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“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self expression and, above all, attitude.” - Iris Apfel
Hear the word glamour and immediately it conjures images of flamboyance, the high life, razzle-dazzle, style. Think Audrey Hepburn, Amal Cooney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham and for those of us not born yesterday, think Diahann Carroll as Dominique Deveraux and Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington Colby.
Glamour does not have to be that four letter word…RICH. But glamour does exude allure, sophistication, and refinement, after all it is an art form.
Here are some of my guide lines and rules to dressing for the glamorous life, but not without my Gabby Glam red lipstick, fierce it is.
RULE #1:
To Thine Own Self Be True.
I once saw a sign in Amsterdam which read, “Welcome to Amsterdam, as the weather gets warm, dress for the body you have not the one you wish you hadn’t.” In other words know your body type, accentuate your assets and pull attention away from areas of insecurities. And remember not because it is trending means it is for you. Glamour is about fit; clothes that skim and fall, not cling.
Rule #2:
Quality Above Cost.
Always choose the highest quality fabrics you can afford. Invest in luxurious fabrics, impeccable tailoring, with classic lines.
Rule #3:
Add Some Individuality.
Mix and match textures and patterns to add visual interest and depth. Think silk with lace. Wool with cashmere. Cotton with linen. Stripes with florals. Prints with prints with a tups of prints.
Rule #4:
Think Neutral Palette.
A neutral palette for your capsule pieces gives you a lot of room to play, think navy, beige, black, white, taupe and one of my favourites chocolate brown. Adding to these your jewel tones, greens, your blues, and my absolute favourite colour in the universe, fiery red.
Rule #5:
Balance and Proportion.
Think short skirt with long top. Voluminous pieces with a more streamlined silhouette. Layering long pieces over short pieces or shorter pieces over longer pieces, focusing on textures and cohesive colour combinations.
Rule #6:
Accessorise.
Accessories can be the ultimate finishing touch or a total distraction. Make a statement with your jewelry, your shoes or your handbag. This is where too much or a good thing can be too much.
One of my signatures is my armful of David Yurman bracelets which I wear basically everyday. They are perfect with most if not all my daytime wear but for some evening wear they are too much, so I have to edit them down or remove completely. Accessorize accordingly.
Rule #7:
Spit and Polish.
There is no glamour without impeccable grooming, flawless skin, styled hair, manicured nails, polished and appropriate styled shoes.
Rule #8:
Honing Your Confidence.
The most important element of glamour is confidence, self-assurance. ‘Be the beautiful woman in the dress, not the beautiful dress on the woman.’
Remember true glamour is about self-awareness, choosing classic designs over trending pieces, quality over quantity, impeccable tailoring, and overall attention to details. Look to women you admire and be inspired by them, experiment, break rules, make mistakes.
And as Yves Saint Laurent says...
‘‘Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”
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