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By Kelly Cormier
Since this is my first column, let me introduce
myself. I have been in the fashion industry for 20
years, working as a stylist for many interesting
clients. I travel often to many parts of the world
and, along the way, try to absorb as much as I can
about fashion, style and culture. I am not
professing to be an expert; I have made many
mistakes along the way (remember acid-washed jeans
and sprayed, back-combed, big hair?). Three things
that remain the same for everyone are these:
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It’s not about your budget.
Money definitely does not buy style. No one
needs a huge wardrobe. It’s how you put it
together that counts. Think quality, not
quantity. Do you have one great little black
sexy dress you feel fantastic in? With the right
accessories (beaded shawl and strappy shoes),
you can be ready for the opera. Dinner with your
close girlfriends? Try a denim jacket and some
ballet flats. I often shop at secondhand stores
and come up with one-of-a-kind vintage things my
friends are drooling over.
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It’s not about your body:
Whether you are petite, plus, or somewhere in
between, you need to dress for your body type
(this will take a bit of practice). The most
important thing is to wear the proper
undergarments, which I will talk about in my
next column. DID I MENTION THAT UNDERWEAR IS
VERY IMPORTANT? You need to know what to show
off and what to hide. We are all different. I
work every day with beautiful models that don’t
have perfect bodies. Some have skinny ankles,
birthmarks, tattoos they wish they’d never
gotten, and extra weight from having babies.
They are real people with real bodies. I am
always solving fit problems. Believe me, NO ONE
is perfect.
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It’s about your attitude: Walk
like you have confidence and people will believe
you have style. Start with comfortable shoes.
Have you ever seen someone walking down the
street in shoes that are too big, too small, or
too high? Comfort and fashion CAN go together.
Remember, a smile is the nicest
thing
you can wear every day. |
