I was recently walking down Michigan Avenue in Chicago
taking in the stores along the city’s famed Magnificent Mile. The street is
lined with every fashion store imaginable including some of the world’s great
names in fashion, jewelry, shoes, and cosmetics. As I walked along, stopped at
the various stores, and looked at the window displays, it made me think of the
development of my personal “Sense of Style.” So, let me pour you a glass of
this new Pinot Grigio I picked up today, kick off your heels, snuggle up on the
other end of my sofa and let’s chat!
Fashion and style don’t always come naturally to me. I
have worked in the apparel industry, and along the way, I learned a few things,
but, fashion is not inherently in my DNA. I do know what I like. I pay
attention. I observe others that are good at what they do and I learn from
them. I have done some modeling, a bit of film, and my face can be seen on a
few products in the marketplace. I am not a supermodel; not even close.
I think there are some key, basic principles in
developing your style; strengthen your skills of observation, imitate those
that inspire you, try new things, push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone,
and build your outfits and wardrobe around your favorite pieces as a solid
foundation.
An essential skill for developing a fashion sense is
our ability to be critically observant. I am fortunate to live in-world with
five other very fashion forward women. Each has their own individual style, and
they do it well. They own it. My sense of style will not be your sense of
style, nor would you want it to be, but there is a method to define your style
and make it your own. I try to do more than just observing others, I look at
magazines, like Attention, as well as, RL publications. The owners and editors
here, men and women, are great examples of style. I attend fashion competitions
and runway shows.
Imitation is not copying the looks of others. It is
looking at what they do and then integrating what you see into your style. I
follow several boards on Pinterest, including fashion models and fashion
topics. Then pin them to my boards for ideas that I can later look back on and
use. I look for new product releases and follow a handful of fashion blogs that
reflect my style. When I use the Market Place, I always sort on "newest
first" when I am in a store. I tend to select the newly released items
from which to build my wardrobe.
Someone once told me, “Heather your style is
understated elegance, boardroom to the bedroom.” I tend to wear conservative styles, sheath
dresses, simple pumps, and understated makeup. I like to call it
"understated elegance." The
words I would use to describe my style are: graceful, refined, tasteful,
harmonious, and timeless. To be honest, I do it because it is easy for me.
Wearing complex designs and bleeding edge fashions requires skills way above my
level! Let the runway models claim that arena! I also try to keep my
accessories and makeup simple. I believe in the “one bright thing” concept. One
element of your outfit that pops. When people look at you, it captures their
eye; then they look at the rest of your look.
As of recently, I am trying the best I can to push
myself a little bit out of my comfort zone. I am seeking more pin-up/retro
styles. I have recently decided to look edgier. I like to try out fetish attire
and see if I can make that look work once in a while for the right occasion.
Fitting the outfit to the context of the situation is easy when you are headed
to the beach. It is a bit trickier when you are headed to a gallery showing or
some other event that is not a close circle of friends. In those cases, stay
with your go-to outfits. Experiment with new styles where it is safe and when
you are more comfortable, own it. Ask for feedback from friends.
Finally, build your outfits and wardrobe around your
favorite pieces. It may seem like a basic concept, but we have all seen too
many noobs who have looks that are like a tattered patchwork quilt of styles
and colors that don’t work. I tend to start with the dress or the bikini first.
I like to build my outfits around those key pieces. I tend to start with my
favorite LBD. (little black dress) and I then fit the colors to the occasion
and the season. Next, I pick out the shoes from my closet, open my jewelry box
or any other accessories, and then style my hair. Trust your eye. I tend to
finish my look with harmonious makeup and nail polish.
So, a “Sense of Style” will be recurring conversations
with others about how they present themselves to others in Second Life. It will
be how they shop, decide what to wear, how they build outfits, and how they
define their styles. Style is more than fashion, and it permeates into the rest
our lives including our home furnishings and our workplaces. Along the way, we
will meet some new girlfriends, talk with some fashion icons of SL, and maybe
even meet a few fashion muses. I want to hear from you too. Drop me an email or
send me a note card. So, let’s freshen up your glasses of wine, put on some
classic jazz, and get snuggled in. Let’s talk!
Love always – Heather 💕💕 xoxo
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