hairstyle current? Look for inspiration online and in beauty magazines for makeup and hairstyle options. 

10. Put it all together and reserve some time for yourself!

Now that you have your lists and photos, hit the shops or continue shop your own wardrobe further. Have fun mixing and matching and playing with your outfit options. Have fun!

No matter how busy you are, make sure to schedule in some time for yourself! When you feel good about yourself, you will ultimately be happier personally and professionally. You can't care for others when you neglect to care for yourself. 

Have a fashionable and prosperous 2015!