Style is individual and created. It will be the first, and sometimes most lasting, impression of yourself which you offer. It's not about keeping up with trends or being fashionable, rather, it's the image of yourself which you choose to share with the world around you. My style is based on certain principles that are valuable to me, ideas that run through many different parts of my life. Most simply, I would define these in three principles of design, which I first found in the work of architect and teacher Meis van der Rohe. I'll explain what each means to my own style and work, and break that down into a few tips I'd pass on in experimenting with your own style. Enjoy! 1.) Less is more. With minimalism becoming the new revolution and simplification the first order of any housekeeping magazine, "less is more" might seem like more of a bandwagon than a revelation. But simplicity still flies in the face of constantly changing trends and disposable fashion. For me, it means that I don't want more than three pairs of jeans in my closet, the most basic staple of my wardrobe. I try to only go clothes shopping when I have something specific I'm looking for. My makeup routine rarely goes past coconut oil, lip balm, and eye cream. It's not because I'm trying for asceticism or even efficiency. It's because I want to be remembered for my eyes, not my contoured eyeshadow; for my generosity, not my extravagance, for a sense of mystery rather than revealing too much. It's the allure of Audrey Hepburn - glamourous, elegant with austerity, and perfectly simple. Tip #1: Take a deep breath. Most of the time, you're probably trying too hard. The other great thing about starting with simplicity is that it can actually offers the chance to make a bolder statement. Bright red lipstick is going to stand out all the more if the rest of your ensemble is one or two neutral colors. An edgy haircut might just become your signature when it's not overwhelmed by four or five other statement pieces at once. Tip #2: Make one bold choice and keep the rest of your outfit as simple as possible. The effect will likely be much more striking, and it's just easier. 2.) Form follows function. If the basis of any clothing design is simply how it appears without considering its function, it becomes useless. I think I can safely say that most women's clothing today is designed first for how it appears, not for how it feels, how long it lasts, or if it's even useful for living daily life. Pants pockets so small you can't fit a flip phone in them, much less a smart phone? White pants that are almost translucent? A beautifully patterned sweater so itchy it's almost unbearable? A skirt so tight you can't sit down normally? How is any of this helpful? It's not. Anything you put on your body should make you feel your best, not simply look good. Every piece of clothing I own must be physically comfortable for the purpose for which it's meant, or it's not worth owning. It's also important to me that items are constructed well enough to last for multiple seasons. If the form of a garment doesn't serve it's function, I believe that it is a poor design. Tip #3: Only buy things in which you can easily move, and perform the activity for which they're meant, without having to constantly readjust them. You'll spend so much less time wondering how you look. And comfort extends past how it feels, to how it makes you feel - if you love what you're wearing, and feel like you look good, you will actually look better. Confidence is everything, and the way you dress can dramatically increase your confidence. Tip #4: If you're not really sure how something looks on you, first, close your eyes and ask yourself if you feel good in it. Then ask for a friends opinion - but only someone who you know will be honest with you. If it doesn't pass those questions, there's no reason to wear it, no matter how fashionable it is 3.) God is in the details. Especially in simple designs, everything that's there matters. Every detail must be precise and well executed, because there's nothing to hide behind. It's important that every piece is constructed well from high quality and suitable materials, is well balanced with the rest of your ensemble, and fits you well. Let me break that down a little more. Construction: This could be a whole series of posts by itself, but basically, if something looks cheap, it probably is, which means it's not going to make you look your best and it won't last well. The material should be of good quality, and it should be constructed and finished well inside as well as outside. Knowing your body: The things that look good on someone else may not look good on you. This takes some trial and error. Try on different looks that appeal to you, and see if you like the way they make you look. Once you find styles that you like, it's also important that the piece itself fits you well and comfortably. Don't compromise on fit; that pair of jeans that fits you like a glove will get way more wear than a pair that only sort of fits. Check that necklines are a comfortable height in different positions, that nothing is uncomfortably tight, that waistlines don't squeeze or gap in the back when you sit down. Make some sense? Color: Most of the time, the colors you like the best will also look good on you. Check clothes in natural light against your skin tone. Colors that bring out tones in your eyes and hair are usually a good bet! Tip #5: Pay attention to the details of how well a garment is made and how well it fits you. These are the details that bring an outfit from simple to stunning. One of my personal favorite details to pay attention to? Hairstyles. If you know how to style your hair - not how it's currently fashionable to do your hair, but how to best style the texture and type of hair on your head in a way that flatters you and makes you feel good - it's going to make everything else you're wearing look better. Seriously, I can't tell you how many times I've been complemented on how put together I look when wearing a tee and jeans, likely because I've taken a few minutes to style my hair. Tip #6: Find something that makes you feel put together, whether your hairstyle, a fresh lipstick, mascara, or a certain pair of shoes. Even on rushed or busy days, that one thing will help you feel your best. Of course, these are all based on the things that are important to me; no matter how strong my opinion, the most important thing about your style is that it reflects who you truly are. It's why I love custom design work so much. I get to create something that reflects my client in a unique and personal way.
So my final tip? Decide what's important to you and stick to it. There are plenty of choices out there to only wear things that you love, that make you feel like your most confident self.
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