Has style gone out of fashion?

Some things never go out of style.

Karen Homer wrote a lovely little book in 2005 called ‘Things a Woman should know about Style’. The first chapter is entitled ‘When Style went out of Fashion’. I agree will a lot of what she says here. I certainly look back on the 30s, 40s and 50s as more stylish than, for example the 60s, 70s or 80s. Did we have more style, or just dress better, with more care and pride? I think that everyone’s personal style will be in fashion, to some extent, at some time. Just not all the time. If we equate fashion with style, our personal style will change twice a year. And since personal style is an expression of personality … you see where I’m going with this. Fashion is a designer’s self-expression, which might or might not match our self-expression.

Ms Homer also talks about Vintage and Retro fashions. The things that hung in your or your parents’ wardrobes 25 or more years ago, that most of us donated to the local thrift shops when we were encouraged to “curate a capsule wardrobe” and are now encouraged to buy back at an inflated price … because “it’s Vintage”. I agree that vintage and retro can be tricky to incorporate into a current wardrobe. Braidwood vintage style icon, Deborah Thompson of The Vintage Drawer has perfected 100% commitment.

How do you find and express your personal style in the 2020s?

The first thing is to consider your lifestyle. Do you live in a city, town, village or on a rural property? Do you work in an office, shop, school or at home? Or do you not work? Do you entertain, travel, go to social events?

Next, think about what sort of clothes you’re comfortable in. Suit? Jeans? Activewear? Fitted or elegantly loose? Monochrome, colours, prints? Classic and understated or dramatic and blingy?

Finally, how do you want to feel and be perceived? The way we dress has an enormous impact on the way we feel. Looking good can turn a bad day into a good day. You’re more confident when you know you’re well presented. People perceive us as more trustworthy, confident, affluent and professional when we're well dressed and well groomed.

So, I’ll leave you with a question to ponder, if it is equally easy to look your best or just mediocre, which will you choose?