Personal Development

Do you have real style?

Getting a sense of style

I’ve seen enough episodes of What Not To Wear to know that some people have no sense of style. Or, they have a sense of style; they just choose to ignore it. In his new book How to Have Style, Isaac Mizrahi agrees with the latter, saying, “I know you do have a sense of style; you just need some help figuring out what it is…”

He then goes on to say that we have trust our gut when it comes to our style. Don’t trust your spouse. Definitely don’t trust the sales lady. Trust you. Which is great. Except I can’t help but wonder about those people on What Not To Wear who think they look great when, let’s face it, they don’t. And, I guess that’s what he’s getting at when he says, “you may just need some help.”

So, how do you know if you have style? First, you’re honest with yourself. Second, you understand exactly what style is and what it isn’t.

What style isn’t

Style is not just about designers and name brands.

While you can certainly be stylish in head-to-toe Marc Jacobs, you can just as easily be stylish in head-to-toe Express. Some people get so caught up in the cost, thinking they could never afford anything stylish, that they give up on any style whatsoever. While most of us would love to wear designer clothes and shoes and handbags everyday, it’s just not going to happen! Style is more than big names.

Style is not only the latest trends.

One minute it’s bangs, the next it’s skinny jeans, the next it’s gladiator sandals. Just because you stay up on the latest trends doesn’t automatically mean that you have style. And, just because you don’t stay up on the latest tends doesn’t mean you don’t have style. Yes, trendy clothes can be fun. But, that’s not what style is about.

Style is not only for the beautiful and thin.

You’re not a model? Me neither. But, there’s no law saying that since we’re not tall, skinny and drop dead gorgeous we can’t develop an amazing style. We totally can. That’s because style has nothing to do with any of that.

Style is not following everyone else.

If everybody’s wearing headbands, but you look really silly in a headband, but you wear one anyway, are you stylish? Probably not. You probably just look silly in your headband. Following everyone else, whether it be celebrities, friends, or Blair on Gossip Girl doesn’t mean we have style.

What style is

Style is what works for you.

Style is taking those trends we hear so much about making them yours. Maybe you can’t pull off skinny jeans, but you look awesome in boyfriend jeans. Great. Wear those instead. Style is aknowing who you are and what you want to project.

Style is showing who you are.

Style is a way to express yourself. Are you classic? Trendy? Eclectic? Vintage? Figure out what fits you best. And, not just what literally fits your body best, but what fits your personality best. You are your style.

Style is taking a risk.

Nobody ever said it was easy to be yourself. There’s a certain risk involved in having style. You have to be willing to show the real you, make a statement, and let everyone else know you like who you are and how you look. Style isn’t always perfect.

Style is confidence.

The key to having style is as simple as it is complex. Confidence. Confidence can truly make or break a look. No matter what you put on in the morning, remember that confidence is your best accessory.

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