Here at Styling You HQ, me, myself and I are often caught up in an interesting internal conversation with each other.
Yesterday morning the conversation went something like this:
Me: “It’s a bit grey and gloomy today, winter must be nearly here. It must be time to remember what we used to wear when it’s cooler.”
Myself: “But you’ve got a stack of writing to do this morning, shouldn’t you really just get stuck in. The school pick-up comes round way too quickly.”
I: “It’ll only take a few minutes to swap over some winter clothes from our daughter’s room with the summer ones currently hanging in my wardrobe. Besides, I need to work out what I’m wearing to Sydney on Thursday. That’s work right.”
The upshot? An hour later I was finally sitting down in front of my computer doing what I should have been doing the hour before 😉
In the process of the wardrobe season-switcheroo though I had a bit of a thought. Not a life-changing or world-changing thought. But a thought all the same.
My style is a work in progress. How I choose to dress each day is determined by a variety of a factors, not least of which is “what’s easy, comfortable but half-way acceptable should someone other than the delivery guys drop-in while I’m working at home”.
What’s in my wardrobe ends up there because of a variety of influences:
- In-store browsing
- Online store browsing
- Pinterest browsing
- Blog browsing
- Magazine browsing
- Girlfriend browsing
Yep, that’s a whole lot of browsing mixed in one giant wardrobe processer, blitzed to produce a multiple-personality style mix that works for me. For now.
What I did realise as I was pondering this first world topic of conversation was that I struggle when asked to answer the questions: who influences your style? OR which celebrity’s style is your greatest influence?
Do you struggle too? Or are you clear on it?
And just for fun, I’ve put together a gallery of celebrities and characters, the styles of whom I admire. While one of these celebs or characters may not solely influence me, the sum of their collective style probably does.
Who or what is your biggest style influence? Who influences the way YOU dress?
Comments 32
Magazines, celebrity pap shots, the stylist that I live with telling me about all the upcoming trends etc etc… I dont really change my wardrobe over, I kind of just re-invent what I have from summer… I wrote this post about it!
https://abcsofstyle.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/summer-to-winter/
You’re sounding a bit Nina Proudman there!
Unfortunately it’s money not girlfriends that influence my style. As much as I’ve ripped out pages of magazines with celebs and their clothes, bags, or shoes to keep in a folder for figuring out my style, the money is never there to accommodate. Even for knock offs or similar styles. So I work through what I’ve got and try and get what I want on sale, otherwise I miss out.
I’ve also realised that regardless of my age, I’d love to try quite a few styles, (boho, disco, heels and bobby socks etc, whether I could pull them off or not is a different matter.
Got inspired by your post and decide to let my inner rock chick run today 🙂 What do you think? http://www.polyvore.com/what_wore_today_25_may/set?id=49564498
Like She’s Sonic, I dress for my shape before anything else following some great lessons learnt from Gok Wan (yes, in person!) and one of the lovely Westfield stylists.
My personal style tends towards the classics (classic cuts with not too much wild colour (no neon here kids!)) with a hint of rock chick chic (this is where the leather and leopard print gets in!). I also have what my hubby calls my ‘naughty nerd’ side – geeky slogan Ts, coloured glasses frames and coloured canvas trainers seem to fit in here LOL
Influences include classic screen sirens like Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell – all women who knew how to rock their curves. Rock chicks like Joan Jett and Pat Benatar remind me to tap into my wilder side, especially when there’s karaoke in the vicinity. There’s also a touch of the Steve Nicks’ about my wardrobe from time to time – I love a bit of gypsy flamboyance but it can overwhelm my shortish frame and ‘enhance’ the curves in not so flattering ways if I don’t peg it back a bit. Some giant hoop earrings and a flowy scarf = good; peasant skirts and ruffly blouses = broad side of a barn!!
I love to read InStyle magazine and this blog for ideas, and I often look at a celeb outfit and think ‘how could that work on me?’ then trawl my wardrobe for similar pieces that suit my build, budget and lifestyle.
my style guru is Grace Coddington. One look at her and I know what to wear!
Such a brilliant post!! My style is definitely still developing. I dress for my shape first, trends second. My style icons are my beautiful friends, bloggers (such as you Nikki, Andrea from Fox In Flats and Amy from Absolute Amy to name a few), and celebrities such as Lauren Conrad and Olivia Palermo. I love that fashion is so individual and fluid. It’s so inspiring. xx
Oh, that’s so lovely of you to say – I think you’re definitely on the right track going for shape first; trends second. I look at trends and see what would work with my shape and adapt if it’s something that suits my many personalities 😉
Definetly my Mum, my sister and TV. I tend to dress more like my sister than ever – we have so much similiar stuff and she’s got a girly classic style where I used to be more disco and OTT thank godness I saw the light! I also love different eras in history so whenever I see a modern take on a 20s 40s or 50s style I have to have it!
I love your blog – it’s totally different to magazines as everything is real and workable in real life – I recently had the horror of reading a almost anorexia inspired article on a 500 calorie diet on Madison’s website. Will leave the mags on the shop shelf in future and browse blogs and online stores for inspiration.
Oh, I love that your sister has been an influence and thanks for loving my blog – it means a lot!
This blog influences my style – and obviously others hence the condom dress sell out!!
I love Nina Proudman but honestly my style is influenced by other women who are rocking out the same stage of life I am in (which is dressing the 6 week post baby body). I am not inspired by Harper’s Bazaar, unrealistic sized models or small sizes left on shelves. I am inspired and motivated by confident women for whom clothes are just the icing on a great cake!
Oh, thanks Michelle … and congrats on your bubba!
Nina Proudman/Offspring is definitely my latest influencer, as is my gal-pal who I used to work with who has a similar shape to me. She really rocks the Boho look and showed me how to do it with curves. I often get ideas from TV shows, films and actresses so Gwyneth and Joan in MadMen for me as well. Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Sherlock gave me some ideas for some sexier looks when I’m feeling brave. After all, dressing up can be stealing a bit more confidence from the person you’re inspired by!
I love that: “dressing up can be stealing a bit more confidence from the person you’re inspired by”.
I think lots of things percolate in my brain and I start dressing a certain way without a lot of conscious processing. I work in a job with a lot of gen y (I’m gen x) and they definitely influence me and keep my style a bit younger. The mix of influences would include: fashion mags and sites (including yours), pinterest, friends, the shops, celebs, movies and tv shows…a celebrity I like at the moment, who I started crushing on through pinterest, is Alexa Chung, though I have to adjust her style for my older, curvier, shorter self!
Megan – love Alexa’s style – and yes, it is so possible to adapt a celeb style to suit our age and body shape.
You do Nikki! Plus people watching, girlfrinds, Nina Proudman, a few of the mums at my kids’ school, Audrey Hepburn, Elle MacPherson in rock chick mode, magazines, online browsing… hmm that’s an eclectic mix!. Unsurprisingly, I find I switch between styles (usually some take on rock chick or classic or boho – sometimes two at once!) depending on the weather and my mood! Love the idea of some pics of women you think are stylish Nikki!
Pagan, I love changing my style to meet my mood and the occasion. Keeps it fun! And thanks for saying that I’m an influencer … feel very honoured.
Two things influence my style, glossy magazines AND street watching! I love to sit and enjoy a beautiful cover by the Brisbane River whilst I people gaze at the mixture of outfits flowing past. If I see something I really like (a well put together women) I will ask her for a photo or jot down some notes in my iPhone. Tacky? Probably but I find that whilst I can put together a dozen outfits from 6 main items of clothing she (note other lady) will have an entirely different dozen outfits and that’s what I crave. A mixture of me, glossy magazines and random ladies blazing through the streets of Brisbane,
xx Stay Awesome
Cate
Cate, that is a fantastic idea. I LOVE people watching and you know what, I think mostly people would be flattered to be photographed. I’m going to start doing more of it. Maybe post them if they turn out ok.
Love people watching Cate ,It is brave of you to ask for a pic ,but if you asked me I would be flattered.
I can’t pinpoint a style icon for me. I really like to just wear whatever I feel like on any given day. Rarely will I wear something uncomfortable, I say rarely because I wear bra’s and sometimes heels and they’re not known for their comfort.
What I do do when trying to achieve a look is I look at pictures of women who have a similar figure to mine and try to take away what looks great on them, and find that for me. I try clothes on, even things that I wouldn’t usually pick up and buy, I will give them a try and have found some of my favourite pieces that way!
Also, a rule I follow is to be bold. Don’t just buy something because it’s in fashion. Don’t be afraid to take a risk if it’s something you love and feel good in who cares what everyone else is wearing? You’re not going to get those “WOW” compliments when you’re wearing the same thing as everyone else, you will get them when you take a chance and create a look of your own.
Go Miss Pink … bold is a good thing to be in fashion. Great for confidence!
Oh how I love this post!! I like so many different styles, and as a result – I often have different ‘looks’. I’m influenced by many different people; celebrities like Diane Kruger, Charlize Theron, Olivia Palermo… and then by my favourite gorgeous bloggers like you! I will be eternally grateful to you for my newfound love for coloured (Emerson) jeans. My other favourite ‘fashion’ bloggers that I’m inspired by are Crashing Red and And Andrea. Amy xxx
Oh Amy, thanks so much, that’s a lovely comment and I do love Crashing Red and And Andrea too.
I think the common thread with all stylish women is the confidence they carry themselves with. THEY love what they are wearing, regardless of what others think. Confidence is always in style, no matter what the current fashion is. It’s finding that confidence within yourself that’s the tricky bit!
It is the tricky bit, isn’t it but if you can find that confidence … and sometimes it is wearing the right clothes for you, then you’re set.
I like looking on Pinterest… it’s addictive though x
So addictive … but fun x
I must sat say my Nana was probably my first person to introduce me to style,she was a big part of my life and could make an $5 dollar dress from woolies look good,she used to take me shopping on a Saturday to buy scarves and jewellery my mother says I’m very much like her and my sister gets me to help her style her wardrobe so I must be a little bit good at it.I love the styles and the looks of Sarah Jessica Parker ,Elle of course and Nina and the just stylishness of Grace Kelly Bridgette Bardot ,Coco Chanel and many more of those chic women.
If I don’t like a trend or know it won’t suit me I don’t try ,but magazines and the internet influence me of course,And I do prefer to be overdressed than under dressed I really enjoy looking nice and it makes me feel good.Tre’ Chic wins every time!
Oh Lisa … aren’t stylish Nanas the best?!
It’s Grace Kelly for me! Chic, sophisticated, elegant. I actually wrote about her style on our blog just yesterday! (http://wp.me/p1WOMo-ep)
The post is beautiful Anna – love it!