In the past couple of weeks I have read dozens of articles across a range of international publications that speak of how the fashion world is changing.
I experience such delight when I read that personal style is becoming ‘the new black’ so to speak. High fashion, although it has its place, is being diluted by women’s determination to no longer look like clones, but rather to look like the individuals we are.
This philosophy is right up my alley and I’m so glad that others are catching on… or are they?
I am amazed to see how many women desperately try to ‘look fashionable’ by wearing the same trend.
How many of us can wear the leggings or jeans tucked in boots with a long top and still look original? How many times are we going to have fashion magazines tell us that the ‘military look’ is the latest trend when it’s been ‘the latest trend’ ever since Bush’s declaration of ‘the war on terror’?
So although the trend forecasters are saying that we are moving toward choosing our personal style over high fashion, I don’t think we are quite there yet.
Where should you start?
There is no doubt that fashion has broadened in the last few decades. When I was in fashion school there were maybe five trends per season and if you didn’t fit into that, it was too bad. Luckily we have so much more to choose from today.
Trends seem to be celebrating previous eras and modernising them to make them look fresh and new this season.
The sophisticated '70s look is going to be huge for spring/summer this year. So if you are slim and or quite straight up and down, yippee for you. But if you aren’t, rather focus on the '50s hourglass look and celebrate the curves that you have.
Vintage pieces from the '30s and '40s have also become very fashionable as they provide a wonderful way of mixing old with new and making your look unique. This is an easy trend to work with, no matter what your shape.
Put trends in their place
Having various trends to choose from makes it easier to select the ones that best represent your personal style.
A woman who usually wears a classic tailored style may not suddenly feel fabulous in a boho chic look JUST because it is fashionable. But if she has gone through a major life change and the boho chic look reflects that adjustment, she’ll feel so comfortable with her new look that her clothes will feel like a second skin.
Of course to say that trends don’t influence our personal style would definitely not be true. Trends give us fresh and new ideas. What we wouldn’t dare wear last season may be something you are ready to try this season.
Creating and maintaining your personal style is about keeping fashion in its rightful place. Allow it to inspire you to try new things, but don’t allow it to dictate what you wear.
Need some help?
A Personal Styling Session with Tracy Gold will help you create an effortlessly stylish look in minutes.
Personal Styling Session: 1h30min
Tracy Gold will assist you to create your own individual style according to your body-shape, colouring, personality, lifestyle, age and budget. Working with your existing wardrobe and The Tracy Gold Collection, she will assist you to determine what works for you, what doesn’t and why.
A Personal Styling Session will help you to:
• Learn to lose 5kg just by getting dressed in the morning.
• Avoid having a wardrobe full of clothing, but nothing to wear.
• Fill your wardrobe with clothing that makes you feel fabulous.