Many times I hear people say, “I don’t have money to look good,” or “Stylish clothes cost lot of money, which I don’t have.” These are both myths. You can look great at any budget. Style is not based on riches but on taste, skill, practice, and knowledge. You can have plenty of expensive, brand-named clothes and still look like a FASHION DON’T. Or, you can shop at Goodwill and dress better than any trend-following fanatic.
Fashion Don’t! Very unflattering dress and pattern on this petite Olsen twin. And what’s that on her head?! Courtesy of http://www.thebizibee.com/
Now, I have to say something that might be little shocking to you: TRENDY doesn’t equal STYLISH! Not all trendy, modern clothes will look good on you. We all have different body type, height, skin tone, and preferences (just to name a few) that will dictate which trends flatter us and which trends make us look like a fashion gone-wrong. STYLE is TIMELESS and trend is not! Style takes time, practice, and skill to develop. Trend takes only a season (or two, if you lucky) to wear.
It doesn’t mean you should stop buying trendy clothes. It means you stop being a slave to trends and, instead, you should develop your own personal style that lasts many seasons.Play around with fashion, try-on different clothes, and experiment with current trends.You may fail few times. Actually, I hope you would fail, because that’s the only way you would learn how to dress better. At least you would take a chance on fashion and that’s better than not trying at all.
Also, take pictures of yourself trying on different outfits. The camera doesn’t lie or hide anything. It’s not ask forgiving as our perception. You wouldn’t believe the things that the lens has revealed to me. Once I wore this cool and trendy outfit (or so I thought it was), only to realize (by seeing a picture) that my neck has disappeared… on film, that is. I don’t have the longest neck but I do have one. My perception didn’t catch the dramatic shortening of my neck the outfit produced, but the lens did catch it. See, the camera doesn’t lie like your boyfriend or best friend might. Neatness to say, I went out that evening without a neck. Those picture of my outfit where taken at the party that evening. I saw them after I came home and was horrified by my choice of an outfit. Boy, I did learn my lesson! Now I use my phone camera and take some snapshots before I leave my house to avoid any fashion accidents.
If you still don’t trust your camera or your own judgment or you just have trouble mastering your own style, hire a professional. It will be well-worth the money. A good image consultant can not only help you improve your personal style but also your personal brand and even your self-esteem. There is nothing like fashion therapy to make you appreciate the good assets the Lord has given you.
- This girl is very stylish in all white ensemble and golden accessories. Image from: http://miroarva.blogspot.co.uk/
For now, I wish you all happy style explorations and trendy extrusions.
XOXO,
Mona Yoanna 