Stepping Into a New Style

Last week I discussed the desire of many women to return to chic, to take pride in their unique image and return their jeans and T-shirts to their original purpose - rough work, like gardening and home renovation.

They want to feel elegant and sometimes even glamorous. They want to establish their own style and not feel constrained to wear the ubiquitous modern uniform of jeans or track pants and T-shirt, Hoodie, Sweatshirt.

And that’s where your friends come in. You can’t do it without them because no one wants to be a misfit, so you have to bring them along with you. The easiest way is to recruit accomplices. Talk to two or three of your closest friends. See if they would be interested in participating in your style upgrade project. If they’re close friends, it’s very likely that they, like you, feel restless for style change and they’d love to get involved.

So, we begin with jeans & T-shirts and we’re aiming for modern chic. Don’t start by throwing out the jeans & T’s—you’ll always wear them sometimes. If you start slowly, you won’t alienate  the friends who aren’t directly engaged in the project. 

Job one is to upgrade your current jewelry and accessories. Wear scarves - start with knitted ones, you’ll get to silk a little later on. 

You probably already wear earrings. Now try wearing actual necklaces, not just tiny chains. 

Don’t get too fancy until you’re ready to put the T-shirts away and move on to elegant shirts and pretty blouses with your jeans.

Next, start wearing your skirts and dresses. I know you have some. You should wear them once or twice a week and not just to visit elder relatives.

You might pause here for a few weeks and let your friends get used to the changes you’re  making. Let them absorb it all. But, particularly if you’ve recruited a couple of cohorts, you might already see your other friends adopting some of the measures you’re taking.

This would be a good time to get that neck-up makeover. Fresh hair and make-up can not only make you look like a new woman, they’ll make you feel like you’re moving into that new style dimension. 

Use a little caution, though. Especially If you’re young, hairdressers and make-up artists love to persuade clients to try something “New and Exciting.” Resist! You’re going for Chic and Classy, not outrageous.

You might try going with your accomplices to lend support. Beauty professionals can be pretty overbearing when they want you to do something they think makes themselves and their salon look cutting-edge. 

But it’s not your job to make them or their salon look trendy. Your job is to make you look good. So, am I speaking from experience? Oh, yes, yes I am. I have pictures to prove it. And no, I will not publish them.

A word here about footwear. You may love your combat boots and other heavy-footed gear. They’re fine with jeans, which you’re still going to wear. But, what they tend to do is make you walk like a man. That’s probably not what you’re going for.  And, while many stylists somehow still think they’re edgy, the look has actually been hanging around since the early ‘90s. Time to move on. Lightweight boots, pumps, loafers and ballet flats will serve you much better.

Next week I’ll get into colors and coordinating and wardrobe building. These are among the most fun aspects of stepping Into a New Style. You’ll love it!

- Gabrielle