It may seem late in the year for a post about goals, but honestly there’s nothing magic about the first couple weeks of January that make it the only time to stop and think about where we’re going and how we plan to get there. Goals also don’t have to be about major change, either. They are simply a plan. Having goals to make style easier may seem minor in the scheme of things, but they are valuable for their purpose, and easy to achieve. Besides, feeling great everyday in what we wear affects our whole day, and being able to get there quickly during hectic mornings makes a big difference.

My first step in coming up with style goals is to look at the parts of getting dressed that for me don’t come easy, or take too long. Getting dressed is something we all do every day, but if you’re like me, there just isn’t time in the mornings to come up with an outfit that is carefully put together while making sure that everyone gets on the school bus on time. That’s why I’m paying attention to what isn’t working and looking for ideas that work better.

The Shoe Problem

Footwear is important because thoughtlessly throwing on a ratty pair of sneakers can kill an otherwise great outfit. However, choosing the perfect pair of shoes takes time that just isn’t there when we’re rushing out the door. Footwear being a style challenge for me may be a surprise to those of you that know me and my love for pretty shoes. I certainly do have a good collection of shoes and do like to base outfits on them, but doing that takes time. The color and silhouette of the shoe has to work with whatever else I’m wearing.

White sneakers have been hugely popular lately and are a great go-to that work with anything from athleisure right up to casual dresses. This is a great help in getting out the door without too much extra time and thought. Sometimes though, all that bright white stands out too much, especially against darker bottoms. So my first style goal is to go for a different neutral and add a pair of black fashion sneakers. I had one before and they were SO useful! They were versatile and stylish too. Besides, they were slip-ons, so lots of points for convenience, as well.

Adidas Samba

These classics are making a major comeback right now, and fit the bill perfectly. https://www.adidas.com/us/samba-og-shoes/B75807.html

Adidas Gazelle

Also classics, but these are much more me. There is no need to be a slave to trends. Taking inspiration from them and finding something similar that is more your own style keeps your look fresh, but personal. I love textures, and the suede delivers. https://www.adidas.com/us/gazelle-shoes/BB5476.html

Vans Slip-on

Vans slip-on are classics too, and so versatile. Black slip-ons can be found everywhere, from many brands and in a variety of styles and materials. This is just one example. https://www.vans.com/en-us/shoes-c00081/slip-on-perf-leather-shoe-pvn000xg8dj6

All three of these examples look great on both men and women and have stood the test of time. Choosing one of them would meet this style goal of mine and make getting out the door easier and faster.

Third Layers

My next style sticking-point is third layers. A third layer refers to a piece worn on top of a shirt or dress, such as a cardigan, blazer or flannel. They make an otherwise ordinary outfit feel complete. I love them because they can extend the useful season of short-sleeve and sleeveless tops and dresses by adding a layer of warmth. They’re great when the A/C is a bit too nippy as well.

I find them challenging because it means that the length and color have to play well with the rest of the outfit. With leggings and skinny jeans, thigh length is great because the volume on top balances the skinny below. Plus, it covers the bum, which elevates leggings above athleisure. With skirts, dresses and wider pants, I prefer them to hit nearer the waist. That way there isn’t too much volume overall and they help to define the waist. Denim jackets are great for this, but to me they are outerwear and I need something that does the job indoors too. There are plenty of shorter cardigans in stores now. I will have to check them out. A shorter lacy top to be worn open sounds like a nice idea too. The search continues.

These are my two biggest challenges when it comes to looking put together during the morning rush. Hopefully adding these couple of strategic pieces to my wardrobe will make everyday style so much easier. Getting dressed in the morning in a way that makes us feel great all day long is possible. Identifying the sticking points and making a plan to solve them is a great first step.