Is your Style True to YOU?

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.

~Rachel Zoe

Do your clothes tell the story of who you are?

The right clothes can simultaneously cover you and bare you. Once you can hold on to the core of who you are, change can be a welcome adventure. Dressing like yourself will help you to be more yourself.

When you go shopping it doesn’t matter what your friend or the sales associate says. They might love the look and think it’s great but often they are looking at it through their self-filter. While you value their opinion ultimately what you think and feel is what is important. When you stand in front of the mirror ask yourself “Does this look like me?” If it does you’ll wear it often. If not, it will gather dust in the back of the closet because you will find it emotionally exhausting to wear.

This exercise will give you a glimpse into the true you.

Sometimes several looks might seem to fit you, depending upon your mood. This is because we are a composite of fashion personalities in varying degrees.

Think of the look that is most like you most of the time. This is your primary fashion personality or your comfort zone. Don’t think of the answers in terms of should; choose answers that sing to your soul.

Your style sensibility evolves.

Evaluate your preferences throughout your life and you’ll understand your unique style story.

Here are some questions to think about. Write down an answer that is based not on what you should wear but rather something that makes you feel good.

• If you were going to a gala dinner and black tie affair and your body could wear it, what would you wear?
• Assuming your hair would actually co-operate and it was flattering to your face shape, what hair style would you choose?
• What kind of make-up makes you most comfortable?
• Assuming you have a perfect body and you could wear anything, how would you like your clothing to fit?
• How would you describe your walk and gestures?
• Describe your physical size, stature and stance.
• You just won a shopping spree to indulge in your fantasy piece of clothing. What would you buy?
• Describe your jewelry.
• What would be the best compliment you would hear from your friends?

Which of these fashion personalities best describes you?

CLASSIC

This woman doesn’t want to be labelled or stand out. She embodies chic perfectly. Her mannerisms are nearly as discreet as her clothing. Her style is understated and “simply the best” is what she wears. She does not like gimmicks and makes a conscious effort to invest in clothing that lasts.

BUZZ WORDS: Structured, understated, chic, refined, polished. HAIRSTYLE: Simple, neat, soft, medium length, controlled. FASHION DESIGN: Trim, elegant, dignified. FABRIC: Plain textures, solid colors. She rarely wears prints and loves a monochromatic look. ACCESSORIES: Simple, modest, always genuine, inconspicuous. FASHION CHALLENGE: Don’t always be so safe and conservative. Use some fashion savvy; otherwise you risk looking boring and uninspired.

NATURAL

This woman is casual and relaxed and believes that comfort is foremost. She is approachable and draws people to her easily. She prefers pants over skirts and separates over suits. She doesn’t like to be noticed and uses restraint in design.

BUZZ WORDS: Casual, relaxed, unstructured, unpretentious, informal. HAIRSTYLE: Windblown, easy-care, casual, nothing fussy. FASHION DESIGN: Sportswear-inspired, jeans, separates, simple lines, always comfortable. FABRIC: Wash and wear, interesting textures, plaid and prints. ACCESSORIES: Simple and small, metal and minimal. FASHION CHALLENGE: Take care pulling your look together. You want to look natural not necessarily be natural. Don’t forget to put some effort into pulling yourself together.

ROMANTIC

This woman has a soft elegance and beauty. She appreciates sentimental value. She prefers fluid fabrics and draped garments or lightly tailored garments with silky blouses and soft sweaters. Her jewellery is dainty in detail but lavish in effect. She loves pretty things, colors and must avoid the tendency to overdress. BUZZ WORDS: Beautiful, soft, sensuous, charming, pretty, feminine. HAIRSTYLE: Soft waves, feathered cuts, full, usually medium to long length. Often wears pretty hair accessories. FASHION DESIGN: Flowing, lightly tailored, feminine. FABRIC: Softly draping, detailed, lace, floral prints, soft colors. ACCESSORIES: Dainty, sparkly, lavish and ornate. FASHION CHALLENGE: Don’t overdo your look. Too much of a good thing isn’t better. Be careful not to look too girly-girl especially as you mature.

DRAMATIC

This woman is accepting of change and is always ahead of the game. Her signature is simple, plain clothing that makes a statement through color, geometric pattern or strong contrasts. She loves original, large, look-at-me accessories. She stands out in a crowd – and wants to.

BUZZ WORDS: Outrageous, unique, trendy, dazzling, eye-catching. HAIRSTYLE: Severe, avant garde, any length, strong or interesting color. Interesting angles. FASHION DESIGN: Bold, tailored and exotic, slinky and exotic. FABRICS: Silky, shiny, matt and mannish. Sheer and sumptuous or heavy. Whatever makes a statement very a-la-mood. ACCESSORIES: Simple, large, heavy and unique. FASHION CHALLENGE: Don’t over-do your look. You don’t want to intimidate others or stand out so much that you don’t fit in.

There are no right or wrong combinations and any combination is possible. That’s what makes you unique.

Your fashion personality evolves over the years, just as you do.

You might find that you are a bit of each personality, or one dominant personality, or two equal personalities. So, you might be primarily a Classic personality with a touch of Romantic or have similarities in several categories meaning you are quite comfortable in all those looks.

This is a fun concept to work with if you are looking to do a bit of a makeover. For example, if your primary personality is NATURAL and the second most-like-you personality is DRAMATIC you can feel safe that adding touches of dramatic to your wardrobe won’t threaten your comfort zone.

On the other hand, if you are a strong NATURAL and have no ROMANTIC in you at all, don’t go down that road for a new look. You won’t feel comfortable or like what you see in the mirror.

What’s your combination?

Oprah is a Dramatic/Romantic. Michelle Obama is Classic/Natural. Ellen DeGeneres is Natural/Natural. Angelina Jolie is Classic/ Romantic.

You can learn even more about your distinct style persona by keeping a visual portfolio in a progress journal. Even if you are not a regular fashion magazine buyer, pick up a few of the latest. Flip through the pages in the comfort of your home. There doesn’t need to be an ounce of reality involved because you can “pretend buy” anything on the page. It doesn’t matter what’s in your wallet; it’s all about inspiration.

Go ahead, find the looks you love and tear out those pages. Paste them in a scrapbook, put them in a file or just lay them out on a table to see the pattern in the puzzle that is you. The results are often a real revelation. What are the visuals telling you? Ask yourself: Are these outfits similar to what you are wearing now, or are you yearning for a new look? Do these outfits have more color or less color that you normally wear? Are you more attracted to certain silhouettes and styles? Are you favouring prints over plain? Is it the way outfits are accessorized that you find interesting? What is consistent in these looks? What is the common denominator.

As you flip through the pages you’ll start to see your fashion spirit. It’s a great way to navigate trends and stay aware of your own style evolution. Fashion says “me too” but style says “only me.”

Diana Vreeland reminds us that it’s not the dress you wear, but the life you live in that dress that matters.

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Copyright: 2019 Helene Oseen