Fifteen days ago we started 2024. Don’t come at me on a technicality. There’s something about January that even if you’ve not ventured away from home for a holiday it still feels very “pop on something flowy and pass me a cocktail” vibe-y.
But February. February means business.
I always get a wardrobe decluttering urge and purge late January (this is my tried and true process) and it’s honestly my biggest style tip if you’re currently looking each day at your wardrobe, wondering why you’re not inspired by anything hanging there.
This lack of inspiration is in no way helped that in most parts of Australia the sweat factor remains at an all-time high. It’s difficult to be motivated to create outfits when even one extra layer is fraught (unless working in an aircon-ed office that will of course be strangely arctic).
February is also that limbo land between fashion seasons. Designers and retailers attempt to lure us into a false sense that autumnal temperatures are due any day now with new collections dropping that have whiffs of a new season. The reality is, where I live in Brisbane, the humidity will be tapping at our heels well past Easter and into May.
So, this month, rather that fall into my usual summer wardrobe malaise, I somewhat optimistically thought I’d get into an outfit styling groove by posting said outfit every day on socials for the entire month. The thinking was that if I committed to that then I’d have to intentionally plan out my outfits to keep them varied, thus finding and wearing more of what’s already in my wardrobe.
At the half-way point of this exercise, I’d have to say that it’s worked. I’m actually getting excited again about getting dressed each day. And thanks to a newly edited and organised wardrobe I’m reaching for separates and dresses I’ve forgotten about and giving them new life.
Here’s a look at five of the outfits (check out the rest on Instagram or Facebook)
Styling You The Label shirt | Never Fully Dressed skirt | FRANKIE4 heels | Chanel bag
Styling You The Label tee | Zjoosh skirt - use code NIKKI20 | Ecclestone belt | FRANKIE4 loafers
Styling You The Label shirt | Ecclestone belt | Spell skirt | FRANKIE4 Footwear loafers
Bohemian Traders dress | FRANKIE4 Footwear heels | Gucci handbag
Dissh shirt | Styling You The Label skirt | FRANKIE Footwear sandals | Vestirsi bag and strap
Now that I’ve maybe got you motivated to do the same, here’s where I bury the the confession that I’ll sadly need to stop this challenge early. On Monday I need to have surgery on a tendon in my right hand - I’ve fallen in the 1-2% of people (according to my surgeon) who end up with a retracted tendon after receiving a minor fracture to their wrist.
If you’re playing catch up, about six weeks ago while in Japan I fell while standing still on my skis. I’m sure that manoeuvre also falls into the low percentage chance of occurring. I’m skilled like that 🫠 So, bear with me as I navigate the first days/weeks post-surgery. I feel I’ll need to re-start this daily challenge in April when I’m post-recovery and not limited with what I can do, let alone wear.
Are you in a February style rut? Leave a comment below and let’s chat.
{Please note this post contains affiliate commission links - should you shop via the link I may receive a small commission.}
To my long-time subscribers, you’re probably scratching your head wondering what’s landed in your inbox. I’ve changed things up by moving my email newsletter here to Substack. You’ll still get emails from me but you can also read my posts via the Substack app. I’m keeping these semi-random posts and my monthly round-up emails free for the foreseeable future. I just wanted to move to this platform as a way to write and share more with you. Let me know what you think?
I'm enjoying this platform very much for its ease & so far not problems. People who want to subscribe & comment need to sign up & it's up to them. I may be small in numbers but it's a refreshing change for me when I was getting stale via a blog which required hosting & charges & more maintenance.. took the chance to stop when my hosting company closed down ! Best wishes to you here Nikki!
Sorry to hear about the surgery. Hope it all goes to plan ❤️