Stephanie Coughlan, Founder of Image Intelligence.
In a world where digital communication and remote work has become the norm of modern life, having a voice has become increasingly challenging for professionals. While this is not a surprise to many, it can feel isolating and frustrating not to be heard, leaving one feeling unseen.
As our lives increasingly move into the virtual realm, personal style choices have emerged as a unique opportunity to make a statement about your intentions and presence. Statement pieces are one of the most profound yet simple ways to delight your audience and create meaningful connections.
Let’s explore the concept of statement pieces and how they can help you stand out as a leader.
Defining Statement Pieces
According to the Oxford Dictionary, a “fashion statement” is “something that you wear or own that is new or unusual and is meant to draw attention to you.”
Remember that a statement can go both in flattering and unflattering directions. For example, if you wear a beautiful dress with a stain on it, that certainly makes an unflattering statement. Another statement that is actually more intentional can be made if you are wearing athletic clothes, and choosing to contrast the sporty look by layering a leather jacket.
Statement dressing is not just clothing or accessories; it’s about how you style the items you have, creating a unique and memorable reflection of your intentions and presence. Statement pieces can be anything that creates a brand-new look for you, something fresh and unfamiliar to your audience. Whether it’s a daring outfit, an unconventional accessory, or a unique combination of elements, statement pieces are a visual declaration of who you are and what you represent.
The examples below showcase how simple it is to create a statement through fashion. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Your closet likely holds numerous statement pieces waiting to be discovered and showcased in new and exciting ways.
Creating Your Own Statement
Here are some steps to help you craft a memorable and impactful personal style:
1. Color coordinate. Experiment with color combinations that reflect your personality and mood.
2. Add a personal touch. Try taking a forgotten item from your closet and styling it in a fresh and innovative way to surprise and delight your audience.
3. Choose the right fit. Fit is essential for feeling confident and comfortable. I recommend investing in clothing that flatters your body type.
4. Don’t follow trends blindly. Embrace your unique style, and don’t feel compelled to conform to every fashion trend.
5. Remember that the little things make a big difference. Incorporate bold accessories or try new color pairings to make a statement.
6. Embrace uniqueness. Dress for yourself, not to please others. An important lesson I learned as a style expert is that authenticity is a powerful statement in itself.
A challenge I’ve seen my clients encounter when they try to dress with a statement is either that they think they always need to drop a significant amount of cash for a statement item or they think that everything they are wearing needs to be bold and flashy in order to make a statement.
In the first challenge, the person usually making this comment is someone who is just starting out their career, or someone who may not understand that quality stands out more than trendiness. What I tell these clients is to consider the cost-per-wear of an item they will use throughout their lifetime.
For example, 18 years ago, I bought my first Chanel wallet bag at a duty-free airport. Then, it was a large investment—around $1,200—but I’ve used it at least twice per month ever since, bringing my total number of uses of the bag to 432. Dividing the price of the bag by the number of times I’ve worn it, the price per wear is $2.77. Not bad. Especially, if we consider the resale price of that bag in the secondary market, if I wanted to sell it at a secondhand shop. The bag that I bought 18 years ago was not a trend, but rather a classic piece that I will keep making a statement with in the future.
The second challenge to statement dressing I’ve encountered is those who simply overdo it. Little things make a difference, but an outfit full of unique, little things can sometimes become overwhelming to the eye. One of my clients had a closet full of artsy, bohemian pieces she had collected over the years. Her collection of clothes had many embellishments, from ribbons, to jewels, to straps, to leather tassels. Simply put, her closet was full of statement pieces. She would try to wear all these quirky pieces, which all had a personal touch together, but when doing so, nothing in the outfit really stood out at all. No color coordination was happening, and the problem was that she had no basic essentials like blue jeans, a basic white shirt or even a black T-shirt.
When building a statement outfit, avoid the pitfall of overdoing it by starting out with an outfit of basics and adding one element that really brings the outfit to life, like a jacket, piece of jewelry or pattern. Then, you can analyze the colors and maybe put on some shoes that have a matching shade of one of the details. Simple. It’s easier to add more to an outfit than to rethink the whole outfit once it is on.
In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, I believe professionals have an opportunity to break the mold and express themselves through their personal style. By embracing statement pieces and following these simple steps, you can make a lasting impression, be remembered and forge more meaningful connections in both your professional and personal life. Your style can be a powerful tool to ensure that you are seen, heard and remembered for making a statement.
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