Happy New Year!

How was 2024 for you? And how are you feeling as we head into 2025?

I like to start the new year with reflections, not resolutions. Understanding where I’ve come from helps me better understand where I am now, so I can get clear on where I’m going.

✔️ There’s no expectation, just evolution.

Style plays a significant role in this, not just because of what I do—but because we all know that how we feel about our style permeates into how we feel living our life.

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Some Reflections from 2024

Refining

My wardrobe is smaller now than it was at the beginning of 2024. I’ve been ruthless over the last 12 months—no compromise. If the smallest thing bothered me about an item, it went.

What I sold/donated

• A lot of colour. I love styling my clients in colour—it excites me visually—but I NEVER wear it. Shades of white, grey, navy, khaki, and sometimes red are my go-to.
• Items that only work in one way. There’s no point in buying something just to make something else work. If it doesn’t fit seamlessly, it’s out.
• Items that represent the ‘stylist’ me, not the true me. Sometimes my inherent need to be creative leads me to buy things that satisfy moments in time, but I know I won’t wear them in a year.
• High-street versions of designer items. When I want to test whether it’s worth investing in a designer item, sometimes I buy a high-street equivalent. But inevitably, these items get removed. What I want to do instead is figure out what it is about the designer piece that I like—what need does it fill, and what vibe am I craving?

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Not Buying

At the end of the day, I love my wardrobe (but my shoes need work). I want to truly wear what I have and make the most of it. But at the same time, I want to feel like I’m moving forward. To do that, I need to interpret what I already have in new ways—which means buying, but in a strategic way.

I bought 52 items last year. Interestingly, I bought the same number of items as the previous year. (See below for what I wish I hadn’t bought.)

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How I Buy

I have a tendency to shop before I go on holiday, but not necessarily for holiday items.
Why?

• I don’t have my clients’ wardrobes in my head (as much).
• I’m in the right mood to shop.

But this can also lead me to buy things that aren’t 100% right because I need them to be delivered before I leave. Lesson learned: it’s always worth waiting until the right thing comes along.

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What I Wish I Didn’t Buy

One of our Style Club members, Jane, has a brilliant method of hanging all the items she bought the previous year on a rail and asking herself, “Would I buy this again?” I love this and have done the same. Here’s my list of things I didn’t need to buy:

• High-street items I didn’t need:
  • 2 pairs of shoes from Zara (I liked the campaign, but I’ve never worn them).
  • 2 tank tops from Zara (I always reach for my Tibi one).
  • A cardigan from H&M (an experiment in proportion that didn’t work).
  • A COS cargo skirt (I have a Tibi cargo trousers I love and I wanted an alt, but the skirt is more blue than navy, which bothers me).
  • A belt from Arket (the hardware looks cheap).
  • 3 beanies from Arket (couldn’t decide on a colour, so I bought them all. I’ve only worn the burgundy one).
• Final Sale purchases I didn’t need:
  • A mohair jumper from Guest in Residence (worn twice).
  • A red bag from Melie Bianco that looked like an Alaïa after 3 Martinis (Vodka, dry with olives). Short-strapped shoulder bags + layers = annoying. I might use it more in the summer?

Analysis:
When I buy high-street items, I don’t invest as much thought into them because I’m not investing as much money. I dislike this tendency because the value of an item has nothing to do with its price—it’s about how often you’ll wear it.

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How I Want to Feel in 2025

Calm. I’ve never used this word to describe my wardrobe before, and it feels satisfying.

This translates to “less things” but “more style.”

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Now, Your Turn…

1. Buy a notebook just for your style. Keep it in your wardrobe so you can jot down quick notes and reflections. I love reading back over the years to see how my style has evolved and simplified.
2. Write down everything you buy. Something about this keeps you accountable to yourself.
3. Take photos of your outfits every day… for yourself. This does 3 things:
   • Helps you see what you wear on repeat.
   • Helps you understand your style.
   • Helps you self-correct when something doesn’t feel right.

I know many of you already do this. So tell me, what did you discover?

Here’s to a successful and stylish 2025!

Penny.

 

P.S. If you struggle deciding whether you should keep something or not, we offer an objective (and experienced) eye. It’s time. Your journey starts here.

Alternatively, you can reach me here.