1. Forget whatever you’ve known about fashion rules and trends
Rules are meant to be broken and trends were put in place for people who enjoy playing it safe. Concentrating on fashion do’s and don’ts as well as the trends for the season doesn’t give individuals the chance to explore his or her own personal style. Seriously, do you really like being told what to wear and buy every season? I know I don’t! Now, don’t get me wrong, It’s nothing wrong with incorporating a few trends into your wardrobe, but the minute you start to feel controlled by them is when it becomes a problem. Every time I step into a retail store, I see it first hand. I hear a customer walk up to a sales associate and ask “Is this still in style?” “Can I wear this?” Ladies, I’m sorry, but you’ve been brainwashed. Having style is not about a trend or following a set of fashion rules. I like to compare having style with a dance routine. When you get dressed you switch and pair different pieces in order to come up with that perfect piece. Just like with dance and anything else in your life, your personal style evolves and changes overtime. As you grow, so will your style.
2. Find out what you love
Find out whose style you are most attracted by. Start collecting images from women who you see in magazines and in style blogs. You should end up with a pretty hefty collection. Once you find a style use that as your guideline. Maybe you’re into the ladylike style of Kerry Washington. Knee length dresses and skirts that aren’t to figure hugging are your go to pieces. It’s okay if you don’t fall into one particular category of style. Try them all out! I personally, can’t fit my style into a singular category. I tend to like different things on different days. However, what does stay consistent with me is practicality.
3. Think practicality
What ever is more practical for your lifestyle is something that you should stick with. You can have both style and comfort. If you are a school teacher you probably don’t want to be walking around in pumps all day, but super cute kitten heels or flats will work just as fine. Sometimes there is nothing worse than someone who doesn’t dress for their lifestyle. No matter your preferred way of dressing you can always find harmony with comfort and style. It’s all in how you dress it. When you have a moment go in your closet and piece as many items as you can together. You’ll be surprised how many different outfits you can come up with. For the outfits that you like take a snapshot of yourself in it to keep for reference. You will never again say you have nothing to wear!
4.Work with your body and not against it
Know your body and what works best with it. Your body can be compared to hair. No ones hair is a like and not all products will work the same. Take the time and figure out what flatters your shape the best. Instead of focusing on hiding your “imperfections” focus on the things that you do like about your body. If you have slim waist, defined arms, voluptuous hips, or Beyonce-esque thighs then show them off. It’s nothing wrong with being a little vain. It’s your body so show it off proudly!
5. Own it
If you’re in the dressing room and you’re iffy about a certain garment on its fit or how it makes you feel then pass on it. You probably wont get that much wear out of it anyway. This simple shopping technique has saved me so much time and money. I don’t buy useless garments or garments that I might fit into if I loose an extra five pounds. EVERY article of clothing gets put to use in my closet. If you are experimenting with different colors, trends, or even bold lipstick colors OWN IT! Walk with a vengeance as if the streets were your runway. Watch those heads turn. There’s nothing more attractive and beautiful than a confident woman and the best curve on a woman’s body is her smile. If you have to fake your confidence then please do so. We all have to every now and again.
Style isn’t a hard thing to have, but it definitely doesn’t have anything to do with copying and following trends and style guidelines. If you like it, wear it. –It’s that simple. Having style takes practice and it evolves over time. Enjoy every stage of style that you are in and remember no matter what you wear own it with confidence!
Photo Credit: Laura Views, Tiffany Borland, Emily Jenny Cholakian,
