A Guide To Your Style

So many pigeons contact me and they say, “Help! I am going to be a leader now, and I have no idea what to wear! I sort of know what kinds of things I should have in my working wardrobe, but how do I find my style!”

That’s a big question, sweetie pies, and it takes time, attention, a sense of fun and a willingness to take your image seriously to discern what your style is. Style is a very individual thing, and some people never get beyond the most generic form of dress. Sometimes it’s a lack of imagination and sometimes it’s plain fear and intimidation that keep people from making of themselves a work of art.

Here are some things you can think about that will help you determine your style. I am including some of my own answers in italics just to give you an idea of how someone else would answer these:

1. Whose personal style do I admire? What is it about them that appeals to me?

Diane Von Furstenburg: sexy, wild, striking, dramatic
Clarissa Pinkola Estes: earthy, round, sexy, warm, ethnic, scaled large
Georgia O’Keefe: rugged, fierce, individualistic, authentic
Mikhail Baryshnikov: Russian, romantic, brooding, electric

reflections: charisma, vision, energy, movement, very self-knowing

(I love the lines of his face. I love his weary eyes.)

2. How fast am I willing to toss someone else’s notion of what “category” I belong in (like that nonsense about being a Winter/Summer/Spring/Whatever)? Am I willing to take responsibility for my own image and visual presentation?

3. What style of art am I drawn to?
wood-working
textiles – esp. Eastern and Central Europe e.g. suzani
Art Nouveau/Art Deco
Prairie
Arts and Crafts
Pre-Raphaelites

Can I incorporate any of these styles into my own sense of style?

3. How many different people do I need to “be” in the course of my life? Considering this question, what sorts of clothes would I like to have/do I need to have?

Minister/Consultant/Teacher
Actress/Performer
Single woman (dating)
Free spirit (travel, days off, etc.)
Dog mom (leisure, exercise, hiking, etc.)

How can I dress for my whole life within a budget and not requiring tons of different garments? How can I combine looks and wear garments different ways to get the most use out of them?

4. What sorts of clothes and accessories do I really hate on myself?

any color not found in nature
icky fabrics
elastic waistbands
pastels
shiny fabrics
sequins, sewn-on flowers and other cheap-looking embellishments
ugly patterns
red
bad necklines
skirts with too much fabric
button-down shirts
plaid
cheap-looking autumn colors
plastic buttons
pleats and cuffs on pants
corduroy
gold buckles

5. What clothes and accessories do I just love (for myself)?

V-necked cardigans
cardigans in bright colors
pants that are long with a slight flare
platform heels
BOOTS! boots, boots, boots
bags and shoes that show stitching
drawstring on cute tops and hoodies
trench coats
single-breasted blazers with detailing at the waist
fitted denim jacket with flattering lapels rather than collars
amazing necklaces
silver
rings that make me happy
artisanal silver hoop earrings
jeans
empire-waist sundresses
Marimekko-style bold floral skirts
pashminas
hats
a great pair of black pants

6. What is my favorite photo of myself? When was it taken? What am I doing? What am I wearing? How can I translate the energy of that photo into my daily appearance today?

7. Who do I NEVER want to look like? Why?

Hillary Clinton
dowdy, always wears square, boxy clothes, does not seem to have an individual sense of flair in the least.

Voila! You’re on your way to understanding your personal style!

(The Fabulous DVF, ladies and gents!)