Clothe Your Personality

Have you ever been in a dressing room trying something on that looked great on the hanger, but when you put it on your body, you literally felt like literally leaping out of your skin? 

Maybe it was a frilly dress you wanted to wear to a wedding, when you’re really a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. Or you may have tried on a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a fun and trendy dresser. 

Perhaps it felt so wrong on you that your body was completely rejecting it!

Now think about your closet for a second. Is every article of clothing, every accessory, every single item in there a true reflection of YOU - not only does it flatter the way you look - your coloring and body shape - but does it also honor who you are on the inside? 

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Is your style consistent every day?  And does it reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, discovering your own personal style is empowering. It will save you time and money and will make every day a pleasure to get dressed. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are now and the person you want to be.

Fashion personality is what separates the style icons like Jackie O., Princess Di, and Audrey Hepburn and even fictional characters Annie Hall and Carrie Bradshaw - from the wannabes.

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their true style.  It became a manifestation of who they were. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they knew themselves and how to express their personality traits on the outside. In other words, they were comfortable in their own skin.

I know, for instance, that when I go into a department store, there may be ten clothing items in the entire place that will truly clothe both my body and my personality. When I'm not wearing what I feel my best in, I don't feel quite as "me."

That's what the concept of fashion personality is all about. Once you figure out the colors that harmonize with your unique coloring and after you learn to respect your body - the good, the not-so-good and the stuff you cannot change without a major investment in cosmetic surgery, the next logical step is to understand how to buy what expresses you.

Think about it this way - rebellious teenagers do this naturally."I'm gonna wear what I want, and if you don't like it, tough!"

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? There isn’t anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful or funky pair of shoes that you love or a fun top or earrings. If it feels right, doesn’t offend anyone and maintains your dignity, who says you can't go for it? 

So what is YOUR unique fashion personality? Most of us are a combination of at least two of them.  

Alluring - Love to wear body-conscious shapes, low necklines, sexy shoes, etc.

Classic – Gravitate toward tailored lines, are conservative and polished

Dramatic - Like bold clothing, like to draw attention to themselves!

Romantic - Soft and feminine, they love how fabrics feel!

Natural - Minimal in approach, they tend like functionality and tend to gravitate toward texture

Creative - Anything goes, mix and match – they value creative expression

How do you determine your own personality?  Well, you probably know yourself pretty well already! But ask yourself these questions:

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in your closet, what would they be

4. How would someone describe you in terms of your clothes?

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

6. If you had unlimited store credit, where would you shop?

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't seem to pull it off?

Perhaps the easiest way to figure out your own fashion personality is to take a look at your accessories. 

Dramatics like accessories that make a big statement. Classics love traditional pieces like simple pumps and a pearl necklace. Naturals like to keep it simple – maybe a pair of hoops and a functional shoe. Romantics love soft textures, feminine swirls and sparkle. Creative personalities tend to wear whatever they feel like wearing, and Alluring women wear accessories with sex appeal – whether showing off sexy red toenails or a Y-shaped necklace worn with a plunging neckline. 

Can you figure out what fashion personality would wear each of these shoes?

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it!  Nothing is right or wrong if it expresses your personality and makes you feel amazing! 

Answers     

a) Classic d) Romantic b) Alluring e) Creative c) Natural f) Dramatic

 

CSI: Creative Style Inspiration

Have you ever been in a dressing room trying something on that looked good on the hanger, but when you put it on your body, you literally felt like leaping out of your skin?

Perhaps it was a frilly dress you could see yourself wearing to a wedding, when you normally live in jeans. Or you may try out a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a creative dresser.

Perhaps it felt so wrong on you that your body was literally rejecting it!

Now think about your closet for a second. Is every article of clothing, every accessory, every single item in there a true reflection of YOU - not only does it flatter the way you look - your coloring and body shape - but does it also honor who you are on the inside?

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Are you consistent every day in your style?

Do your casual clothes, your work clothes and your social clothes tell a consistent story? And does that story reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, learning who you are when it comes to your personal style is EMPOWERING. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are.

Fashion Personality is what separates the style icons - from Jackie O., Princess Di, Audrey Hepburn and even fictional characters Annie Hall and Carrie Bradshaw - from the wannabes.

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their style and it became a true manifestation of their inner selves. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they know who they are and how to express their inner style on the outside.

I know, for instance, that when I go into a department store, there may be ten clothing items in the entire place that will truly clothe both my body and my spirit. When I'm not wearing what I feel my best in, I don't feel quite as "me."

It is a great benefit (and a time saver) to know myself well enough that I can quickly find what I love and what will be make me feel my most authentic.

That's what the concept of fashion personality is all about. Once you wear the colors and contrast levels that harmonize with your unique coloring and after you learn to respect your body - the good, the not-so-good and the stuff you cannot change without a major investment in cosmetic surgery, the next logical step is to understand how to buy what expresses you.

Think about it this way - rebellious teenagers do this naturally. "I'm gonna wear what I want, and if you don't like it, tough!"

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? You may say, "Well, I am a professional and need to dress in a certain way."

Naturally, maintain the respect you have for your job, but is there anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful and funky top under your conservative suit? If it feels right (and is inoffensive), who says you can't go for it?

There are six main fashion personalities. You are most likely a combination of at least two. The more I understood this concept and the more I started to evolve and understand myself, the more I found myself making things up as I went along!

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it as such! Nothing is right or wrong if it feels good and expresses your personality and mood!

Here are a few examples of the six fashion personalities:

Alluring - Love to wear body-conscious shapes, low necklines, sexy shoes, etc.

Classic - Tailored lines, conservative and professional polish

Dramatic - Likes bold clothing, like to draw attention

Romantic - Soft and feminine, they love how fabrics feel!

Natural - Minimal in approach, tend like functionality and tend to gravitate toward texture

Artistic/Creative - Anything goes, mix and match - value creative expression

How do you determine your own personality? Well, you probably know yourself pretty well already! But ask yourself these questions:

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in fashion, what would they be?

4. How would someone describe you in terms of your clothes?

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

6. If you had unlimited store credit, where would you shop?

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't?

And then rank yourself on a scale of 1-6, with 1 being the most like you:

Alluring _____

Classic _____

Dramatic _____

Romantic _____

Natural _____

Artistic/Creative _____

Next time you are out in a clothing store, pull a few pieces of clothing off the rack and try to identify what fashion personality each piece is.

When you know what items attract you - and also which ones to avoid - you can better focus your attention when you shop. That way, only clothing you love, that feels authentic - and most importantly, clothing you will wear will find its way into your closet!

Will PETA hate me if I wear Muppet fur?

Hold your buckets of paint, everyone.

I realized a long time ago that I liked to wear articles of clothing that look like I skinned Muppets for their pelts. I have countless ridiculous pieces of textured trims, jackets, sweaters and scarves that all look like I went to Jim Henson's character shop to find materials. I can assure you that I don't make this stuff, nor have I ever gone hunting for it. Instead the Muppet clothes seem to find me.

Most recently, this, er, "trend" was seen in my "Animal"-collar sweater and my super comfy "Cookie Monster" jacket, which ironically I did not eat cookies while wearing. (I could have had cookie martinis, though. Do they even have cookie martinis?)

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a Free People long cardigan. It has weird furry trim and is a dirty sort of green, although the official color description was teal. I don't usually wear muddy or dusty colors, but it popped the green in my eyes, so it worked just fine. Plus it's a color I don't already have in the closet. It just worked for me somehow.

Then what I realized quite clearly today out in the daylight exactly why I love it.

It looks like the pelt of Oscar the Grouch.

What a coup it was to find something classy and totally "me" that allows me to indulge my inner grouch!

Oscar is my favorite Muppet. Always has been. And as one of the people I met with today, the lovely and bubbly Shannon, mentioned "He was the only dose of reality on Sesame Street."

YES! That is SO TRUE!!

Okay, so usually the colors that I wear best are clear and bright. Most Muppets are clear, bright colors (think Sesame Streeters Big Bird & Elmo). My Romantic fashion personality with Dramatic flair loves textures and the soft feel of fur (always fake. always.). And of course my personality itself is grouchy sometimes.

So, friends, a lesson in why Muppet fur is awesome and why not even PETA can stop me from wearing it!

**The funny thing about the Oscar sweater? It didn't shed so much as it was airborne. I was pulling fibers off my lip gloss and out of my eyes until I finally took it off. It was a bit of pest. Much like Oscar himself.

CSI: Crimes of Style Investigation

by Kristen Kaleal

Have you ever been in a dressing room trying something on that looked good on the hanger, but when you put it on your body, you literally felt like leaping out of your skin?

Perhaps it was a frilly dress you could see yourself wearing to a wedding, when you normally live in jeans. Or you may try out a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a creative dresser.

Perhaps it felt so wrong on you that your body was literally rejecting it!

Now think about your closet for a second. Is every article of clothing, every accessory, every single item in there a true reflection of YOU - not only does it flatter the way you look - your coloring and body shape - but does it also honor who you are on the inside?

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Are you consistent every day in your style?

Do your casual clothes, your work clothes and your social clothes tell a consistent story? And does that story reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, learning who you are when it comes to your personal style is EMPOWERING. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are.

Fashion Personality is what separates the style icons - from Jackie O., Princess Di, Audrey Hepburn and even fictional characters Annie Hall and Carrie Bradshaw - from the wannabes.

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their style and it became a true manifestation of their inner selves. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they know who they are and how to express their inner style on the outside.

I know, for instance, that when I go into a department store, there may be ten clothing items in the entire place that will truly clothe both my body and my spirit. When I'm not wearing what I feel my best in, I don't feel quite as "me."

It is a great benefit (and a time saver) to know myself well enough that I can quickly find what I love and what will be make me feel my most authentic.

That's what the concept of fashion personality is all about. Once you wear the colors and contrast levels that harmonize with your unique coloring and after you learn to respect your body - the good, the not-so-good and the stuff you cannot change without a major investment in cosmetic surgery, the next logical step is to understand how to buy what expresses you.

Think about it this way - rebellious teenagers do this naturally. "I'm gonna wear what I want, and if you don't like it, tough!"

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? You may say, "Well, I am a professional and need to dress in a certain way."

Naturally, maintain the respect you have for your job, but is there anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful and funky top under your conservative suit? If it feels right (and is inoffensive), who says you can't go for it?

There are six main fashion personalities. You are most likely a combination of at least two. The more I understood this concept and the more I started to evolve and understand myself, the more I found myself making things up as I went along!

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it as such! Nothing is right or wrong if it feels good and expresses your personality and mood!

Here are a few examples of the six fashion personalities:

Alluring - Love to wear body-conscious shapes, low necklines, sexy shoes, etc.

Classic - Tailored lines, conservative and professional polish

Dramatic - Likes bold clothing, like to draw attention

Romantic - Soft and feminine, they love how fabrics feel!

Natural - Minimal in approach, tend like functionality and tend to gravitate toward texture

Artistic - Anything goes, mix and match - value creative expression

How do you determine your own personality? Well, you probably know yourself pretty well already! But ask yourself these questions:

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in fashion, what would they be?

4. How would someone describe you in terms of your clothes?

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

6. If you had unlimited store credit, where would you shop?

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't?

And then rank yourself on a scale of 1-6, with 1 being the most like you:

Alluring _____

Classic _____

Dramatic _____

Romantic _____

Natural _____

Artistic _____

This was originally published in our Aug.'07 newsletter.
To request reprint rights, please contact me.

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style

I just finished watching Tim Gunn's Guide to Style on Bravo. I wasn't sure what to expect, only knowing Tim from Project Runway, his blog on BravoTV.com and the copious interviews I have read with him.

I have no idea why, but from the first time I ever saw Tim, I said, "Wow, this guy has something here." It's the "IT" factor. He comes across as sensible, stern and compassionate, but with a very dry sense of humor and an unusual charisma. He's very real, but at the same time is unlike anyone I have ever run across.

So when I heard his book was coming out, it was a must-have for my style book library, and when his show premiered tonight, I knew I needed to watch. And I was there...taking notes, believe it or not.

I was so thankful that he took this makeover candidate through the process of image development, not just making her into a fashion plate. There are a lot of stylists who will add more clothes to a person's already overflowing closet. In my own practice, I always feel like I am the doctor, diagnosing the underlying "illness" beneath the clothes that are being stockpiled but not worn.

Supermodel Veronica Webb, one of my runway faves from the 90's is his co-host. One thing she said really struck a chord with me -

"That rut is so deep there's, like, magma down there."

I happen to be writing an article for Pure Romance's sales magazine about getting stuck in a rut called From Drab to Fab: How to break out of your style slump, so of course it stood out to me.

Tim sent the young lady, Rebecca, to a "life stylist" named Jared, who put her in a garbage bag top. No, I am not kidding. I will have to ask Coach Joelle her thoughts on that. But the one thing he said that I liked was to "always walk like you're listening to the soundtrack of your life." Wow, profound. I like that.

He also had her repeat the mantra,

"I cannot control how I am perceived,
I can only control how I am presented."

Very cool. It's what image consultants preach on a daily basis! It's called "impression management" and is a fundamental principle of image development!

Tim has a list of his TEN MUST-HAVES (Don't we all? Mine are about 2/3 the same as his!)

Here's Tim's list:

1) Basic Black Dress
2) Trench coat
3) Fitted blazer
4) Sweater
5) Classic white shirt
6) Day Dress
7) "Sweatsuit alternative"
8) Classic dress pants
9) Jeans
10) "Trendy indulgent item"

In conclusion, it was an enjoyable show. It was a lot like a low-key, more educational What Not to Wear. I like that it is done on film, which makes it look more classy and expensive.

I also realized that if I wanted to go all out and buy a bunch of designer pieces, my clear choice would be Catherine Malandrino. She designs for the Romantic fashion personality. And I am accepting more and more my place as a Romantic.

The dress she gave Rebecca the makeover candidate was perfection. Wow....

The Importance of Casual Clothing

Sometimes I wonder if there are a lot of people out there like me. Even though I’m a pro at wardrobe building – for myself and others – I admit I do have a serious clothing blind spot. I am one of those people who never seems to have enough casual clothes. I’ve always had my “investment” wardrobe full of suits and slacks and skirts and jackets. It works for everything from the highest level of business function to speaking engagements, TV appearances, luncheons, business social events, and nearly everything else imaginable. I must admit it takes care of about 75% of my clothing needs, which is fabulous.

But I have a perpetually lame casual wardrobe. When I say “casual”, I don’t mean Business Casual. In my life, “casual” pretty much means jeans and items I would wear with jeans.

I must tell you that being a Classic/Romantic fashion personality, I have had to learn to do casual wear – but on my own terms. I need tailored looks that are very “finished” from head to toe (my Classic side), and soft fabrics – crushed velvet, sueded fabrics, or cashmere - with feminine details to satisfy the Romantic side of me.

I run around much of the time – whether I’m going to the grocery store or to Starbucks or the Borders close by – in my cute little track suits. They either have matching sneakers for the cooler months or matching flip-flops for summertime. In many people’s eyes, a track suit may seem too dressed down, but when it’s neatly presented and looks like you have actually put some thought behind it, it’s generally quite acceptable.

I would never go out socially in a track suit, naturally. And this is where my wardrobe fails me.

First of all, buying jeans is a nightmare. It always has been for me. And it is that way for many, many women. It really takes patience to find the right jeans for one’s body. For me, it takes a shopping excursion for only jeans and nothing else. Discount stores are not the best place to buy jeans. While I am really into the “thrill of the hunt” at discount stores, they don’t work well for jeans. You want to shop a department store because you need to find the brand and cut that works for you so you can buy the same thing again and again (different washes, and details, of course). Shopping for jeans for me includes trying on about 15-20 pair. I am unapologetic about this. It’s too important to not get it right.

I was out today and bought three pieces that will take me far this fall and winter – three corduroy jackets to pair with my jeans. I bought a tan blazer, a black shirt jacket style, and a very wide wale teal cropped jacket (really cute). I had already bought a Nine West cream cropped corduroy jacket last week, so I am really ahead of the curve in terms of prepping for the cooler seasons to come. And I am excited that I am thinking ahead! I usually have my mind on the business events I will be attending, since they are generally planned more in advance. Social events can be planned at the last minute which usually prompts a mad dash out to the store to buy something (anything) to throw on with jeans and boots.

Now, I’m pleased to say that I will be at least semi-prepared for anything that comes my way this fall and winter. Now I just need to add several pairs of boots, more jeans, sweaters, turtlenecks, and various other basics. Just when I thought I was set…..