Finding or re-defining your style – September is the perfect time
This week I was delighted to be asked to write a style feature for Business Studio London members. This is a new and exciting career club for women. It is free to join and sends regular newsletters featuring: exclusive networking opportunities; interviews with inspiring women (including career coaches and mentors); and also introduces carefully selected, emerging and lesser known womenswear clothing brands. These brands may not have high-street stores but their designers have the talent and ability to create beautiful clothing.
The article I wrote for their members is all about finding your style which is particularly timely this month as September has become the new January! Our school days may be far behind us, but there is still something to be said for September being all about fresh starts and new beginnings. This impacts all areas of our lives including our style.
Before I offer advice and recommendations on new trends I love for Autumn/Winter 17-18 (all in next week’s Style Post) why not take the time to reassess and rediscover how to find your style in 3 easy steps. This is the article I produced for BSL – feel free to share it with other stylish women you know and remember if you need help with any of the advice below do get it touch – it’s what I do best and it is always such a pleasure to help.
Finding Your Personal Style
As a stylist I feel very fortunate to work with incredible female clients. These women are smart, funny, kind and interesting. However, many talk about a feeling of losing their way when it comes to their ‘personal style’.
It is difficult to pin-point why we sometimes lose our way. Is it physical (changes in our body)? Is it psychological (losing confidence for one reason or another)? Is it confusion (being overloaded by too many fashion rules)? Or, is it simply that life becomes so hectic and demanding we forget about our style and what it can do for us? Whatever the reason, it can happen to the best of us.
The good news is we can all create a personal style that will invigorate us, fill us with confidence and make every day, no matter how stressful and demanding, a stylish one.
Here are just 3 simple but effective ways to do so:
1. Create a Look-book
Go through magazines and books and tear out images that resonate with you. You may not love the whole outfit, it could be you love a particular colour combination, shape, fabric or accessory. It may even be a look with which you would like to experiment. You may not know why you love the image - tear it out anyway as the more you do, the clearer the reason becomes. I guarantee the process will kick-start your desire to find a personal style you love. I still look back on my look-books from many years ago, both for inspiration and to see how my personal style has evolved.
2. Befriend your Body
Whilst being continually bombarded with “perfect” images in the media, it makes it very difficult to be objective about your own body-shape. Whilst very few of us have the ideal body (whatever that is), clothes create illusions – they can make you look taller, slimmer, create curves, improve posture etc. Rather than getting hung up on “body shapes”, think about your ‘best bits’ and about proportions that flatter you and give you confidence. If you have a favourite item of clothing you adore wearing, ask yourself what it is that makes you love it. The chances are it is because it is the perfect shape and style for your body.
3. Create a wardrobe that reflects your Personal Style
Now take a good look at your wardrobe and ask yourself:
Do you have the right ‘style staples’ for YOU? These do not need to be dull and boring; they will be the pieces you turn to time and time again that are versatile, flattering and become the back-bone of your personal style. Once you have these you can focus on injecting statement pieces continually to create new stylish combinations.
Does your wardrobe make you feel good? Take time to go through your entire wardrobe:
- Does it suit your personal style and your personality?
- Does it flatter your shape and is it a good fit?
- Does it feel fabulous and fill you with confidence?
If the answer is ‘no’ to any of these – it has no place in your wardrobe.
Does your wardrobe inspire you? Imagine your wardrobe is a boutique – would you shop there? In the real world we may not have the luxury of spacious wardrobes built to our specifications but do make your wardrobe look appealing – it will make the world of difference. Invest in uniform hangers, use beautiful boxes to store jewellery, display your favourite items. Remember, if you cannot see what’s in your wardrobe, you won’t wear it.
It will take time to create the ‘perfect’ wardrobe for you but I hope the above leaves you inspired to get started. If you need help to either develop your style or overhaul your wardrobe feel free to get in touch for a free consultation. It would be a pleasure to help you.
Maggie is also offering all BSL members £100 discount for wardrobe consultation services. This offer is valid on all bookings made by the end of December 2017 and reduces the cost from £595 to £495. Please e-mail Maggie Killick on maggie@maggiekillickstyle.com quoting the reference code BSLWARDROBE.
As loyal and fabulous readers of the Style Post you will all receive the above discount: simply e-mail me maggie@maggiekillickstyle.com and quote MKSWARDROBE. Here’s to making this Autumn/Winter your most stylish yet.
Have a great week-end and feel free to share this post.
