Fashion and Hair Style Category

Finding your own fashion style is as much an exercise in self-discovery as it is in choosing patterns and prints. Our clothes speak so much about us, and whether we like it or not, there is quite a bit of truth to the old saying that ‘the clothes make the man (or woman)’. In a sense, what we wear conveys something about us to the world around us; it becomes a ‘visible bio’ for onlookers, and can give people clues about our personalities, preferences, and inhibitions (or lack thereof) as it relates to self-expression.

When you first set out to discover your own fashion style, you may find it a bit frustrating in the beginning, because you may experience a certain amount of worry about what other people’s opinions of your clothes may be, and it can cause you to make preemptive adjustments to your clothing choices – you may not pick this sweater because your friend once remarked that she doesn’t like that particular color, or you may not pick that pair of jeans because your co-worker once said that he thought those kinds of jeans were tacky. As trivial as these things may seem, they can actually cause you to lose a little bit of your own individuality, because you’re operating more from a reactionary mode (based on other people’s opinions) versus really digging deep and finding out what you actually like. In a certain sense, it takes ‘guts’ to find your own fashion style, and you have to be willing to put yourself out there and allow yourself the freedom of expression through choosing clothes that truly reflect your preferences.

So how do you actually go about developing your own sense of fashion? Research will be a very important part of the process. Fashion magazines, television shows, and even visiting local clothing stores can provide you with all kinds of ideas. Many people look to celebrities to get a feel for the latest fashion trends, and it wouldn’t hurt to check out what the latest and greatest Hollywood A-listers are sporting just to get some ideas. There is a caveat to this, however: If all you do is simply copy what someone else is wearing, you’re not really tapping into your own sense of style; you’re instead taking all of your cues from someone else without really consulting your own preferences to see if it’s something that you actually like. It is definitely useful to look to others to gain inspiration, but the way that you interpret that inspiration makes all the difference.

Research has shown that most people tend to dress in a manner that’s comfortable to them, sometimes at the expense of staying ‘current’ or staying ‘with the times’. Examples abound of people who seem to be stuck in a past decade with their clothing choices. Interestingly enough, many people actually dress in a manner that reflects the most exciting time of their lives, even if that time was three decades ago. Dressing in those outdated clothes is a way for them to keep that part of their past ‘alive’, and their clothes actually provide a level of comfort for them, and can conjure up positive feelings of nostalgia. This is a great example of how clothing choices can be a form of self-expression, even if that expression reflects only a certain period of a person’s life.

Your own fashion style is, in many ways, linked to your self-image and your overall perception of who you are as a person. If you consider yourself to be a conservative person, then you will more than likely choose an overall fashion style that will not be too revealing or too provocative. On the other hand, if you’re an outgoing and fun-loving person who doesn’t mind ‘flaunting it if you’ve got it’, you may be a little more liberal with what you choose to wear. Even the types of materials that you choose can make a statement about your personality. Everyone knows that black leather makes a bold and somewhat jolting statement all by itself. Fabrics like wool or cashmere can convey a warm, comforting, and inviting personality. Loose and flowing materials like silk can express more of a free-spirited attitude, while outfits that are mainly made of denim can convey a more no-nonsense and tougher aspect of one’s personality.

Color is a very important factor in finding your own fashion style as well. Bold and bright colors usually denote a more open and lively personality, while someone who always wears muted and nondescript colors (such as gray) can seem to come off as cool and unaffected. Red has always been seen as a ‘power’ color, blue as a ‘cool’ color, and yellow as a ‘happy’ color. These are just some examples of how colors can communicate visual messages without us having to say one word. So when you’re developing your own style, it would be a good idea to do some research on which colors communicate which message, so that you don’t accidentally make the wrong statement, or wear something that does not reflect your true personality.

Once again, it’s all about how you choose to describe yourself to the world around you. What would you like to say by way of the clothes that you wear? What type of statement do you want to make? The old adage ‘Know thyself’ actually becomes very important in this process. It’s very difficult for you to select clothes and fashion accessories that reflect or express your personality if you’re not even certain what that personality is. A good suggestion would be to take some time and write down some of your favorite attributes about yourself. What do you like about you? What do you really think makes you unique? What type of personality best describes you? Then go out to your local department stores or check out some of your favorite online retailers and select the clothes that truly seem to ‘click’ with what you’ve written down. Whatever it is, it does you no good to be ashamed of who you really are. Who knows, you may just find true freedom of expression through fashion!