Ask Erin: Love Your Style

article by Erin Sharplin Love
erinlove@panachebyerin.com

Developing your own personal style should be one of the most important things on your “to do” list.  After all, your style speaks volumes and acts as your “calling card.”   Is your calling card giving others an accurate perception of who you really are?  If not, I am here to help.

Your wardrobe should make you feel authentic, comfortable, beautiful and in charge of your future, which, in turn, suggests that your clothing must fit, complement your skin tone and meld seamlessly into the life you live.  Developing this personal style should be an enjoyable experience, so if it becomes daunting, remind yourself to relax and enjoy the process.

FIT IS KEY. The most important thing to remember when developing, or redeveloping, your personal style is that proper fit is the key!  You want clothes that flatter your shape and show off your best features.  For instance, maybe you have a tiny waist, so look for items that are more form fitting in that area.  You should also wear long necklaces to draw the eye to that area.  Keep in mind, ladies, that the smallest areas on every woman’s body are her ankles, wrists and natural waistline!  *Note:  Your natural waist line is right under your ribcage and above your hips.

COLOR MATTERS. Black is a basic in everyone’s wardrobe, but mixing in color can increase your style savvy exponentially.  It is also important to understand what your best and worst colors are.  This is not to say that you should never wear your “worst” colors; on the contrary, you will just be able to make better choices on how and when to wear those colors.  To find your best colors, think back to what you were wearing the last time you received a compliment.  It was most likely a color that brightened your face and made you feel beautiful.

WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE?  In other words, what are you most drawn to?  What makes you feel most comfortable?  For me, it’s skinny jeans, flowy tops and high heels.  For you, it might be a cute dress with flats or pants and a fitted top.  Figure out what you gravitate to, and then you will know the direction your signature look should take.   Once you are confident of your best style, you can add fun accessories and mix and match to your heart’s content!

HAVE FUN WITH IT.  As I mentioned in my opening statement, fashion is meant to be fun, so play with different pieces and don’t be afraid to try something new!  When a new trend arises that you are drawn to, figure out how to incorporate it into your own style.   For instance, the color of the year for 2016 is a pastel pink.  Pastels are typically hard to wear for most people, because they tend to “wash you out,” but you can still incorporate them into your wardrobe by choosing accessories in a pastel pink.  Think purses, shoes and even destroyed denim (another trend).

SCHEDULE A CHECK-IN. I recommend checking in with yourself and your wardrobe once a year to see what still works for you and what doesn’t.  Maybe a trend is waning, or you have found yourself weary of it.  Remove those items to make room for new pieces that will keep your personal style evolving and growing.

NEVER STOP LEARNING. Read books, visit blogs and find inspiration in current magazines.  The more you fill your mind with fashionable things, the more likely you are to replicate them.

STAY ORGANIZED. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the importance of being organized where style and fashion are concerned.  After all, that’s  where my professional organizing career began – I realized I couldn’t help people with their wardrobes, if I couldn’t see what was already in their closet.  Taking the time and energy to get and stay organized will definitely make finding and refining your personal style easier.

“Style is personality.  It’s having the ability to look at things beyond fashion and the self-confidence to transform even the simplest thing into something special.”  

~ Dolce & Gabbana