Curation + Inspiration

As you head into a New Year, it’s a perfect time to take a good hard look at your closet and evaluate your wardrobe buying habits.

Go ahead. Stand in front of your open closet and give it your critical eye.

Are you patting yourself on the back and saying “Job well done!”

Or, like most women, are you staring at thousands of dollars of garments knowing you’ll wake up one morning and still feel like you have nothing to wear?

How is that even possible?

Well, there are way too many reasons why to address in this column but here are a few things to keep in mind when you shop this year that might help.

First, remember that bad clothes can come with good labels. You heard me. Just because an item has a designer label doesn’t mean it’s stylish — great designers sometimes have bad days, too.

And just because an item looks oh-so-stylish on someone else doesn’t mean it will be oh-so-stylish on you! Embrace your body with all its flaws and work with it when you dress, not against it.

Second, try not to label labels. Certain labels have a reputation for being “young and hip” while others have a reputation for being “classic and mature.” Some are “too expensive” or “too trendy” or “too popular.” But you do yourself a disservice if you get caught up in this labeling rut.

Instead, when deciding if an item is right for you, evaluate it as if it didn’t have a label at all. Would you still want it if it wasn’t labeled with the current latest-and-greatest name?

And can you keep an open mind about labels that you might have unjustly placed in a labeling corner?

For instance, this lovely 1970s print silk gown is by Hanae Mori, not a label that younger ladies would normally give a second thought or brag about to their friends. But look how fresh and young and lovely this dress is!

It’s a fabulous New Year find for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Shrimpton Couture.

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