This week I have been teaching a class in color.  There were students from the US and Canada and as far away as Korea.  All were and are serious students, learning how to become image consultants.  Midway through the first day, I said to one , I do not consider myself a “fashionista”, I consider myself a “stylista”.  I study fashion, but I am a student of style!

There is not a woman that I have met who doesn’t want to look good, be current or fashionable.  Anyone CAN buy fashionable clothes but it’s the woman the knows, truly knows her style that people notice.  She is not a “fashionista”, she’s a “stylista”!

How does she do it?  How does she learn how to buy the right clothes for herself no matter what her size, shape or lifestyles?  She is a student of herself.

Youth is very forgiving.  We all expect young people to make silly mistakes.  We forgive them because we know they are on a path, learning what to do.I used to tell my children once is a mistake, twice is probably o.k., but a third time…well that’s stupidity.  That may sound harsh, but reflect upon the “stupid mistakes” you have made.  There were probably opportunities to learn along the way that you never paid attention to.   The point is to learn from your mistakes.

When you are in your 20′s you should experiment with fashion.  I encourage you to try on different styles to see how you feel and what the world says when you are doing so. But DO pay attention..Remember once is a mistake!

In your 30′s,  you should have learned at the very least what shapes looks good on you in the past decade.  Narrow down the choices, you are not in college anymore.  Your closet still will have some mistakes but there shouldn’t be as many.  Mistakes now may come in the form of color or style.  Pay attention to whether you prefer floral prints or stripes, and certain fabrics or detail such as ruffles or embellishments.

By the time that you have hit your 40′s you should have a solid idea of what styles looks and feels good on you.  Eliminate EVERYTHING in your closet that is a mistake and doesn’t look or feel good on you. As your body and lifestyle changes, choices that you have made in past decades will continue to support you and make you look great.

Cruise into your 50′s and beyond embracing the simplicity of dressing for yourself and the well known adage “less is more”.  Accessories are your BFF (best friend forever). You are no longer searching for fashion because you have STYLE.  You know how to take a trend, a fashion statement and put it into your wardrobe and make it your own. Congratulations!  you have now become a “stylisa”!

Remember, you DON’T have to do it alone either!  There is great benefit to being a life long learner!  Wisdom is power and you now have the power to:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”