Why have a style recipe? In my opinion it's one of the most useful tools anyone can have when developing their style. So much of your style comes down to your personality, what you do and don't like, from fabric to fit, shape to detail, scale and proportion.
- A style recipe will help you define your style.
- It will give you a framework to use when shopping for clothes.
- It will give you assistance when putting together outfits.
It does not have to limit you to becoming a "one-look-wonder". My Style Recipe is Functional Individualist - which I've written about here. To me it allows me to wear lots of different looks, it's just an encompassing thought that helps me buy only what works for me.
Your style statement will change over time. You are human and your lifestyle will change, your likes will change and different things will become more or less important as you move through your life.
This outfit fits my style recipe - it's functional (I wear this when I want to be comfortable - these harem style pants are my version of tracksuit/sweatsuit pants, the tee is also loose and comfortable, the hot pink shoes and tee add a splash of colour (individualist) and I made the necklace myself (so you'll never find another one exactly the same).
This outfit is a simple leopard print cardigan with a pair of cropped/clamdigger denim pants. It also hits my "comfort" need (and that's a really important part of the word functional in the way I interpret it). It functions as a good outfit to wear on a day in my home office, yet the leopard cardigan is a little quirky, not too plain and boring. You wouldn't say that my style recipe makes my look uniform, which is what some people worry about when trying to define their style. Worried that it will box them up too tightly and now allow their free expression.
If you say to yourself "but I know what I like" that's great - all a style recipe is doing, is putting that "feeling" of what you like into words. A set of words that you can use to define your style, to define what you love. If you feel a style recipe is limiting you, then you haven't found the right recipe!
Read up on how to develop your style recipe:
Finding Your Style Recipe What is Your Style Recipe What is your Signature Style Love What You Buy 7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy that HeroPlus my Evolve Your Style program includes resources on defining your style recipe and my 7 Steps to Style program goes even deeper into the process.
