I was recently approached by friend and fellow stylist Niki Whittle to collaborate on some New Year’s resolutions.  She connected international stylists to submit our best advice for an improved YOU for 2018. These men and women work in fashion all over the world (really!  From South Africa to the UK to the USA), and I was honored to be asked for my thoughts.

As part of my 2018 “New Year, New US” initiative, I am happy to launch with this collection of best practices and style tips from around the world. Please visit each of them via their links provided for more on their style and advice!

 

1/  Arash Mazinani-  Be more ethically-conscious in 2018

credit Arash Mazinani

 

There’s still a lot of work to be done by most major high street brands when it comes to transparency over working conditions and who makes their clothes, especially when you have workers writing pleas for help on labels (I’m looking at you Zara). But there are a few things you can do in 2018 to be more ethically conscious.

 

 

·         Take care of what you already own! Rewear and repair your existing wardrobe.

·         Look for clothes swaps, buy second or vintage

·         Shop less, buy better quality pieces that are durable and will last, and only choose items you absolutely love.

·         Research ethical brands, there are some amazing ethical brands that are affordable, ship worldwide and are just as stylish as any major chain on the high street

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/arashmazinani/?hl=en

Blog: https://arashmazinani.com/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/arashmazinani?lang=en

 

2/  Chrissy Ellis- Shop secondhand

credit Chrissy Ellis

Don’t forget to shop vintage and charity shops before you hit the high street. Look for on-trend items that you can get for a fraction of the price or look for staples. Your style will be way more unique and you can style for you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissystylesme/?hl=en

Blog: http://www.chrissystylesme.com/?m=1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justsofashion/

 

 

3/  Sharon Wharten- Dress the body you’re in NOW

credit Sharon Wharten

Just call me The Mindful Fashionista! All about working the now to represent the best you every day including today! Don’t wait to feel worthy of a number on a size tag. Every year I hear the same New Year’s resolution of going to the gym and losing weight to look good. I’m here to tell you that the number one secret is in the clothes you choose. You can look ten pounds slimmer just by dressing your body shape and understanding cuts and styles that will work well with your assets.

As a personal stylist, I’ve helped countless women gain respect and confidence in the body they’re in now so trust me when I say you can look ten pounds slimmer just by dressing your body shape and understanding cuts and styles that will work well with your assets.

Starting off the new year on a positive body image will make you feel like a million bucks and help you gain the confidence you need!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonwarten/?hl=en

Blog: http://www.sharonwarten.com/fashiondiaryofapersonalstylist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonWarten

 

4/  Niki Whittle- Celebrate your assets and embrace your curves

credit Niki Whittle

We spend far too much time focusing on hiding the parts of our body that we’re not totally happy with–it’s time for a change!  Make 2018 the year that you embrace your assets and curves and stop wasting time on all that negativity.  When I’m with a new client I ask them to list the parts of their body that they ARE happy with, it’s a great exercise to do as it forces them to think beyond what they consider to be their flaws.  You should try it!  If you’re struggling to identify any (and I really hope you’re not) ask your partner or a friend, I can guarantee they’ll reel off a ton of things!  Once you’ve identified them start to buy and wear clothes that show them off!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikiwhittle/?hl=en

Blog: https://www.stylestudsandlace.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/?lang=en

 

5/  Shannan Allen- Ensure that you have the proper basics to build a foundation for a great wardrobe

credit Shannan Allen

Make sure you have invested in quality basics which help to build your wardrobe and will set the foundation for the rest of your pieces.  These style essentials will allow you to mix-and-match looks and play with color and textures.  When choosing your basic clothing essentials, it’s important to consider the fit, length, flattering cuts for your shape and making sure your clothes feel comfortable.  Here are 10 basics for a great wardrobe to get you started: a little black dress, a blazer, dark wash jeans, a black pencil skirt, black trousers, white button-down shirt, black or neutral pumps, a pair of flats, accessories, and a structured handbag. Every piece in your wardrobe should reflect your personal style, and that includes your basics.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclosetconsultant/?hl=en

Blog: http://www.theclosetconsultant.net/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheClosetConsul

 

6/  Darlene Bayley- Style on the outside can be effected by how you feel on the inside and vice versa so dress in clothing that makes you feel confident.

credit Darlene Bayley

For example, how did you feel that last time you stood up at the boardroom table to share a brilliant idea, chances are if you were not confident in the clothing you were wearing you may not have stood up at all.

We have the choice to make our outfit work for us or against us each day. Clothing can make you look and feel like a million dollars or not…  Our lifestyles can change, we take on a bigger role in our companies, become mothers or fathers, divorce or move to a different country etc. These life changes will effect our lifestyle and so may confuse our style.  In order to make sense of it all we need to know who we are, right down to the basics.  So how do we take control so we can be confident in our clothing choices:

 

1)          Learn about your body shape

2)          Consult with a personal stylist for advise on your skin tone and which colours suit you

3)          Post your favorite outfits to a Pinterest board to figure out your style personality

4)          Take into consideration your lifestyle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_imagepreneur/?hl=en

Blog: https://www.theimagepreneur.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theimagepreneur

 7/  Sam Ditka- Ensure proper fit

credit ME! Photo by Julieanne Kahlbaugh

My 2018 fashion resolution really applies to EVERY year:  ALWAYS ensure proper fit of your garments.  We have all fall victim to the term “ready to wear” which is hardly ever, in fact, READY to wear!  Unless you happen to be the identical twin of the fit model a designer uses, chances are that an alteration will need to be made in hem, cut, or possibly even a tweak in structure.

When you work with a stylist, she can determine if the cut of the garment works on your shape, and if the drape of the fabric works over YOUR particular body and more.  I always sit and move around a bit in clothes as I try them on as well.  This is a great indicator if the piece will CONTINUE to fit will when it’s worn, or if I should size down or alter.  At the end of the day, having a good seamstress on speed dial is critical to ensuring that each item in your closet looks its very best on you!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samiammoxiemama/?hl=en

Blog: http://moxiemama.tv/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samiammoxiemama

 

8/  Christina Stein– Take more risks with color and stop comparing yourself to other women on social media

credit Christina Stein

Black on black on black is typically my go to.  While it is easy and always looks polished, for 2018 it’s time to give color a bit of the limelight.I have been gravitating a lot towards my ‘power color’ red (that color that helps you act like a total badass when you walk into a room, everyone has one!) I have been wearing red lipstick, or my red pumps just to give my black outfits new life.

My second resolution is probably the most important for all women: Please please please stop comparing yourself to the latest insta blogger! Not only are our bodies different but you really do yourself a disservice by not being able to find your voice in fashion. You don’t want to look like everyone else, that’s the beauty of the fashion industry as well as the beauty in being a human being. Continue to stand out and experiment with what you love to wear. If you’re stuck, then call a stylist, we will help you become what you want the world to see!

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylebychristina/?hl=en

Blog: https://www.christinajstein.com/blog

 

9/  Mikaela Pabon- Be bolder with prints and buy 5 printed pieces this year.

credit pinterest

 

Get BOLD with prints, and add these 5 basic prints to your wardrobe in 2018: Black/white polka dots, nautical stripes, camouflage, florals & leopard. Whether you’re mixing them together or wearing one at a time, each of these is sure to spice up your wardrobe!

(Images: Mikaela 1)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikaela.pabon/?hl=en

Blog: https://www.mikaelapabon.com/blog-mikaela-pabon/

 

 

 

10/  Extra one (because it rounds it up to a nice 10) –  Invest in yourself

We cannot stress enough how important it is to give yourself the love and recognition you deserve. If you think back to those moments when you felt good about yourself, we bet many of them were moments when you’d spent time on your appearance, donning an outfit that made you feel like you could take on the world.  It may be clichéd to say this, but what you wear can have such a powerful and positive effect on your confidence. You deserve that confidence Every. Single. Day.

Lucky for you, Personal Stylists exist and we are not just for the rich and famous.  In fact, many of us have little interest in working with celebrities. We would much rather make YOU look and feel abso-bloody-lutly amazing!

We understand body shape and  how to balance your proportions and highlight your assets.  Stylists understand how garments should fit the body and can advise in purchase and alterations. Additionally, we know which colors will flatter you and which will make you look tired and ill.

All of us here have helped countless clients create a more harmonious life by detoxing their closets.  Through empowering them to shop effectively for style, shape and lifestyle, we’ve witnessed our clients becoming stronger and more confident.  Want to harness the power and confidence that comes from dressing well, but don’t know where to start? Invest in some professional help with a stylist.

 

Final thoughts from me:

My focus for 2018 is to help you all determine your personal style and how to create it.  Whether it is just a personal desire, a change in careers, or a body change that prompts it, why not take a consultation?  I work with YOUR budget to ensure a viable style and closet to support it.

Watch my social media and here for announcements of giveaways and all the latest style tips!