15 Things You Can Do Right Now To Have Better Style In 2023

There are several ways to prepare yourself and your closet for a more fashionable 2023, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Before you throw out everything you own in favor of a "new year, new you", there are a few practical steps you can take (that aren't so dramatic) to have better style in 2023. Ready to see your first tasks?

1. Make an Inspo Board

The first, and arguably the most fun, step of better style is to figure out what you want that style to be. Take an evening to scroll Pinterest and Instagram, and create a virtual board of the style you like and find functional for your daily wear. Avoid the temptation to only choose photos from the current season or only one influencer. You can’t be her, so instead find a wide range of style inspo that you love. 

Pay attention to the pieces that are repetitive. Is light-wash denim a consistent item? Maybe you lean toward moodier darks. Are there any trends present? Distinguish between what pieces are trendy and which ones are closet staples. Does your inspo board feature colorful combinations or lots of patterns? Is there a theme throughout? Defining and refining these questions will help guide you through the rest of the steps. 

2. Define Your Personal Style 

Before you buy, sell, or donate a single thing in your closet, you should define your personal style using the 3 word method. Refer back to your inspo board when deciding on these three words, while also including the styles you currently wear or need to wear for work, school, or other responsibilities. If you’re highly active and your current wardrobe consists of mostly activewear, it’s totally okay to include words like sporty or active. If comfy is a high priority, include it! These are your 3 words, and they should define both what you currently wear and what you want to wear in 2023. 

3. Clean Out Your Current Closet

After you’ve defined your personal style, it’s time to go through your closet and drawers to see what you have. There is no point in keeping items you don’t wear or like, so now is the time to separate into keep, sell, and donate piles as you work through what you own. If you’re keeping the item, it should fall into the category of at least one of your 3 words, or be something you truly love. If not, out it goes! 

An easy method is to create outfits with any pieces you aren’t sure you should keep or get rid of. If you can build a look you love with a few extra pieces from your closet, then keep it for a few months and see if you wear it. If you can’t pair it with the rest of your wardrobe, then you likely won’t wear it, and it will be sitting in the same spot in your closet next year. Moving on! 

4. Update Your Older Essentials

When we wear something often, we tend to hang on to it long after it needs to be replaced. This may include the strapless bra you’ve had for a decade, a basic white t-shirt that isn’t so white anymore, or a pair of super comfortable shoes covered in scuff marks and tears. Because you know you love and need these pieces in your closet, replace these first. Invest in a high-quality alternative that will last longer through daily wear or find the exact piece you currently own. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to update this section of your wardrobe, and you’ll feel (and look!) great doing it. 

5. Sell Your Old Clothes Online

Buying a whole new wardrobe is likely out of the question. But selling gently worn pieces online is a great way to support sustainable living and also make a little extra money to put towards your new closet. Poshmark is a great option if you have nicer pieces to sell, and the site makes it so easy to cash in after a sale. 

If you’d rather keep things local, head to your closest fashion exchange store and offer your pieces for sale. You might not make as much as you would on Poshmark, but it's a great way to clean out your closet while still making extra funds to invest in your New Year’s resolution. 

6. The Underwear Drawer

Seemingly unseen, the underwear drawer may need the biggest changes for great style. Classy well-dressed women never show panty lines, bra straps, or bra cup outlines – so it may be time to refresh this section of your closet. Are you wearing the right size bra? Do you have the right shapes, cuts, and types of bra that your wardrobe requires? The wrong undergarments can quickly cheapen your look, so go look through your drawers and get rid of any items that don’t flatter your body. 

7. Capsule Wardrobe 

Even if the neutral, minimalistic aesthetic isn’t your thing, a capsule wardrobe is a great place to start if you want to have better style in 2023. The basic foundation of any great outfit allows it to be great, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re stocked with quality basics you love and wear often. 

Some common elements include a few pairs of denim jeans (in any style), solid color tees and tanks for layering, a functional shoe wardrobe, skirts in various lengths and shapes, and a couple of dresses. The point of a capsule wardrobe is that the pieces work together to create different looks, so focus on versatility when it comes to the foundation of your closet. 

8. Hair Care

One thing all these influencers on your inspo board have in common is great hair. Regardless of your hair type or color, you need to take care of your locks before you can focus on building great outfits. During the busy winter months, your hair routine may be neglected. Let‘s change that right now!

A hair mask can make a major difference in how your hair looks or feels. Find one specific to your hair type and a few moments to relax and treat your hair well. A haircut is another great way to update and refresh your hair, so head to the salon for a trim or switch up your look entirely. Tackling the new year with great hair is a priority! 

9. Makeup Refresh

Another thing you might notice before an outfit is a great makeup routine. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to buy luxury products or even change anything up. But do you love your look? Is your makeup flattering? Are you using the right products to create your desired look? Sometimes this is the simple difference between matte makeup and dewy makeup. Or maybe you need to replace that crusty mascara bottle and your six-year-old eyeshadow palette.

Better style doesn’t only mean clothes – it also means how you wear them and how you feel about your look. A makeup refresh might be necessary to achieve that feeling. Oh, and wash your makeup brushes right now. 

10. Accessories Accessories Accessories

If your style inspo board is full of simple gold jewelry, but all you own are silver pieces, you probably need to refresh your accessory selection for the new year. There is no point in owning and storing pieces you don’t love and don’t wear. Accessories are a crucial part of a great outfit, so yours should match your inspo board for maximum wear and enjoyment. 

Or maybe your wardrobe is completely lacking in the accessories department. A few pieces of everyday jewelry can make a huge difference in your daily looks, and a sparkly piece or two makes dressing up extra fun. Whatever the case, evaluate what you currently have and wear, and compare that to what you want to wear. Then find the middle ground! 

11. Make a List

After these steps, you should have a pretty good idea of what you need to fill in the gaps of your wardrobe for better style in 2023. Make a functional list of what pieces can build the style you want to have.

The best way to do this is to create two different lists. First, scroll through your style inspo board and write down every single piece you think you need to have better style. Even if it is something you already own, write it down anyway. Then, check off each piece that you already have in your wardrobe. You’ll be surprised that the foundation for better style may already be present in your closet. The second list will consist of everything you didn’t check off, as well as the essentials you need to replace. This process will reveal exactly what you need to have the style you want and will help you avoid overbuying or distracted buying when you are in the moment. 

12. Go Shopping

Now, take the list you just made and head to the store (or online while drinking tea on your couch, your choice!). The easiest way to build a better style for 2023 is to only shop your list. This will probably be difficult in the midst of post-holiday sales, trendier stores, and colder weather, but you will be rewarded for your self-control. Shop with a goal and cross off pieces as you find them. 

Investing in higher quality, long-lasting pieces is a great idea, especially when it comes to basics and undergarments. And you don’t have to hit the mall either. Local thrift stores, Poshmark sellers, and small businesses may have exactly what you’re looking for. Stick to your list, keep your inspo board close by, and work to build the style you want to emulate in the new year. 

13. Organize for Accessibility

Remember when you bought that top you loved, but lost it at the back of your closet after the first wear? Yeah, me too. An organized, accessible closet is an essential part of having better style this year. Drawer organizers for your underwear drawer will keep everything organized and accessible, whereas color coding your wardrobe will make your favorite pieces easier to find. Depending on the size and location of your closet, you may have different needs. While you’re going through your clothes and accessories, pay attention to which spaces could be more functional and find ways to fix those problems. 

14. Plan Outfits

If you’re crazy busy or just don’t have time to put together cute outfits in the morning, planning a look is an easy way to fix this problem. Great style is based on versatility, so create a few easy outfits that look great and match your desired style aesthetic. A few solid outfits can make the week so much less stressful, and you'll be better able to see where the gaps may exist. If you are constantly thinking “if only I had ___,” then go find what you need to complete that look. 

Your style inspo board is an easy shortcut to planning outfits because you can copy the foundation of those looks. If your list and shopping phase went according to plan, then you should have the right pieces to recreate your favorite Pinterest board looks. And you can use that board as a reference when you just aren’t sure what to wear! 

15. Don’t Get Distracted 

Trends are everywhere, and yes, your favorite influencers will wear the trends for a few social media posts and then never again. The key is to have better style, not trendy style, so do your best not to get distracted by fast fashion trends and items you don’t actually like. This is better for your wallet, your closet space, and your sense of personal style over time. And as a reminder to myself as well, just because it’s on clearance doesn’t mean you need to have it!

Closing Thoughts

Better style might mean something different to you than one of your girlfriends. Hopefully, these tips will set you up for success in fashion in 2023. Happy New Year! 

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