Dress For Your Personality

A lot has been published about what colors and styles to wear or not to wear. I believe that dressing in what makes you happy is the key to a successful style.

We met with friends over drinks and hors d'oeuvres to discuss a project a few days before I got my hair cut. I always try to dress appropriately for the weather, the event, and lastly, I bring my personality into the mix. I have been saving these photos to share with you when the post calls for it. 

It was a cool evening, and the professional nature of the event called for a more polished look than my usual combos.

Even though I am wearing old pieces from my wardrobe in the picture above, I do not usually put them together in this way. The more relaxed cut of the dress pants combined with low heeled shoes and the loose-fitting tank top with a neutral blush color jacket do not reflect my nature. The edgy straw clutch bag, along with the jazzy necklace, were my attempts to add "me" into the mix.

Yesterday we would visit my parents and then have a light dinner to end a great weekend. The lack of an "event" to dress for meant that I could just put on what felt right for the weather. 

You can see how much happier. I look wearing clothes that reflect my personality.

Not just because I am acting silly, but you can tell that being true to myself in the way I dress makes me feel more confident and happy.

The tips and tricks I share with you are intended to help you evaluate your wardrobe and determine if the pieces work for you and with each other. The secret to success is found in how you put the items together and then accessorize them. It does not matter what color they are (certain colors and tones will indeed look better on you than others), how much they cost, or where you bought them. If the elements in your collection can be combined to show your unique personality and make you feel confident, that is what matters.

This way of dressing does not require that you have a huge wardrobe. It is all about knowing what is right for you and your lifestyle. What I wear, including my heels, might not be right for you at all. My budget may be entirely different than yours. The colors that comprise my core wardrobe may not be right for you. The points I make here show you how I use these elements to put together looks that work for the event, the weather, and my personality. I am just using myself as an example to help you use these basic guidelines to figure out what works best.

Basic Wardrobe Q&A

"Have you posted about building a starter wardrobe? I would like to start buying with a wardrobe in mind instead of on the spur of the moment."

Thank you for your question, Colleen. I have not blogged about a starter wardrobe per se since everyone's needs are different. Your colors and lifestyle might be totally different than mine, but I will list my own wardrobe requirements as an example for this project.

Keep in mind that these are my basic starter pieces. Other colors, patterns, and textures can be added over time, but you first need basics that can be worn every day and with each other without being memorable.

I need blazers in navy, black, and white. Note that I have chosen simple lines with slim lapels and slightly nipped-in waists. Too boxy is the wrong silhouette for my busty figure. If I am standing before an audience to talk, I will button my jacket, but otherwise, I rarely close a blazer or jacket. (I will never close a double-breasted jacket, and that is also not one of my basics.) I look for fabrics that can be worn for three seasons.  

The following elements are three tank tops and/or three nice blouses in silver/gray, white, and black and three long-sleeve simple tees in gray, white, and black, which can be worn with or without the blazers. Note the simple lines and plackets on the blouses. I need simple scooped or V-necklines, small collars (if at all), and no ruffles, pockets, or other details that add volume to the bust area. I often have to buy a size larger in a button-up style blouse to avoid the gap. The neckline should drop below my collarbones because I have a round face, and this trick elongates it.

When I wear a long sleeve tee alone, it will be of a heavier weight knit so that it flows smoothly across my body. However, if I layered a long sleeve tee, it needs to be lighter-weight fabric and more slim-fitting to add no bulk under the jacket. The Simple Comfort Covered Perfectly tops are my all-time favorite for layering.

The trend in jeans or pants might be flares, crops, or wide legs, but I will stay with my straight narrow leg pants because that flatters my body shape. I need three pairs of straight-leg jeans (black, blue, white), one straight black pencil skirt, one nice pair of black dress pants. I dislike wearing dresses immensely, but I do have a couple of black ones just in case. I have a long-sleeved winter weight dress and a simple, lightweight summer dress to wear a scarf or a sheer topper. 

I could have saved a lot of time and money if I had kept these simple styling tips in mind when I started shopping for my new slimmer body a few years ago.

Your colors and lifestyle needs might be totally different than mine, but the following guideline works for everyone every day. 

Dress for the weather, the event to complement your body type and to reflect your personality.

If you went shopping with me today, these would be the items I would buy for my basic wardrobe. I am not fond of bright colors or prints, so there are never any of those in my cart.