Personally, my mum was my fashion styling guide growing up she was the one who taught me everything from how to braid my hair in different styles to how to sit and talk. I was lucky that my mum was an avid trend follower when it came to fashion and we, in our suburban household always had Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair coming in. I remember her sitting with these mags at our teak coffee table beside the lush green bonsai.
She is a pretty, petite brunette with hazel brown eyes that puncture through space. She always had a good design and colour sensitivity even though she never took fashion as a subject in academics or profession. As a homemaker, she lives a very trendy lifestyle and has an androgynous silhouette no less than that of a fashionista.
I’m sure growing up you still have your mum as your fashion styling guide and style icon. If not, I am here to give you a quick touch-up as to some motherly fashion wisdom I had from my mother.
6 Important Fashion Styling Guide from My Mom
1. The Size Does Not Matter
It was like cognitive dissonance in my head. I could not rely on the size tags on different fashion apparel. My mum was the first person to force me to do so. I later realized that every piece of fashion differed in size from brand to brand and letters such as S, M, XL, and XXL, really do not mean much.
It was then I got to know about vanity sizing and would never reply, “what size are you, ma’am?” And would always get every piece tried and tested. Not all brands are as sophisticated as Levi’s to tag different kinds of fitting so well, so it is better to frequent the trial room than to trust the size tags.
2. Classics are Classics
My mum always advises me to invest in pieces that are not a product of any frenzies or are not a fad. I always bought timeless pieces, that never get old. In these times when people need a new stimulus every day, only a few trends stay and those are the classics. May it be accessories or the way a dress is tailored to make sure they have a story to tell. This is what makes any fashion accessory timeless and something no in-store fashion styling guide will tell you.
3. Every Article in Your Cart Should Not Look Different
I do not know why people frown upon buying the same coloured or same textured merchandise. We all need to try different tastes in life but aren’t we equally picky when it comes to comfort and what colour and style suit us. I have been advised to buy double the things that fit me well or look good on me.
Trust my chances are a majority of the time you will not get the same accessory or dress again. I’ve raided all the Nike showrooms and factory outlets to find the Dri-fit, free-run Nike Tracksuit that I bought two years ago, and they do not manufacture that design again. Please listen to this advice and if you find those jeggings compliment your curves the best, throw two of them in your cart.
4. Don’t Be Scared
My mum always brushes off “isms” that are used colloquially, she believes that everything has its pros and cons and we should only do that which works for us. She told me something that at first infuriated the 15-year-old rebellious me, but with passing time, comments, and unsolicited gawking, I could not agree with her more.
Hear me out before you stop reading. I will tell you what I was told. “Who are you dressing for? Yourself, right? And would not want to feel less awkward as you can? You are not proving anything to anyone by wearing shorts at night.
You are going to get the attention and you can’t change the collective ideology of the trouble-causing by people irritating you and making yourself uncomfortable. If you’re okay with being stared that’s fine but if you’re not then you better clad yourself while going through irksome places. In a nutshell, be sexy, and smart.
5. When in Doubt, Dress More
Simple, straight advice if you are not completely aware of the dress code, go overdressed. Get a jacket or an overcoat, if you feel you are severely overdressed then take your coat off, it is always better than to underdress an occasion, unless you’re only meeting a group of friends.
6. At Last, Sweetheart…
You gotta radiate confidence, wear what brings your spirit high. If you feel confident with what you’re wearing there is no more to ask. Do not spend an entire event cringing or hiding away just because you had to follow a trend.
Fashion is something, that defines what you’re trying to say but one always gets it from their mom she is the one that gives life lessons as well as sets an example by just dressing up casually and still making a statement. Do what you want and what makes you happy that,s the only moto.
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