If I had to describe my personal style in 3 words it would be creative, dramatic, feminine. When I discovered my personal style preferences when I was undertaking my image consultant training (though it has developed and morphed some in the past few years), I finally understood why I can’t wear sneakers if I’m not actually doing exercise at the time – I’m just not relaxed enough, and my dramatic and feminine sides find them too clumpy and unattractive.
One of the things I’m most aware of when dressing each morning before meeting a client, is that I’m dressing to fit the perceived image of an image consultant, but also, I don’t want to ‘scare’ the client by being too creative (or even too dramatic), as sometimes they might think that I will just try and force them to wear the clothes I like, not what suits them. So I dress to my personality, but depending on the information the client has sent me about themselves, I won’t wear my more extremely creative pieces if I think they’ll be misunderstood.
But if I’m meeting with someone from a more creative industry or other image consultants, I’ll go all out and wear my most outrageous clothes.
I always include personality pieces in my jewellery, not matter how conservatively I’m otherwise dressed.
What has also been an interesting evolution in my style, is that I used to dress quite classically, but now I find my old classic clothes too boring and dull.
I’m busty, so I wear lower necklines and big necklaces (the scale of them diminishes the appearance of my bust) to draw attention to my face. I love colour so have lots of Murano glass pieces.
I’m short waisted and rectangular in body shape – so I never ever cinch my waist or draw attention to it with waist detail. I do however look for clothes that provide the illusion of me having a waist – for example, the black jacket has angled pockets which give me subtle waist shaping.
I have a flat butt, so I prefer skirts over trousers (which usually have saggy bums, except for the ones made by my tailor www.oscarandoscar.com.au which are brilliant).
I have longer legs, so can wear skirts from just below the knee to longer, though when they’re calf length I always wear heels.
I love asymmetry and look for these details in my clothes.
I love handbags and change them daily depending on what I’m wearing.
I’ve had a couple of kids and the flesh on my stomach is not as firm as it once was, so I look for ruching detail to hide, or a waistcoat will also disguise.
So – is this what you were expecting me to wear?
Sure, I could see you in these lovely looks! I love how well you know your body and how you evaluate it so objectively. I really enjoy asymmetrical clothing and I’m sure, with your height, these looks are super dramatic and creative.
I wish I were aware of myself (clothing and figure-wise) as you are. You have got it SORTED. I also like the way your style has become more adventurous (I think thats the right word). So many people continue in their old style without realizing it no longer fits their personality.
K.Line – I’m pretty average in height (5’6″), but with longer legs than body can get away with a greater variety of lengths.
Cybill – It’s been a long process, and a subject matter I’ve been interested in for over 20 years, and have been studying it daily for 6 years, and I’m still developing and changing.
I now make very few mistakes, and that’s great. Email me via my bespoke image website and we’ll try and improve your awareness!
It’s great to be more adventurous – what’s the worst thing that could happen? As long as the sky doesn’t fall in I”m happy!
Fabulous blog. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I am an H as well (albeit a pretty flat chested one) and now I know why I always hated tucking things in.
Found you through bloggers une femme d’un certain age and passage des perles.
Yay! That’s me, to a “T” (er…make that an “H”).
So…here’s a question for you. What if you were a busty gal who *didn’t* want to diminish the appearance of her bust? I’m not (necessarily) talking sleazy or slutty here, but what if you *wanted* to accentuate “the girls”?
I’d love to see a Polyvore on that with romantic/dramatic/sexy looks. ‘Cause Valentines Day is coming up, if you get my drift…
(I am cracking up…I just noticed that the verification word below the comment box is “mated”. I really must not visit your blog after two glasses of wine…)
Frugal Scholar – thanks so much for visiting and commenting – I love to read your thoughts.
Yes – I too was so happy when the tucking trend died out and it became optional!
Christine B – visit whether you’ve been drinking or not!
If you don’t want to minimise (and I can tell you, my bust still is huge, even with a bit of illusion and distraction – I just look more like a DD instead of a G cup with these tips). If you want to enhance the size of your bust just wear medium sized jewellery or wear higher necklines.
This is just what I’d peg you for. I love the asymmetry.
Are you guys okay with the fires? I hope you don’t have to evacuate. I was just reading The Age this a.m. and it is soooooo devastatingly sad. I hope you guys are okay!!!!
Karen – we are fine with the fires – we are suburban and dont live on the fringe where the fires are (a reason why I’ll never live in one of those areas).
It’s terrible – worst fires for over 25 years.
LOVE IT!!! I can now picture you in those outfits. At first I would have guessed more classic. I love how you mix it up-so fun!
With each post I look forward to your L.A. seminar more and more!
I love the polyvore but would love to see a real picture of you – wearing one of those looks.
Christina Lee – I used to do classic, but find it too dull these days.
Belette – I can’t wait to be in LA
Jane – one day!
I love these looks. I picture you as tall and elegant (with a fab hair!). I love the way you blend the creative with the classic. After all these years in my body I am trying to figure out not only my shape but my post-babies, should start growing up style. I find that in my search to find my style I have done everything from punk rock meets couture (think Gaultier) to off the rack J Crew. I am discovering that I am neither of those girls. For the past couple of years living in Hong Kong I realized that I have been detached from myself and my wardrobe reflects that. I read a post on your blog a couple of weeks ago (its not up anymore) it was a letter from one of your clients and how her work with you changed the way that she felt about herself. It really got me thinking about trying to get intouch with who I am now, what look I want to convey. If there is a look that screams French Woman with a blend of the creative, I might just do that. As usual doll, thanks!
I just discovered your blog last week and am slowly reading my way backwards through it. I used to love fashion in my 20s but really gave up on it after my body changed and a few tough years knocked the wind out of me. You are inspiring me to jump back in again, although I feel so out of touch with myself; don't know my body shape "letter," don't know what my three words would be…
Hi Imogen, like you I am tired of being a “classic” type. I want to be more creative in my dressing, yet as I am an old age pensioner, feel I don’t want to draw attention to myself by going over the top with styles and colour. Am looking at it as an adventure in trying different looks, and think Kari’s wardrobe fantastic, also the other girl (whose name I can’t recall as I write) her mother told her to wear something different every day. Your blogs are an inspiration and helping me to get more fun out of my clothes. Thank you so much. Elizabeth
Elizabeth – with creativity think about adding detail, rather than a whole outfit, so a scarf, piece of creative jewellery, little bit of unusual construction to the mix to move you away from classic but not too extreme.
Good grief! You’re my long lost twin – at least on paper: tallish, autumn, squarish these days, love ott dressing and murano glass jewellery. We differ in the bum; I most definitely have your share as well. And, like you, I only wear sneakers when I’m forced to by a gym. Dramatic feminine, that’s me. Thanks for the term as I’ve never know what to call it as I’m not dramatic enough to be truly DRAMATIC, but I’m definitely not stodgy. And, I feel the same about my clothes having been classically boring given they were mostly for going to work. Now I don’t work any more and have the freedom to wear whatever I want, I’ve found the transition more difficult than expected. I’m about to embark on styling an entirely new wardrobe, skin out, in the tropical colours which suit me. Good-bye navy, hello chartreuse, for the most part anyway. I’m off to read every word of your fascinating blog.
Thanks for reading and commenting Bunnykins. I hope you find a whole load of other useful information here to help you create your stylish new wardrobe
imogen you just described my body shape. so i am going to start gutting the things i know dont work. thank you
Hi, I’ve just come across this page and I am so grateful for the help. I was always hourglass but after the birth of my last baby at age 40, the waist never reappeared! My question is: the outfits at the top of the page, are they real? I LOVE the one with the waistcoat and red top, but I can’t find a waistcoat like that anywhere. Does it exist other than in your talented mind and pen?
Thanks!
Cheryl,
I made up the pictures using which come from shopping websites – so if you click on the picture it will take you to find where you can get the garment from. These pics are old so they may be out of stock now, but they will show you something similar I think.