You’ve seen that woman. You know who she is. She always knows the right thing to wear, and always seems so put together. How does she do it? Her secret is simple: She knows her personal style and is not afraid to flaunt it.
As a personal style consultant, I meet women who claim they have no style. Sound familiar? This (experience has shown me) is, frankly, not true. Perhaps you have not yet discovered your personal style. If this is the case, don’t beat yourself up. Chances are you’ve been busy over the years—obtaining a degree, pursuing a career, raising a family, or maybe all of the above—and fashion/style just has not been your top priority. Well, it’s time for a change!
How does the non-fashionista discern her style? Here’s how…
- Step One: Listen to your instincts. If you like easy-to-wear, versatile and classic styles, stores like J. Crew, The Gap and Ann Taylor Loft have great separates that can mix and match easily for a natural or sporty vibe. Khakis, washable tees, and flats are staples in this gal’s wardrobe. On the flip side, if you love body-conscious clothing that reveals your figure, you’re going to shop in the likes of BCBG, Max Studio and Cache. But, be careful, especially in the workplace–you don’t want to undermine yourself by not presenting a professional image.
- Step Two: Look to fashion magazines or catalogs for inspiration. Check out monthly fashion publications for ideas. Look not only at the editorial photos (often fun and wildly artistic), but the ads—they will more likely guide you to “wearable.”
- Step Three: Ask your best girlfriends how they see you. Sometimes, a fresh perspective from someone who loves you will empower you to make a change. If you have a co-worker whose style you admire, ask her where she shops. The goal is to get ideas.
- Step Four: Buy only what you love. This is a big one. If you look in the mirror with a sad face and bad posture, and sigh, “It’s ok”, then the chances that you’ll ever wear that item are slim. And if you haven’t worn a new purchase within three weeks, take it back. Clearly, you didn’t love it, and it will most likely sit in your closet (indefinitely) with the tags still attached. You should be excited and eager to wear every new purchase—getting dressed in the morning really can be fun, not frustrating.
- Step Five: Stay true to your style. “Fashions fade, but style is eternal,” according to Yves Saint Laurent, and there is no truer statement. The trick is to incorporate trends into your look; don’t let them take over. If you are uncomfortable in the “boyfriend jacket,” then wave bye-bye to that particular trend and stick to what works for you.
Now, proceed directly to your closet. Analyze every piece in your wardrobe, and ask yourself, “Do I love it?” If not, then toss it (and by “toss it,” I mean donate or consign it). Be ruthless! You should be left with only clothes that you feel good about, and that enable you to feel gorgeous. Finally, write down your observations—and when you’ve completed this exercise, you should be able to identify your style.
Congratulations! You are now a “fashionista-in-training.” It’s time for some serious shopping!
Carolyn Rovner, AICI, is a certified image consultant and the owner of C2 Style, a personal style consultation service based in Danville. Email your style challenges to her at Carolyn@C2Style.com, and your question could be the topic of a future column.