Style: The goal you didn't think you needed, until now.
"I have a style goal this year!" Said almost no one ever. For some reason, I don't think style comes to the forefront for most women when they are crafting their New Year's resolutions, or yearly work goals for that matter. But here's the irony, your style, and how you choose to show up in your personal and work life, is a contributing factor to so many of the goals you have for yourself.
Here's a few examples of how style and your goals intersect:
If your goal is to be better with money or more fiscally responsible...
... think about how you can be more intentional when shopping, choosing only pieces that fit and flatter you, and that you truly love. Or, learn how to get creative and shop your closet, getting more use out of what you already own. (Something I teach my clients to do.) And what about clearing out our closet and making bank on the items you no longer want? Tradesy, an online reseller of high-end clothes and accessories, states that the average woman has $1000 worth of resale value in her closet right now. Talk about making a good move for your finances this year!
If your goal is to feel better in your body or reach a goal weight...
... how can getting in the right clothes complement achieving that goal? Often, we turn to weight loss strategies and promise ourselves that we'll get new clothes once we hit our goal weight. But even if we are 100% committed and dedicated to our goals, we are never really guaranteed a time when we'll reach said goal. Because... well, life. Things come up, challenges arise, and may deter us from our goal. Why wait to feel good in your body for an undefined date in the future? I'm a huge advocate for having clothes that fit you - and make you feel good about the body you have - now. Hear me go in depth on this topic in this blog, Embrace the Season You're In.
I recently had a client text me, following the Christmas and New Year holidays, saying "I feel so great in my new clothes and according to my parents "look like I lost so much weight." I said nah, it's the jeans!" You see, we had worked on changing up the type of jeans she was wearing to flatter her particular body type. She has a rectangle shape, and was wearing mostly skinny jeans. We got her in a pair of bootcut and it made all the difference. Proof that getting into the right clothes for your body type can make you look like you lost weight, without all the work! Want to know what your body type is and tips for how to dress it? Learn more in my body types blog.
If your goal is to get a new job or start your own biz...
... consider how you want to show up to your clients, co-workers and partners as the face of that new business or the new role. Whether we like it or not, we leave impressions about who we are everywhere we go, without saying a word. Just think of the prominent women at the 2020 inauguration ceremony, who made a huge statement by wearing certain colors and choosing designers that meant something to them and their beliefs, all without saying a single word.
Style is instant language, and can say so much about who you are, and what you are trying to do. And I'm not just talking about "dressing the part." I'm talking about finding your own unique, personal style that says something about you, your skills, your talents, your personality. Style is a way to show up at work in a fully integrated way, as Breńe Brown often talks about.
If your goal is to get organized....
... there's no better place to start than your closet! It's been said that "clutter is not just physical stuff, it's old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits." (Eleanor Brown), or, "If you want to improve your life immediately, clean out a closet." (Cheryl Richardson) And this couldn't be more true than in your closet! Read my blog about the three things that clutter in your closet represents in your life.
If you're ready to get organized in your closet and finally get the cleanse you desire, download my Free Closet Detox Guide, full of my favorite questions to ask during your detox, as well as how to prepare and what to get ready to make it an effective cleanout this time.
If your goal is to show up more authentically and stop people pleasing...
... finding your personal style, and having the courage to show up that way, is a powerful way to show the world who you are. It's your way of boldly saying, "This is who I am, and what I like to wear. Take it or leave it." It's saying, "I don't dress for others or for standards or for others' expectations. I dress for myself." It's bene said that,
"Style is a deeply personal expression of who you are, and every time you dress, you are asserting a part of yourself." - Nina Garcia
If your goal is to decrease your stress...
...and you are a working woman, I'm going to take a guess that you have too much on your plate. Hire or ask for help, delegate, and stop believing you have to do it all on your own. And yes, you can delegate your style! (Just as you would any other thing in your life you don't care to get into the nitty gritty of, but want amazing results.) Think about how easily you delegate things like financial matters, house cleaning, food preparation, childcare and so on. Style is no different! In fact, I know for a fact that shopping, putting outfits together, defining a personal style and determining what styles work on your body is a major stressor for many women. Do yourself a favor this year, and declare that you'll make this part of your life easier on yourself.
If your goal is better self-care...
... it's easy as a woman to get over-focused on everyone else's needs, and completely neglect your own. This includes giving yourself permission to have clothes that make you feel good, that you enjoy wearing, or make you feel like a BOSS at work or on a date night with your partner. Creating a wardrobe you love (and actually wear) and that helps you show up as the woman of your vision is just as important as any money you invest in personal development. Why? Because when you spend time building yourself up, it has a major impact on those around you. Brain science proves that what you wear has a direct impact on your mood, personality, attitude, productivity, confidence, interpersonal connections and so much more. It's why I often say to
"Never underestimate the power of a good outfit on a bad day."
Or in the words of my client, "It’s truly self-care. It has helped me so much mentally and emotionally, and has allowed me to feel more confident in my own skin." (Shelly) That right there, is priceless.
If your goal is to increase your self-confidence...
... Girl, let me tell you... putting something on that makes you forget about all the flaws, and focus on the goodness is the biggest confidence boost you'll ever get. (And it doesn't require losing a single pound, either!) Like many women who have grown up in a culture focused on achieving the perfect body, I struggle with body image. I have come to believe that almost no woman is immune to feeling inadequate in their body, regardless of size or age or waist circumference or bra size. What has always worked for me when I am feeling bad about my body is to dress in a way that makes me completely forget about those flaws. And believe me, there is always a way. There have been times where I put my too-tight jeans away for a season, (out of sight, out of mind) and leaned into ones that fit me well. Or, I bought something that wasn't my "usual" size, cut the tag out and rocked it anyway. Last year, I decided to get my very first professional bra fitting, and I'm telling you it changed my life. I went from feeling less than a woman to completely sexy and confident, just in that 1-hour session. I'm here to tell you from my own personal experiences, and from those of my clients who promised me that "their body was 'impossible' to dress" that this can be a confidence boost for you, too.
So tell me, were any of these goals your goal for the New Year? I'd love to hear from you in the comments! As always, I would appreciate a like and a share, if you are so included. And, finally, if any of this resonated with you and made you realize that style is something you believe can help you reach your goals, I'd love to support you! Schedule your free 30-minute style consult here to get started.
About Me
Hi, I'm so glad you're here! I'm a Personal Virtual Stylist and owner of Style Decoded. I'm a Midwest born fashion lover on a mission to help women show up with more authenticity and alignment at work and in their businesses through their style, and feel 100% confident in their own skin every day. Styling is my passion but it hasn't always been my job. I spent 20 years of my career in client service, advertising, developing brands, blogging, podcasting, and creating marketing and social social strategies for my clients, ranging from Fortune 500 giants to individuals building their personal brand online. To say I know a thing or two about marketing and client service is an understatement! Now, I love teaching women how to define and own their unique personal brand through style.
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