Does your personal style truly reflect your uniqueness? Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? Do you feel confident about what your look says about you? Do you gravitate toward just buying the fashion magazine’s latest look? Or are you constantly comparing how you look to others?
It is my professional experience that many women do not know or even own their look. Many women do not embrace their evolving uniqueness as they transition from their teens to 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and so on. I have found that many women holding on in a decade of the past and will not allow themselves to evolve and change into the woman she is at the moment. We can hold on too long to our hairstyle we wore in college, 20’s, 30’s, etc. We wear no makeup or continue to wear what we wore ten years ago. We hold on to clothes that are out-dated, worn-out or those with which we have become emotionally attached and can’t let go.
I believe that any woman can evoke the look that simply confirms her being and uniqueness. She can look chic, feminine in accordance with her personality, lifestyle and very importantly, budget. Style can be ageless. Here are the steps I recommend you follow:
Step 1: Discover what your body shape is and which styles look good on you. There are four basic female silhouettes that can basically apply to everyone. The four are:
TRIANGLE – The average version of a woman whose shoulders are narrower than the width of her hips. Regardless of whether she is flat- or full-chested, this torso proportion is defined by a definite visual difference between the width of those shoulders and the width of the hips.
HOUR-GLASS – this woman’s shoulder width is essentially the same as her hip width, and you can see an indentation at the waistline. Bust size can be anywhere from flat-chested to full-breasted.
INVERTED TRIANGLE - The shoulders are wider than the width of the hips and/or you may have a full-bust. Broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped models fall into this category.
RECTANGLE - The shoulders are and hips are balanced and there is little or no indentation at the waist.
Try on various fabrics and cuts to see how the material and shape emphasize or detract from your basic body silhouette. Remember, window shopping is okay, no need to break the bank and immediately overhaul your wardrobe.
Step 2: Inventory your wardrobe and make sure you have these wardrobe basics, which complement your silhouette and lifestyle. Get help in creating your own career wardrobe capsule, starting in your own closet. It helps to decrease the morning frustration of “what am I going to wear today.” Or “I have a closet full of closes and nothing to wear.”
Pants:
• Dark – Day Look In a simple, skimming cut and crisp high-quality fabric.
• Dark – Night Look – can wear fuller leg in a lighter high-quality fabric.
Jeans or Chinos:
• To wear with a flat heel select shorter hem to wear with flats.
• To wear with heels, have longer hems.
Skirts: • Pencil, Trouser or A-Line Cut In black or lightweight wool.
• A-line or Bias Cut In a flowy fabric for day or evening.
• Skirt in a neutral, mixable style A subtle pin stripe or tweed.
Shirts:
• White button down In a feminine cut.
• White T-shirts Just the basic T, a boat neck, or V-neck for casual wear.
• Tank tops or shell-style to wear under jackets and sweaters. Choose black and several vivid colors that compliment your skin’s undertones.
Sweaters/Cardigans:
• Black that tonally matches your black pants.
• Neutral colors in a skin flattering tone, i.e. avoid stark white if you’re fair.
• Vivid colors must emphasize your features and compliment your skin’s undertones.
Jackets
• Tailored – It should match your dark pants in color tone and style.
• Casual, motorcycle styles and windbreakers are good choices in fabrics like leather, suede, corduroy, soft wool or cotton twill.
Coats
• Trench – Good for the rain and in-between seasons – choose a neutral or black. If flattering for figure style, try a tied belt.
• Knee-length for in-between seasons.
• Winter Coat – Invest in the best fabric you can possibly afford.
Dress or matching separates that create a dress. Always have a little black dress on hand.
Accessories
• Cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that you wear all the time.
• Add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.
• Invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes.
Become friends with a great tailor who can assure that these key clothing pieces flatter your uniqueness.
Step 3: Find a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with your hair type. Then get a fuss-free hairstyle that flatters your face shape and maintain it. Consider adding some highlights and lowlights that will frame and brighten your face.
Step 4: Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily. Use skin care products that are appropriate for your skin type (dry, normal, combination or oily). The five daily skin care musts are: 1) cleanse with a facial cleanser morning and evening, 2) use a toner after cleansing twice a way, 3) use a moisturizer after steps 1 and 2 in morning and evening, 4) protect your facial skin with a facial sunscreen of 25 SPF in the morning. Twice a week, exfoliate dead skin cells by using a facial mask or at-home microdermabrasion product. Don’t forget the delicate tissue around your eyes. It is recommended to begin the use of an ophthalmologist-tested eye moisturizer twice a day starting in the twenties. The time spent on your daily skin care routine is also a wonderful time to dedicate to yourself and regeneration. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to hydrate it.
Step 5: Use make-up as an aid to emphasize your beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating. Less is more. Your basics include: a light application of a foundation color that matches and compliments your skin’s undertones, a light powder, blush, two neutral eye colors, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss. Select colors that are complementary to your skin tone, hair color and eye color. Heavy smoky eye make-up or bright red lips may look great in a magazine. However, if they don’t reflect your uniqueness – leave them in the store!
Let your imagination and creativity take its power to truly reflect your uniqueness. So, when someone asks you: Does Your Current Personal Style Reflect Your Evolving Uniqueness? With confidence, you will say, “Absolutely!”
Original article by Marion Chamberlain, edited on 8/10/2009 by Bonnie Sundquist Rogers
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