Make the Look Your Own: Style resolutions

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: SODAHEAD.COM
When making style resolutions, the first one on your list should be to never leave the house wearing sweatpants again.

With January comes the annual urge for self-improvement and motivation for total life overhauls. While some resolutions stick and others don't (when did I ever think that going to the gym every day was going to happen?), I have made a pact with myself to stick with my New Year's style resolutions for as long as is humanly possible.

A few ideas quickly come to mind: Never leave the house in sweatpants again.

Throw out those jeans that don't fit and likely never will again. Make an effort with hair and makeup (regularly). Present the image you want to be known for. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

I realize these goals aren't always practical. Take it from me, someone who slings soup and blends (messy) smoothies in a wardrobe of jeans and t-shirts day after day, who longs to work in a slick, modern office building teetering on pin-thin stilettos and swathed in cashmere. Dressing the part, and subsequently ruining my Sunday best, would be unlikely to get me anywhere closer to the top of the corporate ladder. For me to adapt this rule (and resolution) to my everyday life, it means: take a little more time in the morning to make sure that the jeans I throw on are clean, not too wrinkly, fit me well and flatter my shape. Shoes that have to be flat and practical do not mean they have to be dirty old running shoes. Some new moccasins, Converse All-Stars or ankle boots could really up the ante in my workday wardrobe. For the time being, I happen to be a food service worker, but that does not mean that I have to dress like it.

This does not mean that you must be a slave to your image, caking on layers of makeup and fake eyelashes when you have laryngitis, or pouring yourself into a skintight dress when you're just popping out to Shoppers for a few things, but do take some time to consider the image that you're presenting to others. You care about yourself, you are worth the effort, and you'll feel better in general if you pull yourself together before you leave the house.

In terms of personal image, take a cue from social media moguls and brand yourself. You, your Twitter feed, your Facebook and Tumblr pages, your personal website and your work should be a cohesive package that makes it easy to connect you with all that you do in this technological environment. As much as people want to deny it, your appearance is a big part of personal success, whether it's getting that big job you're going after, making a good impression in an important presentation, or catching the eye of that special someone. Take the time to make sure you're happy and confident with your appearance. You deserve it!

I know from much personal experience that taking that extra time in the morning will benefit you throughout the day. Once you bump into your prof, your exboyfriend and his new girlfriend or your boss while you're wearing yoga pants, your roommate's boyfriend's sweatshirt, yesterday's ponytail and no makeup, you'll know what I mean.

You don't have to be a fashionista to present a clean, well puttogether image that will serve you well from today and into all that 2013 has to offer.