“Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.”
Quote by John Fairchild
That quote mirrors my attitude toward style, fashion, dressing myself and clients. I don’t like a cookie cutter image where everyone looks the same. Individualism is the key to a memorable image.
Traveling across the country, winding up in metropolitan cities, you see trends in who lives there. A certain “uniform”, if you will. Of course you take weather and geography into account, but it is so curious that with all the clothing choices available, everyone dresses like the other. Generally, jeans are the item of choice EVERYWHERE. What you pair with them, however, is totally different. Plaid shirt and cowboy hat in the plains, t-shirt and sneakers in the Upper Mid West, tank top and scarf in Cali. I guess I still don’t get that one. If its hot enough to wear a tank top, isn’t it too hot to wear something wrapped around your neck??? They are the same ones that wear Uggs so go figure.
Living in “tourist central” – Orlando, I could spot a tourist at 10 paces. At the parks, they’re wearing fanny packs and brand new bright white sneakers. Out on the town its jeans, fancy top and strappy heels. You may think that is the “in” look in the city, but its played out – sooo 2005!
Now that summer is upon us, the temp is rising, the breaking of sweat is imminent, and our pace slows as well. As a people watcher, I find great enjoyment watching the way people dress, walk and carry themselves.
Poise and posture is so underrated but it is an essential accessory to our overall image. Picture this; you see a gorgeous woman dressed to the nines, hair perfectly coiffed, fab shoes and walking from a car to into a party. She’s walking extremely fast and heavy footed…not too graceful. What do you think her entrance into the party is going to be like?
Surely she will have worked up a bit of a “glisten”, definitely she will looked hurried and a little skid-dish. Now, envision the same woman walking with head held high, slow long gates, sitting back on her heels. Her look; graceful and confident…intriguing. You cannot help but admire her.
There is an old etiquette rule -that a lady never runs. Honestly, unless you are very late for an appointment or it is part of your exercise regimen, why are you walking so fast? Do you remember the scene in the movie “Miss Congeniality”, where her coach teaches her to glide..instead of walking like a gorilla wearing combat boots? The walk isn’t just for beauty queens, it is the finishing touch on your impeccable, memorable style.
Slow down …and savor being fabulous.
STYLE ISN’T JUST ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE WEARING, BUT HOW YOU ARE WEARING IT ~ Susan
Walking past the window at Abercrombie the other day, I couldn’t help but notice their shorts display. One window with girls shorts laid out and one with boys. The girls shorts were wider than they were long. The boys shorts were long and baggy, past their knees. How interesting.
You look at a men’s shoe store, you never see 5 inch heels that they need to teter on.
Men’s clothing is soooo boring, especially if you have an ultra conservative man. ugh, no flavor, no amping it up, no creativity. You could dress them in the dark without worry.
Women can wear an abundance of jewelry and look stylish. Men, jewelry makes you look slimy or you’re just trying too hard. All you need is a fab watch, your wedding ring and DONE!
Why do capri pants on men look so silly…they shouldn’t but they do.
Women need to not only look at their front half in the mirror when trying on clothes, look in the back! If you have any kind of booty worth mentioning….the look is going to change immensely! Mirror = front + back.
Wear underwear when you leave the house….dont ask, just do.
Why…why do we repeat mistakes? Why can’t we forget the old tortured fashion faux pas and move on? Is there no longer any creative juice left that we need to continue to borrow from other decades to sell the newest trend..which in fact is not new, but reused ideas.
Who wants to wear acid washed jeans, belly shirts, Madonna-wear, neon, shoulder pads (ok, they do make your hips look smaller), ripped Flashdance tops and legwarmers. I thought the return of leggings was bad.
Remember, you are not made for every trend. Leggings don’t look good on most, neither do belly shirts. All I can think of is the cutie who decides to wear her bellyshirt with her low rise jeans. Can you call a plumber please! Muffin top and butt crack sublime…please, don’t do it.
So many trends are distasteful and the 80’s is right up there. If you’re out of college, watch how you wear trends. Nothing can age you and look foolish than a young trend.
Trends can be appropriate and simple by using the trend in an accessory. Head to toe neon, not so much. Check yourself out in the full length mirror, front and back. Things change, body parts shift, be aware of your look and you will always have flawless style.
It is a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Orlando when I stop by the Whole Foods store to pick up a few things. Making my way around the store I see a customer at the deli counter. Her back is to me but I see she is wearing a rubber band…a tube dress of pink with a black strip running all the way up the back. Her sandals are silver and wrap around her ankles. Is this outfit a remnant from the night before? Hopefully, this isn’t her church going dress. I am appalled…..until I see her arm and can tell this woman must be alot older than she is dressing. Its like watching a train wreck, you know its going to be bad but you can’t look away. I stepped to the other side of her and to my dismay, this poor woman had to be at least 60 years old. Her hair was long, straight, and parted down the middle…as if she was 15. She was rail thin with a dark tan. Her skin was like leather.
I was embarrassed for her and also very sad. What must someone think of themselves to have to dress 40 years younger? Many of us want to hold off Father Time as much as we can but not at the cost of your dignity. It is troubling that some women don’t get that dressing that severe only enhances how old you are instead of camoflaging it. You can dress stylish, funky, have a great hair style, wear color, have class and look fresh and younger. I’m not going for 20 years younger…..10 is good for me and I sometimes get kind comments of at least 15 until they find out how old my children are. Game over.
Don’t sell yourself short. By attempting to dress so young, you are actually doing the reverse and adding years and the response is…. a pathetic gasp
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