I was chatting with a friend yesterday and told him that I was headed out to tape fall trend episodes for Fashion Cents. He jokingly asked me if I was wearing my “boots”? Now I own tons of boots but he was referring to my favorite pair of cowboy boots. I have had these orange — some people think they are red but THEY ARE ORANGE (yes, I’m a little sensitive) — okay, back to the point, I have had these orange boots for years. Every year I take them to my cobbler to get them ready for the new fall/winter season. And I will tackle anything to wear them.
One year when I was living in NYC, I took them to my favorite cobbler in SoHo. I headed back a week later to pick them up and, in excitement, I burst through the door to find him sitting on the toilet. The place was so small upfront that the bathroom faced the tiny waiting area and for some reason he hadn’t closed the door; maybe he needed it to air out because I think I smelled it before I saw him. Anyway, I closed the door and sat out on the front stoop and waited. The discomfort was not going to stop me from getting my boots.
Okay, what does all of that have to do with you? Well, we have spent a ton of time talking about fall trends but what about YOUR staples. Things that are always in your closet because they are a reflection of you. These items will make you look different than everyone else who is wearing the trend. So think about what item you might want to be your signature style for the fall seasons.
Webster defines signature as something (as a tune, style, or logo) that serves to set apart or identify; also : a characteristic mark. Note: the definition is singular so only pick one item for your signature style (unless you’re Gwen Stefani — check out the video below to see what influenced her signature styles).
What to choose? Choose something you love wearing, that is truly flattering and you love shopping for it. Don’t just thumb through fashion magazines and decide on an item that’s in trend for the season. Your signature style should last you for years and truly compliment you. It might change as you grow over time but it is not meant to be as fleeting as the fall fashion trends (hence, my cowboy boots). Your signature style can be a color, a fragrance, an accessory, a hem length, a hairstyle, and even makeup.
Still not clear, here are some examples:
1. My aunt was wearing several gold chains around her neck before it became a trend and now that the trend is gone, she still wears them. We would wonder what was wrong if she didn’t have them on. They compliment her
2. A friend of mine loves scarves and she wears them with everything and in every way. She might use them as a belt, or a tie, or really, as a scarf. Sometimes they are wrapped around her arm like a cuff bracelet and other times tied on to her purse.
3. My grandmother and I share a common feature, well, I’m sure more than one but I have her legs. We love our legs and show them off all the time. Now my granny does it more than I do, even now. She NEVER wears anything over her knees. If she finds a dress she loves and it is longer then knee length, she has it cut off. My grandmother, like Tina Turner, is known for her legs. What signature style.
4. One of my best guy friends loves unique belt buckles. We are guaranteed that he won’t show up anywhere with his pants sacking because he will be wearing a belt with a very interesting buckle.
Okay, so what will you be known for? Need help? Send me comments below and I’ll help you identify your signature style.
Make sense?
Need more help with How to Style? Visit the page for other How to Style posts.
