Step1. Find or create a style you like.
Whilst music or movie stars can be great style icons, mum and dad or other family members can also have a considerable influence.
Walking down the street we may see something which, while we wouldn’t copy it, we may just tweak it to our own style.
In the average wardrobe, similar but not the same style tends to have a comfort and consistency to it. Now that doesn’t mean you buy every colour in your favorite new top, but similarities in cut across different designers will keep your appearance fresh.
Personally, I like to wear different looks that capture how I feel at the time. For me, style comes from fashion, so I don’t always wear the latest and greatest but often just add a new season piece to some old favorite – like a waist coat for instance.
Style is the unique way we wear clothing and accessories to balance our colours and body shape. It’s a representation of our personality based on what we wear and how we wear it. And it is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with turning to tried and tested styles that are timeless. That can also help to make your dollar go further as you will see in step 3.
Step 2. Put your signature to it and make it YOURS
Style is your personality on show through your look, so make it ‘you’ nique! It can be something as simple as how many buttons you have done up or undone, how your collar sits, whether the shirt is tucked in or not, or half in and half out.
If we took five people at random and put them in the same basic outfit and then worked their individuality into the look with accessories that suit their personalities they would all look very different from each other at the end of it.
So the question you have to ask is how does an outfit make me feel? If you feel like you are trying to fit in and can’t be individual in your style, then your signature is not true. Regardless of anything else, there is no way you will want to look the same forever. Part of our signature is our ability to change, to follow trends which suit us. With street wear just the way you tie your shoe laces will individualize your style. The way you tie your knot in corporate circles can be your signature. The way radio commentator Alan Jones always wears pocket handkerchiefs is part of his style. Hair and facial hair for men can put a great signature into your look, but subtlety is the key.
Alex Perry is a classic example of a signature look; he would not be so recognizable without the consistent use of sunnies on top of his head. Jennifer Aniston’s signature hair swept the world as did the ‘Posh bob’. David Beckhams mini Mohawk was his signature for some time. And David is the master of changing his appearance while maintaining his style. Same signature – new pen to sign it with.
Step 3. Wardrobe staples
These are the basics that will create the backbone to your individual style. Initially you must understand your fit and the appropriate colours that suit you best. Our personal colours, skin, eyes and hair, tend to stay the same however our fit or body shape, unfortunately for most of us, does not.
Personally, I am big on age appropriate. We have all heard of ‘mutton dressed as lamb’, so dressing in your age bracket will ensure you have style when it counts. Many people hoard, hoping that a piece of clothing which holds great memories from a moment in their past will come back into fashion …one day. Some women may romanticize about the shape they were when those size 8 jeans fitted like a glove and men are shockers at failing to cull wardrobes and throw away things that are long since worn out and ill fitting. The saggy, baggy jeans are a tell tale sign guys!
We need to get real, we are what we are now, not what we were10 years ago, so it’s important to have a wardrobe full of stylish options that you can coordinate today, not outdated bits and pieces that you hope will make a comeback.
To keep it interesting, clear out your wardrobe of things that just distract you, don’t fit, are out of style, or don’t suit. Then you will have the room and the motivation to start inserting the 5 major basics. For men these are Jeans, Pants, Suits, Shirts and Jackets and the accessory, or minor basics of Shoes, Belts, QUALITY Socks and Underwear, Rock ‘N Roll or Fashion T Shirt and Swimwear that won’t embarrass you. Depending on your personality, Man jewelry is decidedly optional. For women the 5 major basics comprise the LBD (little black dress), Suit, Pants, Jeans and Smart Shirt or Blouse in white preferably if it suits you and the minor basics are Hot Pumps, and a Blazer in navy or black and shoes, GREAT shoes and lots of them.
Step 4. Accessories
Simple outfits shine with the right combination of accessories. Footwear is classed as an accessory and I believe you should start at your feet and build up from there. Your feet have to make an impression as they are the first part of your stylish look people will notice. Clean, well fitting shoes that ooze your personality may be the only thing to set you apart in the corporate arena where strict dress codes limit your ability to stand out. Think of occasions where you have noticed someone’s shoes at a business meeting and that should make you realize the importance of the humble shoe.
Women particularly shouldn’t underestimate the use of hats in all seasons. Certainly they can give you some practical sun protection in summer, but hats really need “attitude” to be worn. They can be worn to amazing effect night and day all year round and shout your personality on every occasion. They can say you are fun, you are elegant or practical or whatever you want them to say.
To a lesser degree bags for men and women can make an outfit and a statement too.
Scarves have been back in fashion for a couple of seasons and are being utilized in all seasons. Scarves are great for diffusing lines creating a slimmer look; this also applies to waistcoats.
Step 5.Use your illusion
Once your clothing fits, the colours suit and the accessories diffuse your lines; wear your style with confidence! Have fun with your clothes, don’t try too hard. Style must be effortless. Once you are dressed, check the mirror, strap on your ATTITUDE and enjoy who you are. Remain conscious of your surroundings because if you stand out too much you may start to lose your confidence. There are not many who can arrive at a fancy dress party dressed in normal attire and confidently say in a loud voice, “How embarrassing for them all!”
Ensure you dress in comfortable clothes because nothing is designed to make you feel more self conscious than being preoccupied with the fact you feel physically uncomfortable and confidence will not be projected.
Ultimately and perhaps sadly, we seek the approval of others in order to know we are going ok, but it has to be remembered that we can’t please everyone, so concentrate on pleasing yourself. Successful style is using these tips and being true to yourself, so go get em tiger!
