I’m going to say it straight up, to avoid any confusion: style matters. If you think it doesn’t, then you are terribly, terribly wrong, not to mention horribly misguided. And, in what may come as another blow, the person it should matter to the most is…you. Style, in every form, on every possible level, and in every possible area, matters. It determines the websites we choose to view, the clothes we choose to wear, and the coffee table we decide to rest our teacups on. Style is our distinctive manner of expression. It’s evident in the way we speak, walk, talk, write and behave. It has very little to do with fashion and trends, and much more to do with self esteem and personal pride.
Anyone who says that style doesn’t matter most probably lacks it. Style is about confidence, panache and substance. It’s about respecting yourself. When you get dressed – whether to stay indoors all day or to present yourself to a room full of people – you should do so with passion and pride. A tracksuit can be stylish. Pyjamas can be stylish. Cheap jeans can be stylish. Style is not only for a select few. It is not just for the wealthy classes or the fashion junkies. In fact, the gaudiest people I’ve associated with have been those who have too much money and not enough style. You can’t buy style. Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.
The best example of style I’ve ever witnessed was when I spent time in Italy. And that was style on a national level. Every man, woman and child – from the big cities to the small towns – looked constantly chic. Train drivers, garbage collectors, architects, students and police officers all had one thing in common – they were always immaculately dressed. Always. Their actual clothing was no different from anyone’s anywhere else in the world – a set uniform, or jeans and a shirt – it was all to do with the way they carried themselves. I put it down to the Italian’s obsession to fare bella figura. There is no easy, literal translation for this obsession. It’s a mindset, a value instilled at birth. It’s about looking good, behaving in a manner appropriate to an occasion and keeping face. It basically runs the country.
The thing I loved about the Italians, and the Swiss, and the French, was the way they embodied style – the way they really lived and breathed it. Sometimes it was purely down to practicality – a glove pulled over hands, to keep warm in the piercing cold. Sometimes it was purely for aesthetic value – bright, bold stockings or a sparkling brooch – but it was always, always, for themselves. Every item bought was an investment, to add to a collection. Every piece was used, and loved. And, regardless of economic or political climates, the people always looked good. A fact that I’m sure remains unchanged.
With style, and all its elements – clothes, art, movies, design, books, music – comes the potential to change yourself. To become something else. To learn, grow and be enriched. Who hasn’t left a film feeling slightly changed? I’m not talking about moved, or inspired, but altered in some way. Who hasn’t listened to a piece of music and been transfixed? Or read a book and grown?
When I think of physical style, so many names come to mind. Grace Kelly, George Clooney, Audrey Hepburn, George Best, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Diane Kruger, Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker…the list could go on. The truth is, and I’m not afraid to admit it, a good outfit can stop me in my tracks, just as fast as a great book or a brilliant song. To admit that I have watched episodes of Sex And The City over and over and over, just for the clothes, is something I am not ashamed to say. That I am so excited to see Confessions Of A Shopaholic has nothing to do with the storyline – I saw the preview, and Patricia Field’s styling and outfits have my heart a flutter. If I admitted that one of my majors at University – cinema studies – had less to do with technique and themes, and more to do with style and escapism, it would not be a lie. I wish I could have repeated my Film Noir subject. For the outfits and dialogue alone.
I’ve never met someone who wanted to look bad. Who wanted to be ugly. Who wanted to surround themselves in disgusting things. So, why not take pride in yourself? In your home? Why not put in some effort? For the benefits your receive, the effort seems like none at all. The fact is that putting effort into yourself – on an emotional, intellectual or even superficial level – results in you feeling better and happier.
Style is a state of mind. It’s about doing something your way, with a touch of pizzazz and a little flair. It isn’t subjective, because style can only ever be good. There is no such thing as bad style. And, the best part is that the only thing that never goes out of style, is style.
Life is too short to be ordinary. Embrace your style, create a new one, or embody a different type each day, but whatever you do, have some.
Next week, Sandi Tighello will be the official Trespass go-to girl at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Check in to Trespass every day for updates, key trends and runway wrap ups.
I think you should attribute the ‘Fashion can be bought, style one must possess’ quote
To whom? It is attributed as ‘Anon.’ in the book I read it in, the poster I saw it on had no author of sorts, and a quick Google search has come up with about six possible people that may have said it. I’ll leave you to assign a person. It’s a saying, one that I use frequently, that I don’t believe needs to be cited.
Great article!