photo credit: Andy Houghton
As I mentioned in my latest Fashion Friday post Style is how you respond to Fashion. It’s YOUR voice and how you have a conversation with the goings on in Fashion.

But how do you get that Stylish “silver tongue” anyway? Especially when Fashion seems to be constantly running at the mouth about hot trends, fierce looks, celebrity handbags, ultra designer shoes, hundred dollar t-shirts, and “look at this!” “grab that!” or “get this color NOW!”.

Find Your Inner Style Spot
First…chill out and center yourself. Find that nice, cozy, feel good spot in your Soul where your Style resides.
Ahhh…feels great huh? This is where you know whatcha like wearing and what looks fabulous on you. It’s that singular and lovely voice that is totally familiar and totally your own. The voice that says “yes” to the colors that add sparkle to your eyes and “no, thanks!” to the colors that suck all the life out of your face & hair. It’s there, trust me, though it might be deep down. Just get comfortable and listen to that stylish core.
Once you listen to that inner voice you can better speak with it’s wisdom – through your wardrobe and dressing choices.
Also pay close attention to the way the people around you respond to what you are wearing. Catalog those compliments of the real folks that actually interact with you. That says volumes about your style and how well you are at communicating it. Give that more precedence than what the critics are cooing on & on so-and-so starface at the Oscars or Grammy’s. Get real when you get centered by sticking to your own self and your own circle or community.

Tune In & Tune Out
Next thing you gotta realize that you can’t follow every thing that Fashion is talking about. That would teleport you straight to crazy town and drain the style right out of you. You don’t want to have play catch up all day do ya? So tune in to the stuff that really interests you AND that you can actually participate in. Everything else can go straight to the bargain bin in your head.
Take me for example – I never remember when fashion week is, or who won the last Project Runway series, or the name of the designer handbag that dangles on Beyonce or Rhianna’s arm. Sex & the City 2? Don’t even get me started. That stuff may be kind of interesting at one time but not enough for me to actually relate to.
What does get me excited and what do I love to talk about and shop for? Things like how the Twilight movies inspire a new take on vampire chic. Or how gothic fashion has given way to Steampunk couture. Or that I can now get cage style stiletto sandals for under $50 at Target where our First Lady of Style Michelle Obama proudly shops on occasion. I will happily chat about those things with my girlfriends and listen in for advice and interesting points. Save yourself some brain space by tuning out the chatter and tuning in to your key points of interest.

Understand Trend Patterns…Easily
After you’ve practiced tuning in to what matters to you and tuning out all the babble you will discover something a bit surprising. Fashion trends are not as bamboozling and exhaustive to keep up with as you think! This is because trends follow patterns. Of season, of media, and even the economy. Season is by far the strongest influence of trend. Since most of us still get hot Summers and cold Winters you can confidently prepare for bright colors by the end of April and layer on the warm and dark tones around November. It’s really not that big of a deal. Designers bring out the all the soft & fresh floral patterns in Spring and get all moody and darkly romantic in Fall…it’s like clockwork really.
What you want to keep your eye out for is what movies, or characters you like in box office hits and what themes, patterns, and designs they are displaying that really struck you. Or what the celebrities you admire are wearing in the latest magazines to get inspiration from. This also goes for popular television series as well as the retail explosion Gossip Girl inspired in shops like Forever 21 for example.
*Word to the wise stylista. A lot of trends are just fluff and nonsense actually – flaming hot for mere seconds and then obnoxiously “not” once everyone wipes the dazzle from their eyes and sees how ridiculous it looks on everyone EXCEPT the hot new screen starlet or reality show glamazon. Keep a healthy dose of fashion skepticism with you.

So start practicing these 3 things and you’ll do beautifully and keep Fashion from talking circles around you.

Keep checking in to the blog – later on I’ll tell you about being a Fashion badass and be well on your way to becoming a Zen Master of Style.

Leave a comment below about what your Style Soul tells ya :) or tweet me! Always love to hear about it.

Let me make an attempt to explain this passion – one of which I share with many girls – old and young. Fashion is an experience.

It’s not just about clothes. It’s about who is wearing what, when, and where. It’s about what an outfit is made of, who created it, where it will stand out. It’s this wonderful little puzzle or game to play every week, every season. From sun up to sun down your own body gets to be a dynamic piece of art that’s saying something interesting about the world you are living in, right now.

When you realize the fun you could have with fashion it takes out the exhaustion of following trends. You need not “follow” fashion like a sheep in a flock, but rather let it guide you like a dance partner. Let it twirl you about and enjoy working up a sweat for it – snagging those bargains or hot of-the-moment-items before the magic of it evaporates. Or start your own trend by taking lead yourself with wonderful wild abandon!

So go out there and play! I am (so my dress form Bridget pictured above)!

Make sure to read the next Wearable Wednesday post where I’ll share with you how your Style is your own unique response to Fashion.

<3 Apryl

photo credit: tim_d

Before we get into how to create signature style – let me give you some food for thought and ask the question: “What is Style?”

Which begs another question: “What is Fashion?”

And: “Is there a difference between Style and Fashion?”

I certainly think so – but first, I’d love to hear your thoughts :)

So answer by commenting below – also feel free to tweet me about it too!

photo credit: jamelah

Want to know how to get that stylish look that no one else but YOU can pull off? Of course you do! Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how each Wednesday ;)

Happy Styling!