Finding Your Personal Style

by Antoinette Stonham

In my blog ‘What is age appropriate?’ I briefly talked about finding your own style.  This instigated many questions –

Can I wear it?

Does it suit me?

Do I look older?

Is this look for me?

I love this look, but I don’t go anywhere to wear it.

My answer to these questions is simply – ‘How do you feel when you put it on?’

Most of the time the reply is “I’ve never tried that look but I love it on others.”

I bet you’re wondering what look I am talking about?

It’s not a specific look we’re talking about, it’s about helping you discover your style. The style you want to portray about yourself, the first impression you make when you walk into a room.

Most people think a style is the latest fashion trend. But it’s not, as many of us can’t wear the latest cuts or colours. You don’t want to be one of those tragic fashion victims.

Style is being able to recognise what in the season’s current trends suits your  bodyshape and personality, and then being able to integrate it into your wardrobe.

Ask yourself “Self, what is my lifestyle?”

Whether you’re a stay at home mum, a corporate women, a business woman or a grandma, you will  have your weekend activities and casual days and finding your style will make those days more enjoyable.

 

Finding Your Personal Style

Romantic – Soft florals, flouncy sleeves, frills, ruffles and lace in soft colours with simple accessories.

 

Boho hippy Seventies inspired, exotic patterns and texture, peasant blouses and layered chains. Printed maxi dresses layered with a leather or fur vests. Flared jeans and paisley printed tops.

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Arty Individual and creative style of clothing, you love to rummage at the
markets, Op shops or the vintage stores for that special had crafted
garment.

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Classic – Quality and not quantity, strong colours, structured clothing, trendy and fashionable. Sophisticated and timeless garments.

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Minimalist – three to five colours in your wardrobe, basic and quality garments that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

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Chic– is regularly used in the fashion magazines and fashion blogs. For me it means skill and elegance.  The word chic describes a person who is fashionable but not a fashion victim, a person who skilfully dresses in the colours that highlight eyes and skin tone, selects garments that enhance body shape and personality. It not just about the outfit, it’s about the person. It’s not about dressing like a lifeless store mannequin. It’s about you and your personality shining through.

Ladies this is just a guide. You don’t have to box yourself into a style, because most of us are a bit of a mix. 

Some ladies feel safe in black because they don’t want attract attention and just want to blend in.

You may have a signature piece;  for Jackie O it was her oversized  sunglasses, Jennifer Lopez her Body Con dresses, Audrey Hepburn her cropped pants and flats. Marylyn Munroe highlighted her curves.  One of my client’s loves leopard print furs and they have become her signature. Another client loves her arty, high end Shoes, which have become her signature also.

For my own style, my look is mostly structured clothing, garments that skim my body shape.  I do also love the fifties fit and flare dresses and they are great on the days when I feel the need to disguise my tummy. I love deep rich colours and florals.

For a casual feel I tend to steer towards the Boho look as I love the different textures and layers which gives me a sense of relaxation.

Pants and jeans aren’t my go to but some mornings I’ll get up and feel that’s exactly what I want to pop on. This feeling at times continue on for a few days. I tend to dress how I’m feeling and that’s why I ask how you feel when you put a piece of clothing on?

Why do you need to know what style of clothing you want to wear?

Building a mix and match wardrobe makes it so much easier and more economical to dress, without any ‘loners’ that you just don’t know how to wear in your wardrobe.

Most importantly a great style isn’t just making that first impression, it’s about feeling confident within yourself each and every time you walk out that door.

Book one of my Dressing 4 You Group Personal Styling workshops for some fun with friends while I help you all find your style.

“A girl should be two things - Classy and Fabulous” Coco Chanel