Style...

So I’ve gotten a few emails regarding my “Doing Me” post (click here to read), with peeps requesting that I do another post on the list of 10 from the article I linked to. After looking and re-looking at the list I’m certain I could write a post on each one, so that I shall, but I’m not doing them in order…

#9. Follow Your Own Style

“Style” can refer to many different things, music, fashion, hairstyle, attitude, format, and so on. For the sake of this post I’m going to use the word in the context of “personal style” equalling attitude and appearance.

When I think of ladies that I would consider style icons I think of Sarah Jessica Parker, Audrey Hepburn, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga, to name a few. I also picture designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Chanel and Vivien Westwood. Each of these woman have a unique and signature look that is all their own, some classic to some extreme, but what they all have in common is that they have never waived from who they are, from their signature look. Sure, every now and again they make take a slight detour, but they always return to the very core of who they are.

When I think of personal style the person I always think of first is my friend Celeste, she played a big part in the development of my personal style, because she taught me the biggest lesson of all. Style is not just about the clothes you wear, the amount of makeup you have on or the color of your hair, it’s about your attitude too. It is the combination of those two things that make up your personal style.   

I look back at pictures from years past and I cringe at some of my “phases” that I went through. The big bangs, the turtlenecks, the patterns that a plus size girl, should really not be wearing and it makes me giggle. I look at my closet today and I’m certain there are fashion guru’s out there that would have an opinion about some of my outfits, but it boils down to me being comfortable.  I work in fashion retail and over the years I’ve seen trends, colors, and styles do full circles a number of times. I can’t say I tend to follow the trends. I wear what I want to wear, the colors I want to wear and I don’t care if they are in season or not.

Finding your own style takes time, a few mistakes and a little bit of tender, love and care to develop. It’s made up of things that make you, you. Finding that signature color that marks your personality, no matter how many people tease or bug you about it, it forever remains your favorite color.  Finding that addiction to cutting up shirts and t-shirts alike to make it unique despite the fact someone thinks you are ruining a perfectly good shirt. Also, playing with eyeliner, eye shadows, blushes and lipsticks, painting the blank canvas that is your face, till you look in the mirror and a smile, but the biggest thing is that your personal style is also always changing. As you grow, mature, develop (both physically and mentally) your style changes.

All I can say is, find yours, not someone else’s, never apologize for it and no matter what, smile. A smile is the most beautiful accessory of all.