Allie from Wardrobe Oxygen wrote a FANTASTIC piece on how a woman achieves effortless, personal style.
Couple of my favourite parts of the article:
For a week, keep a style journal. Note what you wore (and what condition it was in), how you styled your face and hair and what events took place during the day. Notice how people look at you, respond to you, what comments or compliments you receive..
If you leave your house in something that you don’t love and does not love you, you will not look polished, composed or comfortable. Maybe it’s a dress that is a smidge too tight, a blouse that requires a few carefully hidden safety pins to keep your bra from public view, a sweater made from a fabric that itches and of a color you don’t really like but seems popular this season.
How does the garment wear throughout the day? Does that chic pencil skirt end up resembling your venetian blinds by noon?
But what pieces make you walk tall and feel good? Maybe it’s that matte jersey wrap dress you found for $10 on a clearance rack at Macy’s, or a cashmere turtleneck in robin’s egg blue that you bought with your holiday bonus. Possibly it’s a frilly feminine confection that makes you feel as though you have been transported from a different time period, or a black suit that has been tailored to fit your shape like a glove.
When I say “good,” I don’t mean comfortable.
These [sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc] are not clothes that make you feel beautiful, strong, confident, sexy, creative, unique, daring or feminine. These are clothes that attempt to recreate the womb or your bed.
You never see a “polished” woman in cabbage roses, brand logos and bedazzled fabrics. The simpler your pieces, the more versatile they are, the more flattering they are, the more timeless they will be.
No matter her shape, size or age, a polished woman has accepted her frame and purchases garments that work to her advantage.
Stylish, polished women hardly ever wear obvious brand names. So many times, a fashionista is stopped after attending a runway show or a gala and is asked who she is wearing and we find out that fabulous frock is from Club Monaco or that perfect-fitting shirt is from Gap.
You got rid of the impossible dream to be Grace Kelly, now get rid of all those lists that say you need X perfect pieces to be well-dressed. I’m talking about that crisp white shirt, that trench coat, that pencil skirt, and the little black dress.
Read the rest of the entire, fabulous article here because Allie goes on to give you really fabulous tips about how to get to that polished perfection you crave.
- rk Clothing (Canada only, sorry!)
- Dressin’ sexy in the workplace
- White House Black Market love
- When did looking like trash constitute as style?
- The Wardobe Series is starting
Megan
on Dec 27th, 2007
@ 10:18 PM:
Hello! I discovered your blog a few days ago (I think through a comment you posted somewhere…maybe My Wardrobe Today?) and have to say – I think I was meant to find your blog! I read a post you made that included things like only buying necessary toiletries and no more makeup and I really liked it. I need to do the same thing because I’m a sucker for little makeup kits, fancy makeup stuff, and ‘stocking up’ when I see discounted H2O+ stuff. I think I have enough shower and bath stuff to clean a small country!
Anyway – I’m going to follow your blog and use it as inspiration to stop spending so much on things I don’t need just because they’re on sale, come with a free gift, etc. So thank you and keep up the good work!
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Dec 28th, 2007
@ 9:08 AM:
Megan: I am so happy the posts have inspired you to buy less!!!
It’s also better for the world in general to have less consumerism fever in it
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Allie
on Dec 28th, 2007
@ 3:47 PM:
Awww, so glad you liked the post!
And you know I adore your blog!
Meg from The Bargain Queens & All About Appearances
on Jan 1st, 2008
@ 12:07 AM:
Wow, I missed this post of yours somehow, FB. I linked over to Allie’s post, too. I believe I didn’t schedule it till tomorrow, though. You’re next ; )
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Jan 2nd, 2008
@ 8:58 AM:
Meg: Allie has some really fab posts…!!
Thanks for the linkage!
Girl and Cents
on Jan 10th, 2008
@ 6:27 PM:
I LOVE that wallet! i’m a fan of tiny wallets…I’ve been using the skinny mini from coach for years, but the one you just bought looks sleek and compact. It’s almost making me want to switch back to a bigger wallet!
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Jan 10th, 2008
@ 8:44 PM:
Girl and cents: believe it or not girl, I swear it put on 5 pounds because that sucka is HEAVY when I lift it now :\
I think I stuffed it too full with coins.. LOL…
It’s quite sleek/compact without being too heavy, but it’s DEFINITELY a heavy duty purse, that’s for sure….