How to Dress Feminine

Hello again lovely friends! Instead of writing a Friday Five post this week, I was busy catching up on all of the missed blog articles for corresponding videos. This post is a summary of one of my most viewed videos on how to dress feminine. I recently posted an updated fall style video on this topic, and I would love for you to view that one as well!

The 80/20 principle

I began the video by essentially explaining the differences between classic and romantic style - the two most dominant types of feminine fashion. Classic style follows that Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly type of look; clean lines, solid colors, and sturdy fabrics. Romantic fashion on the other hand, adheres to rather flow-y and unstructured garments - think, the Victorian Era. My personal belief is that a mix of 80/20 between these two types of dress, will provide you with the best balance in your wardrobe. It is also more practical to put the most weight on the classic portion of your wardrobe, due to the simple fact that we can find more of these types of garments in stores.

Color

I accented the importance of seeking to pair colors that are close together on the color-wheel, if you are seeking to mix-and-match colors. I also stated that any color can be paired with neutrals - white or black, for example. You can create complete outfits with blue and pink for example, by pairing different shades.  You will still look "put-together", since you are remaining close on the colour wheel. 

Waist to hip ratio

This is one of the easiest ways to accent a feminine body shape. Opt for tie-waisted dresses and high-waisted skirts. If you do not have that natural hourglass body type, you can create a waist by wearing skirts and dresses with ruffles at the bottom and/or a slip with fabric at the bottom of the trim (think of creating a triangle shape from your waist down). You can also similarly add details such as ruffles to your top, to highlight a smaller waist. It is essentially a game of balance.

Details

This adheres to the 20% of your style, which will be romantic. You can include subtle bows, flutters and ruffles. You can also include floral patterns, however try to keep these as as small as possible. I like to this of this technique, as adding elements of girlishness. 

Textures

Remember, living in your feminine means embracing the experience of getting dressed. Try to opt for luxurious fabrics. I also encourage you to vary your wardrobe, with a range of textures and try not to repeat similar textures (with the exclusion of sleepwear and exercise clothing, which can be of the same fabric). An easy way to do this is to "shop with your hands" - touch clothing items as you move through the racks of clothing. The goal is to get your closet to a state of variability and truly embrace the experience of putting on each garment of a different material.

Shoes

The rule of quite simple: the shorter the dress/skirt, the shorter the heel. I encourage you to buy mid-length heels, as they are the classiest. I also encourage a solid color heel, as it is easiest to match to your outfit and your bag, for a more "pulled together" look. I also mentioned that my recommended casual shoe is the ballet flat.

Accessories

I love scarves and I recommend adding them to any outfit, to add a pop of color, or to accent the color in focus. The material of the scarf is also important in giving you that luxurious feminine feel.I mentioned my love of hats. You can easily incorporate romantic style by opting for a sunhat with a bow.I encourage you to always opt for balance in your accessories - for example, a big bracelet would necessitate a small necklace (or none) and earrings. 

Personal grooming

This is the basis of all feminine style. You can dress impeccably, but fail to exude femininity if you are not well-groomed. I encourage you to choose one makeup item that you can commit to everyday. I also encourage you to try to wear your hair down, if you find that this style is most flattering for your facial features.