As December turned to January, I made a pact to up my style game. At the close of last year I felt that my wardrobe was just bleh, and bleh wardrobe morphed into bleh mindset. So I began my journey to style.
First off- it is really hard to add style to your life, especially if you are a minimalist, understated sort of person. Where do you start? How do I add a little flair while still retaining my personality? And how do I do all this when I hate shopping? I even wrote a follow up blog detailing my difficulty in working towards this goal.
Enter Stitchfix- the monthly service that sends you clothes. This was great for me: I was able to add some great pieces to my wardrobe with little personal fuss. I also tried things that I might not have tried otherwise. This step alone added something- I went a little out of my comfort zone- just enough to add a little zip.
Then I really began playing with accessories. As I normally start out with a neutral black palette, adding things really helps. I began playing with texture and shape and I daresay color. I started going a little bolder with my jewelry. And it helped. I felt better walking out of the door every day. Friends commented on my look and on my choices. I knew I was on the right track.
Then a few weeks ago I wrote about my favorite black dress, and I described how I accessorized it different ways for different occasions. My friend Cozy commented on how she like the styles I was able to create…and it was at that moment I realized that I had done it- I had worked my way towards creating a personal style that made me feel good about myself, made me feel unique, made me feel put together. Last year at this time I felt I was sort of hiding in my clothing. I don’t feel like that anymore.
So yesterday when I met up with my daughter for lunch, she looked at my slightly above the knee grey dress, knee length down vest, knee high boots (I have a thing for knees apparently) grey cuff bracelet and silver pendent and she said “Look at you Mom. I like the look. it’s totally you.”
And I smiled to myself. I wanted to switch up my wardrobe a little and I did it, but I’m still exactly who I am. Just a little more so.
Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50 
LA,
Good for you! As a person who practices minimalism when it comes to stylin’, I appreciate someone who ups the ante and changes things up the way you did.
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I was feeling boring, and that’s not s great mood enhancer
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As someone who doesn’t like to wear clothes unless they are pajamas, I’m trying to do better. My granddaughter said Friday, Wow you’ve got great fashion sense. She is now my favorite.
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She would be my favorite too!
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Awesome. It does help to add a little something to one’s wardrobe. I know I feel differently, even better about myself when I’ve added a bit of pizazz to my outfits since it’s pretty rare. lol 🙂
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It really does make my mood better
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🙂
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Sounds cool! Interesting to hear that a mail out clothing place, where they select your clothes, works so well. I don’t like to delegate clothing choices, normally, but this is food for thought! Thanks for sharing! 😊💕🙋♀️
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Honestly….it’s so easy. And something I don’t need to stress over. Gives me time to enjoy things that are much more interesting!
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That’s the trick, style should be personal not a copy of someone elses. You are understated but accessories can add so much without being over the top. You went understated and classy. Glad you made an impression.
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❤️😀
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Well done!
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Know the feeling, cold weather comes and it’s a case of switch from baby blue into black… Time for a bit of colour…
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Go, you!!
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😀
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Exactly who you are but a little more so – I absolutely love this :O) x
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Thanks!
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You inspired me to use StitchFix, so thank you. I love it.
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It makes my life so much easier
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Having recently blogged my answers to the fashionista questions, I’ve come to the same conclusion as you, my over-50 friend. I haven’t been as intentional as you were about changing up my style game, but apparently I’ve been doing it… [ready for it]… by the seat of my pants. 😁
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😉
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I’ve heard good things about Stitch Fix, but haven’t tried it yet. Still, I need to get a little out of my comfort zone as well. When I have clothes in my closet that have been there for more than ten years, and I’m still happily wearing most of them, then I think the time has come to admit I’m in a little bit of a rut!
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That’s how I was…a rut. And it was playing with my head a little. Honestly I actually feel more vibrant, and I really haven’t done too much…just adding a little oomph to my style.
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I’m glad to hear about your experiences. As a woman, I feel we have WAY too many options in stores. It drives me crazy!
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That’s why I hate shopping and went the mail route…it narrows it down!
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