Coco Chanel, Nicole Kidman, Rachel Zoe, Amal and George Clooney, Lady Gaga. What do they have in common? STYLE….Not just ho hum style – Signature Style. You know that they live their style. It’s their Brand their Image and you expect and recognize their signature style as a statement of who they are, what they stand for and how they want to be seen.
Their clothes speak for them because they are the wordless introduction that speaks very loudly.
Here are my three basics for creating a powerful wordless introduction that screams your Signature Style.
Color – Proportion – Fit. “CIA” – Confidence in Action!
Color – 1stof all know that we have all been given a palette – comprised of Eye color, Hair color and Skin color. Easy to remember, those are your colors. It is best to wear your eye color or a color that compliments your eyes making them prominent, close to your face, it encourages trust and connection.
A couple of interesting facts about color – Offenders receive harsher sentences in court if they wear all black! I know everyone wears black to make them look slimmer or think it makes them look slimmer. However, there are options because 1 color any color blurs the dividing lines and makes the body look slimmer. So put on your creams, greens and blues much more appealing to those you meet – try it out.
The human eye takes longer to travel across patterned fabrics; there by making the body appear larger. Go figure.
Not saying you can’t or shouldn’t wear patterns, just be mindful of the scale. Good Rule of thumb if you feel like the garment is wearing you – then it probably is and just means the print, stripe or texture is too large or too small.
Color is your biggest asset – use it to enhance your appeal and set you apart.
Proportion– A wide should line creates a visual illusion that offsets wide hips. Think of Football players as they enter the playing field. When wearing skinny bottoms go with a loose top and conversely when wearing loose bottoms go with a snugger top. As well in utilizing your color palette the 2/3 – 1/3 rule. 2/3 of one color or pattern to 1/3 of another. It stacks the physique and creates an easy visual flow for the viewer.
Fit – Guys I don’t have to tell you how important tailoring is – as soon as you get a new garment you trot right off to the tailor for customizing, hemming, shoulder adjustments whatever. Ladies, why do we think off the rack means ready to be worn??? Why do you think everyone on the Red Carpet looks like their clothes were made for them – because they were fitted to them? A slight adjustment can take a Wal-Mart garment and make it look like it came from Neiman Marcus. Need I say more…find a good tailor and make them your new BFF.
Dressing to do what you do should be FUN!!! Are you having fun selecting your outfits for the day, the week, a vacation, conference or family occasion?
Do you love what you see in the mirror before you leave the house? It’s not pretty when we are uncomfortable in our wrapper – we tug and pull and wiggle and squirm. Is that presenting the confident, radiant capableness of who you are?
Signature Style, Find it, Love it, Live it.
