I think some of you see The Hyson posts and may be intimidated about style. You may just think that style isn’t really for you or even important to you. I really wanted to address that in this post.
The truth about style is that it doesn’t really matter if it’s “in” or “out” at any given moment. The most important part is dressing for yourself, wearing clothes that make you feel confident and reflect your true self. You should never wear clothes for any other reason. Never because someone will make fun of you. Never because you don’t want to draw too much attention to yourself. Never just to fit in. Trying to fit in is the opposite of style. I am not talking about avoiding trends. Trends are okay as long you put your own stamp on things and don’t wear things just because they are “in”. If it wasn’t for trends we wouldn’t be able to look back at awesome pictures of ourselves with ridiculous outfits.
Want a surefire way to dress with style? Find those things you have always liked and either get it in the perfect size or get it altered. The fit will make you look good and give you confidence. Maybe that is a great pair of jeans or even just a t-shirt. From there just add whatever is in style to keep it current. Often the most stylish looking people are the ones with good fitting, basic clothes WITH good shoes. The shoes are a must! Don’t mess up the shoes.
Another way to feel confident and dress with style is to overdress for a big event. Going out to an expensive restaurant? Just go all out and get really dressed up. Even if you only get dressed up a couple of times per year, you will be confident knowing that you can bring it when the time is right. People nowadays are overly focused on being comfortable. I get it, why wear the stiffest jeans or a button up shirt while I am at home watching a movie? It would be stupid to not dress for comfort. We DON’T need to be focused on comfort all the time. There are times when looking good is more important than being comfortable. Dress up for those special moments. Your confidence will make up for your lack of comfort.
The one thing that I am proud about in terms of my style is that I have always worn clothes that I thought were cool. I have been fearless in this one part of my life. From my days in elementary school wearing white pants, pink polo shirt, white blazer and mesh shoes (while playing tackle football) to my early high school years getting my suspenders snapped by grade 12s. My older high school years were filled with starter jackets, polka dot shirts and brown denim overalls. Post high school I rocked a leather biker jacket, red jeans and always a bandana. I had hockey hair with lines on the side and numbers shaved in the back. I even experimented with an undercut and samurai-style pony tail. I had blonde hair and often just blonde tips (eat your heart out Guy Fieri). I shaved my head numerous times. I even went through a stage where I wore fake glasses (no prescription) and a lime green sweater vest. The best part of it all is that I don’t regret any of it!
Those fashion experiments have led me to where I am today. I have tried so many things that I have a pretty good idea what looks good on me. The truth is most of my days are spent wearing a black t-shirt and jeans (this has become a family uniform) I make sure the fit is on point and I try to make it look complete with accessories and good shoes. Sometimes I find something a little more “out there” to add to my wardrobe. I still pine for the styles of my youth. I am always in search of a great leather biker jacket. I am drawn to polka dots and I still have a fascination with bandanas. There is a nostalgia for those things. When I get dressed up to go out for a big event I pull out all the stops. Pocket squares, bow ties, fancy socks…the works. I love to get really dressed up and peacock once in awhile. Essentially, I incorporate the things I mentioned earlier to feel stylish.
The point of this blog is that we all feel better when we look good. Style doesn’t have to be confusing or difficult. Looking good doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on new clothes and wearing all the latest trends. It usually only requires a good fit, good shoes and confidence. Embrace the disaster style of your youth and post or send me those pictures. Then go ahead and “get your own style!”
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