How do you feel about resolutions? To be honest, I’m not a big fan. To me, resolutions feel like pressure – and who needs that? So, instead of resolutions, I like to reframe them as intentions. Things that you plan to prioritize – but that you won’t necessarily chart (or get mad at yourself for being behind on). And things that you can easily get back on track if you fall off the wagon.
And while the fashion world may think of fall as one big reveal in late September, I prefer to treat it as a gentle progression. After all, the weather slowly shifts from summer balmy to fall cool. So, why can’t we slowly shift in our wardrobes, too? You’re not going to leave the house on October 1st in a fully layered look with boots and a scarf – you’re going to add a layer one week and maybe another a week later, etc. So, with that slow progression in mind – here are three intentions you can focus on as you shift your wardrobe to fall.
FOCUS ON FIT
Fit is the most important consideration when you’re buying clothes, deciding what to keep in your closet or just getting dressed in the morning. And by that, I don’t mean that everything needs to be tailored to hug your body. I mean that your clothes need to fit how you want them to - with nothing uncomfortable or that you need to fuss with on a regular basis. And definitely nothing that you need to pin together or cinch in order to get through the day.
So, if you’re not sure that your fall clothes fit – try them on. Spend a little time on the weekend to work through the pants (or whichever items) you’re not sure about. Because a half hour on a Saturday is a much better time to discover that you need a few basic sweaters than when you’re about to head to work on a Tuesday morning.
When you figure out what fits – put them in the most accessible area of your closet (and start shifting any summer-only styles to less accessible areas). And when you figure out what doesn’t fit, it’s decision time. Is it something that can be tailored? Or do you need to put it on a shopping list? If you’re shopping, these items may be your highest priority for fall. And if you’re heading to the tailor, read this for what to know before you go.
INVEST IN WHAT YOU WEAR MOST
I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with clients about where to invest. And while everyone’s priorities may be different, the main idea is that you should invest in what you wear the most. And you might already think that you do.
But then you peek into your closet and see the out-of-budget dress you bought for a wedding 3 years ago - and only wore once. Or the pricey jacket that seemed oh-so-cool in the store – but doesn’t make sense for work or casual weekend. So, if you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just buy the cheap sneakers, since I’ll wear them all the time” – you might be getting it backwards. Because you may accidentally be spending more on special pieces (that you wear less often) than more versatile ‘wardrobe workhorses’ (that you wear day in/day out).
So, before you spend any money on new clothes for fall, take stock of what you wear the most. And plan to invest in the highest quality you can afford – otherwise, you may need a replacement halfway through the season. If you want to make your shopping trips more productive, click here for a few strategies.
CULTIVATE YOUR STYLE
You might have never thought of deliberately cultivating a style. You buy clothes, you make outfits, and you head out the door. But if you’re not feeling good and loving what you see in the mirror, maybe it’s time to put in a little more effort. And I’m not talking about a big style overhaul – I’m talking about doing things with intention. About getting dressed on purpose and looking forward to wearing what’s in your closet. Because you deserve to feel great about how you look, every single day.
Cultivating your style shows up in different ways. And you can use multiple strategies. You can pull your outfits the night before (so you’re not making any last minute, rushed morning decisions). You can shop with a deliberate list of what you really need (as opposed to buying things just because they’re cute). And you can intentionally look for inspiration when you’re not feeling inspired at all. And while this all sounds easy, it might feel overwhelming – so here’s a great place to start.
Will you make any fall style resolutions or intentions? Or do you have some that aren’t on this list? Drop a comment with your questions and ideas.
If you want to evolve your style (but you’re not sure you can do it on your own), just let me know - I’m currently accepting clients for my early 2025 waitlist. Click here to get more information on my framework, pricing and process. And if you’re curious about how my clients feel after going through my framework, click here to read a bunch of their stories.