4 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Go Getter for the New Year

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4 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Go Getter for the New Year

Few among us can claim to have achieved fashion perfection—but the good news is, the fresh start of a new year is a great time to polish your look. You don’t have to totally overhaul your closet, either. Often, a few simple changes can make a big difference in your overall appearance. (And when you feel comfortable and confident in the way you look, that attitude also manifests in your performance!) As we move into 2016, here are four simple fixes to elevate your professional style:

Don’t worry (too much!) about looking trendy.
There’s nothing wrong with staying in style, but when you’re too much of a slave to fashion, it’s easy to veer into unflattering territory. Think ensembles that aren’t age- or work-appropriate or that aren’t flattering. Plus, switching styles every season can send the message that you’re inconsistent and don’t have a firmly established sense of self. No matter what is being worn on the runways, strive to develop a personal sense of style that is strategically supplemented by trendy pieces.

Veer out of neutral territory.
Neutrals are easy, and for that reason, many professional women pack their closets with blacks, grays, browns, beiges, whites, and other muted tones. However, you don’t want to wear “camouflage” that causes you to completely disappear into the corporate jungle. This year, add small pops of color to your work wardrobe, like a blazer, blouse, scarf, belt, or piece of jewelry—they’ll make you much more memorable!

Stop dressing in the past.
It’s easy to fall into a fashion rut of consistently gravitating toward the same colors, styles, brands, and even sizes. I often see women who think that they’re in style, and they would be—if it were five or ten years ago! The beginning of a new year is a great time to ask a trusted friend for a constructive critique of your look to make sure you haven’t fallen behind. Better yet, hire an image consultant who can suggest strategic pieces to buy that will help the rest of your closet transition gracefully into 2016.

Make time to edit each morning.
When you get dressed in the morning, do you leave yourself time to refine the details? For example, if you put on a skirt and it has a small stain, do you have time to spot-clean or find a new one? What if your hair just won’t cooperate? What if your pantyhose have a run? Or what if an outfit simply looked better in your head than it does on your body? On a typical morning, would you have time to correct these issues, or would you have to choose between running late or living with them? Building even five or ten extra minutes into your routine can make a big difference when it comes to looking your best. (You may find that laying your clothes out the night before—accessories and all!—gives you that extra editing time.)

Here are a few professional looks that are stylish and put-together, and that are likely to remain classic for some time to come:

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