STYLE, SELF-ESTEEM AND COMMON SENSE
Have you ever walked the streets of your neighborhood or city and noticed someone with such a fashion eminence? From head to toe, they were dressed in the latest trends that were skillfully put together, one careful not to overshadow the other. Show stopping, to say the least. Then there’s the rebel who is against all things trendy and chooses to wear only what makes them happy. Both use their wardrobe to express themselves. They display self-esteem through their sense of fashion.
What is style? It can be defined as one’s personal projection through clothing, shoes, accessories, or simply, “swag.” As a wardrobe stylist, I spend lots of time working with individuals on defining or redefining their style and boy, can it be a little challenging sometimes. As I think about some of the clients I’ve worked with, a few of them stick out. There was the customer who became obsessed with animal print and went to great lengths to rack up anything resembling the skin of cheetahs, snakes, bears, you name it. She had overindulged and infiltrated her wardrobe with tops, pants, and even a purple knee length python print coat. Then, there was the client who let her vintage singing group costumes migrate into her computer-security consulting wardrobe, with somewhat schizophrenic results. The most challenging of all clients have been the ones who have almost declared war on me for attempting to obliterate from their closets designer garments that were being held hostage simply because they cost too much or were awaiting the loss of their owner’s last ten pounds to be revitalized. These clients were either simply expressing their personal style or utilizing their idea of fashion-forward to make themselves feel good or more relevant. Who knew that self-esteem can really dictate our personal styles? A day when you aren’t feeling too good about yourself may be reflected through a poor wardrobe choice that either screams, “I shouldn’t be seen in this mess!” or “Look at me, I’m wearing everything Dries van Noten makes!” or a perfect wardrobe choice that boasts “I’m fabulously flawless!” For so long, many people have defined themselves and who they are by what they’re wearing on their backs. I guess no one should define themselves through material(ism), but whatever works for someone else is not to be determined by me.
Like self-esteem, common sense also determines if someone commits the simple fashion faux pas or outright violates every fashion rule known to man with just one choice. The man who opts to wear a t-shirt displaying “If You Can Read This You Aren’t Drunk Enough” to the company picnic may get a pass over the woman who goes to an interview at a prestigious law firm donning a nice St. John suit, but red 6” stiletto heels. In both cases, common sense was an epic fail. Common sense fails when a potential employee walks into a company displaying their numerous tattoos in indiscrete places, totally destroying the first impression with the potential employer. Common sense is imperative in one’s daily choices as they relate to clothing and personal style.
Expressing personal style is an art form that can be a window into one’s feelings of self and can also be a determinant as to one’s ability to exercise good judgment. Whereas style is left up to the beholder, it is important to use some discretion and individuality.
Great article ladies. Question for you though. Since I am not, have never been, or plan to ever be a fan of Bohemian chic, how do you describe that particular fashion focus? Often it looks forced in that the wearer isn’t quite comfortable or either too casual & thrown together. I’d love to hear your opinion.