Style v Trend
Many of us would admit to having items sitting in our wardrobes bought on a whim that we wished we had not bought or that we have worn only once. Under the harsh light of recession and eco awareness we know we need shop more conscientiously. Its time to stop and reflect upon what style is and how we can achieve a stylish look without amassing so many garments each season.
The glut of cheap clothes that has swamped the high street over the last few years has meant we can buy so very much without thinking too hard. But more often than not that results in us buying things we really didn’t need and will hardly wear. However inexpensive, the cost adds up. It’s wasteful of money, resources and our time. Our shopping habits need to change. In order to do so we need to re-educate ourselves on what style is about.
The glossies these days are jam packed with articles on celebrity style. We are guided through the designer details of each item they are wearing and given the high street affordable version so that we can rush out and copy our favourite style icon.
There is a danger of becoming addicted to having the latest look, and overloading our credit cards buying one minute wonder trends. It doesn’t matter whether you are buying the high street version or the real thing the chances are you are probably spending more than you can afford and buying far more than you need. Secondly you are forgetting what suits you and buying into a lifestyle that is not yours.
True style is individual it can’t be copied. Gore Vidal said ‘style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn’. It’s about knowing who you are inside, deep inside and expressing that with clarity and confidence to the outside world.
When the clothes you wear match your ideal of beauty then you are really expressing who you are. Style is an expression of our own deep, secret self.
Today we have fabulous magazines and internet sites connecting us to the inspirational world of fashion design. Understanding how to translate the latest designs into buying garments that work for ourselves is what we sometimes fail to grasp. In a time hungry world we often shop in a hurry and let the high street lead us on what to buy.
Dressing well and looking good should be a creative experience that we should enjoy. By understanding our bodies and what suits us in terms of shape and colour, as well as selecting garments that reflect our personality, we can get so much pleasure out of dressing. Shopping then becomes a different more informed experience and less about getting a quick expensive fix.
Enjoying clothes and putting outfits together, mixing old with new, designer with high street is a creative and rewarding experience. It adds beauty to our lives. Having style is about buying garments that you love and appreciate and that you cherish.