It’s interesting how you can tell so much about a person solely based on the way the dress. Whether you are into the whole ensemble: clothes, shoes, purses, accessories or if you hate shopping, let alone putting together an outfit together. Our clothes make a statement of who we are, what we value and how we want to present ourselves to the world whether we realize it or not. Let’s take interviews as an example. Aren’t we always told that what you wear to an interview is almost half the battle? First impressions mean everything, one wrong outfit could help earn you that position you’ve worked so hard for or keep you on the hunt. And it’s not that different from everyday life; our clothing projects a part of who we are to the world.
If our clothing is an outward expression of our inward selves shouldn’t we personalize and individualize it? Fashion trends come and go with time and some even make a reappearance like the lovely 80s oversized blazers, the 70s bright prints and bell bottom pants and even the 20s flapper girl inspired gaudy pearls and silk slip dresses. Trends are either “in” or “out”, but style survives the seasons of fashion trends. Style is what you make that weathers the fickle and erratic changes of trends. Don’t get me wrong, I like dressing according to trends. Adding a trendy piece or two to your wardrobe and mixing it into outfits is a great way to keep up with what’s in while not losing your own look all together. What I find interesting is those who feel like they need to change their entire look with the changes in trends. Not only does that get expensive, you begin to lose who you are along the way. Instead of dressing in what you like and are comfortable in, you let others make that decision for you. What I would encourage is take back your individuality, whatever that may look like. But don’t just take it from me, take it from the experts themselves.
“Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.” Gianni Versace
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is an instant language.” Miuccia Prada
“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Yves Saint Laurent
“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.” Iris Apfel
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” Rachel Zoe
“Style is the only things you can’t buy. It’s not in a shopping bag, a label, or a price tag. It’s something reflected from our soul to the outside world- an emotion.” Alber Elbaz
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” Coco Chanel
“Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick to the same menu.” Kenzo Takada
“Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.” Oscar de la Renta
“It’s a new era in fashion- there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together,” Alexander McQueen
“Create your own style…let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Anna Wintour
"Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it." Diane von Furstenberg
"I think there is beauty in everything. What 'normal' people perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it." Alexander McQueen
"You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody. I’m not talking about lots of clothes.” Diana Vreeland
"Fashion is what you're offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose." Lauren Hutton
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." Rachel Zoe
"Trendy is the last stage before tacky." Karl Lagerfeld
"The way I dress depends on how I feel. I never have to psych myself up. Usually it just feels like it works." Rihanna
Even those pioneering the fashion industry; designers, fashion icons and creative directors all implore the world to turn away from the mainstream, break off from the pack and find your own style. Try something new, something different. Be bold and dare to be different. But most importantly be yourself.
And that’s the dirt!
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