The Power of Fashion, How To Define Your Style and Make A Lasting Impression

By Nichola English.

Fashion is something we all deal with every day. Even those who don't think they take part in fashion still have to put some thought into the clothes they choose every morning; it's part of our self-expression. 

I liken choosing our daily outfit to pick & mix; so many diverse styles and ideas, it can seem overwhelming to select the right style based on your personal circumstances. Budget, lifestyle, culture, location, and taste all matter when getting dressed in the morning. 

As a stylist, I genuinely believe that fashion facilitates our visual language, telling the world a story about who and what we are. If we get this right, we can convey an entire message before we ever speak a word. It's powerful stuff! 

I adore fashion (not surprisingly!) I love using the clothes I put on my body as a vehicle for self-expression and creativity; how about you? If you're nodding along but also thinking Nichola! YES! But how? Hold on my friends, because today we're diving into some of the most popular fashion styles and how to choose based on what you love and who you are.

Vintage:

The word Vintage means 'being of an earlier period'. In this case, fashion from another time. The clothing from the 40s to 60s offers a timeless and unique style. Outfits will have gorgeous full skirts and petticoats, shirtwaist dresses, twin sweater sets, strings of pearls, Wayfarer sunglasses, and wool plaid skirts. 

Casual:

Casual chic is about looking smart without wearing a head-to-toe stiff outfit. It's an elegant and easy-going style of classic and feminine. This is a perfect combination to look stylish and laid-back with timeless and sophisticated pieces emphasising simple cuts, shapes, and silhouettes to create elegant, timeless, modern, and classy looks.

Sporty: 

Also known as athleisure, your style vibe is laid-back, taking sportswear elements out of the gym to make chic fashion. Try styling track pants and trainer shoes, converse high tops with leggings and oversize sweatshirts.

Bohemian:

Boho is a shortened version of bohemian. This look is all about bold details and natural tones with simple, contemporary pieces and is often associated with the free spirits of the 60s and 70s hippie fashion era. Depicted by flowing dresses, kimonos, peasant blouses with flared jeans and flat or wooden heeled sandals, fringed handbags, beach waved hair, fedora, or large brimmed style hats. You can often see this style today worn by the likes of Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.

Preppy:

The Preppy style is both classic and contemporary. It's loyal to crisp, clean staples with structured silhouettes, pastel colours, basic garments, plaid prints, and embroidery. Think pleasant cable knits, loafers, oxfords and ballet flat shoes, stripes, feminine, delicate, flowy blouses, blazers, and rugby shirts are all staples in any preppy wardrobe.

Rocker:

The Rocker is one of my favourite eras and styles to create. So versatile, it can be modern, glamourous, and badass. Colours tend to be black and neutral, with Motif T-shirts, band sweatshirts with ripped denim jeans, boots, Dr Martens, leather jackets, and cuff bracelets all styled with a touch of attitude and edginess. 

Grunge:

This style arrived in the 1980s, inspired by the bands and music like Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden. This look is a bit rebellious and edgy, taking in flannel shirts, leather jackets, ripped denim jackets, jeans, combat boots, slogan tees, slouchy sweaters, tights, oversized knits, and beanies.

Final thoughts of a Personal Style Coach:

Style and fashion can be idiosyncratic, and it's not one size fits all. Every piece of clothing, right down to the accessories you wear, becomes identifiable to you and your style statement. What's yours going to be? 

 Nichola English is addicted to fashion. From an early age picking out clothes for friends and family, she always had an eye for style which only expanded as she got older, eventually creating her business, The Wardrobe Provocateur. 

Nichola adores working with women (and men) across the world discovering personal style, reinventing that old tired wardrobe and realising new confidence and vitality through coaching, shopping and good old clearing out of the old. You can read her full story of becoming The Wardrobe Provocateur here.