A thing or two about style

by The Flamingo

Style is one of the favorite topics The Fox and The Flamingo like to talk about and this time around we want to enlarge our circle of discussion by including you, our dear reader. 

The Fox and The Flamingo are no stylists, nor fashion experts, we are two normal women who love all things beautiful and who have developed and chiseled their taste over the years. Although our preferences are similar, each of us has her own style, but the concepts remain the same.

We bet you hear a lot about different styles around the world, the French or Italian or even the Japanese style (sorry, dear Americans, flip-flops and sweatpants are not on our list). We took what we liked and what suited us from all the concepts in these different types of fashion and applied it. We will share some of our concepts with you, just for the fun of it:

• Know your figure. This is the most important first step towards having a wardrobe that actually fits and looks good on you. Know your assets and your flaws. Complement what you find charming about yourself, so that the parts you like less pale in comparison. 
• Don’t wear clothes that are too tight…unless you have an hourglass shape. The French style teaches us that even when you’re wearing tight clothes, a certain looseness is required so that you don’t look ridiculous, as if the material is about tear and reveal the “unmentionables”. So if you are wearing a blouse and there are some horizontal lines forming between your breasts, that means it’s too tight and you would look better in the next size. Also practice sitting or climbing stairs when buying a very tight skirt. If you can’t sit down comfortably or raise your leg at least at 60 degrees angle then you know the verdict.
• Wear natural materials. Although they are more expensive, nothing compares to how they feel and look on you. It’s healthier for your skin and they don’t turn foul after a few washes.
• Fashion doesn’t matter. What’s trendy and new is of no consequence. Wear what looks good on you, this is one of the most famous quotes of Coco Chanel, “fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
• Know your colours. It’s very important that your clothes complement your skin tone and your hair colour. For example if you are a light blonde keep away from oranges, yellows and purples. If you are a brunette you know you look good in white and less so in black. As a redhead embrace greens, blues and red hues that go with your hair. If your skin tone and hair color are warm keep to warmer shades, if they’re cold then you know what to look for. 
• Never expose too much of your body. We can’t say this often enough. If you wear a deep cleavage, then be sure your dress isn’t too short or too tight. Try to avoid vulgarity at all costs, even if you think you have a bombshell body. Sensuality comes from that which remains hidden. You want to attract the right kind of crowd. 
• Don’t mix patterns, even if it’s the latest fashion. Stripes don’t go with flowers, or plaid with birds and so on. And know of course what patterns are most advantageous to your silhouette. For example you can wear St. Tropez stripes if you are thin and also flowery dresses will flatter your figure, but if you are more voluptuous, then wear more uni colors.
• Simple is better and more elegant. Don’t over accessorize your outfit. 
• Wear bows. The French and the Japanese wear bows proudly: in their hair, around their necks, on the clothes or on their shoes. Not all at the same time, mind you! 
• Heels or flats? Italian or French? Both are needed in a woman’s wardrobe. Petite girls look better in heels, but not too high, 5-7 cm is the best height to look good and walk beautifully at the same time. Flats are really elegant for all heights and most comfortable. 
• Sportswear is just for gym, climbing mountains and hanging around the house. 
• Own a jacket suit, a little black dress, a white shirt and a cashmere/wool sweater. The jacket is very useful for any number of occasions as well as the black dress, and nothing looks better in winter than a shirt under a cashmere sweater. 
• Always wear perfume, one that suits you.
• Leggings are not pants! Do yourself a favour and stop wearing them. It’s a cruelty to style. Pregnant women can get a pass but that’s it!
• Big sunglasses do the trick! You look good in them no matter how little you’ve slept last night. 
• Wear hats and berets. They look good on any shape of face or any hair style. 
• Trench coats are better than wind jackets…not so warm, we grant that, but look better. 
• Wear minimal makeup. A healthy skin looks better without foundation and is also more kissable. Eyeliner and a natural lipstick is a must, the rest doesn’t matter. 
• Have a selection of beautiful gloves for the autumn and winter.
• Be unique in your style, be a little different from all the others. Find what defines you. For example The Fox is more of a classic with “a twist” as she likes to point out, while The Flamingo is more on the romantic side. 

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world” (Prada). Style is an instant language and your visit card before having to speak. Who says “I don’t dress for others, I dress just for myself” isn’t truthful with herself, in our opinion. Every woman likes to be admired, so we can do both: dressing for our own pleasure as well as for others’. We also think women secretly don’t dress for men, but more for other women. Not many men are versed in noticing taste.

For our beloved gentleman readers out there, the same rules apply…minus the black dress and maybe the heels, also that bow (as in “tie”) needs to be under your chin and not anywhere else. We approve of the eyeliner.

After we shared a few of our style concepts (yes, there’s more where that came from) we invite you to share a few of your own concepts in the comments as well as thoughts on what you think style should look like.

Photo from Fox’s archive.