Are Your Clothes Visually Saying What You Are Speaking Out Loud?

Hey, There,

I rarely watch television. Sometimes when I go to a dinner party and everyone starts chiming in on their favorite television series, and the excitement gets so elevated with chitchat of the latest “she did this and he did that,” I feel totally out of it. I’m not sure if I’m envious that my friends are so hooked, or grateful that I’m not.

And then one evening, needing a break, I jumped on my computer and perused Hulu for something to watch. The series “Empire” came across the screen. “Huh.” I was intrigued enough to watch the very first episode because the two main stars from the movie “Hustle and Flow” (A movie I loved because of the cool music), Taraji Henson and Terrance Howard, were brought together again in this series.

“Cookie” Lyon (played by Henson) – Don’t be fooled by the cute name, her clothing shouts “Don’t mess with me” – has such chemistry with Lucious Lyon (played by Howard), it’s palpable. Sans Lyon’s not so attractive megalomaniac personality he portrays (a la King Lear), he is simply luscious to look at in his attire which radiates regality.

However after that initial show, I never tuned in to watch it again. Until now. I was reminded not only of the chemistry the “Lyons” (Can it get any hotter in here?) have on camera, but of the incredible music (Note to self: Find a dance club around here that plays this kind of music!) and edgy style throughout the show.

I haven’t had a love affair with onscreen fashion since “Sex And The City,” who in my opinion did it best every week, year after year. The reruns are something I watch often because to this day the offbeat fashion still inspires me. That’s a big nod to Patricia Field, the Costume Designer, a master in the fashion realm.

Like  “Sex And The City,” “Empire” pushes the fashion envelope big time. But more importantly, like what Patricia Field did for Sarah Jessica Parker’s role as Carrie Bradshaw and her clan, Rita McGhee the Costume Designer for Empire, styles Taraji Henson’s role of Cookie Lyon, and Terrence Howard’s role of Lucious Lyon, and the rest of the cast just as beautifully.

I am so excited to discover a new series that has nailed it in not only making a strong fashion statement, but costuming the characters in such a brilliant way that the clothes speak nonverbally exactly what the characters are saying out loud.

I have said many times before, “Whether you know it or not, your style is making a statement to the world about who you are.”  Your clothing plays a back-up, supportive roll to what you are verbally saying to the world. Sometimes if you aren’t given a chance to speak, your clothes will be the only thing doing all the talking. Is it authentic? Meaning, is it in sync to what you are expressing to the world?

There is no doubt that Carrie and the “girls,” and Cookie and Lucious et al, are the embodiment of authentic style. Their style statements are not created by accident or by default, but by intentional design. Their visual messages to the world are crystal clear, and in sync with what they are saying to the world out loud.

Trying not to sound trite, life is precious. Each day your style gives you a chance to make an impact on the world…or to be inspiring to others. Everyday you get the opportunity to tell the world a little something about you. You get the chance through your clothing to unveil different sides of your Personality. You get to choose which part of you is revealed, when, where and to whom.

Your style is so much more than just your clothing. Your style is a way to express how you feel or how you want others to feel when they are around you. It can be your “costume” honoring your feminine side or your “armor” revealing the part of you that feels the need to be powerful and to be protected. Your style gives you a chance to say something when you don’t have the opportunity to use your voice.

I find that to be an enormous gift. Not only to yourself, to be able to express yourself freely in a visual way, but to those around you who get to appreciate the visual gift that you give them on a daily basis.

If you need some inspiration study the styles of “Sex And The City” and “Empire” and notice how their outfits compliment the  persona of the characters they are playing. The second season of “Empire” starts on Wednesday, September 23rd, 9/8c.

Homework:

When you get up in the morning and put on something to wear, are you excited to get dressed? Make a conscious choice of what you want your outfit to say about you. Then notice how you feel in your outfit.

Are you putting something on that you love, something that makes you feel good, and something that tells the world what you want them to know about you?

If your answer is “Yes,” congratulations! You probably have a wardrobe or at least a few outfits that are honoring your authentic style. If you answered “No,” schedule a phone call with me. I would love to help you.