Eclectic Style

A girl with a very eclectic
style :)
elle.com

You don’t follow trends; you make them. Wacky, playful, and audacious, you don’t mind standing out. Bold colors, cartoon-like elements, statement pieces, clashing colors, boxy clothes, and very extreme accesories are all the things you love. You wear what everyone else isn’t wearing; you wear what everyone tells you not to wear. Dressing to please yourself, you stand against the flurries of fashion and wear what you love. The combination is irresistable. But remember, if you do this look, you have got to do it with confidence. Own your clothes, don’t let them own you. 

Modesty Score: Since you mix and match different styles, I can't give a modesty score. As long as you are careful, it shouldn't be too difficult to dress modestly.

Femininity Score: The score for this category will change from outfit to outfit. Some eclectic dressers like to dress up like manga characters... Try to incorporate feminine elements into your outfit. (feminine colors, skirts, dresses, bows, etc.)

Age-Appropriate Score: You can be an eclectic dresser when you are old-ER, but be wary. Try not to look like the average teenager in Tokyo! {if you have no idea what I mean, go look at a street style website, and prepare to *gasp*} Incorporate classy and timeless into your eclectic salad. For example, if you want to wear a pair of wellington boots and a peacock feather hat and Indian bangles, go classic with everything else. Let the classic become the glue for your outfits. But seriously, stay away from over the top looks, at ANY age! :)

Style Essentials:

The key word here is statement. Get a statement dress, hat, jewelry, ANYTHING! Check out the essentials for all the other styles and incorporate the elements that you like and admire. Make sure to get all the glue pieces (a post on that coming soon!) so that you can have a basic foundation for your clothes. Set aside an afternoon and dig through your clothes. Combine clothes into outfits you would have never thought about before. Be a little zany and wacky. :) The best place for you to shop is at thrift stores and vintage stores. Don't expect treasures to come at once, but after some time, you may find something that works with your life and style! =) 

God bless!

~Southern Belle

Dramatic style

Classy, feminine, modest. The
perfect model of the
Dramatic Style.
vintagefabrics.blogspot.com

I admire the dramatic style a lot. It is elegant, classy, and well, dramatic! The dramatic style is strong and powerful. Angles, straight lines, deep, rich colors, and statement clothing dominate your wardrobe. Dramatic is the opposite of Romantic. It is a style that can make an impression. Your style can both intimidate and intrigue. The dramatic style starts with the attitude. Mystery, drama, class, and elegance. (Mystery does not mean looking like a detective! Christa Taylor at empoweredtraditionalist.com did a good series on "How to be Mysterious", and despite the weird title, it was a good post. Here is the link: http://www.empoweredtraditionalist.com/2010/12/31/how-to-be-mysterious-part-3/ ) Remember, it is the woman inside the clothes that matter. You are dignified, but never haughty. You are sophisticated, but never worldly. You are gracious, but never frigid.
Here are some photos of dramatic and feminine women from the 50s and 60s. Take them as good examples... aren't they gorgeous?! :

{The links under the photos are for copyright purposes}

peonyinlovewith.blogspot.com

pzrservices.typepad.com

pzrservices.typepad.com

thefashionilove.posterous.com

So dramatic!!!
shoponline2011.com

enjoyart.com

a-la-parisienne.blogspot.com

yespleasemademoiselle.blogspot.com

glamourdaze.blogspot.com

I love the look, but hate the cigarette :(
Dramatic Style Essentials
vintagefabrics.blogspot.com

Modesty Score: The focus on dramatic is not the skin showing... more the lack of. So in this category, you have a pretty easy job. Beware low backs and exposed shoulders... they are quite prevalent in this style.
Femininity Score: This style can be feminine (as shown in those photos) but it is far easier to be masculine in this style. What made those photos above so dramatic and feminine? What were some of similar things in those photos? For one, they wore a lot of hats. Gorgeous, feminine hats. Oh, so glamorous! I collect hats and love to wear them; they do add a touch of flair. :) Another thing was pearls. A lot of them wore pearls. Think of the dramatic Coco Chanel piling on those strands of pearls! Uberchic! Gloves were another common element… when tastefully worn, glamorous! Many of them also wore statement jewelry. They were so classic in their jewelry… nothing vulgar about it at all. They all added a distinctly feminine “something” to their outfit to make it dramatic yet classy. These women wore creams, browns, icy blues, black, and classic red. I think that tells us something too. ;) One more thing: Almost all of them wore low buns. Of course, take this all with a grain of salt; these women were from the fifties, and you are from the 21st century!

Age Appropriate Score: This is one of those styles that you older ladies reign in. Although younger women can be dramatic, it is so gorgeous to see the classic, dramatic look on woman who has actually seen all the dramatic styles of old. You guys do it so well. J If you are younger and you like this look, make sure your pride has been plowed down enough.... we don’t need haughtiness!

Dramatic Style Essentials:

Statement Jewelry. Black, preferably. Or
diamonds.
shoponline2011.com

Statement cocktail ring
(faycullen.com)

Some statement Jewelry in red
rhinesofold.com

Gold cuffs. With diamonds? Even better!
afashionistasblog.com

Diamond chandelier earrings
shoppingblog.com

Make a statement with hairclips!
perfectweddingguide.com

Skirt Suit {or a normal suit}
(flickr.com)

Vintage hats :) Net is so mysterious....
And gloves are so amazing on the right
occasion. :)
vandaprints.com

Red heels
debbieraymond.blogspot.com

A little black dress
saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com

Pearls.
guardian.co.uk

Red lipstick... what a statement! :)
(oh, and she is gorgeous!)
annette1030.blogspot.com

Red nail polish
pursesandpugs.wordpress.com

You need a drop dead gorgeous dress. But, I cannot supply the picture. Everybody's tastes are different when it comes to this particular item of clothing. Express your unique self!

A statement clutch

A red silk scarf
Hermes

Icy blue dress and of course,
 a gorgeous red dress
maidenluxe.blogspot.com

Trousers
dailymail.co.uk

Feminine button up white shirt
shopstyle.com

The style essentials are rather.... dramatic. :) If you love this style go for it, but it takes a lot of poise and respect to get it right. If you have those two elements, you are good to go! Here is a photo of a gorgeous dramatic girl:

Blessings dear readers!

~Southern Belle
(please note that this article was inspired by thechicfashionista.com)

The Trendy Style

Not very modest, but it still encompasses
the trendy look.

The trendy style a style that keeps abreast with all the trends. If it is “in” then you are wearing it. It may be something as wacky as pink fur boots, or as classic as multiple strands of pearls. Even though the trends change every six months or so, you still believe that trends are important enough to follow. The trendy style is VERY self-explanatory. I have two warnings for you trendy dressers at heart. Please don’t become a fashion victim! Remember Yves Saint Laurent’s infamous quote: “Fashions fade; style is eternal.” Incorporate the trendy style into something more timeless and enduring. Your goal is style, never fashion. J Another important thing to remember about trendy style: trends are often immodest and  not very feminine. It is very difficult to dress with modesty and femininity while following ALL the trends. Discern which trends support your views on modesty and femininity, and cut out those that don’t.

Modesty Score: The score for this category depends on the specific trend itself. There is nothing immodest about wearing horns on your head (although I wouldn’t advice it…), but wearing a mini skirt is not modest. ;) You get my point? Use discernment when deciding which trends to go for and which trends to bypass!

Femininity Score: Again, this depends on the trend. Go for the feminine, modest ones, skip the immodest, not very feminine ones.

Age Appropriate Score: By the time you are 50 plus, it is hoped that you will have developed your own style, and not driven by fashion. So for the most part, unless the trends are absolutely perfect for you, bypass them. (My personal opinion, mind you!)

Trendy style essentials:

This one, I can’t answer. L I mean, if I answer with the trends for right now, this post will not help anyone six months from now! But, I do have some suggestions for following the trendy clothing style. J Follow the trends. This website has EVERYTHING when it comes to trend spotting and affordable  fashion. Sometimes I just look here if I need a laugh at all the craziness. :P Please look at this website with discernment as it is a non-Christian website, but I would still encourage all of you trendy dressers to look at it. It has some incredible information! http://fashionstyleadvice.com/new-trends
To gain some timeless quality to your style, I would suggest looking at the classic style, and getting some of their pieces. The classic style works well with a lot of the sane trends, and will keep you from looking like a fashion victim! I will be doing a post on the classic pieces for all styles. Be sure to watch out for it.
Look into other styles. The trendy style can be very unfeminine, so the romantic style might add some feminine flourishes. The natural style might bring you down to earth, because the trendy style can look superficial. The dramatic style sets you apart from the pack, because tons of people are trendy. Etc. Etc. You get the point! J
Skip the immodest trends. Don’t even go there!
Take a look at celebrity style. MANY celebrities are trendy, so you can get a good sense for what is going on in the trends. But please look with discernment. It is not often that a celebrity dons a modest outfit.

Some good shops for the trendy clothing personality are:

Forever 21, Macy’s, Aeropostale, Abercombie & Fitch, H & M, and Topshop

This is a good example of changing trends to be more modest. 

Changing Trendy to modest and more feminine

When your style is trendy, the greatest tool you have is the Bible. The Bible will help you discern which trends are worthwhile, and which trends would be wise to bybass. Keep that in mind!

God bless!

~Southern Belle

Bohemian Style

Beautiful bohemian dress...
 celebritystyleguide

The Bohemian style is natural and care-free. It is flowing and fresh. The bohemian dresser is self-expressive and appreciates different cultures, mixing them into her style. (African, Indian, Gypsy :) When people think of the bohemian style, hippies are often the first image to come to mind. Although the bohemian style does resemble the hippie style in its floral prints, headbands, and loose dresses, the bohemian style keeps moving with modern trends. A hippie is stuck in the 70s. A bohemian dresser is casually care-free, and simply stylish. Accessories tell a story, and the bohemian dresser knows that power. The Bohemian style focuses on accessories, so don’t skimp on them! :D

Modesty Score: How does the Bohemian style stack up? Bohemian style is a lot like “Romantic Style” in this category. Beware sheer fabrics, and make sure to wear a slip or camisole if necessary. Make sure the skirt or dress will not be lifted up by the wind! (you know what happens then…) Also make sure that your shirt will not gap when you lean over to pick something up etc. But overall, the Bohemian style is fairly modest, because everything is so loose and flowing.

Femininity Score: The Bohemian style does quite well in this section. Long flowing skirts and dresses dominate this style, and floral prints are quite feminine too. A word of warning, though. Bohemian clothing has very earthy tones, so be sure to mix those with beautiful feminine colors and prints. The easiest way to be feminine is to mix the bohemian style with the romantic style. They can be very similar, and they complement each other very well.

Age Appropriate Score: The Bohemian style must be adjusted with age. But that is simple if you follow the guidelines in the “Age Appropriate Style” post. :)

Bohemian style essentials: 

Ethnic inspired tunic top (A long, loose shirt
usually covering the derriere)
(theworldcloset.blogspot.com)

Ethnic inspired tunic top
(hubpages.com)

Sundresses (I wear a tank under some sundresses
as they can be pretty immodest without them)
(shoponline2011.com)

Slouch knee or ankle boots
(footwearstudio.co.uk)

Thick Indian bangles
(dragonflydrinks.com)

Thin Indian bangles
(indian-bangles.com)

Ethnic Jewelry
(demo.dropshipsite.com)

Beaded necklaces
(elinterior.com)

Beaded necklaces
(jewelrystyle8.blogspot.com)

Gladiator Sandals
(oligoville.com)

White Peasant skirt
(totallystitchin.net)

Colored Peasant Skirt
(discountedcheapdeals.c)

Gypsy inspired peasant skirt
(qwickstep.com)

Bohemian fringe scarf
(usfashionshop.com)

Wide legged, worn jeans (sort of bellbottomish ;)
(ellecanada.com)

Peasant blouse
(myfashioncents.com)

Embroidered peasant blouse
(greatgreenapple.com)

Lace peasant blouse :)
(bluefly.com)

Crotched Poncho
(etsy.com)

Woven Boho Belt
(etsy.com)

Bohemian stores:

Here is a fantastic resource for bohemian clothes.

http://www.thechicfashionista.com/bohemian-style-clothing.html

God bless!

~Southern Belle

(Note: some of the information here was inspired by thechicfashionista.com)