Guest Post by Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Style Yourself Chic
Every day I am immersed in the world of fashion and style. From helping my Style Coaching clients cleanse their closet and shop for their body type, or simply creating videos and how-to guides for my style membership site, I am thinking about fashion 24/7. While I realize I am an anomaly as fashion is my passion and profession, I love how the Ways of Seeing: Fashion exhibition that my company is currently sponsoring inspires visitors to think about what they wear in a whole new way.
To help you get the most out of the exhibition, and help you love your look daily, here are 5 of my favorite style tips inspired by the exhibition:
1. Trends come & go.
Before I started my company, Style Yourself Chic, I worked as a Trend Forecaster in NYC. This experience taught me all about where trends come from, how long they typically last, and when to invest. It now helps me best guide my Style Coaching clients on when to save and when to splurge when it comes to the seasonal trends. In general, trends typically have a three-years maximum lifespan. Due to this fact, it’s typically wise to not invest too much in bolder, short-lived trends. And on this note, you really want to think about cost per wear, and how much you’ll get out of a garment before purchasing it. It’s important to also think about which trends best suit you, your body type, and your personal style. Not every trend is for everybody, so remember it’s okay to be selective. In Ways of Seeing: Fashion you’ll be able to see the trends from decades past simply by looking at what those in the photograph, print, etc. are wearing.
2. Dress for your body type.
The very first thing I do when working with a Style Coaching client is take their measurements to determine their body type. By knowing your body type you can then more easily and efficiently shop as you know what to purchase and what to avoid. It also helps you create flattering outfits with confidence. We are all built differently, and not every brand or style of clothing works for everybody, so don’t get discouraged if not everything (or every store) works for you. Keep searching to find those brands that best suit you. You’ll notice in the exhibition the theme of body type, and how that’s changed over the decades. Thankfully today we are seeing a shift towards inclusivity when it comes to different body types, and that no longer is just one silhouette in fashion. I love sharing this with my clients as it allows for more body positivity and confidence all around.
3. Fashion is for every age.
One of my favorite themes of the exhibition is that fashion is not just for young people. It’s truly for every age, and there are some wonderful photographs in the exhibition that showcase more mature women having a blast with their wardrobe. I hope this inspires viewers to refresh their wardrobe and keep doing so with every life change. As we go through major life changes, such as having kids, starting a new job, retiring from work, or moving to a new city, our wardrobe should change with us. I often see my Style Coaching clients stuck in a style rut stemming from their wardrobe or beauty regimen not evolving with them and matching their stage of life. It’s so important to remember that you are never too young or too old to take care of yourself so you feel like the best version of you daily!
4. Be in control of what your outward appearance says to the world.
Did you know it takes less than 10 seconds for someone to see you and create an opinion of who you are, solely from your outward appearance? While this statistic seems staggering and off putting in ways, it’s human nature. So whether you decide fashion is or is not important, you are making a statement to the world about who you are and what you stand for. I always tell my Style Coaching clients to not let this fact paralyze them, but to instead make sure you are the one in control of your image. There are many pieces in Ways of Seeing: Fashion that showcase this statistic.
5. Getting dressed should be fun!
This style tip is short and sweet— have fun with your wardrobe! Break out of your style rut, try something new, and be the one in control of how you show up in this world. And allow Ways of Seeing: Fashion to inspire you!
For more of my favorite style tips and tricks, you can visit my website at StyleYourselfChic.com.
Ways of Seeing: Fashion is presented by Style Yourself Chic with Megan LaRussa and made possible by the City of Birmingham.