Stimuli

Happy New Year Stimuli Readers!  Hope you had a fantastic holiday.  Have you made any style resolutions?  Now that it’s 2012 we are back to regular programming.  Back to work.  Back to school.  Ugh.  Why does that feel like the extra helping of turkey from a holiday dinner?  I need another week off just to recuperate!!  How about you?  

It may be a sluggish start to a new year, but that doesn’t give us license to look like a slob!  No hiding in oversize clothes to conceal whatever ails you.  For those of you who have hit the treadmills, good for you!  But that doesn’t give you the right to wear workout clothes wherever you go.  By workout clothes I also mean yoga wear.  You know who you are.  

If there is one style resolution that you should make for 2012 it is to have a stylish uniform.  Uniform?  Yes, uniform.  I have one.  I have four children that I run after.  Three of them are in school, dance, and hockey.  One of them is a crazy busy toddler.  I depend on a wardrobe that I feel great in no matter what I am doing.  I want/need pieces that are easy to pull together.  It’s okay to wear comfortable stretchy pants and over sized sweatshirt every once in awhile.  I get it.  But don’t drown your style potential.  

Stop yelling!  I hear, “It doesn’t matter what I wear”,  “ I don’t care about style”, “Nothing ever fits right!”, “I can never find clothes in my budget”.  Excuses, excuses!  Why all the excuses?  Are you not worth the effort?  Are you not allowed to feel good because you look good?  Let me tell you that you are worth the effort.  It may seem overwhelming at first, but let's take it one step at a time.
 
It does matter what you wear.  It matters for so many reasons.  When you look good you feel better about yourself. When you feel good you will radiate confidence and project it on to the people that surround you.  Like your children.  Especially if you are a mom to girl(s).  I have two young, very impressionable daughters and two young sons.  High school is looming ahead of them and puberty is a beast.   If you hide underneath your clothes your children will do the same.  How will they know how to dress otherwise?  What about your work environment?  Did you miss a potential job opportunity?   Like pitching a big project, acquiring new clients, or a job promotion. Dressing for success can help you achieve your work goals.

I love when I hear people say they don’t care about style.  Oh really?  What you put on for the day states your style.  You decided to buy that shirt, this sweater, those pants.  Style does not have to mean the latest trend off the runway.  Style does not have to mean what Lady Gaga is wearing.  Style is what you like, what you love.  Style is not out there to change who you are.  Finding your style will only enhance who you are.

It’s too tight.  Makes my butt look big.  My cleavage is spilling out!  Yes, you are right.  It does not fit.  If it does not fit in any size don’t try to make it work.  It probably means that the cut is not right for you.  I know you love the skinny jeans and that shrunken blazer look.  Instead, try a pair of straight leg jeans and a sweater blazer. You need to analyze your body.  Take your time and be honest.  When you do, you will find that understanding what fits you best will make shopping and finding your style a whole lot easier.

You don’t have a lot of money to spend, you're on a budget, especially after the holidays.  I understand.  Write a list of the top five things that will give your wardrobe a jump start.  Consider how often you will wear each item.  Know what quality is.  Have you felt the difference between a $300, $150, and $60 cashmere sweater?  Look at the label. Does it say 100%, 70%, or 5% cashmere?  Sometimes splurging on an item can take you further.  That said, sometimes waiting for a sale can be quite a thrill!  After the holidays there are sales everywhere.  You can find that cashmere sweater to fit your budget.  But be wary of those bargain basement prices by checking the quality, fit, and style.  Sometimes that bargain may be too good to be true!

Dear Readers, if you make one style resolution this year I hope you choose to find your stylish uniform.  Finding your style does not have to be overwhelming.  When you walk in to a store look for a sales associate that is dressed like how you would like to dress.  Don’t be afraid to tell them your fit issues.  Sales associates are trained to know what is on the sales floor that will best suit you.  If you see the girl with the bright pink hair, chewing bubble gum, wearing ripped tights under short shorts and a tube top staring at you like you have two heads, you may want to walk away.  Far away.  I know it can be frustrating at times.  Take a break.  Breathe.  Now try again.  Because you are worth the effort.

by Michele Bromley
Blogger at Stilistaathome.com and Stimuli Magazine Contributor