Style Comes from Within

Have you lost your sense of style?  Do you feel as if you never had one to begin with?  I hear from many women that they have no idea what their style is, or how to find it.  My best advice?  Don’t look outside yourself – look within.

Say what?  While style may seem to be external, it is simply an expression of who you are from the inside out.  When how you dress on the outside matches who you are on the inside, it’s a recipe for success any way you look at it. 

You don’t have to tell me how many things are on your to do list or how busy you are.  I’m right there with you and I know there are a million reasons why you’ve lost touch with your personal style.  Yet the day you wake up and look in the mirror, only to realize that you don’t recognize (or connect with) the woman you see in the mirror, you will be in for a shock.  But before you become overwhelmed, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you get your groove back and get in touch with your own style.

1/ Who are you now?  Chances are your style has changed over the years and what worked for you then doesn’t support you now.  Define your life, including your day to day tasks, your hobbies and your passions.  Wear clothing that flatters your body type and your stature.  Work with what you have, including your hair, and you’ll find your style will emerge effortlessly and gracefully. 

2/ What do you want to create?  Cultivating your own signature style starts with knowing what you want to look like.  Do you want to wear more color?  Create a more fun look?  Be more sophisticated?  What speaks to your heart?  What’s always caught your eye?  What do you secretly wish you were wearing right now?  Answer these questions honestly and you’ll start to get a good idea of what style expresses you authentically.

3/ What does your perfect outfit look like?  On any given day, what would your perfect outfit consist of?  Define and describe it as best as you can and you’ll be on your way to getting clear on what your style is.  If what you want to wear is vastly different from what you do wear, you’re bound to feel disconnected.  A few  small changes can help you move things in a new direction, boost your confidence and leave you feeling great about yourself!

4/ What’s missing?  If your wardrobe is filled with black and devoid of color, perhaps you want to bring in more brights and prints.  Or if you’re stuck in a rut perhaps bringing in accessories or changing things up a bit can help you to bring out your style – or discover a new one!

5/ What does my image say?  When you ask yourself openly and honestly what your image says about you before you even open your mouth, you’ll know if you need to make some changes.  If it’s not saying what you want it to, first define what you want it to say and then map out a plan to get there.

Cultivating your own style takes work but it doesn’t have to feel like work.  Make it fun!  Take some time to pull out pictures, images or words that you resonate with to help you discover who you are now and what your authentic style looks like.

Do You Look Like Your Mother?

Growing up we always hear comparisons of ourselves to our parents.  My daughter started out looking just like her dad but now is looking more and more like me (she still has his blonde hair and blue eyes, though).  I’ve always been told I look just like my mother and the older I get the more that seems to be true.  I am flattered with the comparison because I think my mom is one of the most beautiful women I know!

Yet sometimes being compared to your mother, or feeling like you look like your mother, isn’t necessarily what you want.  I heard from a woman recently who caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and gasped when she realized she looked like her mother.  No matter what your mother looks like, that feeling that we have arrived at an age we will eternally think of our mothers being brings on a lot of emotions.  While it can be empowering to have transformed into the woman you were meant to be, it can also be earth shattering to realize that we’re at ‘that age’ and aren’t really where we thought we’d be.  While it was ok for our mother’s to look ‘old’, it’s not ok for us to, and feeling this way can certainly be a wake-up call. 

If you’ve been feeling a little frumpy lately – or if you’ve been too busy to even think about it, here are a few quick tips for updating your look without the overwhelm:

1/ Your hair style – nothing can date you faster than your hair and makeup.  Aside from the colors you wear, your hair is the first thing people notice about you.  If your gray roots are growing in, giving you an unkempt two-tone appearance, you haven’t had a haircut in years or you’re sporting the same style you did in college, then get to the salon stat!  I recommend Samuel Cole Salon (link to www.samuelcole.com) where they offer complimentary consultations and some of the most up-to-the-minute styling.  Ask for Kristina to schedule your consultation or appointment and to receive the One Chic Mama VIP discount and star treatment.

2/ Your make-up – Makeup can work wonders to boost your image and help you look years younger.  If you haven’t changed your foundation or your colors recently, now is a great time to re-evaluate what you’re wearing as well as your skincare needs.  There are many great lines out there.  I recommend asking a professional for a recommendation, or a trusted friend whose makeup you admire.

3/ Your Colors – If you’ve had your colors done recently, then you know what your best colors are and how to wear color to help you look more vibrant.  If not, you may want to consider a color consultation to learn how to bring out your eyes, your hair and make your skintone look vibrant and luminous, just with the use of color. As you age, the pigment fades in your skin and certain colors that used to look good on you may now make you look washed out.  Take note of how you feel when you wear certain colors and adjust accordingly.

4/ Your Clothes – Does what you wear age you?  If you’ve been wearing the same clothes for years without any updates, then it’s time to bring your look up-to-date.  Add in some fresh colors, get some new shoes and a new handbag (these 2 items alone can make a huge difference) and give your look a modern spin.  Be foreward – DON”T go the opposite direction and shop in the juniors department.  Looking youthful doesn’t mean looking younger.  Find a happy medium in an age-appropriate look that flatters your body type and brings out your best!

5/ Your Attitude – Do you wake up feeling confident and vibrant each day?  If not, try a little attitude adjustment.  Start with some gratitude and list everything you’re grateful for.  Do something new that brings a smile to your face, bust out of your routine and shake things up a bit.  Being set in your ways is the fastest path to looking and feeling ‘old’ but the good news is that it can easily be changed.  Try a new cereal, a new route to work, a new coffeeshop, and see how small changes can add up to a new perspective on your day – and your life!

Are You Looking Cute in Your Suit?

When it comes to business casual dress, it can be tricky to know what to wear.  While your tendency may be to lean towards dark neutrals, I'd like to encourage you to mix it up a bit and add a pop of color.  This poppy-hued jacket would be the perfect complement to a brown, tan or even black skirt and would help bring your look current in a flash.

You can find this look and many more work-appropriate items that are anything but boring at the Limited.  This past week I had the pleasure of helping to kick off the grand opening of a brand new Limited store here in North Carolina.  Triangle Towne Center now boasts a Limited and it is a lovely store.  With many bubbly sales associates who check on you often in the fitting room and refer to you by name thanks to their modern fitting room complete with white boards on the doors, you're sure to get great service.  But look out! Your biggest problem just may be narrowing down your decisions.

I have loved the Limited for years but have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by their array of clothing that is appropriate for both work and weekend and can help you keep your chic in check without blowing the budget.  This weekend you can get 40% off in stores and online, so take a peek and see what you can add to boost your style iQ.

Giveaway:
One Chic Mama is excited to be giving away two (2) $50 gift cards to the Limited to 2 lucky winners.  To be entered, simply leave a comment and tell me what you most need help with when it comes to your style.  The deadline to enter is Friday, May 25, 2012 at midnight.    

Earn Your Stripes

You may have noticed that stripes are everywhere this season yet it’s no secret that they are also very much a classic and are never really out of style. This is great news because it means that those of you who have had striped tops in your closet for years are one step ahead of the pack. Yet you definitely don’t want to wear yours stripes in the same old way you always do.

One of the keys to wearing stripes (or any other timeless look that happens to be trendy) is to put a fresh spin on it. Ask yourself ‘what’s unexpected?’ and opt for a look that gives your old stripes a new lease on life.

Here are few suggestions for taking your stripes to a new level and helping you to look right on trend:

1/ Pair your classic navy striped top with a gorgeous pair of melon trousers and gladiator sandals for a look that says transcontinental chic. Sure, white jeans or pants would look great too, but the melon gives it a modern spin and helps you look up to the minute.

2/ Wear your striped cardigan with a long, flowing skirt in a similar color, then pop it with a camisole in a color that’s in direct contrast. This unexpected pop of color will kick colors such as mustard (that can easily fall flat when teamed with neutrals) up several notches and inject some energy into your look.

3/ Your orange striped top is already unexpected, but teaming it with a contrasting green skirt amps up your style IQ and gives you a whole new sense of playfulness. Add some orange platform booties for a contemporary look or opt for nude sandals to play your look down.

4/ A striped fitted tank gets revved up with a pink fishtail skirt that puts the spotlight on your beautiful legs. The green wedges are a bonus and bring a 3rd color into the combination for maximum attitude.

5/ Your wide navy top has never looked better than when teamed with turquoise jeans and mint flats. The play on color is fresh and understated, while looking oh-so-right.

Taking your stripes to a whole new level can be easy! Just remember, keep your stripes in proportion to your personal scale and you’ll look fabulous.

Email me at michele@onechicmama.com to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how my StyleFinder™ System can help you to dress for who you truly are, in all aspects of your life. Michele@onechicmama.com or 919-828-7529.