LYDIA’S LIFESTYLES

COZY UP TO STYLE

Know who you are and what you want to convey to the world through style, exude confidence, even if you’re having a bad day. Your clothes say how you feel about yourself and the image you project to the world. Not how you feel that day, case-and-point, when I feel a little under the weather, I try to find the brightest, statement look that I can so that my look doesn’t become to mood; I prefer that my mood succumbs to my look (style).

Confidence is powerful. Learn how to purchase the right clothes for your body type. Style is both external and internal. Dress for yourself but dress the way you want to be addressed. Define your own style, a stylist assists you in perfecting it. What silhouettes do you like (and look good in)? What colors look compliment your skin (undertones)? (No one wants to look washed out). Once again, what is your body type? (This is the crux of your own personal style).

It is perfectly acceptable to flaunt your flaws, we all have them. When styling for my clients, I accentuate their assets, don’t shy away from them. For example, one client who was pear or triangle shaped wore tops that covered her hips, I purchased items that accentuated her hips in a thoughtful way, it did not overpower her look, but brought balance and attention to the art and not necessarily the body. She was pleased with her new look.

My mother is my style icon. My mom hails from the “I Love Lucy” era (I know I’m dating myself), when you got dressed up to go to the butcher, hat, gloves, heels, and handbag. Whether she goes to the doctor’s office, church, the post office or

BY BY LYDIA DEAN-REESE, MASTER STYLIST

to a friend’s home, she is dressed to the nines, so I got it honestly.

Remember, you can be elegant in jeans, denim is the most versatile pieces you can have in your wardrobe, it’s all how you put the look together, (or how your stylist puts the look together for you). I have been stopped multiple times at the grocery store asking me where I came

from or where I am going, and I reply, ‘the grocery store’, or the ‘the hardware store’. I’m not “dressed up”, this is who I am. Fashion editor, Elsie DeWolfe says, “if you are healthy, fit, and well dressed, you can be attractive”, it is not necessarily about good genes.

Fashion allows you to be a chameleon, but your style is the overarching ingredient to your “look”. People become style icons, not only because of their look, but because of the ease in which the exude self-assurance about that look.

If you don’t want to be basic, don’t wear basic pieces. There’s a difference between staple items and basic pieces. Before you buy, ask yourself will this look good on me? Do I feel good in it? Buy fun pieces that you love. Women of a certain age should no longer focus on trends (I did not say that you should not buy an item or two) but focus on statement pieces that aid in curated looks that are both eye-catching and eternal.

Invest in those statement items, you will get a return on your investment annually. What sets you apart?

The classics: in my humble opinion, you can never have too many LBDs (little black dress), add to your collection, a classic white shirt, trench coat, ballet flats, classic high heel pumps (closed in), a great handbag, tote, clutch, classic time piece (watch), accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, no size limit, easy wardrobe update.

A change or update in your style, can change your attitude and since attitude is 90% of everything, a style modification can change your life, be effortlessly stylish. You can be comfortable, self-assured, and stylish all at the same time.

Fashion can be bought Style one must possess – Edna Woolman Chase. To refine your own Personal Style, contact me @lydialifestylecoach on IG or on my website. -Lydia Dean-Reese