Pillow Talk w/ Hannah : How can I develop my style?

Comparison is the thief of joy, but yes, I can relate.  When I first paged through an XDress catalog, my heart soared looking at the beautiful lingerie that was designed for me, but also crushed because I knew I could never look as beautiful as their models.

Over time I realized that I don't look like them, or like anyone else, because, well, I don't look like them, lol.  I can't.  I have a different body type, my face is a different shape, and I'm not the same age as most models.  Once I (finally) realized this, I started to pivot and think about my own body and where my potential and possibility were.  We can't always do what someone else does and get the same results.

For example!  Makeup tutorials are absolutely addicting.  They make it look so EASY.  But remember that many of these tutorials are done by professional makeup artists who have been trained and are likely licensed.  They know what they are doing because they are EXPERTS.  The first time they did their own makeup it probably did not turn out the way they would have liked, and it certainly turned out differently compared to the hundredth time they did their makeup.  Keep in mind that a makeup artist who is doing a tutorial is doing a tutorial for THEIR face, THEIR skin, THEIR facial shape and structure and skin tone.  I am not going to use the same products and techniques as a twenty year old girl, with light skin and a heart shaped face and a tapered chin.  If I used the same techniques and products, I am not going to magically turn into her.  Her techniques and products are appropriate for her face and skin and color, not mine.  

Instead of getting  discouraged by these videos, I scheduled an appointment for a personalized makeup lesson.  I was shown techniques and products for my face and skin.  I learned what worked and what did not.  From there, I was able to find my own style.

Clothes are not much different.  I learned that although a dress or a negligee might be absolutely gorgeous and the person who wears it looks AMAZING, the item is not necessarily going to work for me.  If the model has a different body shape and type than I do, the same clothes are going to look different on me.  Many clothes are designed to enhance or minimize certain features.  For example, I like peplum dresses because they create the illusion of hips...  of which I have none.  Someone with hips doesn't necessarily NEED this type of enhancement.  

If you are not happy or comfortable or confident in what you are wearing, it's possible it was designed for someone with different physical features than what your body has.  When shopping for clothes, be specific about your goals.  What I mean is that I have fairly broad shoulders and a very rectangular torso.  When I look for clothes I typically look for items that minimize these features.  Spaghetti straps, for example, are not going to work if that is my goal.  

Ultimately one must be comfortable and confident in what they wear.  It took a little time for me, but I wear what makes me feel strong and beautiful.  I wear dresses with thin straps even if they draw attention to my shoulders.  Style is more than what you wear, it's also HOW you wear it.

Love, Hannah

Have a question for Hannah? Click here to submit your questions for Hannah!