SAVE IT FOR A
SNOWY DAY RECLAIMING YOUR CLOSET BY EXPLORING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE BY SAMANTHA ERICKSON
YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
I’M NOT BIG INTO RESOLUTIONS, BUT I AM VERY RITUALISTIC.
A new routine never starts mid-week in this household. To that end, New Year’s Day is the ultimate reset and a chance to kick off positive self-reflection. We live in a world that often tells us enough is never enough, that YOU are never enough. Social media perpetuates this notion, leaving us empty-pocketed and still feeling inadequate. It’s time to peel away the veneer of Instagram extravagance and forgo extreme advice that only sets you up for disappointment. Let 2021 be the year that you embrace a more personal, balanced approach to style and how it fits into your life. 28
January/February 2021 RWmagazine.com
Take 30 minutes to look through Pinterest or magazines for visual representation. Create a virtual or actual board and pin/paste anything that appeals to you style-wise. Search the people you listed above, as well as outfits by season, work environment, favorite colors or pieces of clothing (like a “denim jacket outfit”). FEELINGS: How would you describe your current style? What are the first words that come to mind? How do you feel about this description? How do you WANT to feel? What do you want your style to say about you? What features do you love and want to accentuate? If you’re having trouble coming up with the right words, see how some of these common descriptors feel: edgy, preppy, glamorous, bohemian, eclectic, bold, trendy, professional,
IDENTIFY YOUR L.I.F.E.
LIFESTYLE: Do you hold onto pieces for sentimental value or because they truly serve you? By doing this, our closet eventually becomes merely a display of impulse purchases, old jobs and fond memories, rather than a functional tool in our daily routine. Think about the different “uniforms” you wear day to day. What do you consider practical and appropriate right now? This may look very different from person to person based on factors such as job environment, family life and hobbies. Stocking up on pieces that you both love and can wear on a regular basis will make your life so much easier and happier! INSPIRATION: Who inspires you and why? Think of those you admire for style, personality and overall energy. What is it about them that you want to embody in your own unique way?
This is the very core of my own closet. You’ll find these pieces in my wardrobe pretty much all year long because they fit well, are comfortable and make me feel most like, well, me!
Photos by Becca Haugen of Twelve Ten Photography. Used with permission
We are always evolving through education, spiritual practices, travel and more. Life experiences like becoming a parent or losing a parent continue to shape who we are, reknitting the fibers of our being. Throughout these different “seasons,” our personal style also evolves, as should our wardrobes.
Honing in on your personal style has many advantages, including: • Reduced “closet clutter.” Cheers to less laundry! • Less time and stress dressing each day. • Savings from not buying clothes that you don’t need or will never actually wear. • The confidence boost of feeling like your best self. And this process doesn’t end at your closet. Becoming more attuned to your personal style is a great starting point for exploring what makes you happiest in other areas of your life, such as home decor, career decisions, relationships and more. Embracing your authentic self is liberating and empowering. Grab a pen and read on to get started with my secret acronym for personal styling success.
