Fashion Sense- Inherited or Developed?
Spring has sprung and what has surfaced are sheer materials in dresses, skirts, and tops. Denim is back and heavy in force from skirts to tops and metallics like gold, silver, and lame’ grace the runway and the streets. The beauty is that these materials can be worn with like colors and materials or mixed and matched to suit your individual taste be it eclectic, retro, Parisian, streetwear, or classic, you choose.
Is fashion sense inherited or developed? I believe it is both. I inherited my fashion sense from my mother. Sometimes I start with one piece and end up following through to a style I did not intend. I like experimenting with clothing and accessories to see what works. Of course, you should be “fashion correct” for the occasion or environment you are in but, the trick is to have enough self-confidence to follow through with what you came up with and dare to be different. Different is good!
Women dress for other women. To some degree, that’s true. Women are the most critical of the clothing other women wear. That’s not altogether a bad thing. Seeing other women’s outfits can motivate a woman to step-up her fashion game and other times it garners competitiveness. I compliment women and men on their outfits and shoes. God, I love a cute shoe! I may even ask, “Where did you get that?” They may tell me, or not. I’ve been asked, “How to choose an outfit if I have no fashion sense?” I know a woman who buys everything on the mannequin or from the model they saw in the magazine because she has no sense of fashion. By that I mean, no sense of how to put clothing and accessories together. It’s reasonable to just buy the entire outfit on the mannequin if you have no sense of fashion. The only problem is that everything on the mannequin may not work for your body type or your vibe. Everyone has a vibe. Like anything else, you must work at it until you find your niche. Yes, it takes patience, time, and trial and error to understand what works for you and if you need help, just ask.
Here is a list of do's to find what works for you. Be creative, be unique, and have fun!
- Spend time in the mirror to get used to your body type and try on different pieces (fitted or loose) to see what you like.
- Seek inspiration in magazines, and learn about the different styles of dresses, shoes, pants, etc. to really understand fashion.
- You really don’t have to break the bank to look exceptional or even couture. Shop at consignment shops, Goodwill, and online stores to see what speaks to you and sparks your creative juices.
- Own what you like and be confident in what you wear and how you put it together.
- If you’re unsure about what you put together, seek a second opinion from another woman.