Travelling is a wonderful time for reflection.
And so is staying home.
The luxury of the unfamiliar opens the mind and allows ideas to breathe and see the light of day.
Observation is our privilege. The joyous feeling of anonymity frees us and opens our eyes to our surroundings; the prerogative to forget who we are and where we belong.
I have been making notes; this time style notes.
Women, in whichever city, never cease to inspire me. I gratefully review, compare and contrast their style, their delivery and their take on fashion. They intrigue me and more than anything else, they motivate me.
Watching New Yorkers has me mentally taking style notes. In New York, the women wear it differently from the women in London and the women in Paris. Never better or worse, just different.
What I have observed is that style, wherever its origin, has many reference points in common. There are similar factors, rules that make style work for us.
Style Notes
Fashion should make life easier.
Style should be an easy start to the day, not an unfamiliar pest that nags and won’t leave us alone. Knowing our style means that fashion becomes a true friend and not an antagonist.
Style is never about age.
There is no such thing as “dressing your age”. That expression should be expunged forever. Attitude is the only thing that counts.
Style is timeless.
What we wear over the years should not alter greatly once we have found our stride. Updating key pieces and adding current accessories makes essentials the true winners.
Know your colour.
I wear black, grey and navy predominately. Sometimes a little white, cream, a dash of red, Schiaparelli pink and emerald; that is my colour cocktail. I have accepted that certain shades, as much as I like them, don’t like me. My hair has changed and so has my colour palette. Knowing this makes finding my way so much easier.
Style should be comfortable.
Comfort means you feel great; feeling great means you look great. If we feel comfortable in our clothes chances are that our confidence is spiking. Win/win.
Style should never overpower the woman.
Remember we wear clothes, they don’t wear us. Never, ever.
One piece I will be refreshing in my essentials is the turtleneck.
Style notes: What should we add? xv
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images norman parkinson
