Style refinement is…
Recognising my unique set of needs and priorities, and developing a similarly unique style that matches
Building on what exists, focusing on small changes and adjustments; not starting from scratch, not always thinking that a grand overhaul is necessary
Being precise, not ball-park
Looking at the details. Understanding the little details that I really like; understanding the little details that I really dislike
Being in-tune with my intuition
Protecting myself from too much external influence
Developing knowledge of different fabric types - knowing the ones I like to wear and the ones I don’t
Knowing precisely which colours both flatter me and totally float my boat; not wasting time or money on colours I neither like nor can wear easily nor really fit in with other items in my wardrobe
Learning the right way to make up my face to the most pleasing and flattering effect; not just blindly following the basic advice that gets thrown at me that doesn’t account for the uniqueness of my face
Understanding, appreciating and working with my body shape when dressing; not ignoring it, not pretending it is something different, not despising it
Knowing which accessory types I like to use; not bothering to buy the ones I don’t
Only having makeup in precisely the right shades and right finishes
Having a wardrobe made up only of clothes that fit; not keeping clothes that fit poorly, no matter how cheap or expensive or cool they may be
Having enough footwear, clothes and outfits that are suitable for the climate where I live (not necessarily adhering to what the fashion industry proposes is ‘for x season’)
Assessing whether a potential purchase meets my unique set of criteria and not keeping anything that doesn’t
Spotting the little changes I need to make to an item to perfectly suit my figure, tastes and uses
Putting in the effort ahead of time to make day-to-day styling more effortless
Continually evolving my style to meet my needs, and recognising that my evolution happens on an entirely different timescale from the fashion industry’s idea of ‘seasons’
Happily decluttering anything that is no longer useful or attractive to me
Being able to shop easily with a laser-focus for the pieces that match my priorities; not getting distracted by the new, the trendy or the things that look good on someone else
Having some sense of cohesion in my wardrobe; not having ‘lone wolf’ items that don’t go with anything else I own
Being able to assess a piece’s value to me, not just its cost (cost is what you pay; value is what you get)
Owning a collection that works for me, and only me
Finding daily joy in getting dressed and using what I have chosen to keep