Style is a look you define over time; it’s an expression of who you are. It’s a way of dressing that accentuates your most flattering attributes and gives a sneak peek into your unique personality and taste.
Your style creates a picture about you, and the more accurately this picture reflects your unique qualities, the more likely it is that you’ve successfully defined your style.
In the words of Katherine Anne Porter: “You do not create a style. You work, and develop yourself; your style is an emanation from your own being.” You’re simply defining something that’s already a part of you.
You don’t need to be born with it. If you’re not one of those people who walks into a clothing store and instantly zooms in on 5 or 6 items that are “so you”, don’t get discouraged! Here are a few tips that will help you get started:
– Take the time to think about all the items in your wardrobe that you enjoy wearing; maybe you like the colour because it brings out the blue in your eyes? Maybe someone has complimented you on something you wore. Is there a shirt you love because the neckline is just right?
– Make a list. Now that you’ve identified a list of clothes that are “so you”, let it be your style guide – bring it along next time you go shopping, or are wondering what to wear.
– Ask for advice. I’m sure most of us can think of at least one friend or co-worker who always looks “put together” and seems to have an effortless knack for dressing well. Ask them for tips or bring them along next time you go shopping.
Having a great sense of style, also means developing a sensitivity to what’s appropriate for the occasion, which sometimes calls for adjusting your style. When you’re invited to a dinner party or a wedding, your attire needs to convey a message of respect for the host and the occasion. I’m not saying you need to suffocate in a pinstriped suit or stilettos (unless that’s your style!), but you do need to step it up a notch. So if you usually wear T’s and jeans, swap your cotton T-shirt for a nicely fitted silk one, and your jeans for a pair of beautifully fitting dress pants. Add an accessory and some nice flats, and you’re stylin’!
Finding your style is an evolving process of discovering what works for you and what doesn’t, and the great thing about defining it, is that unlike a fleeting trend, it lasts for a lifetime!
S.K.