Dressing with WOW Factor
While waiting at a set of traffic lights last week, I was distracted by a woman walking past dressed mainly in black but for a few bright flashes of colour. Her oversized orange earrings, turquoise rings, multi-hued bracelets and tangerine-coloured shoes were so bright and contrasting against the black that the whole created a dazzling effect. She looked stunning in a nonchalant way, as though she had simply grabbed a few things from around her room and piled them on. I was in awe of her style – despite it being something I wouldn’t normally wear – because she seemed to have an unerring knowledge of how to dress herself. She looked confident – quite simply, she had wow factor.
The charm of people dressing with wow factor is that they often don’t know they are doing it. They dress for themselves, wearing garments that express who they are, unconcerned with what others might think. While many of us will spend time admiring those that always look fabulous, wishing we too could throw together a chic outfit with seemingly little effort, very few of us act on it. We place the idea in the too-hard basket, sighing, “I don’t have time”. Nonsense, I say. Every clothing choice you make should be a conscious one. Start by asking yourself each time you purchase something, “Is this really me?”
Being inspired by others is different to being influenced by them. Being inspired is to take an idea and make it your own. This is why fashion designers often have a stylish muse. A garment they have designed to be worn one way will be styled and worn in a new way by the muse. You can do the same: think of fashion as what you are offered and style as what you choose. Find someone that inspires new ideas in you.
Find your point of difference amongst your surroundings. If you are in the corporate world, detained by mundane suits, be an individual and wear a coloured suit instead. Alternatively, sport some interesting stockings or throw an extra-long scarf around your neck when wearing your black winter coat, letting it float behind you as you flounce down Lambton Quay.
Mothers at home can branch out too. Remember, kids love colour and fun things – start thinking outside of the square. I loved teaming brightly coloured necklaces with textured tops and jeans while I was a stay-home mum, showing my quirky side while giving the kids something interesting to play with during coffee groups. And I never left the house without a conversational piece – an interesting ring, yummy lippy or a vintage hat. If you are more conservative by nature, simply buy a pair of brightly coloured gloves and wear them with everything – you’ll be surprised by the comments you get.
No matter how you choose to add more wow factor to your wardrobe, remember that it’s you that is interesting, so dress in ways that reflect you. Without that, clothes are just other people’s ideas.
Toko heel by Kathryn Wilson
Pegs sunglasses by Karen Walker