Have you ever absolutely loved a trend, and yet no matter how many ways you wear it, you just don’t think it looks right?
As a personal stylist, I’ve had many clients feel so dejected by the fashion they love. They have a bunch of pieces in their closet that scream of a specific trend, and yet they feel so uncomfortable wearing these items. And although they truly want to rock the trend they have come to adore, the pieces they’ve purchased sit lonely in the closet, taking up space and accumulating dust.
Fear Not! – You Can Wear the Styles You Love
First things first – you are not a failure for trying to pull off your favorite look/trend. To help clarify why the look you love isn’t working for you at the moment, let’s take a closer look at WHO you are seeing in these trends.
To start, I will use boho chic as my example style. In my experience, this seems to be the trend that most of my clients wish they could wear. Free People, Anthropologie, Francesca’s, and many other brands put out catalogs, emails, and social posts with gorgeous boho chic pieces for the coming season. I’m a damn sucker for Free People emails, so I know the feeling of yearning for that dress you can wear in meadows, and the palazzo pants that show your legs as the sunset passes beams of light through them.
It is crucial to remember that these brands use fashion photography professionals to capture these stunning moments on digital film. It is also incredibly important to remind yourself that MODELS are wearing these looks. This is the point at which, time and again, the fashion industry fails the average woman.
Not many of us can call ourselves models. But it doesn’t stop brands from continually creating a vibe with six foot tall, size 2 women, so that the blouse can hang from her shoulders and look oh-so-dreamy.
Related Post: Approaching Fashion From An Authentic Perspective
So What Can We Do? Adapt Our Style.
What have women throughout time always done when something doesn’t work so well for them? We adapt. And that is exactly what needs to be done to wear the styles you love so much.
For example, many women with larger breasts get so frustrated with the fact that they just can’t wear bralettes. They throw up their hands and feel like that’s it! That’s the end of it – no lacy straps layered under an oversized blouse. UNTRUE.
Just because the fashion industry doesn’t tell you how to change a specific look to fit your body, doesn’t mean you can’t find SOMETHING that mimics that same style. For instance, there are many lingerie brands that cater to larger sized chests. Straps don’t have to be monotone! I’ve seen bras that have their print appear all the way up through their straps. Printed patterns on satin bras is now a thing! You can find favorite styles such as lace, floral, leopard, and checks on the entire bra. So don’t fret, my friend. You can still wear the look!
And what about those jeans that look oversized on that model’s tiny waist? The majority of women do not have straight figures – we have curves that make us attractive and sexy – NOT heavy. Yes, those jeans aren’t going to look the same way that the brand has styled them. And that’s okay! They are going to look how they are supposed to look on you – and they still look cute!
Open Up Your Imagination…
Don’t box yourself into a very specific look within a trend. You don’t have to create an outfit that looks exactly like the one in the advertisement. It’s not a necessity to achieve the vibe. What is important is that it reflects your own personal style.
During the summer, I tend to adopt a more boho style – BUT there’s always a touch of rocker chick in my look. Because that’s who I am – that’s the style in which I feel most comfortable and confident. It doesn’t mean I’ve failed at the boho vibe – it means I have adapted it to fit me – who I am. Just check out my Instagram account @styledefiner and you can see the power of adaptation!
Still not sure how to go about creating your own version of your favorite trend? I’m available for consults as well as wardrobe reorganizations and personal shopping. Links are in my bio!
Jennifer Ginty is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping. Jen has consulted with everything from casual wear such as jeans and tops to styling for the corporate world.
“I love what I do. Some may see my career as a luxury for other people, or maybe as “extra.” But it’s so much more than what you see on the outside. For my clients and for me.”
Style is a form of self care – a way to express yourself without even speaking. Through self-introspection and just having fun, you can bring out your true self effortlessly.
It’s about dressing for the way you live and feeling great about it.
Ever feel like you just need to make a few changes in your wardrobe or maybe you feel lost when it comes to what to wear? Jen is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping.
