Your clothes tell a story to the world. You may hardly breathe a whisper, but your shirt, stockings and an overcoat are already making a public statement. Why not let yours be one of awesomeness?

In this guide, I am not going to teach you about the Little Black Dress. I won’t advise you how to be safe, won’t tell you to stock up on classics & basics of the wardrobe. You won’t hear me talking about discovering your personal style – style is not a chemical element that can be simply discovered. Eternal style is a complex concoction of ideas, simmered on low fire and perfected over time. It is a result of an agile mind.

What I offer below is tips how to set your inner fashionista free and develop an unparalleled style people will remember long after you’re gone.

  • Stick to your vision

Style is about having a consistent vision. Overtime, you’ll learn to trust yourself and not worry so much about what people will think, as long as you like it. Experiment! You might make a few mistakes along the way, but it’s worth it. Think of fashion as a puzzle game – have fun with it and enjoy yourself!

  • Find your GLEE style


Sometimes I get so psyched over a certain shoe or cut, I literally can’t sleep. Truth. Is there a look that inspires you to the point of an obsession? An article of clothing you can’t imagine existing without? Find it. Own it. Experiment. Fashion that keeps you up at night is what you’re looking for!

And don’t be afraid to look at others’ work for inspiration. No one is 100% original, and as Salvador Dali put it, “Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing”. Bits and pieces that you borrowed from other people’s style are what makes your own unique style.

  • Keep it consistent, but diverse

A great style is equal parts consistency & diversity. Without consistency, it’s just clothes; without diversity, it’s cul de sac. Adhering to a particular theme can be good – mod, boho, avant-garde – but don’t limit yourself to just one particular look, cut, silhouette or palette. It’s ok to throw in some fun, unexpected pieces, and just because you’ve never worn it before, doesn’t mean you can’t ever!

  • Know what’s out there

Most articles will tell you to ignore trends if you want a truly original style, but I disagree. Not knowing what’s out there, we limit our style  arsenal and stifle creativity. I recommend staying on top of current fashion and always keeping an eye out for that special one that’s just for you. After all, some of the greatest fashions came about as interpretations of other trends!

But studying the mainstream is not enough. One of the reasons I write this blogazine is to introduce new, up-and-coming  models, designers, and musicians to a bigger audience. The fashion centrifuge chews you up and spits you out, and the way to stay ahead is to be in touch with the underground. Hey, big designers do it – why can’t you? Also, it helps to have a degree of separation – copying Gwen Stefani’s look won’t get you far, but being inspired by Audrey Kitching might land you on the cover of Nylon.

  • Turn your flaws into strengths

Is there anything unusual about the way you look? Something you might even consider ugly, like frizzy hair or a big nose? Flaunt it! By conforming to the existing beauty standards, we erase our individuality – a kiss of death when it comes to style. It’s better to be unique and not traditionally beautiful, than pretty and plain.

Women who turned their unusual traits into a signature look are Jennifer Lopez (biggg butt), Cintia Dicker (lots of freckles), Angelina Jolie (unusually large mouth), Brooke Shields (thick eyebrows), Katie Holmes (crooked smile), Liza Minelli (damn ugly and proud of it!).

  • Be daring!


Playing it safe is for the wussies and the démodé. Be audacious and take risks! Force yourself out of your safety zone, mix & match patterns and colors you wouldn’t normally wear together – you might just end up with something cool!

Comfort vs fashion: I’ve read in many places, many times that we only should wear what we feel comfortable in. The general idea is that if we don’t feel comfy, it won’t look good. I’m scared to imagine the place our world would be, if everyone followed that advice! Fashion, like any art form, is about aesthetic, not comfort. Corsets and high heels are far from comfort wear, but we love them anyway because they look amazing. What sacrifices you’re willing to make for the sake of beauty is entirely up to you.

  • The  Body Type dilemma

So what’s the deal with all these body types? Are you an apple, a pear, an hourglass, or a straight line? (According to polls, most women are a straight line). And most importantly, what the hell does this mean in terms of clothing choices?

My sister is short, under 5 feet. Most girls her height would have high heels permanently glued to the soles of their feet, but not Kat. I see her wearing flats all the time, and it looks great. It’s good to know some basic rules of proportions, but you don’t have to follow them to the T. Generally, we want clothes that make us look taller and leaner, but rules only matter to those who follow them. If you’re really feeling insecure about something (large breasts, big hips, etc), then cover it up. Otherwise, let it all hang out!

  • The Best Color dilemma

I get this question a lot: I have green eyes, brown hair and fair skin. Which color will look best on me?

Too many websites are preoccupied with figuring out the human color palette (this reminds me of show bunnies). Women argue whether they are a Spring or a Summer type; cool, warm, or neutral skin tone. It’s all awfully confusing and, frankly, irrelevant. The best color on you is the one you like!

Apparently, redheads are not supposed to wear pink. But I do it, because it induces insane amounts of glee!

“Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumble bee doesn’t know it, so it goes on flying anyway.“ – Mary Kay Ash

Epilogue

It takes a flamboyant individual to rock a flamboyant frock. Extraordinary style often belongs to the extraordinary people – Vivenne Westwood, Marilyn Manson and Betsey Johnson all share that fearless, eccentric aesthetic that I admire. Artists often have a distorted perception of what’s beautiful, what’s normal, and what’s socially acceptable, due to constantly thinking outside the box. But that’s what makes their style so unique and fascinating. I bet you anything that if you asked Marilyn to go into a Wal-Mart and pick out a ‘normal’ outfit, he’d come out looking like a freak anyway. The best path to nurturing your style lies through allowing your individuality – however quirky – be your guide.

Deerlings: if you could describe your personal style in 3 words, what would it be? Doe Deere = colorful, girly, kooky. :)

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