Nothing compares to being able to wake up in the morning and easily get dressed. To put on that flattering top, pants that fit well and make your legs look longer, finished off by just the right pair of shoes and accessories that say “here I am and I am fabulous” (even, yes even on the days you don’t feel fabulous).
THAT SENSE OF EASE COMES FROM HAVING A SIGNATURE STYLE.
An innate sense of what looks great (not just good) on you and what you love and want to wear. It’s signature because no one else that has your look — your face, your hair, your special neckline and body shape. It’s yours, just like your signature on paper — it’s part of you and represents who you are.
But maybe instead you have a closet of clothes that distort your signature. A signature on paper may look a bit different every time you sign your name, but the basic design is always there, and you know what your signature looks like. Somewhere, buried beneath lots of clothes — is your signature style. Somewhere in your own personal coloring, body language and soul lies your signature style.
After the stroke I could not wear the clothes in my closet (they didn’t fit my “new” body, and I no longer liked any of them). Even as I searched for current trends, I knew that I wanted to look stylish and put together, but not trendy. So, for the first time ever, I hired outside help. I paid a colleague to spend 4 hours with me. Together we rediscovered colors that I had wanted to wear but thought I couldn’t. She gave me new ideas and ways of combining outfits, and she helped me purge some unnecessary items.
My mistake, and the mistake I see 90% of my clients make, was believing I didn’t need any help at all with my wardrobe or my clothing choices. After the stroke I owned clothes that no longer fit my body. Before the stroke, I had worn a fair amount of beige and taupe and white and black – none of which was resonating with me and most of which I’d let hang around in my closet for far too long. Looking back, I realize that even someone who loves fashion and clothes – even an image consultant – needs a fresh look at their personal style – to make sure it accurately reflects who she is and what she intends to say. And my clients became my clients because they asked for help.
REVIVING YOUR SENSE OF WHAT YOU LOVE AND DON’T LOVE IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A SIGNATURE STYLE.
If you own a closet full of clothes, and can’t define the pieces that you really, really, really want to wear – and those that are just “OK” or they “work” or you just aren’t sure, consider asking for help. Think about what it would feel like to have a closet full of clothes that spoke YOUR language — an outfit “signed” by you and done with your signature.
