5 Fashion Resolutions to Make and How to Make Ones You Actually Keep

Fashion resolutions are the only resolutions I make that I take seriously. All the gym and eat healthy stuff is a constant and not to brag but I am quite good about it (even if I don’t gym, I walk a bit) – the stuff I am not good about is fashion. So I try to make more of an effort.

But there is a way to make sure you stick to your resolutions – fashion and otherwise. Let me illustrate.

(My co-blogger and best friend, Satarupa is not going to be happy about this but I am going to convince her to take one for the team.)

For instance, when I asked her what her resolutions were, there were her exact words: “wear colours, accessorise and not shop anymore”. I don’t mean to be well, mean, but those are hopeless resolutions.

Your resolutions should not be vague wish lists (‘wear colours, accessorise’) and absurd aims (‘not shop anymore’). They need to be precise, specific, achievable and moderate. Like mine.

1.Aim for a different colour palette than one you usually go for instead of the general ‘wear more colour’. No surprise but my colour palette mostly revolves around black. My resolution is to start out limiting the black items I wear – eventually ensuring my colour palette consist of softer colours like light grey, beige, light pinks and so on. I realised this is something I wanted to do after I kept pinning pictures of women in beautiful, soft colour palettes. I love wearing black but sometimes it gets pretty predictable.

2. Aim to have a specific shopping budget rather than ‘not shop anymore’. The latter is a resolution waiting to fail – honestly. I have now limited my monthly spend on shopping items to a specific amount per month. Do the same according to your budget. The other way to make your shopping a little more interesting is to restrict particular items you buy constantly. For me that would definitely be leather and faux leather clothing. The other aim I had in relation to shopping was to stop buying from the same store. Look around, explore. If you have already made up your mind you will walk into Zara, there is little time for anything else. And do this the old fashioned way, shut off your computer and pick up your bag and go shopping. Yes, physically!

3. Have a long-term aim but with short term actions. No more cheap fashion is my long-term aim! I aim is to have quality items which I can count on and wear again and again. To do this I am restricting very cheap fast fashion. Some trend items are always great to buy but at least for the basics that I wear again and again – I have moved on. For instance, I recently bought a Zara tote – that was absolutely not my fault which I will explain in detail later. Although Zara is not too bad for bags, I know the item will only last till the end of summer or so. But I was desperate. I have decided this year I am only buying good quality bags which last. (Also, if your bag is of great quality, it doesn’t matter what you wear!)

Outfit details: blue denim dungarees from Bershka, white tee from Banana Republic, black boots from H&M, black lace satchel bag from a boutique in Mumbai, shades from Mango and hat from Spitalfiels Market.

4. Restrict a particular item you wear constantly or introduce an item you don’t. I like Bidisha’s ‘wear more heels’ resolution, especially since she is a flats girl. Similarly, I have decided to restrict black items, specifically black leggings which I wear again and again.

5. Get out of your comfort zone. Out of your monthly shopping budget make sure you buy something you saw and liked – but would not think of wearing yourself or do not consider to be your style. Sometimes letting go of the fashion rules you set yourself is very fun!

6. Figure out what makes you feel good. Clothing should make you feel confident and comfortable. One of the best resolutions you can make is to stop chasing every trend and instead focus on what truly makes you feel like yourself. Confidence in fashion can come from something people don’t see – like perfume. Beauty and fragrance can make a big difference to your confidence. Something as simple as wearing a signature scent like authentic Delina perfume can instantly elevate your mood and give your outfit a polished edge. The goal here is to build a style that works for you every day, not just on occasion.

I would be very interested to know the fashion resolutions you made and more importantly, how well you have kept them! Drop in your comments.

– Anisha