TWO SIDES TO STYLE

The neutral definition of style is a way of arranging apparel and carrying oneself as mentioned in last week’s post. But it’s the descriptive uses of style that are much more interesting and worth talking about.

The two essential uses of the word in describing apparel can be distinguished by bringing up fashion or being fashionable.

Fashion itself has the same neutral definition but, unlike stylish, there is only one meaning when it comes to describing your clothes as fashionable.

It’s important to know this because, like any good and beautiful thing, fashion or style can be corrupted and not only zap you of any joy, but fail to be effective in its use.

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1) Fashionable Fashion

This kind of style is all about being fashionable. See definition #1 and #3 of last week’s post.

Today’s fashion or what’s in style is always the latest, fly, most popular, and current trends. It’s what you’ll see in the world of fashion, whether it’s on the runways or in high school prom pictures.

Being fashionable isn’t about function, comfort, fit, or personal style. It’s not even strictly about beauty.

It’s about the apparel and its status.

2) Got Style

The second use of stylish is just pure style. See definition #5 of last week’s post.

It’s got nothing to do with comparing outfits, current trends, being popular, or new and exclusive. It’s not the hottest designer fitting the up and coming models or the big label’s latest sneaker campaign.

This is that something special, that timeless appeal that’s personal and singular.

Being stylish or having style isn’t about the clothes, it’s about a presence. It’s about how you use the clothes.

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Stylish Fashion and Fashionable Style

The two sides of style in one.

Perhaps we can blame Charles Frederick Worth for our fashion crazes. He is known as the father of haute couture, and haute couture is the perfect example of fashionable style or stylish fashion.

This combination of both an individual style and stylish apparel, or timeless appeal and trending clothing, is where most people live.

We are tied to the current trends and today’s fashions because it’s what’s available to us. Most of us don’t make our own clothes, let alone patterns.

We seek whimsy and flattering fits that support our own style in the newest designs and popular trends because it’s where we draw inspiration. We wear what we see others wearing because there is nothing new under the sun, and nothing else sold in stores or online.

When we’re giving advice to others on how to dress, we’re dolling out fashionable style concepts, combining the fashions we see with our individual flair. We’re thinking of today’s fashion rules and popular social etiquette.

We’re lucky to live in this world of creating our own style out of today’s fashion. To have so much visual inspiration, so many apparel options available at almost every disposable income level, invites your imagination to run wild.

Not for all, but for some, it really is a joy ride. Just check out all the fashion blogs.

Fashion Warning

It’s important to watch how far we go with chasing what is fashionable (or before it even becomes fashionable). The minute that fashion rather than style becomes your focus, you’ll be headed to a place where nothing is ever good enough.

Ever read the Emperor's New Clothes?

Don’t go so far down Fashion Ave that you’re willing to go along with any new trend or design, especially when you know it isn’t practical and it doesn’t make you feel good, and even though everyone around you is saying it’s just fabulous, you should have it, and you deserve it.

Choose style over what’s fashionable. Unless it’s both.