Style. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot naturally in the fashion circles. But what is the definition of style? Is it something we learn or are some of us lucky enough to be born with it?
As consumers and human beings we naturally emulate others particularly people we admire and in the case of fashion it maybe a celebrity or person in the public eye that has adopted a style which we may take inspiration from or copy.
When we think of style icons many names pop into our heads such as Audrey Hepburn, Marylin Monroe or more recently Victoria Beckham and Michelle Obama. However did these ladies acquire their style naturally or was it learned?
Gary Jordan, P.H.D and Linda Ross Vega seem to think that style is innate. They base their theory on something they have called Perceptual Style Theory (PST) which is “based on the belief that the unique way an individual perceives the world forms his or her basis for natural potential, strengths, and the way they interact with others.”
The theory is built on seven key principles:
- People perceive the world differently.
- Differences in perception result in psychological diversity, and psychological diversity is the most profound diversity there is.
- Perceptual differences can be grouped into 6 perceptual styles.
- Everyone believes that their way of experiencing the world is the right way and (until they learn differently) the only way!
- A person's perceptual style is innate.
- People are happiest and most satisfied in life when they are engaged in actions and activities that draw upon their natural capacities, skills, and abilities.
- Most people do not use their natural capacities, skills, and abilities consciously, regularly, or to their advantage.
According to this principle particularly number five, we are born with style which determines the natural capabilities, skills and abilities we have. “When something comes naturally to you, it means it is supported by your Perceptual Style and you were born with the potential to excel at it. In order for it to develop into a full fledged skill, you just need a circumstance that creates the opportunity for you to use it on a consistent basis.”
Thus we can see according to this principle an individual can naturally have the ability to gain any skill they like, i.e. in this instance fashion style. The saying born with style just may have meaning to it!
On the other hand if we look at our style icons i.e. Mrs Beckham who has always been described as having great style. Her style not only is on trend (let’s face it with her bank account and being friends with Donatella and the likes she can afford to) but she also exudes confidence too. Can confidence be part of what we perceive as style? There seems to be a fine line between the two and it seems they overlap a lot. It can be said that style is about confidence rather then knowing how to dress. If you have the confidence to wear any fashion style or trend then style will become your friend.
Fashion is always dictating what styles we should go for that will suit us, be it for our body shapes or height, however this can also make us apprehensive about trying new styles that do no fit our fashion ‘norms. This can be a disadvantage as we may miss out on styles that are good for us but thought would not suit us.
This is where confidence can play a big part in the fashion game alongside style. If you’re confident with fashion then style is born from within you. Let us all take have No. 5 in our lives (and I’m not just talking about the perfume either).
