Fashion Or Personal Style?

The worry to create a nice personal fashion look is a relatively recent concern. I do not remember 50 years ago that to have been a word. Of course, the desire to be elegant and look neat / sophisticated / distinct does not take into account time or fashion.

For example, in the interwar period, women would not conceive to leave the house without hat and gloves, and silk socks were a must-have of every season. And beyond conveniences and habits, this was surely a personal interpretation of style, even if there were no designers, labels, fashion statements and other current aspects. Closer to us, the catwalk dictates what should or should not be worn, even when we go jogging. So then, is fashion a personal decision or a dictatorship?

Most times, we are told that personal style is what counts. We are told that to be in fashion really means to be in harmony with yourself and that clothes only represent a statement of elegance and natural grace. In fact, even though we all wish to get this natural look via means just as natural, we cannot succeed. And we seek the most convenient options: a sophisticated makeup, beauty treatments and outfits to keep us out of obscurity. And whether we choose them from unknown stores recommended by our friends’ network or from the most famous brands’ stores, either completely following the trends or carefully choosing products/clothes to match who we are, fashion dictates our choices. The line between fashion victim and fashion tester is a personal one.

Fashion comes and goes. On the other hand, style you create over time. And it only matters to the extent that you feel good, free, and casual, not like something taken out of the box full of expensive labels and that captures your eyes. Yes, we love to admire people who manage such outfits but from a distance…would you want to be them? Not really, I think every woman that feels comfortable in her own skin, has something to show and will find the way to express herself, whether through her fashion or personal style. From the black evening dress from the bowed box to the authentic and original look on the scene of personal personality, there is a road that relies on normality, the natural, freshness, and own personalities…maybe worked out in great details but it gives the impression of effort free comfort. And since beauty lies in the small imperfections that are characteristic of us, what matters is being yourself in any situation. The fashion of the normal will never pass away.