I think we look in our closets and our life sometimes and think to ourselves... " I have nothing to wear!"...
The trick is understanding what statement we want to make and what best suits us. There are a multitude of influences to fashion from early cave men, to the ancient greeks to the old west and each one will make it's own unique statement in modern fashion. Previously I wrote in Designing Life about some designers and the influences they made in fashion... Since I tend to like updated classics best; the clothing and designers who have captivated me most are those that have an interesting spin on fabric and color choices, how it's cut as well as fine tailoring and diversity in construction and subtle design details. I don't want to loose you in a whirlpool of explaining that colors can work together by either by harmonizing or contrasting and the relationship of texture and fabric weight are all paramount in putting it all together and making it work for you... all of these issues are a blog directed to solely to fabric and color profiling so perhaps I'll revisit all of that another time.
I think it's really important for everyone to stand in good lighting in front of a full length mirror completely naked and make a list of your best and worst features... because by doing this you will know what you want to enhance and show off and what you may need to conceal and downplay slightly. Understanding your body type and shape is the first step of knowing what to put on... or not... from here being well dressed is knowing who you are and what you want to project to the world... but underlining all of this is the importance of not looking uncomfortable in what you are wearing either because it does not fit properly or it simply does not suit you.
Probably the biggest influence of a certain style for me is Nautical because it all comes together for me very easily and I'm partial to pairing navy blue and white...
One of the things for me with this is how easy it is to take any of these pieces and put it with a pair of blue jeans and a navy blazer to create a slightly more dressed down city version. (I still have an old Ralph Lauren classic blazer (when they were still made in Italy) and it looks as fresh today as when I bought it years ago)
Did you know?...
I know how to sew and I know how to replace buttons but if I had to say what one of the most important staples in my wardrobe is I would have to say the white cotton tee shirt.
In down time and recreation I tend to favor the influences of active sportswear...
A friends mother once commented to me... "You are the only person I know who can look stunning in sweat pants and tennis shoes!" it's one of the nicest compliments I've ever received.
When it comes to business I take a page from the tailored influence... because no matter what profession you are in it's important to look great but it's perhaps more important that your attire fits perfectly... if yours does not take them to a tailor; you will be amazed at the difference.
I also favor the Ivy League influence or what has become to be known as "Preppy"... but a little of this goes a long way for me and I tend to pair an item or two with classics.
After the holidays in January I tend to work the layered look because it covers a multitude of the sins of over eating and drinking during the holidays with little or no time to go to the gym... I've really never followed the military influence and have on occasion dabbled in the influences of western attire... but mainly in Santa Fe and Colorado... I just can't make cowboy boots and Stetson hat work for me in New York or Hawaii... there are those who do... I'm just not one of them... it's sort of the same with Revivalism in fashion... I just don't really feel comfortable in vintage or antique clothing... and it all goes back to being comfortable with what you have on... I guess if I had to be completely honest I like formal attire or beach/resort wear equally. Every time I've ever worn a tuxedo it's always been festive and fun... and almost always when visiting resorts it's been an experience that I've never forgotten...
Maybe one of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to look in a full length mirror each and every time you put yourself together and ask yourself "Is this the look I want to project to the world today? (because it changes with occasions and places) if not put something else on... or maybe it's as simple as taking something off that just does not quite work with the big picture of your look that day.
I'm going to leave you with a few practical things that everyone should know... and I'm amazed at the number of people who don't based on some of the conversations I've eavesdropped on over the years.
As I said last week, clothing is not as important as is the person underneath them and the life you are living in them... If you remember nothing else of what I said this week... please remember this...
See you next week!
