Sale PSA: A fun rattan bag from Ulla Johnson, now 60% off, a camel mock neck cashmere sweater, from Theory, now 40% off, a great oversized plaid fleece shirt from Madewell, now $65, and classic Boss boots from Everlane in black patent, now $165.
Hi – it’s almost the end of the year! And my last post for 2019, which I thought I would spend going over my 2020 wardrobe (and other) resolutions. I’m actually a big resolutions person – I write a list each year in my journal of my goals. This week, I thought I would share with you some of my wardrobe resolutions (and life ones as well).
On the wardrobe side:
To only add 25 items in 2020. I missed that goal this year. For sure! (Debrief to come). But I also got rid of a LOT of stuff. This is a recurring resolution and should not be difficult but I really feel like I revamped a good bit of my wardrobe in 2019 and especially replaced a lot of my pants with high waisted ones (my favorite fashion development of the last few years). And mules. Mules are my shoe version of sweatpants.
Really make a list of wardrobe gaps I need and fill them. Instead of just randomly shopping. Like, I really need a camel colored bag! It would go with so many things! I keep eyeing various ones but never pull the trigger. Why do I keep adding black and other colors?
No more jewelry (both fine and costume). I have enough and don’t wear the pieces I have enough as it is. I love jewelry but it is time to take a break. I only have one neck, two ears, two wrists, etcetera. And I basically wear the same few pieces that I sleep and shower and do everything in.
On the life side:
Be more present with my kids. Yeah this is so common and everyone says it but it’s totally true for me. Sometimes I feel like I spend the whole time thinking about other things when I’m with my kids. My daughter asked me the other day while I was working if she could play with me or if she needed to “go away somewhere” and I almost cried! That being said I am with them every afternoon which I always THINK seems like quite a lot…but it never seems like it’s enough, does it? To that end, I am also resolving to:
Take better care of myself. Something totally happened to me after baby. I don’t know what it is but it’s like I can’t relax anymore. Even when I have free time, I feel like I should spend it taking care of a long list of items I’ve got to take care of. I guess I have to understand that this list is unending and I should take care of myself. But with that, I would also like to…
Turn in my second book. Yeah! There’s going to be a second one. But the second book is it’s own particular kind of agony. My first one kind of just fell out of me (with a lot of work but still). It’s almost like everything you had went into the first one, but it isn’t true, you’ve just go to go deeper, you know? But I’m determined to submit my second book this year. This is one of my BIG GOALS.
What are your New Year’s resolutions, wardrobe or otherwise? And to all of you – HAPPY NEW YEAR (soon!).
10 Comments
Jaime
December 30, 2019 at 11:31 amBuy no handbags in 2020. This will be difficult for me as I have an obsession but am slowly moving away from the Goyard family. I did get a Saint Laurent Lou Lou for Christmas and a new Neverfull (I know, I know – the bag that’s everywhere!) is en route. I know I can do it, though, and I will! Good luck with yours, Kat!
Doni
December 31, 2019 at 11:57 amI agree with NO MORE JEWELRY!!! When I take a look at all of it I feel overwhelmed and nauseous. I’m very grateful but it needs sorted and given to friends/family.
Xin
December 31, 2019 at 7:23 amFor once, I’m not sure I have any real wardrobe-related resolutions for the year! I added 29 new items to my closet this year, 11 of them where clothes, and that feels like a fairly small and edited-down number to me. (I did make two big shopping mistakes, but I think I did all the due diligence that could reasonably be done beforehand: one was a costume jewelry ring I got in the wrong size even though I tried it on in store – womp womp – and one was a pair of expensive Falke no-show socks that were awfully designed, but no way to try that without buying it and it wouldn’t be right to return it.) I probably could also stand to buy less jewelry though. I’ve only been collecting mostly-costume jewelry in earnest for a year and a half or so, but I’m definitely feeling very aware of how one only has one neck, two ears, etc., as you point out!
Happy new year!
Nvie
December 31, 2019 at 10:20 am2020 resolutions:
1. No more bags
2. No more bracelets
3. No more shoes
4. No more lipsticks
5. Spend more time painting
6. Manage toxic people at work
7. Invest more
8. Visit a new country
Happy New Year to you and your family
Jen
December 31, 2019 at 12:29 pmWonderful goals. Happy New Year!
Pret A Porter P
December 31, 2019 at 6:04 pmI am going to stick with my 20 items/year. When I don’t I end up buying 50+ items! This year I ended up at 22. I resold one item already. The 22nd may end with the same fate. I also culled 30+ items from my wardrobe and got rid of embarrassingly old beauty products.
Beauty-wise I want to be even more frugal on skincare and for the love of God no more makeup! I have skincare still in their sealed packaging. Makeup that I rarely wear. And blushes that I force myself to that I cant even hit pan on.
Your jewelry resolution stuck out to me. I also rarely get to the wear the jewelry I have. Today, you inspired me to wear one of my smaller “meant for everyday” necklaces. I got rid of my junk jewelry, but for some reason I have a few I don’t even wear that I can’t seem to part. But 2019 reminded me that buying junk jewelry is dabbling in bullsh!t.
Happy new year and good luck on your next book! 🙂
A V A
December 31, 2019 at 6:04 pmDearest Kat,
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year filled with an abundance of happiness and many moments of sublimely enjoyable self-relaxation and self-care 😉
Thank you for all you do for us here and allowing us into your world and making us a part of this wonderful community you’ve created 🙂
I can’t express enough what a joy it is to read older posts of yours, again, and what comfort reading your new posts always brings- thank you so much for everything!
Very good luck with the second book which will be GREAT!
x
Ava
Graceful
January 1, 2020 at 3:39 pmYour site has been a favourite of mine for years. I like how candid you are about purchase and saving/spending money. And your suggestions on capsule pieces are always so good. Please do more jewelry posts as I love hearing about your pieces (though I get that your resolution is to buy less!) Happy new year.
Abby
January 1, 2020 at 7:44 pmMy main wardrobe goal is to try to add more color. After kids, I defaulted to black and navy as it’s easier to look presentable, but it’s starting to feel too heavy. But it’s so hard to step away! Outside of that, I’d like to find a good pair of joggers and am thinking this may be the year to add a piece of fine jewelry. I’d love a Verdura sign language pendant or a nice watch or maybe a big cocktail ring.
Rachel
January 27, 2020 at 9:06 amBuy less! Use what I have! Give away what I don’t use/love! I need to be more disciplined about this, I think you used to keep a spreadsheet, I guess January would be a good time for me to start acting on my intention here…
And yay for second book hopefully in 2021?! I feel like your first one just came out – I still always see it at airport bookstores and smile – and suggest it if someone is eyeing it 😉