Define your Style | post 05

What's YOUR style?

There are many different styles and trends to follow and sometimes it's hard to know exactly what YOUR style is.  Well, we're here to help!  We've come up with a few categories that will help you determine your style while staying classy and chic.  The categories are DownTown, Feminine, Rustic, Vintage, UpTown, Prep, and Breezy...

Downtown

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Someone who dresses 'DownTown', loves to make a statement.  Your style often turns a few heads.  You love to accessorize with BOLD prints or colors.  You enjoy mimicking popular celebrities for style updates.  When applying makeup you go for eye catching colors.  Your hair color and hairstyle is always evolving with the seasons {about every 3 months}.  Your jewelry, glasses and handbags are not what you'll see your mother in law wearing. ;) You love to follow trends and when you see a new piece on the shelves you are quick to buy it.  You enjoy wearing leather or exotic patterns.  Your style is not for wall flowers, drawing attention where ever you go.   

Celebrities who dress in a DownTown manner include: Keri Hilson, Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashians, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stefani, Tyra Banks and Britney Spears.

Keep it Classy:

DON'T OVER DO IT when dressing this way.  With your makeup, we understand that you want to use fun colors but be careful not to be doing too much- you don't want to end up dressing in drag.  When using animal or graphic prints be careful not to look like cat woman- try one area such as your sandals, belt, purse, top/bottom.  To play prints down even more, you can add just a hint of style with a hair feather accessory or statement earrings.  If you have to be conservative {such as in a work place or at church} you can incorporate your style into your outfit with printed nails, a sassy watch or a trendy umbrella.  Try an edgy leather jacket or printed scarf over a more casual dress.   

Feminine  

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Someone who is Feminine loves to wear soft colors.  You dress in a timeless, classic manner that always looks great no matter what the occasion.  Floral prints are a favorite.  You opt for subtle, natural makeup and hairstyles.  All though you dress fashionable it's always understated.  You enjoy buying delicate fabrics such as lace, crochet, cashmere, and chenille.  Your 'go to' jewelry include pearls, diamonds, and fabrics {ribbons and flowers} which are in pastel or neutral colors.  Your hair has soft layers and is most often mid length or long, embracing your womanhood.  You purchase many loose and flowing materials.  You know how to show your femininity without wearing skin tight clothing.  Your smile and personality are your favorite accessories.  

Celebrities who dress Feminine are the Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine Middleton), Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba, Olivia Wilde, Katie Holmes, Keira Knightly, Jennifer Aniston, Rachel Mcadams and Kerry Washington.

Keep it Classy:

Slips please!  When buying clothing they may sometimes be shear so wear an under garment or a slip if necessary.

Rustic

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A Rustic styled woman is someone who loves nature and the outdoors.  You often live in the country, mountains or near the beach.  Your jewelry consists of shells, pearls, feathers, metals and stones.  For those who live in the country or mountains you aren't afraid to pair a dress with some cowboy or military boots.  Your hair is natural or if colored it's understated.  Braids are a common way to style your hair and you dress it up with a flower.  Many times your favorite accessories are belts or hats.  When wearing makeup {if any} you choose neutral tones or even only a hint of mascara.  You may own a vest or two, faux fur, and a jean-material jacket.  You like to buy floral or plaid patterns and cotton is your 'go-to' fabric.  You have a great pair of jeans and even some that were bought with styled 'holes'.  If you live in the country you enjoy buying clothing in yellows and muted colors, and by the beach you love blues, green and reds. 

Celebrities who dress Rustic are Kerry Underwood, Taylor Swift, Karina Petroni, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Alana Blanchard, Hanah Teter, Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Bleiler, LeAnn Rimes and Martina Mcbride.

Keep it Classy:

You may have faux fur but pleaaseee don't wear it on EVERYTHING and please, please, don't wear a faux fur 'tail'.  Also, try to keep your style simple so you don't look like you tried too hard and came straight from the Boonies. Floral is wonderful but be careful not to look like a walking curtain.  Try adding natural elements like a metallic and gem necklace.

Vintage

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A Vintage styled woman loves to do it old school, usually choosing a particular decade or mixing in between a few.  You are seen wearing your signature red lips, with black eye liner, and rose cheeks.  You have mastered a few vintage hairstyles from your favorite icons, including the 'beehive'.  Consignment and thrift stores are where you find your best pieces or you may even make them yourself.  Your favorite statement piece is owning an apron with frills!

Celebrities who dress Vintage are Kelly Osbourne, {the late} Amy Winehouse, Emily Deschanel, Emma Stone, Adele, Debi Mazar, Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel. 

Keep it Classy:

Although you dress Vintage your wardrobe doesn't have to be old!  Look for a few vintage inspired pieces and update them into your own.  Also be aware of how high your beehive is, it's not supposed to attract real bees.  A conservative way to incorporate vintage style with accessories are with brooches and antique jewelry.  If you wear red lips make sure that the color goes well with your skin tone and don't go too heavy on your eyeliner.  Lastly, shoulder pads are a trend that all women should never bring back!

UpTown

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The UpTown gal is a woman who may be working 40 hours a week.  You own a few feminine suits, blazers and vests.  You wear classic colors such as navy, beige, black and white.  One of your favorite hairstyles are either a top knot or a short bob.  You are independent and want everyone to know.  You stay away from frills, dress a bit more conservative and mean 'all business'.  Your makeup is conservative and the boldest you'll venture with color are with red lips.  Your accesories include jewelry that show power such as diamonds, gold, silver, and platinum. 

Celebrities who dress in an UpTown style include Michelle Obama, Kate beckinsale, Jada Pinkett Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Michele Bachman, Sarah Palin, Ivanka Trump, and Melania Trump.

Keep it Classy

Sometimes your look can seem a bit harsh or too powerful and it can make you seem unapproachable. Incorporate a softer touch with your style.  Try experimenting with metallics or even sequins.  Wear a lace top under a blazer, add a pop of color with accessories like scarves, or bright bags.  On days when you can dress a bit more casual where nice dress pants with a silk blouse or buy your suits in more feminine colors (like Michelle Obama, above).

Prep

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Prep, or Preppy fashion is a mixture of UpTown, suburbia and nautical.  Your look screams clean, modest and conservative and may even boast a little wealth.  You love to shop at high end, name brand shops.  You prefer a skirt or dress to pants or shorts.  Pearls and diamonds have taken over your jewelry box.  You obey a few fashion laws that apply to this style, such as never pairing black and brown, gold and silver, never wearing white shoes after Labor Day, always matching your shoes and belt, always matching your shoes and purse, and of course- tucking in any shirt with a shirttail. You own tweed.  You always wear hose with a dress or skirt {unless wearing open toe shoes}.  You aren't afraid to wear a suit top with a skirt.  You live in fine silk blouses and you own a few sweater vests.  Let's not forget those polos!  When dressing casual you wear prints that remind you of the ocean- anchors, sailboats, and seagulls.  Your hair is always sharp, styled and never left loose.  Your calling card are matching accessories or a cardigan over your shoulders.  

Celebrities include Emma Watson, Mischa Barton, Pippa Middleton, Michele Williams, Blake Lively, Elizabeth Mckay, Kourtney Kardashian {and beau Scott}, Reese Witherspoon and the preppy guru Ralph Lauren.

Keep it Classy

Although you prepsters follow strict rules it's okay to relax every once in a while.  Style and fashion should be fun.  Even though you tend to shop in expensive stores, don't be afraid to search a thrift store for name brand items to finish your outfit. 

Breezy

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Breezy, or Care Free are women who don't have any particular favorites when it comes to fashion. You enjoy wearing your boyfriend's {or husband} sweater or even baggier jeans.  Your favorite go to shirt is a cotton tee.  Your look is simple and you never have a single moment where 'I took 30 minutes to put this look together'.  You often throw your hair up in a pony tail or unkempt bun, or if it's down you simply brushed it.  A favorite jeans and shirt is what you wear and if you do try to spice it up you just add heels.  You may own a couple pieces of jewelry but if you aren't wearing your 'signature' piece you don't wear them too often.  Your make up {IF ANY} is very natural and subtle.  The most accessorizing you do is to throw on your favorite hat and maybe a pair of glasses.  Your hair is never edgy and at most will have a few highlights or coloring that is easy to maintain.  When going for a walk or to the store you don't mind wearing sweats or khakis. When going out the most fashionable you get is by throwing on a graphic tee. 

Celebrities who are sometimes Breezy {let's face it most celebrities are too absorbed with their reputation to dress this way} include Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Vanessa Hudgens and Jennifer Aniston.

Keep it Classy

Dressing Care Free is supposed to be simple, easy and look effortless- but don't look Care LESS.  Please attempt to put some thought into your outfit.  There's a time and a place for everything so don't go frolicking around the mall ANYWHERE in pajamas {or Pajama Jeans}.  Your style is low maintenance so spice it up with polished nails, a splurge on your 'favorite jean' or tee.  If your clothes weren't tailored to have holes in it then it's time to toss it.  If you are going to be going to a place that requires you to be a tad more sharp try wearing a blazer over a tee with jeans and cute wedges.  If you are going somewhere such as Church or a special event then invest in a comfortable spring dress or nice dress pants if dresses just aren't your thing.   

Hope you were able to determine your style.  Keep it Classy.  Don't be afraid to mix one style with another.  Be unique and original but most of all have fun.  By understanding what your style is you should be able to shop easier and look towards role models who display similar fashion tastes.