13 Sep Style and friends : Both you can count on

I believe a woman with style knows who she is, what she believes in and is not being afraid to embrace it. Friendship is no different. When you are with friends who love you for who you are, then you are safe and to embrace who you are and where you are in life.

Best friends are the clothes that last. The classics. They are the comfortable ones that are durable, well-made and unbreakable. They are there in times of hardship. They never go out of style. Best friends and classic styling can both be counted on in much the same way. Trends come and go, but the classics are there for the long haul. They don’t let you down.

Trends, they come and go just as some people come into our lives and then leave again. They arrive at the right time to prop us up and serve a need that we have. Like this season’s oversized earrings or pearl encrusted denim. It’s fun while it lasts but isn’t sustainable.

Some trends are just painful, awkward and a waste of resources. These are the friends who are teaching us something we still need to learn about ourselves. We can all think of that fashion trend we purchased and never wore. It might be a bad fit or just the wrong shape for our body. We can also think of that toxic friendship that tested the way we felt and how we reacted. These trends remind us of our own values and important they are. A true learning experience that really should not be repeated.

Then there are the friendships so comfortable and safe, like cuddling up by the fire in your favourite organic leisurewear to read a good book and sip on a quality glass of red. It’s a place to talk and relax, but you won’t be pushed to get out of your comfort zone. These are the basics, the core items in your wardrobe. Here lies the foundation to build a colourful and exciting outfit.

Values come into play with style and friendships. If your values are aligned they will become lifelong classics. They will make you feel confident, supported and flatter you in all the right places. If they are not fully aligned then they will serve you like a trend. Short lived and fun while it lasts, though may leave you feeling challenged and unsure of yourself.

We all know a true friend is hard to find, so when you find one, you hang on tight. Just like that favourite pair of jeans. A good fit, just the right wash, comfortable, flattering and totally amazing when you add a pair of heels and a red lipstick for a night out drinking champagne cocktails. These jeans are comfortable but also pushing you to challenge yourself to be the best you can be, and have fun doing it. These are the stylish friendships that I am blessed to be surrounded with. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for my wardrobe full of perfectly fitting jeans.

‘’ True friends are like diamonds – bright, beautiful, valuable and always in style’’- Nicole Richie.

Just like a favourite long lasting piece of clothing, friendships also need to be nourished and cared for to maintain the quality. If the energy isn’t put into keeping the item in good condition, they will start to fray at the edges. Investing in your appearance can change your life and the way you see yourself. Your attitude towards yourself can improve when wearing clothes that are aligned with your style and values. They are worth the investment so spend as much as you can afford. This is also true with friendships, spend all the time you can with the ones you love. What you get back is always in abundance of what you put in.

Your body and life may shift and evolve, but you can always count on your classics to be there through it all. Even if they get shoved to the back of the wardrobe because we didn’t feel like they were exciting enough or didn’t serve a phase of our life….they will always come back with a renewed energy. Just like an old friend, gone but not forgotten. The distance, a reminder of how perfect a fit they are for you.  The conversation flows as easily as the last time you spoke and you never run out of things to talk about.

Don’t adopt a style that doesn’t suit who you are just because someone else looks amazing in it. Don’t follow the trend of the moment, but start to take elements that suit you. Break out from the comfortable choices you have made in the past and play with shapes and colour. Accessories and shoes can be a great place to start. This season my personal shopping clients have all embraced shoe choices that celebrate and express their own personality. Easy to integrate back into their existing wardrobe.

You need to feel like ‘you’ in your clothing and by that, I mean an awesome you. Start by aligning your values with your clothing choices the way you align your friendships with them.We can’t get along with everyone or every trend. Choose your friends and clothes wisely. Learn from your mistakes and try things on for size. If they don’t fit, then it’s ok to walk away.