“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” ~Benjamin Franklin
This time of year is for fresh new beginnings. So many people make resolutions that – let’s be honest – will be forgotten come Valentine’s Day. Here’s a suggestion for a New Year’s Resolution you will have fun keeping… Take some tips from the French and create a style that is timeless and sophisticated, never garish or overly trendy but always uniquely you.
Don’t you love how French women always seem so elegant and effortlessly chic – no matter the occasion or time of day?
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Black with just enough bright gold accents? Yes, please!!
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So, you ask, what is the secret?? These women develop their own style with simplicity and elegance, always wear what is flattering to themselves, and believe in quality not quantity.
Never steal another woman’s look!! If you see an ensemble you like, take inspiration, but remember, you never want to be merely a carbon copy of beauty. Find an outfit with a similar feel without being a mirror image. Make the look your own with pieces new and old from your own closet. If it isn’t uniquely you, trust me, you will not be able to pull it off.
Another reason you should always make your look your own is because not every trend works for everyone. We are all different shapes and shades, and figuring out what is flattering individually should be as fundamental as learning to read and write. Sure, we could all wear black and call it a day, but why not make it fun and incorporate some prints and different cuts? Keep in mind that every piece you wear comprises a collective look that will either create a negative illusion or reveal your true beauty. Have a few pounds to hide? A long, chandelier earring will elongate and slim your entire look. Need some extra curves here and there? Ruching in all the right places will do the trick. What works for her may not work for you, and vice versa. And, if you find a piece you absolutely love but that is ill-fitting, find yourself a fabulous tailor and have it altered to fit you just right. The investment will be well worth it in the end.
Finally, remember that the object of the game is not to amplify your wardrobe to colossal proportions. Start with a few staples – classic items that will carry you through the years, no matter the rise and fall of varying trends. Instead of picking up every sale item you come across that is a “steal,” use discretion and purchase quality items that will last. Then, accessorize according to what appeals to you and what flatters you.
And the best accessory of all? Confidence and grace, in every moment and toward every being, will complete your look and truly keep you looking elegant and effortlessly chic.
