I have been thinking a lot about what style actually is, who has it and whether we can all achieve it.
Walking through the streets of Milan, Rome, Verona and even the small town of Tarquinia in Italy, I am constantly struck by how stylish someone looks, but they are all differently dressed.
Yes, some of them are dressed “classically,” and that is more often than not how we imagine a stylish person to be. But, I recently saw a girl walking up to the college near my house and she was dressed in a black lace dress, with a purple jacket over the top, ripped tights and Doc Martin boots! She certainly had style, even if it wasn’t what I would wear!
To be stylish you don’t have to conform to any rules or regulations. In fact, the more stylish a person is, in my opinion, the less they obey the rules. It is all a matter of confidence and how comfortable they are in their own body and with their own way of dressing.
Of course, having style isn’t just about the clothes you wear, it is about how you carry yourself, how well-groomed you are, how you live your life, talk, decorate your house - the list is endless. But, the first thing we all notice are the clothes. These are the first chapters of the story you tell about yourself.
It also doesn’t matter what size or body shape you are. We tend to associate slim, “elegant”, figures with style, but a plus-size woman can be just as stylish if she knows how to dress for her body shape and is confident in her body.
So, yes style is something we can all achieve, but why is it important?
Well, style isn’t something you put on every time you dress. It isn’t a case of putting on a smart suit, or a large hat and tottering around in killer heels. I think it is an intrinsic part of who you are. Your style tells a story about you and lets everyone know what you think about yourself and also what you want them to think about you.
Most people don’t really care, or have time to think about other people - so what you portray on to them, (rather like screening a film or video onto a blank wall), is what they will think, 9 times out of 10.
This is why it is SO important to dress for who you are, your own personality, rather than how you think others think you should dress. You need to be comfortable in your own skin and in your own clothes. This is a huge part of being stylish.
Whatever your personal style, be it leggings and t-shirts, or classic shift dresses and heels, to be “stylish” means caring about your appearance and about yourself. If leggings are your thing, wear them “intentionally”, clean, well-fitting, matched with other items, modestly covering parts that shouldn’t be on display. Look at yourself in the mirror from all angles and make adjustments. Look as though you care, rather than as if you have thrown your outfit on for comfort.
The same goes for any other style you might wear. Remember that you are not always viewed from the front! You are in 3D and the back and side views are just as important.
Does it really matter? Oh yes - it really does!
If you give up on your clothes and therefore your style, you are giving up on yourself. And believe me when I say - you are the most important person in the world and you deserve the best. If you won’t give it to yourself, how do you expect anyone else to give it to you?
Want to read more about style? Why not try https://www.elinorsedit.com/post/why-is-style-so-important
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