Tag: trends

Dressing For The Female Gaze

Most millennials have been taught to dress for the male gaze. This can be a great thing to consider for when you are really getting out there with dating. There is such a thing as a correct first-date outfit: Dresses, skirts, and non-patterns are a good starting point. However, when you are in a dating break it is wonderful to explore your own personal style. There is a whole brand “man repeller” which explores style that is geared towards fashion risks and expanding. When I watch “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw’s style is truly her own taste and vibe to impress herself. How can you cultivate your own style and lean towards the female gaze?….

What do you gravitate towards naturally….

You might be shopping or thrifting and get giddy when you see a certain style or color. Follow influencers and fashion accounts on social media to get a feel of what your taste is. Usually, there is a name for the aesthetic that you can dive into. I love using key words that describe what I enjoy. For example, you might be drawn to more edgy or preppy outfits.

What are the current trends…

Not suggesting you need to jump on every bandwagon. I love watching style channels on Youtube just to get a sense of what is trending. I prefer to not look dated, but to be seen as “in the know.” The great thing about fashion is that you can look amazing at any age just by choices and silhouettes.

You don’t have to sexualize yourself….

Personally, I love to dress in a modest way. My jacket obsession will never die since it is a chic way to layer an outfit and make it all come together. Not to say you can’t wear short shorts or a low-cut shirt if that suits you. But…. ask yourself, is this for you or men? Do you get the most attention from a miniskirt and a cleavage low-cut top? Is this the only reason why you wear these items?

What is the decade that resonates with you?….

No matter what is trending, you might be drawn to the 70s or 90s, for example. It is great to play off of what makes you smile and what brings in the most compliments. You could be drawn to bright colors or certain textures.

Understand that prints and patterns can fade fast….

You are always better off peppering in patterns and mainly wearing basics to balance it out. Leopard print is back in a huge way. It is a style that you can keep and wear again. Certain patterns highlight the time period when it was big, such as chevron ( which was big in the mid-2000s). Stripes, leopard, and gingham are always in so it is a safe place to start. Prints however, are a one-of-a-kind design for the most part. It is safer to buy something unique that you enjoy.

Silhouettes and shapes….

There are certain shapes that look great on everyone. I love that we are in a wide-leg era again. It is a trend that cycles back and does not change. As far as baggy jeans, it is hard to get it to look flattering. It can make you look too bulky if it is not styled correctly. As far as loose dresses, a belt can be a great way to highlight your waist and give you some shape.

Foot wear…

Finally, comfortable shoes! I am not a heels girl, which is the most alluring to men. I personally just feel like a deer on ice in them. I might make a compromise by wearing a hefty block heel or platform Mary Janes. If you decide to purchase sneakers, go with a white, black, or neutral. Not to say a color sneaker can’t look great. As far as ballet flats, it is your call. I remember ten plus years ago I would walk sockless in a gold ballet flat. At the end of the day it was a swampy smelly mess. I do appreciate that the ballet flats are worn with socks. My favorite is more of the chunkier ones that have a sturdy sole versus a little slipper.

Purses and accessories….

Get creative, why not? This is where the styling comes into an outfit. It is easy to thrift unique belts or a fun purse or bag. It is great to have an everyday bag when you do errands. I prefer a cross-body style in order to be hands free. But why not have that bag be leather or a more luxury material? As far as going out, bags I have always had a vision of was me with a little silver sequin bag on New Year’s Eve or some cute little bag you take out when you dress up. Jewelry is a whole other thing that comes down to personal taste and style. Some people look amazing when they wear 20 necklaces. It is a matter of what physically feels right to you. I don’t love wearing earrings since they tend to itch and pull after a few hours. I love a great ring or bracelet and a simple necklace.

Bottom Line…..

Anyone who is in a “putting yourself out there, going on weekly dates” era can ignore this article. However, it is fine to have taste and stretch a little out of your comfort zone. Gather inspiration from Youtube and social media and make a shopping wish list in your notes app. It is fine to go slowly and maybe just wear a statement jacket or shoe to start. Most important is to feel excited about dressing up and stretching out of your comfort zone.

How To Do The “Mob Wife” Trend Without Looking Like A Character

In case you don’t have social media, the “mob wife” trend in fashion is a hard pivot from “quiet luxury”. This trend in particular gives permission to have fun with fashion and go in a slightly divorcée gaudy direction in the best way. However, most people do not want to copy a runway look and prefer to make it their own. Here is how to embrace the trend without looking like you stepped off the Soprano’s set…..

Fur….

This is the first giveaway that you are participating in the trend. Feel free to thrift, in fact, please thrift, do not purchase new fur. I would personally prefer to wear faux fur, mainly because I don’t want PETA to throw paint on me. I feel certain trends like this that popularizes fur again can be a problem, simply because most people do not thrift and demand new fur to be manufactured. Again….thrift, get it from your grandma, wear faux, be ethical.

Animal print….

Google pictures of Kate Moss or the “Indie Sleaze” trend. It’s sort of a rocker look that is timeless and brave. It can give you ideas of how to style your outfits.

French tips….

It is perfectly fine to glue on some press ons. For those who get manicures regardless, go more brave and bold. Try a long red nail or French tips.

Red lips….

Makeup goes back and forth between layers of makeup versus the clean girl “no makeup” look. You can pull a French girl classic and wear a red lip with minimal other makeup. This is in fact a classic look that looks great on everyone.

Logos….

This is where you can screw up the trend and look like a character. Be mindful of how loud your logos are and how many you are wearing. (Also certain logos aren’t a flex to wear). If you happen to have high-end designer logos, feel free to wear them in a belt, bag or accessory.

Jewelry….

This is your chance to get away with wearing a matching set. However, it’s smart to go by the Coco Chanel advice and take off one piece before you leave the house.

Bottom Line….

Get out of your comfort zone and embrace this trend. You can dip your toe in by just wearing a leopard-print pant or jacket. You don’t have to look like a pimp by wearing a floor-length fur coat. Thrift a coat that has a fur trim or wear a fur shrug. Look up the “Indie Sleaze” trend since I think they are pretty related. With any trend you don’t have to wear everything at once. It’s best to pepper in a few bolder pieces and maybe wear a little more jewelry if that suits you. I like fashion trends where you are allowed to have fun, so wear it while the trend is still alive and well.