Sunday, July 17, 2011

Defining My Style Part One: Assessing What I Already Own

In a perfect world I would just ditch every single piece of clothing I already own, hire a stylist, and build a new wardrobe. I don't live in a perfect world. So, instead I decided to take matters into my own hands and assess what is already in my closet. There are some pieces in there that I truly love and wear often, and there are others that never seem to see the light of day. So, here is what lies in my closet*:

(*Does not include clothes in drawers, such as camis, clothes that are only worn around the house or to clean and such.)

  • 10 pairs of jeans
  • 3 pairs dress pans
  • 2 pairs of jean shorts
  • 6 pull-over sweaters
  • 12 cardigans
  • 3 coats
  • 28 skirts
  • 65 knit tops
  • 35 woven tops
  • 27 dresses
  • 18 jackets
  • 1 playsuit
I was shocked that I own 65 knit tops! I actually prefer wearing woven tops over knits tops, but apparently I forget that helpful tidbit of information when I shop. A woven top helps me to feel more put together, especially when paired with a cute cardigan or jacket. So, one of my goals for finding my style is to find woven tops that work well for me.

Overall, going through each article of clothing really reaffirmed for me that my wardrobe lacks continuity and a cohesive theme. One things that immediately jumps out to me is that I want to "age" my wardrobe a little bit. I want a style that is a bit more grown-up and professional. I should probably ditch all clothes I still own from high school if I am serious about achieving this. 

So, readers, what clothing items exude professionalism to you? Do any of you have a style that is professional, feminine, and retro all at the same time? If so, do you have any tips for me? Look for some more upcoming posts about my journey to discover what exactly my style is.
Posted by at
Labels: ,

5 comments:

  1. Stephanie LynnJuly 17, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    A great fitted jacket is a great way to pull together and professionalize a look! I love dark jeans, boots/heals, blouse and fitted jacket combo for when I want to look professional. Make sure it fits well though! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. MushyWearJuly 17, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Wow, going through all of your clothes can be very enlightening. Professional clothing should always fit well. Personally, I like sleek lines and solid colors when I want to look professional. You can't go wrong with nicely fitted slim skirts and a tailored woven top with elengant heels. So many possibilities really. Have fun coming up with your new wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
  3. T. SedaiJuly 17, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    I agree with previous comments - main thing to a professional warbrobe is fit. It doesn't matter how amazing the actual clothes are if they are too big or too small when you wear them, you can still look frumpy.

    I think you could have a great time mixing blouses with pants and skirts, or wearing a nice fitted (sheath style) dress. Throwing a nicely fitted jacket on top of it all would give it a polished look I think.

    I also agree with above - you probably want mostly solid colors, although I think it could be ok to have a patterned blouse. To get a retro style - I would say the cut of the jacket can definitely influence the retro vibe. I also think perhaps using polka dots or a certain color palate (such as black, white, pink for a 50s vibe) could make it feel more retro. Here again, I think accessories can have a large influence. Shoes, jewelry, and hair can influence how strong the retro influence is.

    ReplyDelete
  4. DebiJuly 18, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    I agree with Stephanie that a fitted jacket exudes professionalism! I love the dress suit for the retro look or suits with really interesting details!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Oh, this is good. I've done a "closet inventory" before but haven't actually written it down. Maybe I should do that!

    I don't usually do retro, but I love looking professional yet feminine. Tailored dresses, trouser pants, and fitted jackets are usually base items for me. Then, I add accessories as the occasion allows. On more casual days, a full skirt (which may bleed into the retro realm a bit) and a cardigan or cute top are nice. I just try not to be too "cutesy".

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)