The
new measure of chic is the ability to dress in your own individual style — a
look that can’t be copied because it’s your distinct signature.
This trend began when Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie
Bradshaw, first graced the screen with her Patricia
Make your own kind of music:
the trend began when Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie
Bradshaw, first graced the screen with Patricia Field’s outfits
in HBO’s ‘Sex and the City.‘
Field’s-designed
outfits in HBO’s “Sex and the City.” Suddenly the bar
was raised, America applauded and fashion designers, fashion stylists,
image consultants and fashionistas the world over scrambled to decode
and interpret the trend. Sadly enough — I’m still in mourning — the
hit series ended after a long and successful run, but Carrie’s
look is still the epitome of chic for the sophisticated urban woman or
man.
The look relies on breaking the rules: choosing colors, patterns, shapes
and proportion all mixed in unexpected ways with combinations of hats,
belts, bags, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. It’s a look your
mother would never have worn; she would have matched her bag to her shoes,
her dress to her coat and her accessories would have been completely…well,
appropriate.
To achieve this look, there’s no need to take a second mortgage on
your mansion. Unlike Carrie, you can shop in places other than Dolce & Gabbana,
Dior, Vuitton, Chanel and Oscar de la Renta. You needn’t wear only
Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos. You can shop at The Gap, Banana Republic,
Kenneth Cole, Anthropologie, Belk and Nordstrom.
If you can afford it, hire an image consultant or fashion stylist to help
you achieve this insouciant, irreverent look or go to a local, aforementioned
retailer for help and advice. Or, better still, raid your own closet and
start rethinking how you can mix and create new outfits from your current
fare.
Here are some ways to get started:
Not everything has to match
Lose the matching suit and take the pinstripe jacket and pair it with a
floral pant or geometric skirt and add a polka-dot top. To create the panache
you need, choose a similar color theme, toss it all in a blender and see
what emerges. And never, ever, ever wear a denim jacket with denim pants
or a leather jacket with leather pants.
Don’t copy
If you buy and wear each item you see displayed on a mannequin, you’re
bound to see yourself over and again. Quelle horror! Don’t buy each
piece you see displayed together in the store. Scout the stores and your
own closet to choose alternative items and colors that work to create a
look as unique as your DNA.
Lose the traditional jacket
Most men and women already have matching jackets and trousers or skirts.
To create something new and different, try a trendier, updated top: a cropped
jacket, suede jacket, denim jacket, zip-front cardigan, long, buttoned
cardigan, shrug or bolero are all great alternatives to the classic suit
jacket.
Make it work
When it comes to sizing, manufacturers love to play havoc with our insecurities.
In one designer, you may wear a 6 or 32. In another, you may wear an 8
or 34. To get it right, don’t fret over the size. Have most of your
clothing tailored by an expert who wields his needle with the same precision
as a surgeon. Your tailor is your secret weapon in your quest to look your
best. Clothes that fit well will always look expensive; conversely, clothes
that fit poorly will always look cheap.
It’s all in the details
Think outside the box when you accessorize. Belts, scarves, jewelry, gloves,
glasses, hats, bags, shoes and sunglasses can turn a classic sweater and
pant combo into fashion nirvana. A simple grey suit can become dazzling
with red shoes and a purple handbag. Remember, your mom would have worn
grey shoes and bag.
Don’t get discouraged
So you paired a flannel shirt with a black Donna Karan skirt and it flopped.
Will you die? I don’t think so. Practice makes perfect and your best
friend can be a full-length mirror. Learn to edit. By adding here and subtracting
there on a regular basis, you’ll soon learn the tricks that we fashion
pros have known for years.
You may never be lucky enough to date Mr. Big, Aidan or Petrovsky; you
may never have your own hit show on HBO, but you can look as if you do.
It’s all in creating a look that is your unique stamp. One that can
never be copied or duplicated — only envied.
— Edward Norman is an Image Consultant, Master Designer and Colorist
and the owner of Edward Norman Image Consulting. He can be reached at 704-614-0207
or by email at qstyle1@yahoo.com.
Want more Q-Style? Click here for an
archived
listing.
