Previous: What’s your lifestyle?
FB: Reese is casual but cute on her ‘off’ time
FB: But she can sure clean up for the Oscars!
Are you more of a woman who loves tight pencil skirts and crisp tailored shirts with a classic pair of heels? Or someone who is more casual in a chunky sweater with jeans and slouchy boots?
If you can’t figure out what your personal style actually is, take some time (maybe a day or so), and flip through all of your fashion magazines, marking or tearing out looks that really seem to appeal to you.
And if there aren’t any fashion mags around because you’ve just done a whole zen decluttering thing, go online to these gossip rag sites (here, here and here) or Google your FAVOURITE celebrities (Angelina Jolie? Reese Witherspoon? Dita von Teese? Lindsay Lohan?) and with a whole bunch of their favourite outfits saved on your computer, go through and really assess what it is you love about that look.
Is it Angelina’s casual but edgy style? The way she pairs jeans with a black tank top and fab sunglasses with boots and makes it work?
Or is it Dita’s more curvaceous, feminine, boudoir, burlesque type of style you gravitate towards?
After you put all the pictures together in one big pile, you’ll start to see themes and similar trends emerge. Either in colour (all black anyone?), in shape (mostly a-line skirts?), in fabric texture (all tweed, cotton..), or in details (ribbon around the waist, pinstripes, whatever).
There are no rules for personal style.
You could be very Rocker + Edgy (leather, black, chains) + Ethnic Twist (via wooden beads, or prints), with a touch of Feminine (A trimmed lace leather skirt).
Whatever it is, it’s you. It’s what you like, and what you gravitate towards, so pinpoint the couple of things that define what you would love for yourself then look at your wardrobe.
Does it match what you want yourself to be portrayed?
If you’re a Dita fan, I’m not talking about whether or not you have tons of corsets and uncomfortable burlesque wear, I’m talking about if you have tailored, comfortable pieces that have that hint of femininity in them (a bit of a lace at the bottom of your skirt for example) or pieces that remind you of something Dita would wear, but you’ve appropriated as your own.
But does your wardrobe tell you what you’re like? Does it match with your personal style? Do you see feminine touches? Lace? Ribbon? If not, don’t rush out, panic and start buying feminine things left and right to make it match with what you love.
The whole point of this is NOT to go out and spend a ton of money, it’s just to pinpoint what your style actually is, and how far “off” it is to what your wardrobe says what your personal style is. It’s just so you can be aware of where you’re spending your money and now you have the tools to consider how it fits into your lifestyle, what you actually have at home to make it work, and you can spend your money in a smarter way.
For example, I have a lot of formal business wear (collared shirts, pencil skirts, suits), but in real life, I tend to wear more structured sweaters, camisoles or more casual tops underneath those sweaters, trouser jeans, and wideleg pants to work instead because it’s all too uncomfortable and unnecessary for me to show up in that business gear, especially with public transportation.
I don’t even wear skirts or dresses to work. But I have a ton of them. Go figure! I’m paring down on those too, and making it a point to wear dresses and skirts when I go out with friends, or on weekends instead of wearing sweats sitting at home. But right now, it’s just too darn cold…
(And yes, I’ve been converted into a sweats fan but I wear them only at home)…
So my task/shopping goal, is definitely to pare down on my v. formal business wear down to some really fab pieces I love, and start buying quality sweaters that look business casual. By this, I do NOT mean chunky knits that have no shape. I’m talking about a soft sweater (not a knit) in a shape of a blazer with snaps down the front and a wrap around the waist to tie. It’s hard to really describe, but it works PERFECTLY with what I love to wear.
Business-like Wear + Comfort without being too formal.
Or, I buy business wear that is structured but in a more casual fabric like tweed, dark denim, or something instead of a crisp pinstripe or black.
But without this exercise, I couldn’t have figured out (well, maybe after some specific observations) that I am more a business casual woman who needs a backup business formal suit or two just in case. Oh, and that I really really love trouser jeans since I’ve almost worn mine to oblivion.
FB: I own something similar to the whole range, but for daily work I’d only wear the first two outfits on the left. Not so much on the full jacket options on the right.
Next: Determine what makes you feel fabulous
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SavingDiva
on Jan 2nd, 2008
@ 10:40 AM:
I’m still trying to figure out my personal style. I’m working on cleaning out my closet…clothes I don’t wear, are unrepairable or just don’t fit are out!
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Jan 2nd, 2008
@ 12:05 PM:
SavingDiva: YAY!!!
Personal style comes over time, just takes some observation but no need to rush. Just go slow and take your time so you don’t get overwhelmed 
Mel
on Jan 2nd, 2008
@ 2:00 PM:
I’m also working on the closet cleanout. I’ve managed to find over 40 shirts and pants that I can get rid of. It’s the most amazing feeling. I figure if I hadn’t worn it in several years or if I had forgotten I had it, then I didn’t need it and wouldn’t miss it. I even had a few tops that I remember looking at in the mornings and being like “Ugh…I really don’t want to wear that.” So, if I don’t want to wear it, then why the heck is it taking up precious closet space?
As a comedian once said, when it comes to fashion, women are like the head football coach. Your clothes have to make the team every year and if they don’t, they get cut.
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Jan 3rd, 2008
@ 10:23 AM:
Mel: I *heart* that quote
I’m already going through my wardrobe in my head, and I’m doing a major cut on a lot of shirts that are pilling and kind of ugly-ish.. quality from hereon!!! 
Let me know how it works out – send me pics if you want 
I’d love to do a post on it!