The sisterhood of sartorial spirit!
Style is a personal thing; it is as unique and individual as one's personality. There hardly is anything more attractive than a man or a woman who knows his or her mind and has developed a strong sense of personal style. One's style is not developed in a day. It takes years of experimentation, varied life experiences and a sound sense of judgment to cultivate a personal style that is one's own. Different physical attributes and features contribute to building a set of ideas that work brilliantly for one but not for another. Fashion is a living and breathing concept that requires constant care, nurturing and cultivation. Otherwise it fails to make an impact. Some of us have that one friend who is constantly reinventing her personal style, and in the process inspires those around. She is the gracious one; a melodious swan among other lesser quacking ducks.
After voraciously reading and believing every article in fashion magazines where the importance of developing a personal style has been stressed upon time and again, I wholeheartedly believe that every woman should possess some strong ideas regarding her own self. Well, fashion-wise, at least!
Life, with all its twists and turns, is not easy, and looking good and feeling fabulous is not either. Knowing what works best for me is great, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be not so good. What I mean by that is, as a woman in her late-twenties, who has thankfully found her sense of sartorial self to some extent can sometimes be counterproductive.
I get stuck in a rut more often than not; a style block, if you will. Getting too caught up in what is right for my shape and colouring will one day be the reason I will be labelled as a safe dresser, not a stylish one.Maybe some people are already calling me that behind my back, who knows?
The reality is, there is nothing wrong with playing it safe. I call it having a signature style, like Jackie O's shift dresses that she made her own or Maharani Gayatri Devi's chiffon and pearls that set her apart in a room full of European royals.
I do tend to disregard the fact that these women sometimes threw a sartorial curveball so brilliant that it made their personal styles both enduring yet exciting.
I have one friend whose personal style is close to mine but not quite. For some reason unbeknownst to me, she wears the same clothes I do, but with a certain amount of polish and sophistication that elevates her everyday looks into high fashion statements. I have often tried dissecting her methods but she has always been kind and never creeped out by my obsessive behaviour.
This is not a competition, mind you. We never try do outdo each other, but try to bring out the best in each other. We are always borrowing stuff from each other, knowing which pair of earrings will elevate a plain black jumpsuit or the pumps that would make a kurta-pants set look effortlessly stylish.
It is purely inspirational, for sometimes two heads are better than one when it comes to creating something unique and different. In fashion, where trends are all-pervasive and generic, a simple detail makes all the difference. This is the reason every woman needs a voice of reason around her that would inspire her to be her best.
With my friend it is about looking and feeling my absolute best, while being myself. It is said that the average mind works better when in the presence of other great minds. Eternally stylish women like Jackie O and Maharani Gayatri Devi were surrounded by other highly fashionable women of their times who perhaps provided fodder for their imagination and inspired them to take things to the next level.
At the end of the day, healthy female relationships are the most fulfilling ones in life, and having a fashionable friend who acts as an inspiration is nothing less than fabulous!
By Sabrina N Bhuiyan
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Mashiat and Meghla
Wardrobe: Chondona Dewan for Star Lifestyle
Make-up: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon
Styling: Isha Yeasmin