The Many Sides of Style

THE DEFINITION OF STYLE

Merriam-Webster’s definition of style is a start, but a word that involves so much judgment and comparison deserves a bit more exploration if you’re going to throw it around.

Style is used to relate a way or mode of presenting yourself to the world. We use it to describe all the visual information our brain is processing when we look at each other.

As the dictionary says, it’s a verb or noun, but take style to stylish and you’ve got a very descriptive, and perhaps a bit of a deceptive, word.

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VERB

1) As in: make it stylish

Copying, emulating, following, fitting the latest or fashionable or fly or trendy styles.

If someone tells you that you need help, you’re outdated, or aren’t fashionable, they think you need to be styled because your apparel doesn’t conform to the current trends.

You’ll find the trendsetters are in the fashion media, the buyers for department stores, clothing designers, and big name labels along with all the celebrities, Instagram influencers, fashion bloggers, and the coolest 12 year old girl in your daughter’s class.

If you’re going to be styled, you’ll receive advice on how to wear clothes that fit into styles that the media and stores consider acceptable looks for today’s rules of fashion.

2) As in: create a style

To create a certain look.

The simplest form of the verb - with no popular bias or current standard. You’re simply making a statement. Style the dress, in any fashion…

Your style or mine, Audrey or Katharine Hepburn, Charlotte or Miranda, hippy or goth, preppy or romantic, 70’s or 90’s - any outfit, any fashion, no judgment, just a statement (as in look and definition…).

Usually, you’d be talking about styling your personal style: your taste, your look, your comfort, and your fit.

If you don’t want to lose your style, you’ll have to make sure any fashion advisers understand you’re not just looking for the latest and most popular trends (as in the 1st verb).

NOUN

3) As in: fashionable style

A way of dressing that is in line with or at the cutting edge of current fashion (see verb #1). This is what’s in style. Fly.

Ask that 12 year old playground trendsetter what’s cool, they’re still honest and will tell you what’s what.

If you chase this definition of style, I wish you good luck and farewell.

You’re going to a place that depletes your bank account, reinforces self-consciousness, takes up time searching for the next best thing, and can leave you feeling like you’re never stylish or cool or fly. Never good enough.

What’s in vogue often quickly fades, and you may quickly realize non-conformity, whether you’re forced into it or aim for it, can be a good thing. I wore clothes from something called the mission barrel in my early years and learned a thing or two about being out of style.

Let’s just say I had an early appreciation for definition #5.

4) As in: personal style

What and how you present yourself.

A visual communication of who you are, with your apparel and how you carry yourself. In this non-judgmental form, it’s simply about the way you dress, your look, your statement (see the 2nd verb).

Defining your personal style is deciding what you want from your apparel. How do you want it to make you feel? How do you want to show up in the world?

Regardless of how much thought you put into it, you’re sending a message about yourself to everyone you meet with every piece of clothing you wear (or don’t wear).

Your style has repercussions, good or bad. Be conscious of this.

5) As in: she’s got STYLE

A particular way of dressing or presentation that exudes a kind of curated or refined elegance, simplicity, beauty, timelessness.

A singular style that inspires a double take. Iconic.

Both animate and inanimate may have this style, whether it’s a classic car, a flashy coffee maker or electric toothbrush or the best suitcase ever, an Oscar worthy dress, or the woman at your office who just always looks classy, no matter what she wears.

It’s the effortless look. The look that reminds you that style isn’t about the apparel itself, but how you’re wearing it.

You cannot force it, style happens naturally. It happens when your clothes fit and flatter not just your body, but your personality and lifestyle too.

You feel comfortable and confident. You don’t look for fashionable clothes you can fit in, you look for clothes that fit who you are.

I don’t know about you, but this is the only style I care about. Style that makes me feel this good every day.