Happy Tuesday – you have stopped by in the middle of a discussion on developing personal style…pull up a chair. Why is it important? Because the way you look on the outside can help you feel more confident and joyful on the inside. All of this working together has the possibility of bringing opportunities your way–no matter your age!
Once we learn how to have clothes, hair, makeup, skincare, and health work for us, then peace with ourselves can settle in and take residence. We will leave the house each day with a smile and solid confidence.
I began this series with a discussion about the messages we desire to send with our style decisions, followed by the importance of finding looks on other women we admire. When I turned fifty, and decided to take better care of myself, I became a student of what others write and say about style.
Today, I would like to share with you a few of the quotes, I found to be extremely helpful. Join me as we hear from the professionals in the world of personal style:
1. “What you wear and how you wear it has a domino effect.” Judith Rasband, certified image master and director of the Conselle Institute for Image Management, refers to the universal effects of image. This phrase is appropriate because the way you look affects the way:
- *You think about yourself.
- *You feel about yourself.
- *You speak.
- *You act and conduct yourself.
- “Others react and respond to you” –Personal Branding for Dummies by Susan Chritton, M.Ed.
2. “Live in the now. How can you begin seeing yourself as a beautiful woman if you don’t begin seeing and acknowledging your individual beauty? The personal beauty that only you can own and believe begins inside of you.
Stepping out of your current dress down attitude begins with recognizing that at every stage of our life, although we may not be at our perfect weight or size, we have features we need to accentuate and others we need to minimize.
Regardless of body type, you need to choose clothing that helps to create an hourglass shape. This is the quintessential body proportion. Everything is in balance. Your choice in clothing can actually create balance in the body you have and help you get the body you want.” – Debbie Wright in Inspired Style.
3. “You can’t dress in every trend, even if you want to be in the fashion industry. Dressing well doesn’t mean following the pack. It means knowing what does and doesn’t work on you.
What do you love about yourself, and what makes you happy to wear? Celebrate every day the person you are, and garner the level of respect you deserve. You limit your options every time you don’t try your best.” Stacy London, The Truth about Style.
If you only read one book about personal style, read Stacy London’s. She does more to discuss the psychological side than any stylist I have seen. All of these are statements worthy of discussion.
Any thoughts? Are you in agreement that personal style is important or just an idea created to sell clothes? Is a decision to develop a style a way to celebrate who you are? I will bring you Part 2 from the experts next week!
Thanks for stopping by the Joy Boutique. Have a great week, everyone! (BTW, the best advice a friend ever gave me was to start a blog!)
Pamela Lutrell
Pamela Lutrell began her blog, over50feeling40, July 2010 with a desire to encourage women over 50 to walk in strength, confidence and joy. Of course, head turning style makes each day fun!
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social media St Albans
Tuesday 29th of July 2014
Keep on writing, great job!
Tamera Beardsley
Tuesday 21st of January 2014
Pam this is a very passionate topic to me. I believe the more we can invest in ourselves, the more we have to give to others. I for one, am certain of the importance of personal image … for as much as it can influence how others see us … I think there is even more to be gained … in how it makes us feel about ourselves. I think you say it the best in your "I Matter" series. When we remember that we, too matter, we can see that self investment is time well spent.
As I have gotten older, I have realized there are few things I can actually control in life, and how I dress is one of them. I know when I invest in how I look … there is a ripple effect in my day … I am happier … and have so much more of myself to share!
Thank you for this article, and for mentioning Stacy's book. I must make a trip out for this one!
xoxo Tamera
Paula
Tuesday 21st of January 2014
Pam, i agree with you on "the one book" as i think Stacey gets it right! Also, i did like Nina Garcia's book on personal style too. Both recommend dressing for your own body type AND. Ditching those sweats!
Tammy
Tuesday 21st of January 2014
I think personal style is important ... depending if your personal brand relates to what you do. For me , my style exudes my confidence/expertise. For my clients this is highly important -- they get that I understand branding, marketing and social media strategies.
Judith Presgrove
Tuesday 21st of January 2014
Good Morning Pam! Love your post today! I was lucky and came into my own personal style (or self identity) when I was quite young. When I was in high school I got caught up in all the different magazines with the new trends and fads, but nothing seemed to be me. So little by little over the next few years I put together a wardrobe of classics. I took one piece and put something trendy with it and it was me! I have done that my whole life and always feel put together and comfortable with myself. I receive many compliments on clothing I have had for years just because I changed a scarf or piece of jewelry. I am no longer working as an Interior Designer but being in that world for over thirty years you had to be able to decorate yourself as well as the projects your were working on. I never had to worry much about it because my wardrobe was my best friend. When rushed and working my closet was a place to relax and enjoy putting myself together and still is to this day. Thanks for sharing your life with us! Judi Presgrove