Fashion or Style? You Choose!

Mmmm, Fashion or Style?

What is the difference between fashion and style? These two terms get mixed up all the time in the media and elsewhere and, as a result, many people get confused.
So, here are the simple definitions according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

“Fashion: A popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people
Style: A particular way in which something is done, created, or performed”

The way I see it, the simplest thing to do is to equate fashion with popularity and groups, style with particularity and individuality.

In this blog post, I share with you what I think about fashion and style and which, in my opinion, is the more important of the two.
Please write in the comments whether you are more into fashion or style and why.

For me, fashion is about:

• Trending. For me trending means following the new 'in' shapes/designs/colours, even though there’s hardly anything new in this world, especially in fashion. ‘Les nouveautés’ are just recycled, repackaged and cleverly marketed old stuff. They are then called new trends. 

My advice: pick one or two pieces in any new trend that you really like to inject a bit of ‘freshness’ into your style and make it 'on trend' without going all in.​

• Conforming. You may think that if many other people like and wear the new trends (fashion), then it must be ok for you to like and wear it too. You feel safe in the knowledge that you are just like everybody else, not standing out; part of the crowd.

My advice: Dare to wear older clothes from your closet from time to time, to avoid looking like a clone of your peers (Kanye West and his beige collection anyone?).

• Buying into famous brands and ‘celebs’. Some designers show their love of women and their curves (merci Ralph Lauren!). Others such as the new 'celeb designers' show an utter disregard for body shape and ‘design’ potato sacks, smiling in the knowledge that their name alone will help sell their (sorry, can’t call them clothes) stuff.

​My advice: Only buy clothes that make you look great. Please disregard the label.

• Being in fashion. If being “in fashion” is to follow fashion, then you are already out of step with it. As soon as the new fashion hits the shops, the designers are already finishing off the next fashion trend ready for manufacturing. It may even be advertised or talked about as the 'next thing'. So, by definition, you will always be a step behind fashion. The current pace of fashion trends makes this worse. It is their clever way of keeping you on the fashion-buying treadmill.

My advice: If you wish to be a trailblazer, forget about fashion.

• Falling in love. Who hasn’t stopped in their tracks as they walked past a shop-window and fallen in love with a special, ultra-fashionable piece? You couldn't help but walk into the shop and buy it right there and then. No discussion. No thinking about it. I've certainly done this. Many a time. I may be sensible (most of the times) but I’m human.

My advice: If you love a piece, if it fits your size/shape/style, makes you say wow when you try it on, and you know you’ll wear it many times, then give yourself the pleasure of owning it. After all, it will then become part of your style.

For me, style is about:

• Individualising. Your style gives information about you as an individual. You stand out from the fashionable crowd. You are not afraid of being you. Your own style reflects this. You don’t follow other people’s fashion but you lead with your own style. You are not Madame tout le monde. You are extra-ordinary.

​My advice: Bravo. You got it. Carry on.

• Selecting. Once you know what suits you and you stick to it, you've found your personal style. It doesn't matter whether you are into French Chic, bohemian, preppy, casual, sporty, glamour, classic etc. This is your own choice. This is not dictated by which fashion is on trend this season. 

My advice: Good for you.

• Knowing what suits you and your body shape. If you look amazing in something that you love, whether or not absolutely fashionable, or the current trend, carry on wearing it. If you want to know, I have worn dresses, shoes, or looks that were not trendy many a times. But never have I felt out of style. Not currently in fashion maybe, but out of style, never.

My advice: Carry on the good work.
 
So, as you may already know from my blog and my books and as you can see from the above, my preference is definitely style over fashion. However, style without fashion would be utterly boring. Keeping to your style, while using one or two fashion items by incorporating new splashes of colour into your outfit for example, is one way of having the best of both worlds.

Check out How to be Chic & Elegant: Tips from a French Woman if you want to know more about French Chic. (This is an amazon affiliate link).

Fashion or style? What do you think? Which do you prefer? Please share.

A Bientôt 
Marie-Anne ♥︎

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