Style or personal style refers to a person’s particular way of expressing themselves…through aesthetic choices such as their clothing, accessories, hairstyle, and the way they put an outfit together.
Tan France, MasterClass
Ladies and Gentlemen, for all of you who do not have a personal stylist, this post is for you. I am sharing with you the gems that helped me to define my style and I am far from the models on the runway. I am 5’6”, a full-figured female who loves high heeled shoes, white crisp button-down shirts, and colorful scarves. Some try to mark my style but it a combination of everything I own. I simply adore all the clothes in my closet because I wear them.
Defining your style requires a healthy soul search about all the areas in your life. Style can be found in the way we write, sing, act, dress, speak, the way we carry ourselves, the way we handle situations, how we decorate our homes, the cars we drive, the purchases we make, and so much more. However, most folks rely on fashion as the primary expression of style because society places a great deal of emphasis on our exterior. I think our sense of style and dress is fun and speaks volumes about the message I send to the people who see me.
Listen up…I share truth…Your style is not defined by the magazines or Pinterest tags, the makeup you buy or an elaborate expensive wardrobe, it is defined by you. The images in Vogue magazine can help to inspire and provide perspective but nothing more. YOU are your own best architect for defining your style and pull it all together. TIP #1: I check out what’s going on in Fashion Week in NY and then try to recreate the look with pieces in my closet. Sometimes it works and sometimes it’s a disaster. But it is fun figuring it out.
Let’s start with a few basics.
Health
Find that inner glow. My dad constantly would remind me as a child, “you are what you eat” and my mother strongly urged me to drink water instead of soda. Today, it the most I drink. Personally, I drink up to a gallon daily and my skin, nails, hair, and body thank me. My skin glows. It’s plump with life and not sallow. I am flushing my body from toxins. My body feels light and fresh. When you feel good, you look good. When you look good, you will take the extra effort to maintain that “feel good” feeling.
Hair
Taking care of your glory is one of the best things you can ever do for yourself. Your hair is your crown. It can rest high above your hand or rest upon your shoulders. Your hair maintenance says a lot about what is important to you. My hair, whether short and curly or long and wavy reveals my culture and personality.
Spend time to learn about hair texture, curl patterns, how hair changes with stress, weather, age, and other vital information details.
- Texture is everything. The texture and feel of your hair is different for everyone in your family. In fact, not everyone in a culture has similar hair types. What may help is going to a salon or professional hair stylist you trust to give you a personalized lesson about your hair. TIP #2: Again, drinking water helps your skin and hair. When you can understand the texture of your hair and the way it feels in your hands, it will lead you to identify the “crown” that best suits your face and style.
- The right cut and style are not far behind. Once you learn your hair type, getting a great cut will help maintain the health of your hair. Regular shampoos and deep conditioning with hydrating formulas will keep your scalp and hair look its best. Remember keep your ends trimmed and avoid split ends as much as possible. You may take it one step further and add color. I have benefitted greatly from my colorist. Once I decided to color my hair, my entire hair regimen changed. Your color specialist will be able to point you in the right direction of what works best for you. I know I could not make it without my colorist.
- Products are key to hair styling and maintenance. Finding the right products are an investment in you. Those products do not have to cost much but they must be the best for your hair.
Undergarments
My personal mantra I live by “I will spend big money on my shoes and my underwear”. I will always invest on those things that lay closest to my skin. It matters. The appropriate undergarment can make all the difference in the way my clothes will fit and drape your body.
- Know your size. It is said most women are wearing the wrong bra size, most particularly using the same bra size for every brand. Different brands have different sizing. Also consider a brand’s 34B in a push-up style might not fit the same as its 34B in a balconette style. While there is no absolute for every style and brand, it helps to measure accurately to ensure you are comfortable. Finally, the best fitting undergarments can help serve the “feel sexy” component. Nothing beats a color, lace and style in the right size to spark that feeling.
- Invest in your undergarments. In this case, you do get what you pay for. What you save at first, may end up costing you more in the long run because you will end up having to buy more of those pieces. I cannot stress enough; your outfit begins with great fitting underwear. Without a good foundation, what is left? Save those dollars and purchase the best types of undergarments that will offer coverage and support. Your body will thank you.
- Variety – all shapes, all colors, all needs. In addition to department stores and onsite fitters, there are a few great websites available from which to purchase quality undergarments. It’s been my experience I don’t always find my size or color in the stores, but going directly to the brand’s website will almost guarantee I will find everything I am looking for. There are different styles to choose from – full coverage, strapless, plunging, backless, minimizers, and more. TIP #3: I recommend finding the brand you prefer, getting a proper sizing and go online. You may get some surprisingly good deals, too. Check out these two of my favorites.
Clothing & Shoes
It is not by accident that clothing and shoes is the last item of focus. Clothes serve a purpose to cover the body but it also says a lot about your personality. Getting those quality pieces do not have to break your bank either. Surprisingly enough, many of the compliments that I get about my outfits are for pieces that did not cost me a lot of money. In fact, many of my closest and dearest lady friends know my bras and shoes cost more than all the clothes and accessories I am wearing. FACTS! I love the dress work pants from Banana Republic and white dress shirts from the GAP. Sure, there’s Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom. Again, getting those tops and bottoms that are affordable and fit your body are your best options.
There are many style quizzes out there. They are meant to ask as many questions as possible to get you to think about what you enjoy wearing and perhaps offer you suggestions for your style. These quizzes will ask about your personality, your zodiac sign, favorite colors, and others. Your choices of tops, pants, dresses, and shoes is personal. Well-made clothing and shoes are an investment. If you purchase quality items, they will fit you well and last much longer than usual. Factor a few things – colors that look great on you, cuts, and size of the top or bottom, materials and textures, or a pattern or simple textile. A day trip to the department store to try on clothes will help a great deal. A full-length mirror and a trustworthy friend can make the excursion worthwhile.
- Know your audience. The clothing and shoes you purchase must fit a purpose. Clothing for the office may be different than the items you purchase for casual travel.
- Develop your style. How you pull it together? As you add functional pieces to your closet and what looks great on you will notice a few things. Perhaps your closet has a few styles and you creatively mix them to create your personal style. TIP #4: Stand in front of your closet. Can you name the type of clothes you own? Vintage. Street. Bohemian or Boho. Chic. Artsy. Sexy. Casual. Sophisticated. Rocker. Which of these styles do you prefer?
- “Dress for the career you want and not the job you have” is a true statement. One of my favorite movies is the classic 1988 film “Working Girl”. The whole premise of the film was when a secretary’s idea is stolen by her boss. She seizes an opportunity to steal it back by pretending she has her boss’ job. What makes it possible is largely in part to the secretary’s adopted style of dress. While being dressed for success may not exclusively get you to the top of your career, how you style yourself will send a message.
Fashion is full of possibilities to create your style. Developing your style can be fun and inspiring for yourself and others. So, clean out your closet from those excess pieces you know you will never wear. Hold on to the tops, pants, skirts, and dresses that flatter your body and fit. You will notice a common theme. Organize seasonal outfits. Inventory your accessories – hats, scarves, and jewelry. Keep those accessories that add to your style. My last tip…TIP #5 – keep all your pieces visible. If you hide them in storage containers, you may not end up wearing what’s inside.
Let’s raise our hangers and toast to one day all of us getting a personal fashion stylist who will take all the work out of getting dressed everyday. Until then, stand in front of your closets and imagine the possibilities in creating your fashionable style.
Happy dressing!
…now what, Linda
now what, Linda? 