Developing your own personal fashion style is simple and well worth the effort. All it requires is patience and a knowledge of what you love.
In Miranda Priestly’s Words
You must remember the scathing remark Miranda Priestly laid down on Andrea Sachs in the movie The Devil Wears Prada as Andy sniggers while Miranda attempts to decide between two similarly designed belts for a dress.
'This...stuff? Oh. OK. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back.’
The Devil Stabs the Fork
‘But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers.
‘And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.’
Fashion is the Devil: Frivolous and Trivial
The truth is there are many women and men in the world who think like Andrea Sachs. That fashion is trivial and we ‘take ourselves too seriously to care’; not realising that that frumpy sweater or dowdy pair of trousers we threw on this morning to nip out for milk and bread was ‘selected’ for us by people in the higher echelons of the fashion industry.
On the other hand, 19th century French writer Stendhal, one of the most original writers of the time who played a decisive part in the advent of the modern novel, said, ‘only great minds can afford a simple style.’ I can only imagine when he used the word ‘simple’ he was referring to unique and in this he would be absolutely right.
The Fashion Industry Internationally
You cannot escape fashion. It exists everywhere we turn, from the runways of
Many people get confused by varying trends. Let’s be honest, only devoted fashionistas can keep up with seasonal collections; be privy to Gucci’s new chief designer or Chloé’s signature style; and what A-list celebrities wore on the red carpet at the last movie premiere. So you don’t need to feel overwhelmed by what’s out there and you don’t need to feel like a fool just because two similar-looking belts to your eye are worlds apart in the eyes of Anna Wintour.
Fashion as your Personal Work of Art
Creating your own signature style is part of the art of fashion. If you watched Sex and the City 2 you’ll never forget the embarrassing moment when butter-would-not-melt-in-her-mouth Samantha found herself on the red carpet in the same dress as the savvy teenager Miley Cyrus.
Sticking strictly to trends and fashion rules can sometimes work against you. But, in the same breath, being aware of what’s hot and what’s not in the world of fashion is the right step to creating a style that boldly reflects who you are as does your choice of music, art, decor, film and literature.
Choose Your Own Personal Style
What are you? It seems simple enough, but for most people this is a complex question. It seems with all the worries in the world, like paying bills and getting through a day without your boss losing his cool, the last thing you want to fret about is your fashion sense. Maybe.
But you’ll also remember that when Andrea Sachs finally changed her fashion style everyone took notice of her. Sure, it wasn’t her style, but it made people sit up. What do you want to reflect – punk, indie, retro, 70s disco, classically elegant like Jackie O, fashionably demure like Grace Kelly, rock fusion like Katy Perry, or smoky forties, even jazzy twenties.
The Question of Your Fashionable Art
The next thing you need to answer is what you hope to achieve with your personal style. Do you want it to be a reflection of who you are? Do you want to be taken seriously at work? Do you want to make yourself more attractive to others? Do you want to feel more attractive?
I have seen many strange and fantastic fashions – a dollop of bright colours meshed with netted skirts, high Mohawks and large costume jewellery and it’s always made me smile. Instantly I have an idea of who the person is. I have an idea of what she may like or hate and her style may be our ice breaker.
Start with the Basics
I must confess, I was always a snob like Andrea Sachs until I met featured designer on SenseOnline, Nobuntu Sizolibuso, who intimated that my attitude could simply be my fear of fashion. Where do I start? There are enough magazines in the world all eschewing a certain style, but she suggested I start with the basics.
You can never go wrong with black: a black skirt, a black dress and a black pair of trousers. From there you can build your wardrobe. It’s a mistake to throw out everything you own at the moment. It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater – costly and stupid.
A white blouse or tee works well with anything, as does a classic pair of heels which you can wear through the seasons. My mother always advised me to buy myself a suit when I started working. Of course, I thought that meant something classic that would make me look old. But she meant I could extend my love of jeans by adding a long denim jacket.
Own your Body
Women love one part of their body more than they love others. We all have a favourite part. What is yours? Decide what part of your body you’re going to work with and make it work every moment you dress fashionably.
If it’s your hair, then change styles often to show your lush tresses; if it’s your eyes then highlight them with the colours you wear; or, if your legs, then work those shorts and mini skirts.
Accessorising your Look
In reality we are more similar than different and there must be someone out there – some well known person – who has a fashion style of which you are envious. Personally, I am drawn to Chloe Sevigny and Gwen Stefani, admiring their remarkable coordination of modern and retro, while sneaking pure beauty from previous decades, especially the forties.
Now that you have someone who has a style you admire, why not look at how they put their look together and add your own personal feel to it. Remember, this is not about being them, but about learning from them and making it all your own.
At this point you can start playing with shoes, bags, purses, belts, jewellery and see what works for you. Add size, colour and depth to your look; or even minimise a loud outfit with a demure black clutch.
Adding your Personal Touch
I love the idea of sewing my own clothes, but that’s not going to happen. I intend to stick to my daytime job, but that doesn’t mean I cannot work a needle and thread or ask someone else on my behalf. Take that pair of white takkies and embroider them or take beads or buttons and work them on your t-shirt.
Visit thrift and second-hand shops looking through their piles of clothes and more often than not you’ll find a bargain that you’ll use for years to come. That’s how I found a pink coat which I know no one else in the city has. It attracts lots of compliments even though it only cost R100.
Starting Slow
It’s exciting to know you can play with colours, clothes, styles, trends, sizes and cuts to create your own personal fashion style. However, it requires some time to think through. There is no rush and when you do it right the first time, then it will work for a long time.
Choose a part of your wardrobe you’ll start with first – your hair, your makeup, your shoes. Remember, start small and expand. Within a year you’ll be exactly where you want to be.
And for those who still think like Andrea Sachs, sniggering at the frivolity of it all, remember Miranda’s words, ‘Florals? For spring? Ground breaking.’
