| Despite what the media tells us, true style has | | | | a way that is fashionable, flattering and in good taste. |
| nothing to do with having a perfect body or | | | | Gaining this knowledge, and experiencing more |
| becoming a slave to fashion. It's actually about being | | | | shopping success, will allow you to express the |
| comfortable in your own skin and expressing yourself | | | | woman within - the real you. And in turn this will then |
| with confidence. | | | | give you the confidence to become more creative |
| We probably all know a few women who seem to | | | | with your wardrobe. |
| have been born with style and good taste. They are | | | | In essence, there are five key points to remember |
| the sort of women who always look great and fit in | | | | when it comes to personal style: |
| wherever they go. What do these women have in | | | | Appropriateness: for your physical shape, age and |
| common? Chances are it's not a size 0 body, a huge | | | | where you are; |
| income or their own stylist. | | | | Simplicity: less is more; |
| What they share is a defined personal style and the | | | | Poise: carrying yourself with grace and confidence in |
| ability to dress in a way that makes them feel | | | | any situation; |
| comfortable and confident. | | | | Authenticity: expressing the real you both in the way |
| Women have long been seduced into believing that | | | | you dress and behave; |
| their external appearance is everything. And if we | | | | Courtesy: good humour and respect for others. |
| believe what mass media tells us, we're all abnormal if | | | | As you can see, style is about much more than just |
| we don't look like a supermodel. | | | | the clothes we wear. It is everything that makes us |
| From an early age, we are influenced by the likes and | | | | unique - from our personality and lifestyle, through to |
| dislikes of our friends and parents and later, our | | | | our education, experiences, values and goals. Apart |
| partners. Our education, family/social situation and | | | | from body shape and colouring, it is these things that |
| career also play a part in telling us what we should | | | | will make or break style success. |
| look like and how we should act. | | | | Dressing in a way that doesn't fit with who you are |
| The problem arises when we allow all of these | | | | as a person means not only will you feel |
| external factors to take over and we lose sight of | | | | uncomfortable but you will be sending very mixed |
| US. When this happens we get stuck in a rut; | | | | messages to everyone around you. Feeling |
| shopping becomes stressful and frustrating; and our | | | | self-conscious will destroy any hope of style. |
| catch-cry becomes 'But I've got nothing to wear!' | | | | Being able to look in the mirror and like what you see |
| To develop style means to marry what suits our | | | | is a very important factor in self-esteem for women. |
| height, personal colouring, shape and age from what's | | | | When you know you look good you walk, talk and |
| currently in fashion, and to understand which 'looks' | | | | think differently. Once you understand the basic rules |
| are appropriate for what occasions. The aim is to | | | | of colour and style and apply them to your wardrobe |
| become a woman who understands fashion without | | | | in a way that suits you as an individual, you will be |
| becoming a slave to it. | | | | amazed at the positive changes that come about in |
| The fact is that any woman, from any background, | | | | your life. |
| and any size, age or shape has the ability to dress in | | | | |