It’s a common tradition at the start of a new year to choose your “Word of the Year.” In Dressing Your Truth, let’s take this a step further and choose your “Style Word of the Year!”
The benefits of choosing a Style Word can help you hone your personal style.
The Experts weigh in on how choosing keywords can transform your style over the next 12 months!
Why Style Keywords Can Help You Hone Your Style
Type 1 Expert Jaleah shares how past keywords, “Bright and Playful” helped her: “Before DYT, I had a very neutral wardrobe. I was in tans, olive greens, browns, blacks, etc. So getting more bright and playful has been getting more successful over the years!”
Type 2 Expert Anne took the keyword “Comfortable” and transformed her wardrobe. “I whittled away at my closet and eliminated every item that was not comfortable. My wardrobe is the closest it has ever been to me being able to say, ‘I love everything in here!'”
I agree with Anne—I love everything I own! The biggest influence in honing my style are 4 words: “Yang-Yang-Yin-Yang.” Knowing my yin-yang movement as a Type 3/4 and how to express that in my style has helped me create outfits that I feel have been the most flattering on me in my 20 years of dressing my truth.
Kalista’s style words “Simple and Light” played a part in creating more happiness. She said, “I was making things harder than they needed to be, and it needs to be simple to be sustainable. I embraced my naturally wavy hair, threw out any clothing that was fussy or too stiff, selected a simple makeup set, and stopped “trying” and started “being.” I feel put-together, happier, and more at ease with my processes.”
Some Keywords Just Don’t Work—And That’s Okay!
I’ve had experiences where I tried out certain keywords, and they didn’t work out well. I still consider this a positive outcome because it helped me get clear on what does work!
For example, I have given up “plush.” This fabrication is just too soft for me and I know now not to try and make it work. No more plush vests, jackets, sweaters, or pullovers!
Type 3 Expert Sarah had a similar experience—even with a Type 3 keyword. “Edgy. I try and bring it in, but the items I get that are too edgy just don’t get worn that much.”
What Did the Experts Choose for 2024?
Jaleah: “Fresh!”
“I want to freshen up my styles, try new things, and enjoy the trends. Style School from 2023 taught me that freshening things up every now and then helps me enjoy the process of putting on clothes every day, even more.”
Anne: “Effortlessly Chic”
“As a working mom of 5 kids 11 and under, I have my hands full! So it’s important I manage my time wisely. That’s why “effortless” is a leading keyword for 2024. Shopping, choosing outfits, and getting ready must be quick and simple! But at the same time, I don’t want to get stuck in the same “Type 2 uniform” day after day just to hit the easy button.
“I’ve been dressing my truth for 20 years now! I am really good at putting beautiful Type 2 outfits together, but many of my looks are expected and comfortable. “Chic” speaks to my desire to step out of my comfort zone with outfits that are unexpected and interesting. But not at the expense of taking more time and energy. I look forward to the fabulous outfits that I’ll come up with — quickly!”
For me: “Easy and Classy”
“2024 is my 20th year anniversary for dressing my Type 3/4 truth! And, I can honestly say that dressing and creating a daily personal style true to me has become super easy.
“I am also 20 years older, I started dressing my truth at 46 and now at 66, it is part of my empowered aging strategy to add components to my style that create a “classy” look. Even with my casual outfits, it is easy to do this with the right shoes, a great handbag, statement jewelry, and stylish eyewear are just a few ways I easily add classy. Whether I am choosing minimal or full face makeup, I make sure I pamper my face as it ages, to honor aging beautifully. I know it is making a difference as I get older that these choices enable me to embrace aging, rather than fight it or resent it. I know it supports a positive aging experience and that in itself actually slows down the aging process.
“Here’s to a year of Easy and Classy!”
Kalista: “Flexible Fashion”
“I realize that the word “flexible” doesn’t bring to mind images of fashion and beauty, but here’s how it’s working for me in 2024. I have a very full life. I’m a mom to 5 kiddos, I work from home, and I’m in a healing cycle with chronic illness. On any given day I go from work meetings, to school pickup, to napping with baby, to homemaking, to physical therapy. I need my style to be flexible, literally and figuratively. I want to look stylish and put-together, yet feel comfortable enough to move freely and rest.
“Seasons of life alter our wardrobe needs and desires. In the past, I’ve had a more smart-casual style. I would never have thought to wear lounge pants as actual pants, and yet here I am. In 2024 I’m looking forward to creating styles that reflect a chic refinement in fabrics and fashions that are as comfortable as they are cute.”
Now it’s your turn! What will your 2024 “Style” Word of the Year be?
I’ve put together your Energy Type’s keywords in easy-to-reference lists in Lifestyle:
Leave a comment below and share your Style Word of the Year!
