Fashion is Instant Language: A Realistic Look at Finding Your Own Unique Style
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is Instant language.”
Miuccia Prada
My dress is from Shein and you can find it here.
I believe that style is completely individual. It’s an informed expression of your inner self. And while of course it’s important to express yourself, being informed is equally important. To choose something “just because you like it” is not enough. You need to understand the choices you make- how they fit in and enhance your life.
When you realize all the complexities about what gives you pleasure you open yourself up to new possibilities-and even greater enjoyment and self-satisfaction. It’s only when you ask yourself “Why do I like that?” that you can consistently make the right choices. Once you gain a sense of why you like what you like what you do your personal style begins to develop.
Each day offers a whole series of choices that help define you as an individual. Some questions are as basic as whether to apply red or clear polish to your nails or to wear your hair loose and curly or slicked back neatly away from your face. Ideally, the decisions you make should be based upon who you are, how you perceive yourself, and how you want others to see you. It’s a combination of these little moment-by-moment, day-by-day choices that creates a total image.
It’s definitely a great idea to study what’s out there. Keep up with trends shown in fashion magazines and accounts but only adopt the ones that “fit” your personality and body. When you are aware of all the available options ( and that means opening yourself to possibilities you might not consider initially), then you are really making informed selections. I also strongly recommend looking to the past for inspiration. I’ve found inspiration in books on Chanel, movies from the 1930s, and within several Impressionist paintings. Once you are inspired, you must develop an awareness of how those resources can be applied to your life in order to complete the cycle and bring these ideas to the present.
For me, and I think most people, finding a personal style and being able to connect with others through fashion choices is not something that’s done casually. I’ve been working at it my whole life. And since never-ending change is a fact of life, your style-like mine-may have to undergo similar adaptations to stay strong and current. You have to be aware of changes in your life- whether occupational, emotional, or physical. It’s really important to figure out how each change affects you. An inability or refusal to adapt or adjust your style is a sign of resistance to change. People who don’t change as the world evolves around them look old-fashioned whether they are 29 or 59. Style can’t flourish when you limit your own vision of yourself: Life moves on, and you move on.
The more you know, the more you can appreciate and respond to your own style and really present yourself to the world in a creative and meaningful way. The end result of style should give you pleasure, help you express yourself and make you feel good about who you are. It is only then you can make positive and strong connections with others and feel a greater sense of self and fulfillment.
When you have style, you make the world a prettier place. By reaching inward, exploring and recognizing what makes you happy, you have an opportunity to share some of that view of life and the things you deem beautiful. And that enriches the lives of others.
Wearing things that you consider lovely- things that are tactile, colorful, and appealing to the eye- heightens your own sense of connection to the world. You can share it’s physical resources in an intimate way, and bring them down to the most personal level.
As with anything you consider making a part of your life, evaluate how your choices fit into your vision of yourself. The more you question and analyze, the less random- and more right- your choices will be.
Ultimately, style is a quality that grows out of a lifetime of experiences and options. Look inward and you’ll find a way to express yourself with your own unique sense of style which will be your own instant language. There’s never any right or wrong. It’s all just wonderfully about you being you and it’s never too late to give yourself the pleasure of expressing yourself in style.
Thank you so much for visiting the blog today. I really appreciate your time and attention and hope you found this post worthwhile.
I’d love to connect furthur so feel free to leave me a comment, email or even a link if you have something to share. I will be sure to get back to you in a timely fashion.
Yours truly,
Jennifer
