I Dress to Impress & Style Myself...Mostly
This a short and sweet post on curating your style with a little challenge at the end.
I recently had a conversation with a friend about the outfits I wore to the Consumer Electronics Show (#CES) in Vegas earlier this year. She commented on how I was able to incorporate different colors, textures, and cuts to make my outfits stylish but still professional.
More importantly, she shared with me how she is scared to do it in her own office environment.
BUT, she's also tired of seeing the same old "boxy" womenswear, she herself also wears said same "boxy" attire. She went on to tell me how the conservative company culture she works in makes it difficult to wear something more stylish for fear of standing out too much or ruffling feathers.
I was in Vegas for 36 hours and had approximately 6 client meetings where not only was my executive leadership in those meetings but also senior leaders for the clients I was presenting to. Cue the fire engine red coat, Pepto pink pants, pussy bow tops, ruffled shirts, and silver vintage oxfords.
Unfortunately, I know my friend's fear all too well. In the #automotive industry, the uniform is pretty much a variation of neutrals. Since the industry is male-dominated, it’s not unusual for me to be the only female in the room. I’m already going to stand out just by gender and age alone, so why not stand out on my own terms? I'm going to dress to impress myself.
My advice to her is to start with something small. A neck scarf, for example, is unique and could be tied or tucked under the collar of a shirt. If it was too stressful, she could always take it off. Recently, she wore the scarf and got tons of compliments No need to jump off the deep end with pink pants unless you really want to.
You can start with something small. Style, IMO, is a medium that should showcase personality.
You can never be overdressed or over-educated - Oscar Wilde
There's often a distinction women make in their closets. Work and not work attire. I don't think you need the distinction. I wear blazers to the office and out to dinner with friends. Or silver platforms with wide-legged slacks. I've curated my closet so different pieces can support multiple functions.
I have decision points and guidelines that I mentally pass through when I'm deciding on new pieces. I want these pieces to excite me and impress me when I pull them together for a 'look'. These guidelines inform my entire wardrobe work and non-work.
Here are a few of the decision points I go through when adding a piece to my wardrobe.
Is it classic or is it a statement? The bag and boots are statement pieces
Do I already have it in a different variation? The dress, yes, synched waist, a line skirt
Is the designer sustainable or is the fabric used sustainably? Most of the outfit was purchased secondhand. The dress is silk.
Is it unique (limited quantity, bespoke, one of a kind, etc) While the boots were mass-produced, the scarf is one of a kind.
Is it a natural fabric or a mostly natural fabric blend? The dress and scarf are silk.
Will I wear it again or is it a one-hit wonder (OHW)? Suede-style cowboy boots could be OHW, wicker bag is classic
This rule is new, does my husband have an opinion? He picked out the bag actually.
Also, the outfit I'm wearing I can easily wear in a professional setting with a few swaps and additions. Scarf for a blazer, cowboy style boots for riding boots, or ankle boots, the purse for a work tote, and adding a pair of tights
Try adding one piece - that's a little different than your norm but part of a style you want to curate. If you don't like it, you don't have to keep it and try something else.
Here’s my challenge for you if you’re overwhelmed trying to figure out how to curate your style, and collect pieces that will impress you whenever you get dressed.
What dictates your style? Is it form first, function second, and fit third? If so, why? If not, re-order and define why.
My style is dictated by fit first, then function and form tied. Am I symptomatic or bloated? Then I’m going to have a loser fit with natural fabrics that can be styled for the occasion I’m dressing for.
What is your budget? This is massively important - your closet shouldn’t be keeping you from your financial goals (cue SATC where Carrie needs 40k to buy her apartment).
My budget is roughly about $500/per month. This has to cover everything - including stuff I may buy for the house. If I want a more expensive statement piece then I need to save up over time.
What do you want your style to say about you? There’s no wrong answer.
My personality of the day should be represented by my style - Am I out to be a fashionista, headed to yoga and need to rock the athleisure, going to a supper club and want to dress up jeans but have space for a few glasses of wine, or sultry date night with hubby?
What are your staples? The pieces you can buy in multiple colors, fabrics, and or styles if you’re feeling fancy - what are they, and who makes them? Keep up with the brands that work for you.
My staples are white Oxford button-downs by Van Laack or Cloth & Stone, Cashmere by Favorite Daughter, Joes Jeans or 7 for all mankind, The Winnie Pant by J.Crew (this piece is transitioning out of my closet atm), and Lululemon for casual/athleisure to name a few - I have more and I'll do a closet deep dive in a different post.
You don't have to rock pink pants or a fire engine red coat, but you should feel confident in what you wear. If you're afraid to express a bit of yourself in any situation because you don't know if it will be received well, ask yourself, are you dressing to impress yourself, or do you feel the need to blend in a little today?
Neither is right or wrong, but rather your choice. If you do decide to select and add a few more pieces, remember this - the first step is the hardest, like any new habit, it takes time and memory to develop. And, a little discipline to keep. The more aware you are of how you’re curating your style today, the more confident you'll feel in mixing and matching pieces in the future.
Tag me in your #curatedstyle progress using the C&C hashtags (listed next to my signature), "I dress to impress myself" caption, and my handle. I’ll be sure to feature and follow you.
With brutal honesty, wrapped in good intentions,
@yasmeenemilia