femalenetwork.com

You see her every now and then—the confident woman who struts her fabulous outfit in the mall or at a party. “Uso na pala ‘yun,” one would quip about her clothes. “Are those designer shoes?” one could ask after skimming her from head to toe. “She just looks so damn good,” one would sigh after taking in her whole put-together package.

She is a fashionista—the standout celebrity in the entertainment scene, the trendsetting model, the hip creative director of your company’s advertising department, or the popular girl in your office. Her standout sense of style makes heads turn—whether in admiration or envy.

Who Is This Style Star?
“The common perception about fashionistas is that they are high-maintenance,” according to Olen Juarez-Lim, image consultant and managing director of OJL Consulting Group, Philippines. “People think that fashionistas buy a lot of things and have a lot of expensive clothes, but that’s a misconception.”

So, who is she, really? What is about these fashionistas that puts them a step ahead of everyone else? “Fashionistas are individuals who understand their image,” explains Anna Soo Wildermuth, certified image master and founder of Personal Images, Inc., U.S.A.. “They wear clothes well because they have a style that works for them,” she says. “Fashionistas work around their closet pieces and make everything they wear look good,” adds Lim.

“In Hollywood, as long as the star is consistently choosing the most stylish and most flattering—not necessarily the most expensive—things, then she is a fashionista,” explains Frances Amper, Editor-in-Chief of OK! Philippines.

Not everyone who wears something expensive, unique, or trendy is considered a fashionista. Instead, being a fashionista encompasses more than just dressing well. “It’s also about their behavior, their attitude, and their lifestyle,” says Lim. “A real fashionista will naturally choose the good things in life—the company she keeps, the books she reads, the things she does,” explains Amper. “She’s poised, courteous, sophisticated, and subtle,” describes Lim. “A fashionista is your everyday woman—she just happens to look fabulous when she want to make an impression,” adds Natalie Jobility, president of Elan Image Management, U.S.A.

 

Know Yourself
Be a master of your own body. “First, find out who you are—know your body’s assets and flaws then learn to flaunt and hide them,” amper advises. Whatever your shape and size, know which type of clothes suit you. If you look great in skinny jeans, wear them. If they don’t do your body justice, don’t force it. There is a wide array of clothes and accessories that suit every body type.

Next, know your unique kind of fashion. “Know the designers you love. Know what clothes suit your personality. [Develop] a signature look,” says Jobity. Make sure your wardrobe contains classic pieces and accessories that you can work around with. As for trends, choose the ones that suit your personality and body type, and then incorporate them into your classic wardrobe.

“Also, love the way you look,” says Amper. It’s only when you’ve accepted—and learned to love—your body that you can dress it up and adorn it accordingly. Stop trying to get model-thin if you’re blessed with voluptuous curves and avoid loathing your waif-thin body, if you’re simply supermodel-statuesque.

Lastly, while you’re maintaining a positive image of yourself, “do keeps an eye and an ear out for other people’s advice,” says Amper. And instead of seeing others’ remarks as downers, use them as ammunition to better yourself and evolve.

 

Embrace Change
Fashionistas are made, not born. “Given the right about of resources and knowledge that’s available to you, pwede ka mag-transform,” says Lim. She names celebrities such as Nicole Richie, for her improvement in fashion through the years, and Kate Moss, for her consistent and effortless style. Locally, Lim cites Judy Ann Santos, whose evident image-change has madder even more an endorsement favorite. “She’s elevated her style,” observes Lim. “Her taste has now become more sophisticated.”

Note, however, that you don’t have to be in the entertainment industry to transform into a style swan. If you feel that you can do with some tweaks in your image, go for it. “With self-awareness and good taste, you can become a fashionista,” says Amper.

“I’ve always had the same style since high school: basic and simple,” shares Kay, 27, operations manager. “Even if I wanted to look different and change my style, people—myself included—are so sanay with the way I look.”

Just because you’ve always looked or dressed a certain way doesn’t mean you should get stuck in a style rut. Instead, “show the world that you’re evolving and growing,” advises Nita Baker, author of Imagewise Improvement.

 

Have A Stylish Frame Of Mind
One key factor to becoming a fashionista is confidence. “People who are stylish are innately confident, accomplished, and know who they are,” according to Amper. “They have self-worth. People are attracted to that.”

Let’s be realistic. In life, looks matter. “When you look good, you get noticed, you stand out, and you get away with a lot of things,” stress Lim. “People who take care of their appearance get some advantages over people who don’t,” observes Mundi Ocampo, 23, marketing executive. “It shows respect for other people, attention to detail, open0mindedness, and a sense of fun.”

So, stand tall, sit straight, and smile. If you move with uncertainty, people will notice your uneasiness instead of the creative outfit you put together. Be proud of yourself.

It’s Not About Being Pasikat
Be warned, though, that there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness. There’s nothing wrong with dressing up and caring for yourself and your image, but don’t let it get to your head. Nobody likes a mayabang officemate who is obsessed with brand names and trends.

“You have to be comfortable with the way you look and not always be out to impress others,” says Lim. “A fashionista is one who brings positive influence in society—not the one who tries too hard to be in the news.”

Once you’ve mustered enough confidence to convey your true personality in your most fashionable way, just say to yourself, “I’m fabulous!” instead of “Oh, look at me, I have an original, expensive designer bag!”

 

Study Stylin’ Up
Fashionistas aren’t fashion victims or slaves. They have such a good hold on fashion that they appear in control of its whims and fancies. They don’t follow it blindly or trail every trend they see in magazines and on TV. Instead, they study it craftily, apply what suits them most, and enjoy getting styled up.

It may not be your job to know the ins and outs of fashion, but it’ll be wise to do as the fashionistas do: Appreciate working on your own image. A lot of what you project to the world—whether it be to a soon-to-be-boss, potential boyfriend, or new posse—has a lot to do with image. Studying your image closely and understanding how you come across to other people can help you fit in, land your dream job, or snag a stud.

However, heed this style warning: It’s okay to be fashion-forward and be into your image, but don’t go over the top. No need to splurge on fads just because everyone else is wearing them. “It’s irritating when I see a celebrity with an outfit that’s too loud, exaggerated, or worse, whenthe outfit is nice but it doesn’t suit the celebrity,” says Nina Sulit, 26, HR practitioner. A good fashionista knows her best assets, “but doesn’t overdo it,” Lim emphasizes.

“Carry Ko ‘To…Next Time.”
Style icons like Cameron Diaz and Mischa Barton have had their share of wardrobe bloopers, yet still managed to get back on track. If you commit a fashion blunder, remember that you can make up for it next time. If you carry it well, you can even get away with it.

Know that while fashionistas can get away with a lot of thins—the way supermodels kate Moss and Agyness Deyn make old t-shirts look glamorous—they can still make fashion faux pas. “May hit and miss pa rin,” says Lim. “The best way to rise from a fall is not to make a big deal about it,” she advises.

Celine Lopez dubbed as a fashionista in the local social circles, recalls how she, too, committed fashion blunders in the past, “I once wore red leather pants,” she confesses. “I have erased [that incident] from my memory. What else can I do? I think if you’re too obsessed with fashion, it ruins it. You should enjoy it and not be too uptight about it.”

We are all works in progress. “In discovering oneself, we experiment with different looks,” says Amper. “But confident people don’t beat themselves so much over their mistakes. It’s all part of our growth.” Don’t be afraid to experiment and commit mistakes. Soon, you will be master of your own style, confidence, and charm.

 

More Than Charm School
Image consultants can help women (and men!) enhance their appearance, business communication, confidence level, and personal etiquette. Some sources to tap:

• OJL Consulting Group Image,
  Etiquette and Protocol Consultants
  www.ojlconsulting.com
• www.aici.org
• www.elanimagemanagement.com
• www.personalimagesinc.com
• www.londonimageinstitute.com