After spending some time with people and getting a sense of their style, I'll often look at something and think, "That would be perfect for (fill in the blank!)." I have a friend who wears only black. I have another friend who wears lots of Lilly Pulitzer. Another is the queen of the polo shirt. Some of my friends like a more bohemian, vintage look, while others are very classic and conservative. When I reflect on my own style, I would have to say that I really like a combination of looks and often dress in different ways depending upon the occasion. However, I can think of 5 things that are kind of "signature" for me as far as my own style is concerned.
1.
White blouses...the white blouse is a staple for me. I wear them alone, layered, with a suit, and with jeans. I have long sleeved, short sleeved, and sleeveless white blouses. I always buy some fresh white blouses in the fall and again in the summer as I try to be very careful to keep them pristine and crisp. Some weeks when I hang up my clean laundry, I will have 5 white blouses...one for each day of the week! And while I have lots of colored blouses and shirts, my white ones often seem just right.
White blouses also look nice with lots of different accessories....which leads me to the next element of my signature looks...
2.
Accessories...oh, how I love them! The bags, the shoes, the jewelry! Many (most!) days I decide what I'm going to wear around the accessories that have stricken my fancy. I like costume jewelry as much as the real thing and often layer the two. I have gotten a little more picky about my bags lately and seem to be less willing to carry off brands or cheaper bags. While I wish my shoe wardrobe was full of sky high heels, I have to admit that the draw of a comfortable flat is just too strong to ignore, and I am too busy to go limping around all day. I almost forgot about scarves...I wear them a lot both around my neck and as an accent on my bag. And no matter how many bracelets, necklaces, scarves, shoes, or handbags I have, I always seem able to find a spot for another one.
I could upload lots more accessory pictures...but I'll stop now so I can talk about the next element of my signature look...
3.
Short hair...I love short hair. I also love long hair, but on other girls and women. But for me, short hair is it. When I was very young, I had very long hair. I mean long in the sense that even braided down my back, I sat on it! It was hot and heavy and there was a major production every time it needed washed. I begged my mom to get my hair cut. My whole family loved my long hair...but finally, she took me and got it chopped just how I wanted it. She has a picture of me she took when we got home. I'm sitting on the piano bench and I have the happiest smile on my face. I felt like I had been freed. From that point on, I have almost always had short hair. For a while I let my hair grow, but I'm happiest when it's short. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that not very many women have their hair as short as I do...so it's kind of unique. I get a lot of, "I wish I was brave enough to cut my hair that short," whenever I'm at the salon. I'm not sure that it is a compliment, but I still like the idea that it isn't something most women are willing to do. Some days I envy women with pretty hair accessories or the fact that they can make their hair look different every day while mine always looks pretty much the same...but I get over that quickly when my hair takes literally minutes to fix...plus, hair this short really shows off your earrings! Also, it gives me more time to do other things...like apply my next signature style element...
4.
Bold lipstick...I really enjoy putting on makeup and generally do so with a pretty light hand. I never want to look overdone and I can't stand it when my makeup is running down my face or I look like I have a black eye because my liner has smudged. But the one thing I do go bold on is my lips. I like many different lipsticks, but seem to gravitate to some Revlon colors most of the time. I like a matte lip...no sticky, shiny stuff for me...and two of my favorites are
Fabulous Fig and
In the Red, both from Revlon's matte collection. When I need a more neutral color, I like
Revlon's Toast of New York. This summer I have moved away from my usual red pallet and am enjoying Revlon's bold and pink
Cherries in the Snow both on my lips and my nails. My mom got me this little sign I have up in my dressing room...and it is my motto most days!
Most of my other makeup is Estee Lauder including this new cranberry lipstick I got for fall...I think it will look great with fall clothes including the final element of my signature looks...
5.
Denim...I think this is a staple in most wardrobes. But I like to be sure that my denim looks a little special. I'm not really the jeans and t-shirt or jeans and sweatshirt kind of person Although I do sometimes dress down that much, I really prefer denim when it is dressed up in unexpected ways. I think denim and a lace skirt or maxi dress with lots of pretty jewelry and cute shoes makes for a great date night outfit. I love a boot cut jean as well as boyfriend cuts, and dress to fit my mood or the event. I like to roll my jeans and show off a pretty shoe, or wear a great boot and a brightly colored blazer with my jeans. And I also enjoy colored denim and have some black jeans that look every bit as dressy as a pair of trousers. And speaking of trousers, I often pair my dressy tweed slacks with a denim jacket to give my winter suits a different twist.
I think getting dressed should be fun and make you feel good about yourself. These 5 signature looks help do that for me. They are elements that I feel I can count on, and ones I go back to again and again. What elements make up your signature style? Here's to finding what they are, and relishing your own signature fashion looks.
All the best,
Kelly
