Trends Vs. Personal Style

I’ve dropped tons of trend knowledge here for you, each season I break it down by silhouette, style and color but today I wanted to take a trend-break and discuss the importance of having your own UNIQUE personal style.

There are certain style fundamentals that always ring true no matter what your size, age or taste in clothing may be: Wear what looks good on you, what flatters your shape, and what reflects your personal style.

With that said, there is no escaping “trends”. No matter what you say or think the simple fact is, if you buy clothing you are buying into a trend (whether you realize it or not) and with so many trends coming and going each season where do you draw the proverbial fashion line?

The question that poses itself is – how do you keep up with trends and still not lose your own unique style persona?

Trends vs. Personal Style- the battle of the ages.

The truth is Trends and Style work together. They are like a great meal and a glass of wine. One helps to compliment the other and they need to be combined in just the right way.

Trends are set by the fashion industry to tell us what to buy and how to wear it. It is often also a cycle, which is why every five years acid-washed jeans becomes the “thing” again, and why suddenly those stilettos are passe and chunky heels come back in style.

Style is something you have that is unique to you. It’s the reason why that Instagrammer you follow can wear biker shorts and a blazer, and rock it, and you can’t; because if it’s not your style, you will feel weird- like you are in a costume or wearing someone else’s clothing.

Do you ever see something and think “That’s so Christie“? Why? Why do you think of me when you look at that piece? Maybe it’s a mixed print or a great cowboy boot- those are both signatures of my unique personal style.

The key to not ‘loosing yourself’ in trends is to pick and choose what pieces you like and incorporate them into your own personal style. Be selective and meticulous.

For example, I love vintage. Like LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Vintage. But I also can’t get enough of the current edgy western and pastoral influences we are seeing this season. So how do I choose? I don’t! I look for vintage or consignment pieces that have a western or pastoral vibe and pair them with current season pieces to create a totally unique look that is all my own.

Another trick is to always remain consistent when it comes to accessories. Accessories are the glue that holds the entire style together, so make sure you have a very curated selection that is conspicuously and unmistakably you. This way, whatever you wear, you will still remain you, because your shoes, bags, and distinct choice of jewelry will make sure you’re spotted and recognized from a mile away.

You shouldn’t change your personal style to adopt a trend- the trend should conform to your personal style.

The biggest advice I can give you is to BE YOURSELF.

If all your friends like something and you don’t, then don’t wear it. If no one else wears what you do, embrace it. If there is a certain pattern, color, type of clothing you love, then wear it.

There’s nothing wrong with being the women in the floral dresses all the time, or the woman who is always in a leather jacket. These things help make us unique and our styles help us represent ourselves in this huge world of ours. Your style will always be better than a trend, but that doesn’t mean a trend won’t become your style.

Like Emily Post said “The woman who is chic is always a little different, Not different in being behind fashion, but always slightly apart from it.”

This week I’m CELEBRATING UNIQUE Personal Style with the MASTER of Unique Style: Elton John.

I am giving away 5 PAIRS of tickets to the VIP Preview of Paramount Pictures’ ROCKETMAN which will take place at 7pm on Wednesday May 29th at Regal Red Rock in Las Vegas.

Head over to my INSTAGRAM to Enter Between Monday May 13 and Friday May 17th.

3 Things To Make Any Look More Stylish

Here we are at that “In-Between” time of year again.

Totally bored and unmotivated by the same old things you have been wearing all Fall/Winter but the weather isn’t quite ready for those Spring trends yet. It’s that point in the season when you look through your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear. Maybe you have used up all your winter fashion creativity or maybe you are just sick of winter clothing and the cold weather- either way you have hit a fashion slump.

So what is there to do? Well, I have THREE key ways you can add a punch of style to any look now and through Spring. A little fashion inspo on the cheap using things you already have in your closet!

ONE: Add a Belt to whatever you are wearing. A good belt can TRANSFORM an outfit. Not only does it slim your silhouette into a flattering hourglass it also instantly ups your style factor. Plus, it’s literally a cinch to add this waist-defining extra to a number of looks. Add one to a flowy dress to create shape (you will rarely see me in a dress or a skirt without a belt), add it on-top of a jacket for a luxe street-style vibe or add one to a skirt a tee for visual interest.

TWO: Add a Scarf. This little add-on packs a big punch when it comes to elevating your style. Neck scarves have been all-the-fashion rage for several seasons now but moving into Spring it’s all about the Bow. Instead of rocking that short bandanna style neck scarf try styling a long scarf tied in a bow.

THREE: Denim Jacket. Ahh denim jackets how I love thee, let me count the ways. Not only are they classic, timeless and NEVER go out of style they are also that one piece you can wear with literally ANYTHING and probably already have in your closet! Sometimes you need just one piece to change up your look and pull together a whole new outfit from those tried and true pieces. A denim jacket is that piece. Add it to an evening look to give it edge, pair it with jeans and tee to create depth and throw it on over a dress for a lightweight layer that’s effortlessly chic.