New Year Resolutions

We recently conducted a poll on The Stylish City website which asked readers to vote on their number one resolution for 2013. Now that we’re already seven months into the “new” year, it’s about time we got around to revealing — and talking about — the results.

We have to say that the poll answers definitely came as a surprise to us. Before we dig into the results, though, know that nearly 300 people participated in this poll, all of them readers of The Stylish City.

Out of those 300 votes, a whopping 31% (read: almost a third of voters) said that their ultimate resolution — the resolution they most wanted to keep — had to deal with their weight. In second place, with 23% of the votes, was “health.”

What we found most surprising, though, was that “relationships” came in with the lowest percentage with only 9% of the total vote. In between the lowest and the highest were as follows: Career/Job: 16%, Money: 11% and Organization: 10%.

Now, we understand that there’s a lot that can’t be answered in a simple poll. Maybe the readers of The Stylish City have super healthy relationships with their family, significant others, etc. and didn’t feel the need to set any goals or resolutions regarding that aspect of their life. The same can be said of our readers’ finances or organization skills. If that’s the case, serious props to the women who have their pecuniary ducks and relationship matters all in a row.

It does seem strange, however, that the “weight category” came in at number one, especially at 8 percentage points above the second most popular resolution of “health.”

Maybe I’m crazy, but wouldn’t you think that your health, in general, is the ultimate goal compared to simply maintaining your weight? Even if you’re trying to maintain weight, drop some L-B’s or gain a bit of muscle mass, the reason you’re doing that should ultimately be motivated by a desire to be healthy, right?

As I write this, though, I must admit that I can see how “weight” may soar to the top of the list, even above health. Not to go off on a tangent, but as someone who’s lost over 50 pounds in the past three years, I strived to become a healthier version of myself throughout that weight loss journey, yes, but what really drove me was a strong yearning to look in the mirror and be satisfied with my appearance. To be able to fit into the coveted size 6, to feel good and look good. I care about my health, but I tended to care more about inches/pounds lost and a dwindling dress size.

This all leads me to a question I have for The Stylish City readers, especially those who selected “weight” as their number one 2013 resolution:

Why did you select the answer you did? And now that we’re over half way into the year, how are you doing on that goal? Have your priorities shifted? Did you fall off the proverbial wagon? Or are you totally kicking butt? We’re dying to hear your thoughts/comments, so share them in the comment section below.

By Wendy Rose Gould

January is a cold and dreary month for most of us, filled with sludgy snow (that leads to soggy shoes) and frozen fingers. With the lack of color and same coat recycled daily, it’s easy to feel uninspired in terms of style.

Don’t let Mother Nature get you down, though, ladies. TheStylishCity wants to inspire your fashion senses and help you reach all your 2012 fashion goals. Today we’re moving on to part three of our “Improve Your Style and Wardrobe” series: 5 Magazines and 3 Books to Refine Your Look

Magazines

As you look through your favorite fashion magazines, mark pages with looks that inspire you. Really examine your favorite outfits to determine what appeals to you most. Is it the layers? Is it the mix of textures, patterns or colors? Or is it the way the model or celebrity accessorizes? Don’t be afraid to jot down notes as you flip the pages and refer back to your notes while shopping.

Vogue Magazine

If you’re looking for an authority on fashion, Vogue Magazine is your go to glossy. Its pages feature everything from the hottest fashion trends to beauty tips to health and fitness advice.

W Magazine

Do you consider yourself a refined woman? Then this elegant, opulent and colorful fashion magazine is the perfect fit. It’s brimming with lavish clothing, luxurious accessories and everything in between.

Elle Magazine

For those who prefer a more light hearted approach to fashion, give Elle Magazine a go. It’s chock-full of inspiring, attainable fashion, beauty and entertainment news.

Harper’s Bazaar

As another fashion authority, Harper’s Bazaar always delivers. Its filled with glamourous fashion trends, top models and behind-the-scene glimpses into high society fashion.

InStyle Magazine

With InStyle Magazine, you’ll learn what — and who — today’s Hollywood celebs are wearing. In addition to fashion, InStyle Magazine also features beauty and lifestyle advice.

Books

While magazines focus more on trends, books provide evergreen content that’ll help you look — and feel — amazing for years to come. Here are three must-own fashion books that come highly recommended.

The Look Book: 50 Iconic Beauties and How to Achieve Their Signature Styles

Author Erika Stalder authored this fun and insightful book, which teaches you how to look like your favorite iconic celebrities. From Audrey Hepburn’s winged eyes to Veronica Lake’s peek-a-boo curls, Stalder’s covered them all.

The Bra Book: The Fashion Formula to Finding the Perfect Bra

Believe it or not, the perfect bra is vital to your look. Author Jene Luciani teaches her readers about bra faux pas, fallacies, facts and fit. A must read for all women.

I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style

Author Amanda Brooks is “a lifelong fashion chameleon with an unerring eye for the elements of personal style.” This colorful book, dubbed a “style bible,” features a diverse array of styles, from bohemian to high fashion to cheap chic and beyond.

Stay tuned for part four of our “Improve Your Style” series, which teaches you how to devise a streamlined (and enjoyable) shopping strategy

By Mirela Gluck

TheVogueCity takes New Year’s resolutions very seriously. That’s why we’ve put together a series of stories to help make your fashion-related goals a success for 2012. Today we’ll focus on how how tuning into your body, lifestyle and budget positively affects your fashion sense.

	Know Your Body One thing is for certain: The more confident and fabulous you feel in your own skin — and outfit — the more often you’ll earn compliments throughout the day. So, instead of focusing too much on what’s trending at the moment or what you should wear based on your body type, evaluate how you feel in an outfit when gazing into the mirror. If you feel beautiful, comfortable and fashion-forward, by all means, buy the garment and walk out the door a proud shopper. Finding clothes that make you feel that good are a great investment, too, as you’ll likely wear them often. It goes without saying, as well, that what you feel best in is probably flattering to your body.
	Know Your Lifestyle Though many women are tied together by their love of fashion, most lead dramatically different lives. Before dropping loads of cash on a new wardrobe, it’s important to understand your lifestyle. For example, those who visit low key restaurants and funky art galleries should dress according to the casual attire of those events. If you’re an elegant woman who frequents the opera and symphony, a collection of fine gowns and apparel will be worth your money. Socialites and party go-ers may want to stock their wardrobe with cocktail dresses and flattering blouses.
After assessing factors like your job and hobbies, fill your wardrobe with the necessities. You’ll want proper work wear, party wear, formal event wear, seasonal basics (e.g. hats, gloves, coat, parka, bathing suit) and the essentials (10-15 items you’ll wear often, like a white shirt for layering, a cashmere cardigan, a well-fitted jean, jacket, heels and flats).As for determining what appeals to you, fashion-wise, look to your favorite celebrities for inspiration.
	Budget Before you even enter a store (be it virtual or brick and mortar), make sure you have a budget. Set either a monthly, weekly or annual spending limit and then shop accordingly. Understand that bargain shopping will give you more bang for your buck, but don’t be afraid to splurge if your budget allows. The ultimate goal is to choose quality items that’ll last through the years. If you can find a flattering garment that’s well made and 80% off, by all means, snag it. If you fall in love with a piece that’s more than you’d typically pay, think about whether it’ll earn heavy rotation and make your decision from there.

By Mirela Gluck

Some of the most common New Years resolutions, according to USA.gov, are to cut back on the alcohol (say buh-buy to martinis), eat healthier (goodbye chocolate, hello apples) and to get in better shape. Another common resolution, especially in the fashion world, is to improve your style sense and give your wardrobe a makeover.

All those goals are worthy aspirations, no doubt, but they’re also pretty overwhelming. That’s why it’s no surprise to hear about friends or coworkers — who set lofty New Year’s goals — fall flat before January has even expired.

Perhaps if more individuals employed the business analogy of goals and objectives when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, they’d be far more successful in their endeavors. Basically, we should break down our goals into smaller, more obtainable goals. By making resolutions look more like quantifiable objectives instead of lofty, hard to reach goals, we cut the overwhelming factor by a ton and improve the likelihood of success.

For example, if your goal is to slim down, break it down by setting smaller goals: hit the gym three times a week, cook more low calorie meals at home, pack a healthy lunch instead of eating out, etc.

If your goal is to improve your style and wardrobe, we’re here to help ensure a fashion victory through 2012. This is the first installation of a series, which will cover the following steps to refining your fashion sense and enhancing your armoire. The steps include:

1. Know yourself: Understanding what works for your body, style, lifestyle and budget

2. Employ books and periodicals

3. Organize your closet

4. Devise a shopping strategy and make shopping more enjoyable

5. Hit the stores

By Mirela Gluck