With the new year around the corner, now is the perfect time to kick that bad style habit you’ve been honing for months. Whether you wear sweats to class or are guilty of sticking to the same look day in and day out, here are some easy ways to mix it up for 2011. We polled the HC Team to find out what our style resolutions are for the coming year and doled out advice for how we can stick to them.
Style Resolution #1: “This year, I refuse to let the crazy Boston weather affect my wardrobe! I plan on continuing to wear heels and cute dresses to class, even if I have to brave the snow and freezing temperatures to get there!” — Nikki Fig, Her Campus Editorial Intern, Emerson College
How to: Sweatpants may be warm and comfy, but there are much more stylish ways to show up to class that let you stay cozy and look cute. If you aren’t so thrilled with the idea of heels or dresses, invest in basics – stretchy leggings in lots of colors, long-sleeved tees, warm knits and a pair of loose boyfriend jeans – in soft, comfortable materials that will motivate you to pull off your sweats in the morning. “In order to avoid going to class in my yoga pants, I’ll plan my outfit out the night before,” explains Lindsey Taylor, a senior at Northeastern University. She’s right! Spending 15 minutes choosing your outfit, down to which shoes, scarf and jacket you’ll wear, saves you time in the morning and ensures you’ll look your absolute best.
Style Resolution #2: “I always let my nails get so bad, to the point where I just can’t take it anymore, and I break down and go get a manicure. This year, I want to take care of my nails by myself, and save some money and frustration!” — Gabriela Szewcow, Her Campus Contributing Writer, Elon University
How to: We’re all guilty of letting our manicures and pedicures chip for weeks before we finally pull out the nail polish remover. Invest in a monthly mani/pedi and reapply top coat regularly throughout the month. Have your salon use a color that you own, or buy the new hue, so that when your nails chip, you can easily touch them up. “If you tend to chip faster than everyone else, try a neutral gray like this season’s Chinchilly by Essie,” suggests Boston blogger and personal stylist Sarah McManus.
Rather do ‘em yourself? Choose a girlfriend and make a monthly nail date. Pop in a DVD, pull on your sweats and share colors. You’ll have fun and end up with gorgeous fingers and toes! Here’s a great eHow guide on how to do your own nails. Or, if you prefer a visual guide, this YouTube video is super helpful!
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Style Resolution #3: “I have really long hair and always find myself doing whatever is ‘easiest’ and ‘quickest’ with it. In 2011 I want to do whatever is healthiest with it and whatever I can to show it off.” — Amanda Klohmann, Her Campus Contributing Writer, University of Missouri
How to: We all tend to abuse our hair, but whether you throw your locks in a ponytail every day or avoid your regular cut and color, this bad habit is easy to kick. Start by finding a stylist you love. Make a regular appointment with him or her so you’re truly committed to getting rid of those split ends or making sure your roots don’t show. If you need to mix up your hairstyle, try a new cut. “Try a new style out for the winter like a pixie or bangs to get out of a rut,” suggests McManus. “Many stylists will even show you how to style your new look.” Perfecto. If you love your cut but simply need to mix up how you wear it, spend an hour in front of the mirror with your favorite fashion magazine and some headbands, clips and bobby pins. You may stumble upon your new favorite look!
Style Resolution #4: “I’m trying to branch out and take risks. I’m not normally a risk taker, but most of the things I was so excited about in 2010 resulted from, in a clichéd sense, just following my heart. I hope in 2011 I can stress less about things and just do them!” — Mariel Loveland, Her Campus Design Associate, SUNY Purchase
How to: It’s easy (and much more comfortable!) to stick to the same look every day. Flip through a magazine and pick one item you want to rock. Whether it’s a fur shrug, a bright vest or a pair of killer heeled boots, finding a similar item at a much lower price is usually relatively easy at places like DSW, Payless, Forever 21 or H&M.
Afraid of going broke? You don’t necessarily have to buy anything new to mix up your look. “For a new affordable look, grab a black skirt that you love and switch it up with different tights and tops,” says McManus, who also suggests wearing staples – like your favorite white tee – and accessorizing them with fun, bold jewelry. For more ideas, check out HC Contributing Writer Sophie Jasinski’s guide to rockin’ a plain white tee 20 ways.
Style Resolution #5: “I tend to wear really baggy, flowy clothing (oversized sweaters, long shirts and lots of scarves), but I might experiment with things that are a little more form-fitting. I’m already pretty good about not trying to fit into clothing that’s two sizes too small, but I don’t often branch off from my oversized top look very often.” — Judith Ohikuare, Her Campus Contributing Writer, Washington University in St. Louis
How to: The easiest way to make this resolution happen is to go through your wardrobe and check that all your clothes fit your body properly. Get rid of those extra baggy tops or too-tight jeans that give you love handles. “Making a giant bag of items to donate to Goodwill can be so satisfying,” says Lindsey. “Plus, it’s a great excuse to go shopping!”
If you’re particularly attached to a particular item, head to a tailor instead, who can take in or let out seams and hem those pants that you’ve let drag for months. Starting with the basics is also important. “A good bra can make all the difference in how your tops look,” said McManus, who notes that Victoria’s Secret will measure you for free. Unsure about if you’ve got the right bra on? Check out HC’s guide to wearing the right bra size.
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Style Resolution #6: “My goal is to save money and keep my closet down to a manageable size by cutting back on purchases I don’t really need. 2011 is going to be my year of smart shopping!” –– Hannah Orenstein, Her Campus Editorial Intern, Needham High School
How to: Every girl has that section of her closet with tops and dresses that still have their tags on, waiting to be worn months after they were purchased. While it’s okay to give in to those must-have purchases every once in a while, it’s easier than you may think to avoid buying things you’ll never wear. When you’re trying something on, ask yourself which items in your wardrobe will match, and how you can wear the item multiple ways. Avoid purchasing things you already have by shopping with a mission. “I always make sure I know what I actually want or need when I head to the mall,” said Lindsey. “That way, I avoid buying things I won’t ever wear.” Need ideas on what basics to keep in your wardrobe? Check out HC Style Editor Elyssa Goodman’s list of timeless, chic items every girl needs in her closet.
Style Resolution #7: “I want to try to accessorize better this year by switching up my accessories more often and wearing funkier pieces. I usually wear my same basic, classic jewelry and Burberry scarf everyday, while all of the fun pieces I have just sit in my room!” –– Stephanie Kaplan, Her Campus Co-Founder, Harvard University
How to: Sticking to basics is a great, but accessorizing your outfit and adding that extra pop makes you look that much more confident. McManus suggests a sequined jacket or funky hat, but smaller details work too. Pick out a headband, huge ring or zebra print flats that you can easily add to any outfit and you’ll be standing out in no time. Need more ideas? Check out HC Contributing Writer Nancy Mucciarone’s great guide on how to accessorize!
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Style Resolution #8: “I’ve always paid more attention to clothes than shoes in the winter and end up just throwing on Uggs to keep warm. But this year I’m hoping for a new pair of Cole Haan leather boots for Christmas. I’ll use them in 2011 to complete my look from head to toe!” — Kerry Coppinger, Her Campus Intern
How to: Invest in heels that you can actually walk in and you’re more likely to wear them out. Worried you’ll go broke? Don’t stress—new heels don’t have to be expensive. “TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have the most amazing shoe departments now and the prices are unbeatable!” explains McManus. When buying a new pair of heels, wear them around your apartment first to make sure they actually fit. That way, the bottoms stay clean if you need to return them instead. Pop insoles or cushioned heel backs to any pair of heels for instant comfort. If you’re prone to sticking to shoes that are heel-less and comfortable, flats or boots are your answer. Any pair of flat, mid-calf boots in brown or black turn a basic outfit into something much more chic. Need more boot ideas? Check out HC Contributing Writer Hannah Orenstein’s suggestions!
Style Resolution #9: “I don’t read enough about the subject I love! Next year, my goal is to immerse myself in the world of fashion literature.” — Rachel Kossman, Her Campus Contributing Writer, Northeastern University (me!)
How to: When it comes to style and fashion, there is so much out there to read it can often be overwhelming. Since it’s the new year, subscribe to your favorite fashion magazines (mine are Vogue and InStyle, but check out Marie Claire or Lucky as well!) and make an effort to sit down each month and flip through the pages. Celebrities are great inspiration for getting ideas on new looks and trends to try. If you prefer internet reading, add a few fashion blogs to your Google reader – our favorites include The Cut blog and the Boston Globe’s Stylephile blog
Style Resolution #10: “I want to be more creative with the clothing and accessories I already own” — Abigail Howard, Her Campus Contributing Writer, Duke University
How to: Take the time to rummage through your closet and reorganize. Sort items and re-hang them, making sure to pile up all the things you never wear and donate them to the nearest thrift shop. (Or, if you’re in Boston, bring them to the January clothing swap hosted by the Swapaholics!). Once you’ve gone through your collection, you’ll have a better sense of what’s in your closet and what you’ve got hanging and want to, but never actually, wear. Have a gorgeous pair of heels or a beautiful cardigan you never wear? Next time you’re going out, build your outfit around that specific piece. Sort through your closet to see what else works with that top or skirt. If you’ve got nothing, go shopping with that item in your bag on a mission to find some good matching pieces!
Fashion is always changing, so we’ve definitely got some things to think about in 2011. What’s your style resolution for this year, and how are you going to make it happen? Tell us below!
Sources
Sarah McManus, personal stylist