Style is something that is unique to everyone. Style is the person’s own choice in clothes, accessories, and others. Style is not totally dependent on clothing; it can be related to anything that makes the person look stylish. In another view, style is the extension of fashion which does not change like fashion. Whenever the term “style” is used it most commonly refers to one’s fashion or outer appearance but i want to remind you that style is much more than your shoulder length hair cut,fashionable coat or your ferragamo dress shoes.
It’s the total way of combination of way you dress,talk,move your body or do anything that matter. Simply put,it’s how we express inner being outwardly, this includes all of our thoughts ,emotions,interests,values . Everything on the outside is merely a reflection of what’s on the inside.
{because i firmly believe that fashion is just one part of your style}so what parts makeup your complete “style”?
- Your Reputation/Branding
- Clothing/fashion sense
- Your Grooming
- Non-Verbal
- Your Lifestyle & values
Fashion is the relationship to the external.
It is concerned with “what’s out there” (fashion items, in the stores). It’s a matching process between what’s out there (fashion’s primary interest) to what I’m wearing. Is what I’m wearing a ‘match’ for what’s ‘out there’, to what’s been deemed ‘in fashion’?
Style is the relationship to the internal.
It’s about “what’s in here” (my sense of self, my identity, my perception of who I am). The matching process is between what’s in here and how that is reflected and expressed in what I’m wearing. Does my clothing ‘match’ my sense of who I am, at least for today?
Fashion distracts, style connects
If we go with that definition, it’s easy to see that there’s a huge difference in the orientation of our focus if it’s on fashion vs. style. Fashion takes our attention away from ourselves, style brings our attention directly to ourselves.
You, or the clothes?
This definition also recognises where the emphasis is placed. With fashion, it’s on the clothing, the items deemed to be fashionable. With style, it’s on the person.
Fashion can be away to distance yourself from yourself, which may be a desirable thing for some people at some points in time.I believe that fashion has the capacity to erode our self-esteem and confidence because by its very nature it assumes a gap between where you are and where you should be.
Style is a way to make closer your relationship to yourself, as its focus and orientation is on the self and how it’s informed and expressed by clothing choices.I think it’s all about truly, truly knowing yourself, loving yourself – not just modifying, covering flaws, etc. – but loving yourself exactly the way you are right now – and dressing to honor that.
Student models and photographers from BlueCrest School of Fashion and Design.
Maame Afia Danso
Debbie Alfred
Lysa Panasa
Angela
photos by Tiffany Mensah and Tasha Awuku